Free PADI scuba diving is included at every Sandals: two boat dives per day for certified divers, free PADI Open Water certification for non-divers, free equipment rental. Sandals is the only major all-inclusive chain that gives you unlimited scuba as part of the all-inclusive math. The sites and dive operations vary meaningfully though. Here is my 2026 ranking of the best Sandals for divers.
What’s included in Sandals scuba
- Two boat dives per day for certified divers (PADI Open Water and above)
- Free PADI Open Water certification for non-divers (typically 3-4 days, $400-$500 retail value)
- Free equipment rental (BCD, regulator, fins, mask, snorkel; bring your own computer if you want)
- Boat fuel, dive guide, and Nitrox at most properties
- Discover Scuba intro program for first-timers (one pool session plus one shallow boat dive)
Excluded: Advanced Open Water and Rescue certifications (paid), specialty courses, third dive of the day (paid).
Top 5 Sandals for divers
- Sandals Grenada – the consensus best Sandals for diving. Pink Gin Beach, the underwater sculpture park (Molinere Bay) with 75+ life-size sculptures, healthy reefs, regular ray and turtle sightings. Dive operation runs 3 boats daily.
- Sandals Royal Curacao – Curacao’s reef system is part of the Bonaire-tier Caribbean dive zone. Wall dives off the south coast of Curacao, plus the famous Tugboat wreck dive 30 minutes from the resort.
- Sandals Saint Vincent – newest property, fresh dive infrastructure. Saint Vincent’s reef system is dramatic (volcanic black-sand basins, deep walls). Easy access to the Bequia Channel for advanced divers.
- Sandals Grande Antigua – Antigua has 365 beaches and the dive operation accesses the eastern reef system plus the Pillars of Hercules formations. Strong shore-dive options as a bonus.
- Sandals Royal Bahamian – Bahamas dive sites are famous (drop-offs, blue holes, shark dives nearby). Sandals Royal Bahamian’s dive operation accesses the New Providence reef system.
Sandals you might skip if diving is your priority
The Jamaica Sandals (Negril, Montego Bay, Royal Caribbean, South Coast, Ochi, Royal Plantation, Dunn’s River) all run dive operations but Jamaica’s dive sites are good-not-great by Caribbean standards. The dive teams are excellent; the underwater landscape just is not the highlight of the destination. If diving is the primary trip purpose, prioritize Grenada, Curacao, Saint Vincent, or Antigua over the Jamaica options. For the broader Sandals lineup see my best Sandals resort guide.
Getting your PADI certification at Sandals
The Open Water certification at Sandals takes 3-4 days. Day 1: classroom plus pool sessions. Day 2: more pool plus the first shallow boat dive. Days 3-4: 4 open-water dives. Plan a 7-night stay if you want to certify and then have a few days of fun diving as a newly-certified diver. Couples often split: one partner certifies while the other dives the same boats as a certified diver. Note for honeymoons: scuba certification booking should happen on day 1 of arrival to avoid the 24-hours-no-fly rule biting your departure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Sandals include scuba diving?
Yes. Every Sandals includes unlimited PADI scuba diving for certified divers (2 boat dives per day), plus free PADI Open Water certification for non-divers (3-4 day course, $400-$500 retail value). Sandals is the only major all-inclusive that bundles unlimited scuba into the all-inclusive math.
Which Sandals has the best scuba diving?
Sandals Grenada is the consensus pick. The underwater sculpture park (Molinere Bay) plus healthy reefs and regular ray/turtle sightings make it the best Sandals for divers. Followed by Royal Curacao for wall dives and the Tugboat wreck.
Can I get my PADI certification at Sandals?
Yes, free. The Open Water certification takes 3-4 days. Day 1 is classroom plus pool, Day 2 is more pool plus first boat dive, Days 3-4 are open-water dives. Worth a $400-$500 retail value. Plan a 7-night stay to certify and then enjoy a few days of fun diving.
Are dive operations the same at every Sandals?
All Sandals dive ops use PADI standards and the same equipment program, but the dive sites vary dramatically. Grenada, Curacao, Saint Vincent, and Antigua have the strongest underwater landscape. Jamaica’s Sandals run good dive ops but Jamaica’s reefs are good-not-great by Caribbean standards.
