Some scuba diving destinations are legendary. Others are known for one thing or another: spectacular reefs, wrecks, whales, sharks, walls or cenotes. The Caribbean’s best scuba diving destinations have it all.

The Caribbean’s best scuba diving destinations have the perfect combination: top scuba diving infrastructure; marinas, great dive shops with instructors, guides and educational facilities — along with great hotels, world-class restaurants and plenty to do above the water, too.

The one thing all great dive destinations have in common are healthy reefs — and lots of them.

Healthy Caribbean reefs are a precious resource and an amazing attraction. Dive tourism contributes hundreds of millions of dollars to the Caribbean economy each year — and all of these destinations know that Caribbean reefs must be protected, with marine parks and programs to promote reef conservation and encourage sustainable practices.

Here are the top scuba diving destinations to visit right now.

Curaçao Right now, this Dutch Caribbean gem is the Caribbean’s number one scuba diving destination. Everything is here, from 65 spectacular dive sites, a broad collection of top-level dive shops and marvelous underwater beauty. That’s along with some of the Caribbean’s top dive hotels, including the world-famous LionsDive, the upstart Scuba Lodge and the Marazul, among others.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

A major new solar energy park is coming to the Dominican Republic.

The $40 million Solar Canoa solar park officially broke ground this week for what will eventually be a 50-megawatt plant in Canoa on the south coast of the Dominican Republic.

Solar Canoa will begin with 25 megawatts in its first phase, with another 25 once the park is in full operation.

The project, which is slated for completion in a year, is the product of a partnership between Potentia Renewables and Cisneros.

Dominican Republic President Danilo Medina was on hand for the ceremony for the project, which will supply 10,000 homes each year with electricity.

Potentia Renewables is a Canadian energy producer focused on photovoltaic projects.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Norwegian Cruise Line is planning a major new terminal at PortMiami.

The company this week unveiled the design of the new dedicated Norwegian Cruise Line terminal, which will launch in May 2018, pending county approval.

The new terminal, slated for completion by the fall of 2019, timed with the brand’s debut of the Norwegian Encore ship in Miami.

“Norwegian has been sailing from Miami for over fifty years, longer than any other cruise line, and we are honored to be partnering with PortMiami and Miami-Dade County to construct an iconic terminal that will contribute to Miami’s world famous skyline and strengthen its position as the Cruise Capital of the World,” said Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.  “This terminal marks the latest step in our continual efforts to strengthen our presence in strategic home ports around the world.  We look forward to welcoming Norwegian Encore and the thousands of guests sailing on Norwegian Cruise Line and her sister brands to this state-of-the-art terminal.”

The project designed by Bermello Ajamil and Partners, will be built to LEED Silver standards.

It will accommodate ships up to 5,000 passengers, with a dedicated lounge and service area, a new garage and even valet parking, among other amenities.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

The Riu Palace Punta Cana hotel in the Dominican Republic is making big changes.

Riu has announced that the all-inclusive hotel will reopen in July after a complete renovation.

Set on the Arena Gorda beach, the transformed resort will include an expanded main building with new rooms, a gym, a sauna and spa; a new Spanish restaurant, a patisserie, three new pools (including an expanded children’s pool) and new showers.

The family-friendly property will include free entrance the nearby Splash Water World “aquatic funplex,” Riu said in a statement.

It’s part of a broader transformation push for Riu in the Caribbean, which has included wholesale renovations to properties like the Riu Palace Paradise Island in The Bahamas to an expansion at the Riu Republica in the Dominican Republic.

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By Alexander Britell

First it was Park Hyatt. Then it was Ritz-Carlton. Now it’s Six Senses.

St Kitts is quickly becoming the Caribbean’s next luxury hotspot.

Range Developments, the developer of the highly-acclaimed Park Hyatt St Kitts, has announced the new Six Senses St Kitts, slated to debut on the island in 2021.

The resort will be set on a 41-acre site of a former sugar cane plantation on the western side of St Kitts in the La Vallee area.

“We sincerely look forward to welcoming the distinguished Six Senses brand to St. Kitts,” said St Kitts Tourism Minister Lindsey Grant. “Six Senses only develops resorts in the world’s most unique and exquisite destinations, therefore it is a singular testament to the history and natural beauty of the island’s landscape to become one of them. The Six Senses philosophy with regard to sustainability, wellness and premier service makes it an ideal fit for St. Kitts as it complements our own vision and direction for our tourism product as we continue to enhance the variety of accommodations we have to offer to the discerning, experiential traveler.”

Six Senses St Kitts will feature 70 “pool villas” and a “Retreat,” along with, of course, a signature Six Senses Spa.

“We are excited to welcome Six Senses to St. Kitts,” said Mohammed Asaria, founder of Range Developments. “We look forward to working together on this exciting project.”

The news comes a month after Ritz-Carlton announced plans for a 125-room St Kitts resort, set, like the Park Hyatt, on the island’s lush southeastern peninsula.

Those two properties, along with the boutique Belle Mont Farm and the Six Senses, will add up to one of the Caribbean’s leading concentrations of luxury hotel properties.

“We are thrilled to add St. Kitts to the Six Senses portfolio of resorts in incredible settings. And working in partnership with Range Developments, who have exceptional expertise and experience in the Caribbean, Six Senses St. Kitts will be a remarkable resort. The ease of access from the United States is also a very positive factor as this market is increasingly embracing the quintessence of Six Senses.”

This will be Six Senses’ first hotel in the Caribbean.

The project will create approximately 300 jobs during construction, and several hundred more once the property becomes operational.

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