Our Top Picks for Swimming Spots in the Caribbean

Some individuals embark on journeys for culinary delights. Others pursue artistic experiences. For us, our travels revolve around swimming.

It’s not something we do intentionally. By that, I mean we don’t schedule our vacations to focus solely on swimming, like surfers do for catching waves. In truth, it dawned on me only when I started writing this piece. As I reflected on our adventures, from Iceland to Italy, Greece to Baja, and the Maldives, I came to realize that swimming has been our consistent pursuit.

In recent years, our travels have brought us closer to home, as we wanted to be near family. Luckily, we had the opportunity to explore the western Caribbean aboard two Dinogo cruise ships. We set out for the islands to swim, and that’s precisely what we did.

Throughout our journey, we stumbled upon countless inviting swimming spots, some discovered by us and others through excursions. Here are our top five favorite swimming locations in the western Caribbean.

West Bay Beach – Roatán, Honduras

West Bay Beach in Roatan is truly a stunning sight. The Bay Islands of Honduras have been attracting divers for years, and after experiencing it myself, I completely understand why. Rich in flora and fauna, with powdery white sand and vibrant turquoise waters, West Bay Beach is nothing short of paradise. Although our visit was brief, we made the most of every moment. Locals offer beers and rent snorkeling gear right on the beach, making it a budget-friendly and convenient outing. The water is precisely as you’d expect: flawless.

Cheeseburger Reef – Grand Cayman

Diving has been on our bucket list for so long that it's almost embarrassing we haven't gotten certified yet. So, when we stumbled upon an introductory scuba excursion during our first Caribbean cruise, we jumped at the chance. That's truly where our affection for Grand Cayman began. Within an hour of disembarking, we found ourselves in a small lagoon outside the dive shop, gearing up for our first lesson. Cheeseburger Reef is just a short swim away from the lagoon, and I can’t imagine a more perfect spot for a first dive; the reef is alive with color and teeming with life.

Akumal Bay – Riviera Maya

In the Mayan language, Akumal translates to “land of turtles,” which is a fitting description for this tranquil bay in the Riviera Maya, where sea turtles abound. We found this gem while on a snorkeling excursion that departed from Cozumel. With gentle currents and shallow waters, Akumal Bay is among the most accessible places in the world to swim with these magnificent creatures. During our hour in the water, we spotted several sea turtles, which seemed to be the norm. It’s a breathtaking experience to swim alongside these turtles in their natural habitat, and I believe everyone should have this experience at least once in their lifetime. 

Seven Mile Beach – Grand Cayman

We absolutely adore Grand Cayman. It has a comforting vibe, reminiscent of a Caribbean San Diego. We stumbled upon Seven Mile Beach after our dive at Cheeseburger Reef. It epitomizes the island beach experience—tiki bars, pristine white sand, and inviting warm waters. Seven Mile is the ideal destination for a perfect beach day. So, on our return to Grand Cayman, that’s precisely what we did. We laid out our blanket on the sand, picked up some delicious food and local craft beers from Calico Jack’s, and enjoyed a whole day under the warm Caribbean sun.

Dos Ojos Cenote – Riviera Maya

I first heard about cenotes (pronounced cey-No-tays) from Bethany after she returned from her initial trip to the Riviera Maya in 2011. Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula boasts nearly 7,000 of these underground caves. Cenotes are created by the collapse of limestone bedrock, which often reveals turquoise pools of crystal-clear water. Some are just simple swimming spots, while others are part of an extensive underground river network. Dos Ojos (Spanish for 'two eyes') is a network of underground caverns linked by two caves. It's a diver’s paradise and also an excellent cenote for swimming. We explored Dos Ojos before heading to Akumal Bay and had an amazing time snorkeling in both caves. The water is incredibly clear and refreshing. For swimming holes, cenotes are simply unbeatable.

Do you have a favorite swimming spot or beach? Share it with us in the comments below!