Building on the enthusiastic reception of the first ever Sandals Dive Week hosted at Sandals Royal Curaçao in 2023, the Caribbean resort brand has brought its growing community of loyal diving lovers to the shores of Pure Grenada for a seven-day celebration of underwater adventure, community connection, and the island’s unrivaled marine biodiversity. Running from September 14 to 18, the event brought together more than 75 experienced divers, dubbed “Island Insiders,” on a carefully crafted itinerary that highlighted Grenada’s most iconic and spectacular dive locations.
The curated route took divers to two of the island’s most vibrant natural reef systems: Black Forest and Japanese Garden, where visitors encountered a diverse array of tropical fish, colorful coral formations, and rare marine species. It also included stops at four of Grenada’s most storied shipwreck dive sites: Veronica L, Tyrell Bay, Anina, and Shakem, each offering unique opportunities to explore man-made underwater habitats that have become integral to the local ecosystem. No dive itinerary in Grenada would be complete without a stop at the world-famous Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park, the event’s crown jewel attraction that draws divers from across the globe each year.
To accommodate the larger-than-usual group of participating divers, the Sandals organization brought in additional dive boats, certified instructors, and support staff from partner resorts across four neighboring Caribbean nations: St Vincent, St Lucia, Barbados, and the Bahamas, ensuring every participant received a safe, seamless, and personalized experience.
Windell John, Regional Watersports Manager for the Eastern Caribbean at Sandals, shared the core philosophy that inspired the creation of the annual Dive Week series. “Diving is more than just a recreational activity for our guests—it’s a passion that brings people together,” John explained. “So many of our repeat guests choose to return to Sandals destinations year after year specifically for our scuba diving programs, which are one of the many premium included amenities offered at every Sandals and Beaches Resorts location. Our dive community is incredibly active on social media, where they share their experiences and invite friends and family to join this growing network. We created Dive Week as a way to give back to our most loyal divers and create a dedicated space for them to connect over their shared love of the ocean.”
Beyond leisure diving and social connection, the 2024 Grenada Dive Week also offered guests valuable opportunities to advance their diving expertise through professional development courses offered through the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI). A standout offering was the Lionfish Specialty certification, which combined classroom education with hands-on experience. During the mid-week Beach Breeze and BBQ Party, the Sandals dive team led educational sessions about the ecological threat invasive lionfish pose to Caribbean reefs, guided participants in sustainable lionfish catches, and demonstrated safe handling techniques for the venomous species. Evenings throughout the week featured guided night dives, followed by Sandals Grenada’s signature live entertainment and curated gourmet dining experiences.
Kristina Leadbeater, PADI Regional Manager, attended the event in person and praised the high standards of safety and professionalism demonstrated by the Sandals dive team. “The Sandals team has been exceptionally impressive in how they empower visitors to safely explore Grenada’s incredible and thrilling underwater scenery,” Leadbeater said.
For returning guests like John Bechthold, a multiple-time visitor to Sandals Grenada and certified scuba instructor, the event offered a uniquely meaningful experience even for divers who have explored the island’s sites before. “It was such a special occasion,” Bechthold shared. “I’ve dived all these sites before, but there’s something magical about doing it all again alongside old friends, new friends, and the incredible team that makes every part of the experience seamless. We all love Grenada.”
Curtis Bailey, Watersports Manager at Sandals Grenada, thanked guests and cross-functional resort teams for the event’s success. “Dive Week created incredible synergy across every department at the resort and with our local suppliers, all working together to deliver an unforgettable experience for our valued divers who chose to join us in Grenada this year,” Bailey said. “We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who played a part in making this event such a tremendous success.”
The annual event series shows no signs of slowing down: Sandals has already confirmed that the next Sandals Dive Week will be hosted at Sandals St Vincent in the Eastern Caribbean, extending the brand’s commitment to building community among diving enthusiasts while showcasing the best of Caribbean marine destinations.