Destination: Jamaica

A traditional favorite of sun seekers, Jamaica is seldom given serious consideration by experienced divers. Scuba is offered at many of the all-inclusive resorts that line the island's northern shore, but these operations cater primarily to the first-time or occasional diver. Sponges dominate the north shore's underwater terrain and low-lying corals, as wind and wave action frequently scour the shallows that flank the precipitous drop into the Cayman Trench. Fishing pressure has left its mark on much of the region, but Falmouth region is said to host the north shore's best-preserved sites.