Paradise Dive Center Belize

Tucked away in Hopkins, Belize, Paradise Dive Center calls itself Belize's best-kept secret — a palm-fringed islet that sits as part of the South Water Caye Marine Reserve, perfectly placed to explore the clear waters and breathtaking underwater formations of the world's second-largest barrier reef. This is genuinely off-the-grid diving, though you'll still find Wi-Fi when you need it.

Courses, dives and the reef

As a PADI® Dive Center, the team caters to every level. Casual divers can book individual dives, more dedicated divers can opt for packages, and anyone looking to progress will find a range of PADI® courses to build skills and experience. The signature dive site here is South Water Caye, where the marine life runs from sharks, whales and turtles to rays, eels, molluscs, corals and more.

Facilities include an onsite training pool, a waterfront location, a dive boat, onsite accommodation and food and drinks, plus scuba equipment rental. With staff speaking English, Spanish, French and Czech, it's well suited to international travellers — and it's earned Trip Advisor recognition nine years running.