I was training for my freediving record-breaking attempts off Guadeloupe in the Leeward Islands when the most incredible thing happened. As soon as I put my head underwater I could hear whales singing. It was mind blowing. Then, as we were pulling up our ropes, a pod of bottlenose dolphins arrived. My spirits lifted and a couple of weeks later I went on to set two new world records.
I was born and raised in Grand Cayman, which is very special because it's out there on its own, slap bang in the middle of the Caribbean Sea. It's surrounded by some of the deepest waters in the world, which are so incredibly clear that you can dive all day. It used to be a volcanic island, so the topography under the water creates a perfect marine environment and you don't have to go out far to hit world-class diving walls. Also, a trip to Stingray City makes an amazing dive. Years ago, fishermen would go to this sandbar to clean their fish, and the scraps attracted hundreds of stingrays. Now you will find stingrays stacked ten deep next to you in 15ft of water. They're completely used to people, so there's no danger at all.
As far as snorkelling goes, anywhere in Little Cayman and Cayman Brac is a good bet as the water starts off very shallow. For something really special, check out the wreck of the MV Captain Keith Tibbetts on the north shore — the visibility is great. It's a relatively young wreck but there is still much to explore as fish move in and start ecosystems within hours. The deepest part is about 110ft so it makes for a really good dive, too. Expect to see all manner of reef fish, turtles, stingrays and dolphins around Cayman, and even the odd shark. It's great to see sharks on a dive because they're threatened around the world, and they are beautiful animals that we should work hard to protect.
There is also a great new dive site: the USS Kittiwake, near the coast of the Cayman Islands, which was sunk deliberately for divers. Originally launched in 1945, the 251ft, 2,200-ton ship was built to rescue sailors from downed submarines. It is located just 800 yards off Seven Mile beach, and can be snorkelled from shore. I've not yet been but it looks fantastic.
I've spent a lot of time in Turks and Caicos, diving in an area called Northwest Point. It's where I did my record-breaking dive. I stay at the Amanyara resort, where I now host snorkelling and scuba sessions for guests. Humpbacks pass by when they migrate in February, and the diving is beautiful.
One of my favourite islands is Dominica. There are only a few diving sites, but they are all breathtaking, such as Champagne, which consists of a bubbling underwater hot spring. Back on land, Dominica also has huge amounts to offer including the most incredible rainforest.
I've heard that Tobago is one of the best-kept secrets of the underwater world. Its waters are nutrient-rich and so the marine life is diverse and abundant. Situated at the southern end of the Caribbean islands, Tobago has a variety of dive sites and is unparalleled in the Caribbean for species diversity.
The beauty of diving in the Caribbean is that you can learn in total safety and have the best experiences of your life. It's great for novices, but you could also be the most qualified diver and still be challenged by what you find.
Tanya Streeter holds two women's world records for freediving.
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