Scuba diving is an extraordinary experience that gives you the most remarkable view of the underwater world. Swimming alongside a variety of marine life, getting a view of beautiful coral reefs and then pausing to take a look at the majestic sea creatures in their natural surroundings can be an ethereal adventure. Those who are looking to experience the magic of diving underwater might want to take a look at this list. The compilation includes some of the world’s best places where you can go scuba diving.
Sipadan Island, Malaysia
One of the best things about Sipadan Island is that there is no real low season and diving can be done throughout the year. Located off the east coast of Malaysia’s easternmost state Sabah, the Sipadan Island is home to 3.000 species of fish, hundreds of species of coral, and has plenty of manta rays and sharks along with green and hawksbill turtles. In fact, the diversity of its marine life is the hallmark of this diving mecca. The variety of fish found in the clear waters here is astounding – barracudas, reef sharks, large schools of jacks and marauding bumphead parrotfish being some of the famous ones.
Phuket, Thailand
Phuket is a paradise for divers. This mountainous island in the Andaman Sea consists of some of Thailand’s best beaches. Locals and tourists alike take great interest in scuba diving here owing to its pristine and emerald-green waters. Pretty-looking reefs, an interesting array of rocks, and fascinating marine life make for a great blend and that is where a majority of the beaches in Phuket score strongly.
Richelieu Rock, about 200 km (124 miles) northwest of Phuket, is one of the most popular diving sites there. It is famous for whale shark sightings but is also home to great schools of pelagic fish like jacks, barracuda, and batfish along with mantas, harlequin shrimp, and seahorses.
Palau, Micronesia
Micronesia, a majestic group of islands in the Pacific, is located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and is about 4.025 km (2.500 miles) southwest of Hawaii. The biggest attraction here is the Blue Corner. The insane volume of fish and sharks that are found here can stupefy even the best divers but it is a sight to savor.
The German Channel, Peleliu Wall and Ulong Channel are some of the other famous underwater sites that should be viewed; for their extensive marine life, endless coral reefs and some of the cleanest and clearest waters you will ever see. If you are lucky, you will also get to spot local dolphins, turtles, grouper, and manta rays.
Turk & Caicos, West Indies
Turks and Caicos is a group of 40 islands situated on the southeast of Miami, Florida, and is a popular diver’s travel destination. You will find a rich variety of sea creatures in its turquoise waters that includes Orange Elephant Ear Sponges, Gray Reef Sharks, Angelfish, Horse-eye Jacks, Lobster, Snapper, Garden Eels, and Nurse Sharks. However, the star attraction in the waters of Turks and Caicos are the sea turtles and the eagle rays. Divers have even spotted 9 meter (30 ft) long whale sharks right next to them on occasion, and you could be lucky to sight them on your first attempt.
Kailua Kona, Hawaii
The underwater world around all Hawaiian Islands captivates divers from around the world. The Kailua Kona, located on the west coast of Hawaii, has become a favored spot for many divers especially because it offers something for all divers – clear waters, exotic marine animals, and vibrant underwater surroundings.
The biggest highlight here is the Manta Ray Night Dive where underwater lights placed on the ocean floor make for an absolutely spectacular visual sight. Getting to witness an array of marine creatures glowing with the lights underwater is a breathtaking and once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Cozumel, Mexico
The name Cozumel was derived from the Mayan name for the island “Ah Cuzamil Peten” which means “island of the swallows”. Cozumel is situated in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and has acquired its name as North America’s prominent scuba diving hotspots. Most of the dive sites around Cozumel are within the National Marine Park and is home to more than 26 species of coral and more than 500 species of fish. Hawksbill, green and loggerhead turtles have been successfully bred in the marine park, and you are likely to come across these magnificent creatures in one of your dives here.
Great Blue Hole, Belize
The Great Blue Hole has fascinated researchers and divers alike for years because of its unique natural design. After all, it is a very deep, wide, hole that is marked by coral reefs and is teeming with sharks. This enormous underwater sinkhole is located off the coast of Belize in Central America and lies near the center of Lighthouse Reef. The name “Great Blue Hole” was created by British diver and author Ned Middleton after he was greatly impressed by the place.
