Best Places To Scuba Dive In The World
The most precious, most beautiful pearls are found by those who dive the deepest. Not only in the metaphorical sense but also in the literal sense. For those of the world’s populace who are fond of deep sea and scuba diving, the question arises, where to go? Which of the world’s seashores engulf the best scuba diving sites? Well, here’s us, helping you choose from this extensive list of best places to scuba dive in the world. From Indonesia to the USA, from Caribbean to Mexico to Russia to Greenland.
Misool Boo Rocks, Indonesia
Formerly known as Mysol, this archipelago in Indonesia is one of the four major islands in West Papua. The islands are known for scuba diving sites. Boo Rock here is the most beautiful, most coveted among them all. Located off the Raja Ampat Island, Boo Rocks derives its name from a swim-through gap populated with gorgeous coral reefs. The sea is crystal clear turquoise and you will be able to spot the vivd pinnate batfish. Usually a set of 3 guided boats are released each day into the sea and you will find photographers, adventure seekers and honeymooners in plenty. October to April is the best time to dive.
Micronesia
The Federated States of Micronesia, an independent country off the coast of USA is one of the top scuba diving regions in the world. Peppered in the Pacific Ocean, these 600+ islands are home to four main states of Micronesia, namely Pohnpei, Chuuk, Kosrae and Yap. With palm beaches and ruins, wrecked diving sites and temples by lagoons, Micronesia gives you a legit unique experience. Chuuk can be called a goldmine for scuba divers, with its strategic coast to dive that was used as a point of war during World War II. This means you find many a ship wrecks and ruins here. Yap, another island state is home to large beautiful manta ray fish and you can swim by them as you dive.
Lago Del Naret, Switzerland
Who would have thought? Switzerland, the land of ice-capped mountains and lakes is also a world renowned scuba diving hub. It is home to the only freshwater lake in the world that has ice bergs floating inside it. And here, in Lago del Naret, altitude divers find nirvana. The rock banks lead to the lake water heating up fast after winter, and hence you can easily go diving in here. You can even slip inside the water on the bank and enjoy an underwater swim if diving is too much of an adventure for you. The summer months of July and August are the best for diving here.
Bonaire Scuba Dive, USA
The Bonaire Island, also known as the Bonaire Marine Park in the United States of America is home to some very beautiful corals, that spread a plethora of colour across the water bed along with more than 350 types of fish and white sandy shores touching this turquoise water. Who wouldn’t want to go scuba diving in such a gorgeous place? You can easily make out the diving sites as they are highlighted by big yellow boards. Many travel and diving companies take guided tours to dive from December to April too.
Cayman Islands, Caribbean
You read Caribbean and got excited right? Well, there’s more to the glamorous Caribbean Islands. The Cayman Islands here make for the best diving area in the vicinity. With 365 diving sites, you could do one for each day and still have not seen the other, conspicuous ones. Grand Cayman is the most popular among them all. With an average temperature between 26-28°C, you will enjoy your dive here more than in any hotter or colder places.
Cancun Playa del carmen, Mexico
The Playa del carmen town in Mexico is perfect for an enriching vacation coupled with scuba diving. With the Maya Riviera running parallel to it and the waters perfect for fishing as well as diving, you are in for a real traditional Mexican holiday. The region of Cancun nearby is also pretty famous for its scuba diving excursions and for the world’s biggest underwater sculpture museum. Certified divers are allowed to dive through the reefs because these are quite challenging waters to navigate.
White Sea, Russia
Well, the white sea is not really white in colour. It is beautifully covered in ice for the most part though! The White Sea is a part of the Arctic Ocean. Imagine you get to dive into the depths of the world’s Northernmost and coldest waterbodies! This is one of those. The underwater fauna here is unique and of the boreal type, with crabs, shrimps, starfish and brittle stars along with hydroids, sponges and soft colourful corals. Surprisingly, you can dive all year round here, even in winters!
North Pole, Alaska
Whoever said only Santa Claus travels in North Pole? Evidently, it is also a coveted location for scuba divers. Another unique spot in the world for ardent adventure enthusiasts, the North Pole in Alaska is a bucket list kind of place to dive. The Summit Lake in Kenai Peninsula is one of the world’s most challenging scuba dives. And just as rewarding. You will find rare flora and underwater fauna, the most riveting being the sockeye salmon. Winter scuba dive expeditions are highly preferred and the best time to dive is December through May, when the snow is thick and white.
Sipadan and Semporna, Malaysia
Sipadan is Malaysia’s star suba diving spot. A fish capital of the island nation, Sipadan is home to world’s rare marine species. The diver community prefers to dive here in the summery half of the year, i.e. between April and December. Some of the diving sites to explore here are Barracuda Point, Hanging Gardens, Coral Garden, Midreef, Turtle Cavern, Whitetip Avenue and Drop Off. Semporna is just as beautifully endowed and chosen by divers for its unique marine fauna.
Bay Islands, Honduras
Honduras is a country in Central America, with the coastline kissing the Caribbean Sea. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef in Bay Islands is a great diving region. It is 1000 km long and encompasses 8 islands and many little cays. Snorkelling and swimming are also highly coveted here in case if you are not certified to dive. The three main stops for scuba diving here are Utila, Roatan, and Guanaja, making the second largest coral reef in the world after the Great Barrier in Australia.
Yongala, Australia
Name the devil and here it is! The Yongala diving spot in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef opens a vivid new world to divers and adventure seekers. One could even call it the best wreck-diving site in the world. The 33 m deep sandy bed filled with ruin and wreck here is like a treasure hunt world under water. But the currents of these waters are very strong, hence it is only advisable for experienced divers. The marine life around the wreck includes sea turtles, Manta rays, Barracudas, sea snakes and eagle rays.
East Greenland, Greenland
Greenland is white in colour. Not green. But you already knew that. What you don’t know is that it is also a great location for scuba diving. Unexplored, virgin lands and pristine waters make up the experience of diving deep into the thickness of snow cover that leads to tepid water. Scuba diving centres and guided tour providers will ensure your safety and make sure you are skilled to navigate icebergs and other hurdles. Very few weeks in the peak of summer permit diving here so plan well and in advance.
Big Brother, Egyptian Red Sea
The Red Sea once parted for Moses. It doesn’t part for scuba divers. But it sure gives them a treasure of natural charm to explore. The Brothers are two islands in Egypt’s Red Sea that make the two huge reef pillar that emerge from the fabled depths of the sea. The Big Brother, named so for its size, is home to amazing coral reefs. Scuba diving here can be undertaken in any season, all through the year.
Lake Baikal, Siberia
Lake Baikal is believed to be the oldest, largest freshwater lake in this world. It flows through the land of Siberia and locks almost 20% of world’s unfrozen freshwater. The clarity of this water hence beckons scuba divers and snorkelers to explore its depths. Deep water diving is also highly coveted around this region and the visibility allows you to peak in upto 45 m deep. What’s more is, you can go diving in this lake at absolutely any time of the year.
Great Blue Hole, Belize
In the Central American country of Belize, one will find the Great Blue Hole. As the name suggests, this hole is a huge sinkhole of a submarine, lying on the Caribbean shore with its listing on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. Recreational divers fly in here from all over the world to explore the circle of coral reef, turquoise waters, its rare beauty and the sea mammals that are unique to this area.
Manta Ray Night Dive, Kailua Kona, Hawaii
As the name suggests, this diving area is specially for those who want to see the Manta rays in the deep blue of Hawaii. Kailua Kona is an island here and attracts tourists and scuba divers for this very reason. With more than 200 Manta Rays swimming around its waters, Kailua Kona diving providers offer a lot of options for diving, especially in the night dives as these creatures are easily visible in the dark. You can even take a glass-bottom cruise across the water at sunset to track the Rays.
Tiputa Pass Rangiroa, Polynesia
One of the most coveted renowned diving sites in the French Polynesia, Tiputa Pass Rangiroa is a war of incoming and outgoing currents. Really seasoned and trained certified divers are required to beat these currents to dive deep into the realms of the water. Many varied sites around the region cater to different graded levels of divers. You can check out the Shark’s Cavern where a diver needs good buoyancy control and quick instincts to manage the dive and spot creatures like reef sharks with ease.
Aliwal Shoal, South Africa
South Africa is a little more than wildlife safaris and horse races and vineyards and modern cities. By the Kwazulu- Natal coast you will get to enjoy some of the best scuba diving experiences of your life. Aliwal Shoal comes under the top-10 of the world, mainly for the remains of two shipwrecks in its seabed. And also for the subtropical fish you find here. With the massive Grey Nurse shark of course. November to January make for a good time to go diving here.
U-352 Dive, North Carolina
North Carolina in the USA is home to the U-352 Dive, a 218 foot long German U-Boat. It had sunk in years ago, and now makes for a splendid scuba diving location. The dive takes more than 2 hours, with the first hour only used to reach the inlet. The World War II submarine diving is coveted not only by adventurers but historians and archeologists alike.
The Wall, Havelock Island, Andaman
Havelock Island in India’s Andaman is home to the Wall. This is also one of the top scuba diving spots in the world. The sloping wall 3.5 km long gives the diver a new perspective into the sea. And what’s more is, all levels of divers are permitted diving here. The red, purple and yellow corals along with ruins make this a brilliant experience. And since Andaman Nicobar Islands are two of the cheapest places in the world offering scuba diving PADI certificates, you can come here a novice and return an expert in the art of exploring oceans.
Antarctica
Antarctica is that white oblivious land in the far end of South Pole. Covered in ice. Inhospitable. Not even close to being explored for the most part. And yet, Antarctica is coveted by scuba divers for diving expeditions. Why? Because no people means the purest, truest form of nature. Especially the marine life. But you will need to be experienced in cold water diving in dry suits, with razor sharp instincts and high enduring tendencies, with at least 20 dives to your credit.
