With diverse climatic conditions and intricate geographies, Mother Earth never ceases to amaze us in various ways. Since the earth’s surface is covered with more than 70 percent of water, there are plenty of places for scuba diving in the world to explore the hidden mysteries underwater. From historic shipwrecks to breathtaking marine life hotspots, and spectacular coral reefs to lesser-known but equally special locations, these dive sites give you a unique and unforgettable experience. Are you confused about choosing the best site for diving? Here is our list of some of the best diving spots in the world that have been carefully selected by our trawell.in experts, and they all guarantee some fantastic diving experience.
Bajo Alcyone – Cocos Island, Costa Rica
Lies far from the Costa Rican Pacific Coast, Baja Cyclone in Cocoa Island is one of the most popular diving sites in the world. With its superb visibility, incredible biodiversity, and the sight of circling groups of over 100 Scalloped Hammerheads, this site is ranked among the 10 most beautiful dives in the world. This site also allows fantastic opportunities for underwater photography enthusiasts as the shark’s distinct body shape form some stunning silhouettes as they swim in the sunlight. In addition, one can also spot manta rays, whales, and other pelagic fish in large numbers that makes your long journey worth and memorable. Diving at Bajo Alcyone is only possible on a dive liveaboard cruise that usually depart from the port of Punterenas, a 90-minute drive from the country’s capital San Jose.
Cape Kri – Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Indonesia is an epicenter of the world’s best scuba diving in the world. Cap Kri in Raja Ampat is one of the popular diving sites in this region as scientists recorded the most fish species on a single dive at this site. The diving conditions at Cape Kri are suitable for all levels that offers excellent biomass, phenomenal activity, and diversity with some interesting currents. Blessed with pristine coral gardens, and majestic karst landscapes, this site is home to more than 1,500 species of fish, Manta Rays, Sharks, Barracudas, and giant trevallies. This site can be best dived from Papua Diving Resort. But if you’re looking to dive via a liveaboard dive boat, Damai and Arenui are the best options to choose as part of Indonesia Tour Packages.
Barracuda Point-Sipadan Island, Malaysia
Barracuda Point is an unrivaled scuba diving destination located on Sipadan Island in Malaysia. Sits in the Coral Triangle, it is one of the best diving sites in the world, and among the top places to visit as part of Malaysia tour packages. At Barracuda Point, a coral reef has formed around the rim of a dormant underwater volcano, giving rise to a rich, diverse ecosystem in crystal-clear waters. Divers will come across hundreds of chevron barracuda schooling in mesmerizing fluidity along a vibrant reef teeming with 3,000 species of fish. Attracts underwater photographers from all over the world, one can also spot the hammerhead sharks, sponge-chomping turtles, bump-head parrotfish, trevally, and manta rays cruising around the island’s steep drop-offs. Diving in Sipadan is great year-round, but April to December is the best time to dive here. While you’re on Sipadan, you can also check out South Point, whose gorgeous coral-encrusted wall and manta rays make it a popular destination in its own right. One needs to get a permit to dive in Sipidan, so make sure you let your operator know in advance that you want to dive there.
Blue Corner – Palau, Micronesia
Sited on the Southwest reefs of Palau islands and on the Northwest end of Ngemelis island, Blue Corner in Palau is arguably one of the most popular diving sites in Micronesia. Popular with experienced divers, the extensive currents and steep drop-offs of Blue Corner Wall draws the full spectrum of Micronesian marine life in all its diverse glory. It is home to over 1,500 fish species and 700 species of coral and sea anemone. Here, one can spot huge number of reef fish, as well as vast shoals of schooling jack, Napoleon wrasse, barracuda, snapper, and several types of reef shark. The other common sights found here include tuna, sharks, and eagle rays.
Thistlegorm – Egyptian Red Sea
Thistlegorm is one of the most legendary wrecks in Egypt’s Red Sea and undoubtedly ranks among the most impressive diving sites in the world. Built in Northeast England in 1940, it was a British cargo steamship that was sunk by German bomber aircraft in the Red Sea in 1941. It is an exciting military wreck that gives an opportunity for all standards of recreational divers. This site attracts many divers as they can dive through this cargo, and can spot a fascinating collection of wartime artifacts including jeeps, motorbikes, a shipment of boots, and plenty of ammunition. Laying at a max depth of 29 m, it is a must-see for every wreck enthusiast as it is home to several soft corals and some interesting macro hidden amongst the superstructures. It is among the popular day trip and liveaboard stop that is easily accessible from Sharm El-Sheikh.
Manta Night Dive – Kona, Hawaii
Manta Ray Night Dive in Kailua Kona, an island in Hawaii is another popular scuba diving site in the world. Famed for its year-round night-time encounters with mantas, it is one of the top marine adventures on the Island. Since Manta rays are easily visible during nighttime, the underwater lights placed on the ocean floor attract abundant amounts of Plankton, that in turn attract the beautiful manta rays of Kona Hawaii. One should often have to move to avoid the rays accidentally hitting you. It is an amazingly wonderful way to spend the evening and enjoy Kona’s nightlife at its best as part of Hawaii Tour Packages.
The Yongala, Australia
Situated in the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, the Yongala is termed as one of the best wreck dive spots in the world as well as in Australia. With 109 m long, the Yongala is a luxury passenger steamship that sank en route to Townsville during a cyclone killing 122 people, a racehorse called Moonshine, and a red Lincolnshire bull. The ship disappeared for decades and was later recognized as the largest wreck for scuba divers in Australian waters. Today, it is home to several marine life that is spread across a 33-meter-deep sandy bottom. Only experienced divers are allowed here as strong currents can be expected at any time. One can spot Giant Trevally, Turtles, Manta Rays, Sea Snakes, Eagle Rays, Queensland Gropers, Sharks, thousands of Tropical fish, and even Humpback Whales in the cooler months.
Great Blue Hole, Belize
Lies off the coast of Belize City at Lighthouse Reef, the Great Blue Hole is one of the most unique dive sites in the Caribbean. As a result of various quaternary glaciation, the circular-shaped hole formed that has turned out to be one of the most scenic sights in the world, and is part of the Belize Barrier Reef System. With 300 m wide and 124 deep, this is the largest ocean sinkhole in the world, and it’s big enough to be seen from space. Recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, one can find all sorts of unique rock formations down in the hole, including giant stalactites, dripstone sheets, and columns. Accessible via boat, the marine life here includes nurse sharks, giant groupers, and several types of reef sharks such as the Caribbean reef shark and the Blacktip shark. One will also see angelfish, purple sea fans, Pederson’s shrimp, and more.
Tiger Beach – Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas
Tiger Beach is one of the greatest shark diving locations in Bahamas and among the most unique dive sites in the world. Tucked away in an inconspicuous corner of the Bahamas, Tiger Beach is accessible by live boards departing from Freetown in Grand Bahamas and also from West Palm Beach in Florida. It is the place known to watch Tiger Sharks swimming around in their natural habitat. Also, divers can spot awesome predators as well as lemon sharks, Caribbean reef sharks, and countless tropical reef species during baited shark dives. Diving in the Bahamas gives you a thrilling experience with sharks as part of Bahamas Tour Packages.
Silfra Fissure – Iceland
The Silver Fissure is yet another popular diving sites in the world located in Iceland. Located within the heart of Thingvellir National Park (Þingvellir), Silver Fissure is a gap formed between the North American and Eurasian plates on the divergent tectonic plates which is moving apart at the rate of 2 centimeters per year. With 300-foot (100-meter) visibility, it is the only place in the world where you can dive between two continents. Filled with fresh spring water, diving in these crystal-clear waters gives you an amazing and thrilling experience for lifetime. Besides, the site also offers plenty of snorkeling tours that attracts snorkelers as part of Iceland Tour Packages.
