What is the best diving in the world? Where in the world will you see the most great things underwater and experience great diving? Today we are answering these questions and compiling a list of the best diving destinations in the world.
Scuba diving is great and safe, but not all places in the world offer experiences of a similar level. And while every jump into the water means a new adventure, there are places in the world that we can consider the best diving in the world. Which ones would you like to visit?
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The best diving in the world
As I mentioned above, there are magical places in the world that offer great diving, and it is worth being tempted to take a diving trip to one of these places. But which one to choose? Let’s see my list of 15 places with the best diving in the world. Oh… Of course, these places are also great tourist destinations, not necessarily related to diving. So you can go there with the whole family.
Scuba diving in Bali, Indonesia
The greatest feature of diving in Bali is the richness and variety of sites – deep slopes and steep banks, coral ridges, some of the world’s most famous shipwrecks, volcanic outcrops and stretches of seagrass.
The diving season in Bali lasts all year round. The best diving conditions are from April to December, but sunfish and sharks are present from June to September.
Lush, exotic Bali is the jewel of Indonesia and harbors a variety of tourist destinations. From luxury resorts to wildlife. You can find everything on this island. There is something for every diver.
Diving in Red Sea, Egypt
Egypt is an extremely attractive diving destination, especially for Europeans. The coral reefs are among the most beautiful and diverse in the world. Their view is breathtaking!
One of such best diving sites in the world is Hamata. A stay here is a great opportunity to meet various species of fish and even dolphins. A huge attraction of Hamata is the wreck of a sailing ship that sank in the local waters back in the 1980s. Underwater life thrives on its deck – definitely worth observing and photographing.
Of course, there are many other places in Egypt that are ready to welcome divers. It’s worth checking the various offers before choosing a destination. It is also interesting to note that a world record for deep diving has been broken in Egypt.
Palau, Micronesia – the best diving in the world
Palau’s famous “rock islands” are a collection of rounded, leaf-covered islands that appear to float above the surface of the water. Traveling among them by boat will reveal a large number of secluded sandy beaches, perfect for a picnic away from civilization or an adventurous overnight stay.
Palau’s most popular dive site, Blue Corner, is considered one of the best in the world for its concentration of marine life. Jacques Cousteau considered Ngemelis Wall, commonly known as the Great Falls, to be one of the best dive sites in the world.
Throughout Micronesia, divers can encounter a wealth of marine life in every color and shape imaginable. The seas are inhabited by hundreds of types of hard and soft corals, anemones, colorful sponges, countless species of crustaceans, manta rays and fish.
Diving in Yucatan, Mexico
On Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Mother Nature has carved out an amazing phenomenon. Cenotes – limestone karst wells connected by an underground groundwater system – were formed here.
When diving in Cenotes, you are sure to be amazed by the crystal clear water, perfectly filtered through the limestone rocks. Imagine putting your gear into a magical well in the middle of the jungle.
Below the surface of the water there are amazing rock formations carved by underwater rivers – caves, tunnels, stalactites, stalagmites, here and there you can surf in some small underground lake and get some fresh air. The water is so clear that it seems as if there is no water at all. It is also a great place to do a cave diving course.
Scuba diving in Thailand
Thailand is an important point on the diving map of the world. It very often becomes the destination of diving expeditions. Not without significance are the natural conditions here – warm and clear waters and excellent visibility.
We will certainly be surprised by the multitude of species of underwater creatures found in the local waters. You can easily meet sharks, manta rays and charming parrotfish. The coral reefs here are among the most spectacular in the world – surely their photos will become a great souvenir of the trip. You will also find sunken ships here, which are perfect for wreck diving.
Once someone decides to go on a diving trip, he or she will certainly not regret it – a great adventure and a lot of unforgettable impressions await!
Coco Island, Costa Rica
Our list of the world’s best diving destinations can’t miss Costa Rica. And not only because we run a dive center here. Costa Rica and Coco Island is a great destination for diving expeditions. Hawaiian salmon, milkfish, parrotfish and hammerhead sharks are abundant here. The latter usually cause consternation among onlookers.
Of course, an expedition to Coco Island is a complicated undertaking and requires spending the night on a ship and taking full equipment with you, as there are no dive bases or hotels on site. It is also worth mentioning that according to legend, Coco Island hides a lost treasure. Many have already tried to find it, without success. Maybe in between dives you can discover this lost treasure?
However, if a trip to this island is temporarily out of your reach, it is worth visiting its smaller sister, Isla del Cano. It is an island 50 minutes from Uvita and our dive center organizes trips to this area. Contact us for details.
The best diving in Canary Islands
There is something for everyone in the Canary Islands – beginners divers will find dive sites of low difficulty, while advanced divers can choose sites with stronger currents. Importantly, some of the islands in the archipelago are little explored – so it’s a real treat for those who like to pioneer a place.
Many of the dive sites have access to natural sunlight – so the visibility is simply excellent, it is impossible to miss anything.
In this area we will discover mysterious caves, which are home to manta rays, barracudas and countless hosts of shrimps and crabs. Also noteworthy are shipwrecks – some of which have been resting on the bottom since World War II. What’s noteworthy is that there is one underwater museum in the Canary Islands that you absolutely must visit!
Scuba diving on Cape Verde Islands
The archipelago consists of 15 islands. Interestingly, there is no rainy season here, so the opportunity for diving expeditions is year-round. What we find is crystal clear and warm water, and countless marine animals around. In the Cape Verde area we can visit shipwrecks and mysterious underwater caves.
The colorful, fantastic coral reefs are certainly a showpiece of the region. The ocean fauna is also impressive – there is a good chance that we will encounter crabs, lobsters, Atlantic sailfish or tuna. Rockfish, paradise fish and flounder are also abundant. Or maybe even the ugliest fish in the world 🙂
Raja Ampat, West Papua
According to many experts, it is one of the most beautiful places to dive. The islands that are part of the Raja Ampat archipelago lie in the center of the Coral Triangle – an area where you will find the largest number of species of fish, corals, shells and mollusks in the world. It is worth going there from October to April. The water temperature ranges from 24 to 30°C.
A diving expedition to Raja Ampat is a dream for many divers, and I completely understand why. It’s one of the best dive sites in the world, and it’s definitely worth going to this region if you get the chance.
Scuba on Sipadan, Borneo
An interesting fact is that the explorer of the island of Sipadan was the famous Jacques-Yves Cousteau. Diving with turtles and reef sharks is a daily occurrence in this amazing place. The most interesting sites are South Point, Barracuda Point, Turtle Cavern. In 2010, security was tightened and the daily limit of divers around Sipadan Island was limited to 120.
The diving at Sipadan in Malaysia is always good, and not infrequently it is simply excellent. The biggest attractions of Sipadan are the big fish and shoals, but you also have the chance to encounter hammerhead and leopard sharks, barracudas in large schools, or packs of parrotfish.
Great Barrier Reef, Australia
The world’s largest reef system, visible from space. Six species of turtles, 125 species of sharks, rays and chimaeras, 400 species of soft and hard corals, as well as dolphins, whales and porpoises.
The most popular sites are Ribbon Reefs, Osprey Reef, Cod Hole, Steve’s Bommie and North Horn. The best conditions on the Great Barrier Reef occur from late August to early December.
The best diving in the world – Galapagos, Ecuador
According to many experts, it is one of the best dive sites in the world. The Galapagos is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the second largest marine reserve in the world. There you’ll find a large herd of hammerhead sharks, as well as silky sharks, manta rays, eagle rays, turtles and sea lions. On land, you’ll encounter iguanas, iguanas and giant tortoises.
Excellent visibility combined with an abundance of marine life makes diving here unique. Diving takes place on many islands, but a few stand out as particularly good dive sites. Darwin Island is by far the most popular. Here you’ll see most of the unique creatures you desire, as well as some awesome geological formations. El Arco is known as one of the best dive sites in the world, so be sure to add it to your wish list.
Scuba diving in Belize
Belize is the country with the greatest ecological diversity in the world. The landscape explodes with animal and plant life of incredible endemic diversity. The underwater attractions are also unique.
There is an array of coral reefs, each with unique features, making for an unforgettable experience. Each dive will be unique, regardless of the diver’s level. Shallow, sandy water with many islands between land and reef. Hard corals, gorgonians, tunicates and crustaceans of various species inhabit Belize’s coastal waters.
The dominance of one species in a particular part of the reef gives the region its name. There are areas where there are many stingrays, or where a diver may encounter many sharks.
It is also impossible to forget the Great Blue Hole, which is a huge cleft in the coral reef. This great hole is visible from space, and gained its popularity thanks to the sea expeditions of Jacques Cousteau.
Baa Atoll, Maldives
The Maldives is an island state built on a coral reef. This means that magical underwater cities among the reef can be found here at every turn. Particularly popular among divers is the Addu Atoll, which is the southernmost.
This atoll is considered the cleanest and least transformed by man. The abundance of underwater life here is incredible. You can watch sharks, stingrays, sea turtles and schools of colorful fish for hours. But don’t forget to keep an eye on your dive computer…
Scuba diving in Istria, Croatia
There are many dive sites in Istria that can be of interest to any diver, regardless of experience. Here you will find as many as 23 different wrecks and more than 40 other dive sites of different structures and types. Underwater you can discover not only Adriatic inhabitants, sunken wrecks, but also underwater cave complexes. All these wonders can be found in the waters near the Istra peninsula.
The water temperature in summer averages between 7°C and 24°C, but it is important to remember that in different regions of the country you can feel significant fluctuations. In addition to favorable weather conditions and a wealth of underwater attractions, a big plus of diving in Croatia is the professional facilities and attention to diver safety.
The best diving in the world – let’s recap
Our list of the world’s best dives is not closed, of course. There are still many places worth visiting for diving, and in fact, every jump into the water is a new adventure and a chance to experience something unique. That’s why we love diving! If you would like to enter this world, all you need to do is enroll in a basic diving course and all these places will be open to you. There is no need to think further. Just do it.
