The Best Scuba Diving Destinations in the World

There are so many incredible places around the world to jump in the water and take a dive. From the tropical waters of the Caribbean to the diverse islands of the Pacific and even the freshwater cenotes of Mexico, the possibilities are literally endless. While every diver’s dream is to visit as many of these places as is humanly possible, the reality is there simply isn’t enough time to see them all. To help you narrow down your list of top destinations and plan out the perfect diving bucket list, we’ve put together our top recommendations for the best scuba diving destinations in the world. 

Australia

Australia tops the bucket list of many divers and for good reason – it is home to the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest naturally occurring coral reef system. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Great Barrier Reef comprises 600 islands and 2,900 reefs, leaving you with over a thousand dive sites to choose from. Whether you are looking to wreck dive, night dive, drift dive, deep dive, or simply check out a shallow coral reef system, you’re sure to find something that meets your needs and interests. And no matter where you end up diving, you’re likely to encounter a wide variety of marine life, including dolphins, turtles, manta rays, minke whales, and reef sharks.

Fiji

With its white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, and unparalleled marine life, Fiji truly is a diver’s paradise. Offering a variety of underwater ecosystems, including coral reefs, underwater caves, canyons, steep pinnacles, and reef walls, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The island nation also happens to be a mecca for sharks, making it a great destination for shark encounters. On any given dive, it’s possible and likely that you’ll see several types of sharks, including bull sharks, blacktip reef sharks, silvertip sharks, sicklefin lemon sharks, and the occasional tiger shark. One of the best dive sites for these shark sightings is The Cathedral site – a series of coral pinnacles located off Pacific Harbor in Beqa Lagoon.

Galapagos Islands

If you’re looking for a truly unique diving experience, look no further than the remote islands of the Galapagos. Located far off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands is home to several rare species, both on land and under the sea. It’s possible to encounter a variety of turtles, rays, whales, sharks, sea lions, penguins, and marine iguanas. Generally untouched by the influences of humans, these pristine islands are unlike anything else that you ever have or will ever encounter. The island’s remote location makes it difficult to reach, but those who make the trek out by boat say it is more than worth the effort. 

 

Indonesia

Without a doubt, Indonesia is by far the most highly sought-after dive destination in the world. With over 17,000 islands to explore, only 6,000 of them inhabited, Indonesia offers some of the most remote and pristine diving on earth. On top of that, it also happens to be home to the most diverse coral reef system on the planet, which plays host to a wide variety of marine life, including several rare species of fish. Some of the country’s top dive sites include Raja Ampat – which is known for its vibrant coral reefs, Lembeh Strait – made famous for muck diving, and Bali – the location of the world-renowned USAT Liberty wreck dive.

Mexico

Mexico is most famous for its cenotes, the freshwater cave systems hidden deep within the depths of its jungles. And while those are certainly worth exploring, Mexico also has a variety of other dive sites for the adventurous and adrenaline-seeking diver. From dramatic pinnacles that drop off into the deep sea to cage diving with great white sharks and up-close encounters with hammerhead sharks, manta rays, and humpback whales, Mexico certainly has it all. There are even several wreck dives and an underwater museum for those looking to break away from the traditional coral reef dives.

Philippines

With over 7,000 islands to explore, the Philippines is the ultimate destination for those in search of a tropical dive getaway. Offering thousands of dive sites scattered through the islands, there’s something to satisfy everyone’s needs, regardless of experience or skill level. The islands also happen to be a haven for a variety of marine life, both large and small. No matter where you end up diving, you’re sure to encounter active waters teeming with reef fish, stingrays, manta rays, moray eels, reef sharks, turtles, and whale sharks. For a truly incredible experience, you can even visit the Tubbataha National Marine Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its remote, untouched reef system and abundance of marine animals.

Thailand 

World-renowned for its diving, Thailand has become a mecca for divers. Offering a wide variety of dive sites suited for both beginner and novice divers, there’s something to satisfy everyone’s needs. Off the west coast of Thailand, you’ll find the Andaman Sea, where many advanced divers prefer to dive. Here you’re likely to encounter a variety of large pelagic marine life, including whales sharks, giant manta rays, and leopard sharks. On the east coast is the Gulf of Thailand, a shallower, calmer, and protected part of the ocean that is perfect for beginners. Here you’ll find the island of Koh Tao, also known as Shark Island, which is unsurprisingly known for its large shark population.

 

The Red Sea

Offering an ecosystem unlike any other, the Red Sea is a great destination for any diver looking to explore Egypt and the Middle East. With over 400 species of coral, several hundred types of fish, and an active shark population, there’s plenty to see and do throughout the Red Sea. Some of the most popular dive sites include the Ras Mohammed National Park – Egypt’s first and oldest marine park, the Sinai Peninsula – home to the famous SS Thistlegorm shipwreck, and the Blue Hole – a submarine sinkhole that runs as deep as 141 meters. While many of the dive sites in the Red Sea are only accessible by liveaboard, a few can be reached from the dive resorts that line Egypt’s coast.

References:

 

Girls That Scuba: https://www.girlsthatscuba.com/dive-destinations/

Leave a Reply