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Top 10 diving spots. Best Budget Diving Spots
The following ten dive sites are among the most that every diver should include in their dive list - regardless of the choice of a specific destination. These are unique places that are definitely worth visiting in your lifetime for anyone who is seriously passionate and wants to know all its facets.
Tiputa Pass, French Polynesia
Tiputa Pass has a reputation for being one of the best drift diving spots in the world, and you'll be able to appreciate that claim when you visit it. First, you should visit the Shark Cavern, where you are likely to be lucky enough to meet gray reef sharks. Try to go with the flow, and along the way you will meet many other underwater inhabitants of these places, including stingrays, manta rays, dolphins, tuna and hammerhead fish.
Dives should be carried out in a counter current so that you do not get carried away in the opposite direction. But in some cases (for example, when visiting caves) it is worth starting from your own experience.
The best time for diving in Tiputa Pass is June-July. It is during this period that the chances of meeting gray sharks are greatest. The water temperature here is about 25-26°C, so a thin 3 mm thick one is sufficient for diving.
Silfra Gorge, Iceland
The Silfra Rift on the border of parts of the world is another unique dive site that is most attractive to divers all over the world, because where else if not here can you swim between two continents. Geographically, the dive is carried out in, but the voyage itself takes place along the fault between the continental plates of North America and Eurasia, so divers here have the opportunity to come into contact with two continents at the same time.
Diving in Silfra Gorge offers some of the most amazing scuba diving experiences ever, with visibility over 100m underwater due to crystal clear glacial water that has been naturally filtered over hundreds of years by passing through porous underground lava. There are almost no fish here, but the beautiful rocky landscapes of Silfra are so impressive that it is worth diving here, even despite the low water temperature.
Diving in the Silfra Rift is available all year round, but in the summer there may be the greatest number of people wanting to dive into the waters of a unique place between two continents. The water temperature usually does not exceed 2-4°C, so diving requires a good wetsuit.
Taveuni, Fiji
Diving in Fiji in general is very popular, but the best known and most unique dive site that attracts divers from all over the world is the Great White Wall, located in the Somosomo Strait.
What makes this place unique is the abundance of fragile snow-white corals, which create the illusion of a snow-covered ski slope underwater. Dives begin at a depth of 25 m, but it is worth keeping in mind the presence of strong underwater currents, so diving here is suitable for the most experienced divers.
The best period to go to these places in order to engage in such exciting diving among the coral forests of Taveuni is from November to April. The tropical waters of Fiji pleasantly delight with temperatures of +24+30°C, so a 3 mm wetsuit is the best solution for diving in Taveuni.
Guadalupe Island, Mexico
This is one of the best places in the world for an unforgettable experience. Near Guadalupe Island you can meet great white sharks, reaching a length of up to 5-6 m. Diving in crystal clear waters with many of these huge predators will undoubtedly add adrenaline to your blood and make your pulse race.
Guadalupe Island can be reached from the harbors of San Diego and San Francisco. If you want to experience first-hand what diving with sharks is like, this is the place for you. The best period for diving with white sharks is from September to December, but the most tourists come here in October-November.
The average water temperature during the season is at least +18+21°C. So a 6-7mm semi-dry wetsuit would be a good option. But the most comfortable will be a dry wetsuit.
St. George's Harbor in Grenada is home to one of the most interesting objects for connoisseurs - the sunken luxury liner Bianca C, known to many as the "Titanic of the Caribbean". This is one of the most noteworthy shipwreck sites.
In October 1961, the liner, anchored off the coast of Grenada, caught fire as a result of an explosion in the engine room. All attempts to tow the cruise ship into shallow waters were unsuccessful, and the liner sank just a few hundred meters from the coast. Therefore, Bianca C is one of the most accessible wreck sites in the world for divers and an interesting wreck that is simply impressive in its scale.
Many of the decks have collapsed under the pressure of time, but the Bianca C still remains a wreck worth visiting. A promenade deck with a bridge and a swimming pool is available for underwater exploration. It was these places that turned into a real underwater colony for schools of barracudas.
Next to this wreck site, in the Gulf of Molinere, there is another no less attractive place for divers - an underwater park of 65 sculptures, covering an area of 800 sq.m. When you snorkel in these places, you can't help but feel like you're in a surreal world. Hundreds of corals and various marine flora entwine these statues, turning this underwater park into a unique marine kingdom.
The best time for diving in Grenada is the dry season, which lasts from January to May. The water temperature here is rarely less than +26+28°C, so a wetsuit 3 mm thick is quite enough for diving.
Stingray City, Cayman Islands
The Caribbean is a unique place for scuba diving. The diving depth here is only 4 m, but this place is interesting due to the many stingrays with which you can easily swim nearby. More than 30 species of different stingrays are found here, which are already so accustomed to tourists that they scurry around divers like friendly puppies.
Grab a handful of squid, and you won’t even have time to notice how the first stingray will already rush towards you, sniff the hand with the prey, and will calmly feed from your hands. Diving with stingrays will not be boring when several stingrays compete for prey.
Any time of year can be suitable for diving and swimming with stingrays near the Cayman Islands. The water temperature is constant throughout the year and is about +26+28°C, so a 3 mm wetsuit will be enough.
Los Islotes, Mexico
The Mexican island of Los Islotes consists of two rocky islets, one of which is shaped like a natural arch. The coastal waters and coast of these islands have become a haven for a colony of California sea lions, of which there are more than two hundred individuals. These representatives of marine fauna can reach a length of up to three meters and weigh more than 300 kg.
They are particularly playful, so they love to keep divers company while swimming nearby. And while large adults try to stay away from people, inquisitive little ones accompany divers everywhere. One sea lion calf even gained particular notoriety because it learned to jump into divers' boats and beg them for food.
The most suitable period for diving here is from August to November, when the water is especially warm and clear. A 3mm wetsuit will provide sufficient protection when diving in these areas.
Truk Lagoon, Micronesia
Truk Lagoon, located in the waters of the Pacific Ocean, takes almost the first place on the list of wreck diving connoisseurs, because such a large number of sunken equipment (both ships and planes) cannot be found anywhere else. Numerous Japanese ships, destroyed by American aircraft, rest on the ocean floor in this region.
Among the most interesting underwater objects of the Truk Lagoon, it is worth noting the 132-meter ship Fujikawa Maru. The vessel is in a vertical position at a depth of 34 meters from the surface. It is surrounded by a network of soft corals and is home to many reef fish. Here you can find shells, machine guns, wings and fuselages of aircraft.
Combined with stunning visibility, warm water and plenty of unique marine life, this dive site is a dream for any diver, not just wreck diving enthusiasts. The most favorable conditions for diving here are from June to September. The water temperature is constant and is about +27°C, so both a short and a long wetsuit with a thickness of 3 mm are suitable for diving.
The 95-meter "Rhone" was one of the main ships of the Royal Mail Steam Packet company, which could often be found in the open spaces. This ship constantly sailed from Great Britain to the Caribbean and back. In 1867, the Rhone was stationary, but the weather began to deteriorate sharply.
Instead of avoiding the storm, the captain decided to go out to sea, where the ship was caught in a real hurricane - the strongest that has ever hit the British Virgin Islands. "Rona" sank near Salt Island. The ship broke into two parts and went under water along with 125 passengers and crew.
The “Rhône” has lain underwater for almost 150 years, so all its wreckage has long been overgrown with sponges and corals, turning into artificial coral reefs, which have become an abode for many representatives of marine fauna. All this makes diving to the shipwreck of this ship one of the most exciting underwater adventures. "Rhône" is also one of the venues. In 1977, this location was chosen for the filming of the film “The Abyss.”
This dive site is accessible all year round, but in August-September the waters warm up best. The standard water temperature is in the range of +26+29°C, so you can safely choose a short or long (at your discretion) wetsuit for diving.
Manta Point, Maldives
Manta rays are one of the largest species of underwater rays, encountering them for the first time during diving makes an indelible impression. The weight of these sea giants can reach up to 1.3 tons with a wingspan of up to 7 meters. Manta rays feed mainly on small crustaceans and plankton, using their head fins to capture them.
Manta Point (or Lankanfinolhu) is one of the places where these giant rays are most often found. Dive depths near this reef vary from 12 to 50 m. The best time to go diving with mantas near North Male Atoll is from February to March inclusive. The water temperature here is approximately +28°C.
Many people are unable to cope with the call of the ocean because they love the beauty of the sea, risk and adventure. If you are one of those people who fill the romantic beaches and islands of the world, you should try one of the most wonderful ways to have fun. The excitement and enjoyment of water sports increases when you visit one of the world's most iconic dive sites. If you're a diving fanatic and eager to visit different dive sites, you'll want to know these really interesting facts about the world's best dive sites.
The Bahamas is an archipelago that consists of 700 islands stretching over 100,000 square miles in the Western Atlantic Ocean. The Bahamas are composed mainly of coral limestones. The flooded areas of underwater elevations are vast shallow waters, replete with coral reefs (the largest is the Great Bahama Bank). The usual sea depth here is about 20 feet except for those deep ocean trenches called ‘The Tongue of the Ocean’ that cut through the flooded plateau.
There are practically no rivers on the islands. There are many salt lakes (connecting with the sea). Sea waters are rich in fish, crustaceans and mollusks.
Tour with Sharks / Photo fromtherocketscientist )
Group photo with sea bass(A group shot, complete with a grouper / Photo fromactive2gether )
Warm ocean currents off these islands have given rise to vibrant marine life and extensive coral reefs. You can have endless adventures in the longest cave and cave labyrinth found on the Grand Bahama Island (the GrandBahamaIsland).
A complete travel package that includes diving, accommodation and travel expenses is very beneficial. Dives to explore caves and shipwrecks, and a dive into the Blue Holes are paid separately. You shouldn't miss these from the Bahamas like islands of Bimini (the Biminis), Abacos, Eleuthera, Cat Island, San Salvador and Inagua.
The Bimini Islands are best known for fishing - the surrounding ocean is considered by many to be one of the best fishing spots in the world. Since Bimini is only 80 km (50 miles) east of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, many American anglers travel to the islands by boat or yacht to fish or enjoy the islands' nightlife. Scuba diving and snorkeling are also popular, as there are many shipwrecks around the islands.
Bahamas - feedingsharks(Bahamas - Stuart Cove’s shark feeding/ Photo from remainingoceansart)
Bimini has several natural monuments with mysterious properties of unknown origin: the Bimini Road, the Fountain of Youth, and a healing grotto.
Bimini is closely associated with significant events and people in American history:
- During Prohibition in the United States, Bimini was a favorite refuge and supply point for the liquor trade (rum).
- An Atlantic blue marlin weighing about 250 kg, caught off the coast of Bimini, inspired Ernest Hemingway to write The Old Man and the Sea.
- Last scene of the film Silence of the Lambs(1991) takes place at the South Bimini Airport.
- On December 31, 2005, one of Bimini's most famous bars, the Seasoned Angler ( The Compleat Angler) burned to the ground during a fire. The bar became famous for the photographs of Ernest Hemingway that hung on its walls; the photographs were lost in the fire.
- Heinrich Heine has a poem called “Bimini”, where it is called the “island of happiness”.
- The first part of Ernest Hemingway's novel Islands in the Ocean takes place in North Bimini. This part of the novel is called “Bimini”.
2. Papua New Guinea, Bismarck Sea - (PapuaNewGuinea, BismarckSea)
Coastline Papua New Guinea (PapuaNewGuinea) - mountainous terrain that is difficult to cross. Papua New Guinea was formed at the confluence of three seas: the Bismarck Sea or New Guinea Sea, the Solomon Sea and the Coral Sea. This place is rich in marine flora and fauna.
Papua New Guinea is a unique country. There are few places on Earth with such a diversity of languages, customs and cultures, landscapes, flora and fauna.
The official language of Papua New Guinea is English. It is used in business, education and government circles. Local tribes speak more than 700 languages, and the languages of different tribes can differ radically from each other. The tribes communicate among themselves in the languages of Tok Pisin (a simplified version of English with admixtures of German, Portuguese and Austronesian languages, the most common language of intertribal communication), Hiri-Motu, Enga, Chimbu (Sambu), Hagen, Kamano and others.
The local jungle, in which original tribes live, has not yet been touched by civilization, which makes this region especially attractive. The local mountains, valleys, volcanoes, rivers, waterfalls and coastal marshes are perfect for hiking. But the main attraction of Papua New Guinea is the underwater world of the surrounding seas. It is one of the world's premier diving destinations and the birthplace of McDiving.
It is believed that the local marine fauna is twice as rich as that of the Red Sea and five times richer than the fauna of the Caribbean Sea. Rainbow soft corals never cease to amaze. And sharks, manta rays, giant clams, lion fish, reef fish, Napoleon, sea pike, “clown fish”, and nudibranchs scurry around.
FishScorpion(Pez Escorpion/ Photo from Squalo Divers)
Triggerfish(Triggerfish/ Photo from Boogies with Fish)
You can dive here to both explore the diverse marine life and explore the remains of World War II shipwrecks found in the Bismarck Sea.
Coral sea- the Pacific Ocean, which lies between the coasts of Australia, New Guinea, and New Caledonia. 4068 thousand km². The maximum depth is 9174 m. It has numerous coral reefs and islands, such as Willis, Tregross, Bampton, and Chesterfield islands. One of the most famous reefs is the Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef in the world.
Chartering a boat in Alotau gives you excellent opportunities to explore the area.
The town of Alotau is located in the southern part of Milne Bay and is the main town of the Milne Bay province. Milne Bay and, in particular, Alotau are considered one of the best places in the country for beach holidays, diving, surfing and kite surfing. In the coastal waters there are more than 500 coral reefs and a variety of sunken ships and aircraft that have remained lying on the bottom since the Second World War.
In an inaccessible part of Milne Bay is dive resort Tawali. You can only get here from Alotau by boat. The isolation of the resort makes the holiday here quiet and relaxing. Tourists are delivered to dive sites by two vessels equipped with special equipment for processing digital photos on site. The waters surrounding the Tawali resort are considered one of the best for diving. The underwater world of this part of Milne Bay is very diverse, here you can see all kinds of corals that have created entire coral walls and huge fans, among which, in addition to small fish, there are large marine inhabitants, including sharks and rays.
Most excursions to nearby islands depart from Alotau. The most popular excursions to Fergusson Island with volcanoes, hot springs and mud pools; Murua Island, where woodcarving masters live; Trobriand Islands, where tribal leaders are highly revered, but inheritance is through the female line, and where the annual Milamala harvest festival is held between June and August.
You'll get an unforgettable diving experience by visiting Kimbe Bay, Madang, Madang (35 Japanese and American WWII aircraft at Hansa Bay), Rabaul (64 WWII shipwrecks at Simpson Harbour), and Kavieng.
Archipelago Galapagos Islands(Galapagos Islands) is a true diving paradise thanks to its lush marine life and amazing geography. You'll need advice from dive equipment experts to choose the right suit for diving in changing temperatures.
Galapagos Islands (Spanish) Islas Galápagos) is an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, 972 kilometers west of Ecuador, consisting of 13 main volcanic islands, 6 small islands and 107 rocks and alluvial areas. It is believed that the first island was formed 5-10 million years ago as a result of tectonic activity. The youngest islands are Isabela And Fernandina- still at the stage of formation, the last volcanic eruption was observed in 2005.
Whale shark(Whale Shark/ Photo from PedroAlberto98)
The Galapagos Islands belong to the state of Ecuador.
The islands are best known for the large number of native species and Charles Darwin's research on the island, which led to his evolutionary theory of the origin of species.
Greenturtle(Green Turtle. Chelonia mydas./ Photo from hsacdirk)
IslandWulf(Wolf island/ Photo from hsacdirk)
The waters of the Pacific Ocean near the Galapagos Islands are clear as glass, which allows you to see colorful fish at a depth of 15-25 meters. Most of the islands of the Galapagos group are suitable for drift diving, night diving and deep diving.
Rangiroa ( Rangiroa) - the world's largest atoll, located in the Tuamotu archipelago (French Polynesia). It is the largest of the Tahitian islands. French Polynesia consists of 118 islands and atolls located in the Pacific Ocean.The land area of 79 km² is a cluster of 415 small islands, or motu. The lagoon has an area of 1446 km² and is 80 km long and 32 to 5 km wide. The largest settlements here are Avatoru ( Avatoru) and Tiputa ( Tiputa).
Rangiroa - Green Lagoon/ Photo from JulienNarboux)
The intricate network of islets and coral rings (atolls) is home to a variety of marine life. Rangiroa consists of two different dive sites located near the Paio motu lagoon. They are called Ava Toru and Tiputa pass. In these places you can see all the marine riches of French Polynesia.
Underthe sun(Under the sun/ Photo from Autopsea)
Average sea water temperatures are around 70 Fahrenheit in winter and 80 Fahrenheit in summer, making Rangiroa a great diving destination throughout the year. The maximum depth is about 80 feet and it is worth diving into the depths of the sea on a bathyscaphe and observing the life of dolphins, sharks, stingrays and tropical horse mackerel.
5. RivieraMayan- (Riviera Maya, Mexico)
Peninsula Yucatan It is entirely composed of limestone rocks. There are practically no rivers, few lakes (and if there are, they are almost certainly swampy), but the Yucatan Mayans did not lack clean fresh water - they had sacred cenotes.
Cenotes (Spanish) cenote, from the Yucatan Mayan language dzonot -"tsonot" - something deep) - special karst formations - lakes, wells and entire cave complexes with underground rivers and, at times, access to sea water. The Mayans called them “the gateway to the kingdom of the dead” and considered their waters sacred.
Cenote - Yucatan, Mexico/ Photo from okinal)
Cenotes Mayan Indians used them as places for sacrifices. The sacred cenote in the city of Chichen Itza is especially famous for this.
Cenotes were formed when rainwater, penetrating through the limestone crust, merged with underground rivers.
Typical from the surface cenote It looks like a smooth round well, in which water is visible somewhere below. The Indians call these cenotes "mouths" or " eyes"And indeed, the wells produce some kind of unearthly impression.
Meanwhile, scientists explain the formation of smooth round holes simply: when the water level in an underground cave filled with water drops, the cave roof collapses inward.
Most cenotes are located on the Yucatan Peninsula. Huge arches, bright penetrating light of the sun, fabulous formations - all this can be seen while plunging into the cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsula. A fabulous view both above and below the water - funny birds, incredible fish, crystal clear water, amazing colors.
Diving in cenotes
Some cenotes have become recognized diving centers. The most famous of them is perhaps - Dos Ojos(Spanish) two eyes), located north of Tulum. Exploration of the caves began only in 1986, and now it is a world-class dive site, along with the Great Blue Hole. Belize, Palau in Micronesia or Sipadan in Malaysia. Cenote diving is also popular. Chuck Mol (Chac Mol).
What attracts divers to cenotes? First of all, uniqueness.
Try cave diving in huge cave systems (the total length of the caves is only cenote Dos Ojos, for example, more than 213 km), see huge stalactites and stalagmites, follow light effects, mysterious enchanting rays breaking through the water from somewhere above, travel under the roots of a tropical forest in water of such transparency that it is indistinguishable from air, and in places where salty ocean water meets fresh water, see an optical phenomenon - a halocline, when you feel the ghostly boundary of the layers, and any movement mixing the water creates an incredible iridescent cloud. And all this is possible only if you have an Open Water certificate. The water temperature in almost all cenotes is even and constant - 24-25 °C, diving in developed areas is simple and safe, accessible to beginners. The conditions are physiologically very comfortable, but at first, purely psychologically, they may seem creepy. It’s like you’re going into space, discovering a new, different world.
No, it was not for nothing that the Mayans idolized cenotes!
DiveVcaveVcenoteChuckLike(Cavern diving in the Chac Mool cenote in Quintana Roo./ Photo from brad77)
In fact, the Riviera Maya includes two of the world's longest underwater cave systems, called SacActun And OxBelHa. If you are new to diving, the Playa del Carmen and Tulum reef dives are for you.
6. Great Barrier Reef,Australia)
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Queensland, Australia(Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Queensland, Australia/ Photo from !snednas!)
Heartgiantmollusk(Heart of a Giant Clam/ Photo from Kälaino’ono’o)
While diving in warm sea waters, you can spot more than 400 species of corals and other endangered marine animals. You should theoretically be well prepared before diving here by planning and preparing for this underwater expedition.
The Little Cayman Islands are dependent on Great Britain and are located in the Caribbean Sea south of Cuba. Here is a habitat for rare species of birds and aquatic animals. If you choose the Lesser Cayman Islands as a diving destination, you should visit between June and August.
Grand Cayman, 9-foot bronze mermaid(GrandCayman 9 ftBronzeMermaid/ Photo from Sam Cathey)
Spawning(Silversides Spawning/ Photo from courtneyplatt)
If you are planning a wall dive and prefer "vertical diving", visit the BloodyBayWallon the northwestern side of the islands. It is home to some of the world's best known dive sites, including the impressive Great Wall and deep canyons Marilyn's Cut.
You'll be able to dive more than 3,000 feet underwater and explore 100 feet of pristine ocean life.
Jackson's Bay is another hot dive spot in the Lesser Cayman Islands, where you can go through the Big Blue. As you explore underwater crevasses and tunnels, you may encounter gray reef sharks, nurse sharks, stingrays and turtles above the wall, adding to the fun of your dive.
Netherlands Antilles consist of two groups of islands in the Caribbean Sea, are autonomous within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Two large islands, Curacao and Bonaire, are located in the southern part of the Lesser Antilles archipelago, off the coast of Venezuela.
Farewell Bonaire/ Photo from Kälaino’ono’o)
Bonaire's geographical location is excellent for thriving aquatic life. These calm waters and natural refuge from the trade winds encourage coral growth and a wonderful family vacation. As a diver, you will have great fun exploring these marine parks full of the vibrant riches of the Caribbean. These waters offer absolutely pristine dive sites, and the crystal clear waters with visibility up to 150 feet allow for excellent underwater photography.
Turtle(Turtle/ Photo from edpdiver)
Located in the Micronesian Pacific Island chain, Bikini Atoll is part of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The Micronesian nation of the Marshall Islands is a cluster of atolls and islands located in the Pacific Ocean just north of the equator. The Marshall Islands are a group of 36 islands located halfway between Australia and Honolulu and one of the best places for divers to snorkel among shipwrecks. Among the most famous wrecks is the former USS Saratoga and Japanese Nagato.
Marshall's Islands(Marshall Islands/ Photo from Povilas Redko)
The island has an irregular shape, resembling an oval. Consists of 36 islets, or motu. The area of the land part of Bikini is 6.01 km², the area of the lagoon is 594.14 km². The average depth of the lagoon is 35-55 m. The island is covered with dense thickets of vegetation typical of atolls, mainly pisonia. The climate in Bikini is tropical. Destructive cyclones occur here.
Bikini Atoll was used as a nuclear weapons testing site in the 50s. In total, the United States conducted 67 nuclear tests on the Bikini and Enewetak atolls between 1946 and 1958.
Currently, the average dose of external radiation is 3.8 R/hour. And in the testing area of the prototype thermonuclear bomb TX-21 with a power of 15 MT, the background is only 2 R/hour.
BattleshipNagato(NagatoBattleship/ Photo from rjdiver)
USS Saratoga (USSSaratogaAircraft/ Photo from rjdiver)
Today Bikini Atoll and lagoon is one of the most promising places for diving, fishing and other water sports. Although this island is barely inhabited due to radiation pollution, its waters are inhabited by a stunning variety of fish. It has only recently become the center of attention among divers. Only a small number of divers dared to visit this place, because... a week-long diving tour will cost an extravagant sum of $5,000.
British Columbia is one of the most stunning dive sites in North America, thanks to its extraordinary diversity of marine life. As a diver, you will be rewarded by seeing shrimp, crabs, killer whales, sea lions, large octopuses, big-toothed greenlings or many other marine life from more than 5,000 species of invertebrates or 400 species of colorful fish during your dive.
Although British Columbia is home to some of the world's strongest underwater currents, its calm waters are great for long underwater expeditions. You can start by exploring the low tides near the underwater rocks and little by little work your way into the deeper waters. As you swim through the countless straits of Vancouver Island, you can see the beauty of the full-colored algae reflected in the seawater.
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Diving is an amazing sport and it doesn’t matter whether you dive once or hundreds of times, the beauty and depths of the underwater world will delight and attract you again and again. Every avid driver probably has his own favorite diving spot, but we want to introduce you to the list of the best diving spots.
GREAT BARRIER REEF
GREAT BARRIER REEF (Australia) is a famous natural feature of Australia and one of the most popular diving sites in the world. There are all the ideal conditions for diving here. You can go here all year round, but the season is considered to be October, November and December. The water here is always warm +25…+30°C. Visibility in the water reaches 20 - 30 meters. This is the largest coral reef system in the world and the only one visible from space. Its length is about 3000 kilometers. The Great Barrier Reef has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1981 as the largest existing coral reef on our planet. And the Australian Marine National Park is considered one of the wonders of the world. Here you can see dolphins, green sea turtles, clown fish, humpback whales, 1,500 species of fish and 4,000 varieties of shellfish."); w.show();" alt="Great Barrier Reef" title="Great Barrier Reef">
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MALDIVES
Probably many people, having heard the word Maldives, imagine a piece of paradise, with blue lagoons, long clean beaches, white sand, palm trees, bungalows. But the Maldives is not only about white beaches and lagoons, it also has a magnificent underwater world. Giant stingrays, large fish - Napoleons, sea turtles, various moray eels, stars, barracudas, tropical fish, whitetip sharks, hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, tiger sharks and the Maldivian clown triggerfish - all that you can see in the Maldives. Divers from all over the world come here to admire the beauty and diversity of this underwater world. The best time to visit is considered to be from late January to April. Water temperature all year round is +28…+30°С. Visibility from 5 to 30 meters.
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COCONUT ISLANDS (Costa Rica)
Cocos Island is located about 600 kilometers off the coast of Costa Rica. This is the largest of the uninhabited islands in the Pacific Ocean, and may therefore be one of the best places for diving. This is a place with ideal natural conditions, free from pollution and fishing. Cliffs with caves 600 meters high surround the island on all sides. In these waters live: hammerhead fish, white sharks, manta rays, green sea turtles, humpback whales, reef sharks, tuna, stingrays, dolphins, whale sharks and much more.
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PALAU
PALAU is a republic that unites 200 Pacific islands with lagoons full of clear water, tropical forests and a rich underwater world. The diving association CEDAM International named Palau one of the seven underwater wonders of the world. Here you can meet a leopard shark, octopuses, various crabs, more than 700 species of tropical fish, as well as other very rare marine life. This is an area with rich flora and fauna, and also a place where there were many shipwrecks during World War II. The season is here all year round, but it is better to go from January to May. Water temperature is approximately +20°C.
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SIMILAN ISLANDS
SIMILAN ISLANDS - an archipelago located in the western part of the Andaman Sea, consists of nine islands with tropical jungle and white sand. They have become very popular among tourists and are rightfully considered the best diving spots in Thailand. Divers have two diving options: the western side, which has massive granite boulders covered with coral, and the eastern side, which has gently sloping coral reefs. The depth reaches from 15 to 40 meters.
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RED SEA
There are many interesting diving spots in the Red Sea, the most popular are the reefs of Sharm el-Sheikh, Hurghada and Dahab, but divers are very attracted to places in the South of the Red Sea, from El Kezir to the border with Sudan. These places are free from pushy salesmen and dive boats, and under the water there are amazing coral reefs, canyons, caves and a wide variety of marine life. Among them: squid, octopus, turtles, dugong, dolphins, moray eels, stingrays, sea turtles, sea cucumbers, arotrons, urchin fish, Napoleon fish, warts, sharks, barracudas, stone fish, starfish and much more. You can go here at any time, but the best time is from November to March. The water here is always warm, about +29°C in summer, +23…+26°C in winter. Average visibility is about 20 meters.
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"); w.show();" alt="Red Sea" title="Red sea">
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"); w.show();" alt="Red Sea" title="Red sea">!} 
"); w.show();" alt="Red Sea" title="Red sea">
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"); w.show();" alt="Red Sea" title="Red sea">
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"); w.show();" alt="Red Sea" title="Red sea">!} 
"); w.show();" alt="Red Sea" title="Red sea">!}
BAHAMAS
BAHAMAS - The islands are located between Florida and Cuba, with clear warm water and excellent beaches. Some come here for the beaches and palm trees, others for a honeymoon, and some for diving and fishing. It has everything you need for this: vibrant marine life, coral reefs and the longest cave labyrinth found on the island. The island has shallow reefs from 3 to 15 meters deep and reefs at greater depths from 30 meters. The underwater world is the pride of the Bahamas, and the water here is considered the most transparent in the world, which allows you to see all its inhabitants very well. The mating games of bottlenose dolphins and spotted dolphins take place here every year, and you can also see sharks, manta rays, rays and stingrays. Snorkeling or scuba diving is very popular here. The water temperature, even at great depths, does not drop below +22°C.
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"); w.show();" alt="Bahamas" title="Bahamas">
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"); w.show();" alt="Bahamas" title="Bahamas">!} 
"); w.show();" alt="Bahamas" title="Bahamas">
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"); w.show();" alt="Bahamas" title="Bahamas">!}
MALTA
MALTA is one of the most attractive diving destinations. There is no such beautiful beautiful flora and fauna as, for example, in the Red Sea, but the local underwater world is famous for its caves, canyons and grottoes. Also, many ships and submarines from different eras sank in these waters. Drivers love to dive 42 meters to the British Blenheim bomber, which was shot down during World War II. Also sunk here is the French liner Carnac, on board of which there are various antiques, silverware and porcelain. At a depth of 60 meters there is an English submarine X7. Diving on the island can be done all year round; the water does not drop below +14°C even in the winter months; in summer the water is about +23°C. In Malta you can take scuba diving lessons, there are 30 schools at your service, offering a wide range of courses and rental of the necessary equipment.
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"); w.show();" alt="Malta" title="Malta">
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"); w.show();" alt="Malta" title="Malta">!} 
"); w.show();" alt="Malta" title="Malta">
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"); w.show();" alt="Malta" title="Malta">!}
SIPADAN ISLAND
SIPADAN ISLAND (Malaysia) is a legendary place for divers. This is the top of an extinct underwater volcano that rises almost a kilometer out of the sea. The island itself is very small, you can walk around it in half an hour, but all the beauty is around the island, where underwater life is in full swing. There are many species of exotic fish, sharks, hammerheads, and the population of sea turtles is one of the largest in the world. One of the amazing places is Barracuda Point, where barracudas gather in giant schools of thousands of pieces that create patterns and spirals. There are many reef sharks around the island that are not afraid of people and allow themselves to be photographed. In 1989, Jacques-Yves Cousteau visited the island and was amazed by the local underwater world and coral forests, which resemble the fauna of the Australian Great Barrier Reef. Dives here are strictly controlled, no more than 120 are allowed per day. The water temperature is +29...+30°C, so the season is all year round, but between May and November there are heavy rains, so the water becomes less transparent.
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"); w.show();" alt="Sipadan Island" title="Sipadan Island">!} 
"); w.show();" alt="Sipadan Island" title="Sipadan Island">
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"); w.show();" alt="Sipadan Island" title="Sipadan Island">!}
YUCATAN PENINSULA (Mexico)
It is home to the longest underwater cave system in the world. The island itself is made of limestone rocks, there are practically no rivers and few lakes, but there are sacred cenotes. Cenotes are the entrance to a cave, the so-called well, which the Indians called the gateway to the kingdom of the dead and considered this place sacred. They threw gold jewelry there as gifts to the gods. Everything valuable, of course, has already been taken from there, but this has not diminished the interest of tourists in the cenotes. Most of them are located in the jungle and look like a well or a small pool. It is better to travel here from May to July; it is not recommended to travel in August and September, since at this time the likelihood of hurricanes is greatest. The water here is warm - +25…+27°C, with visibility up to 85 meters.
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"); w.show();" alt="Yucatan Peninsula" title="Yucatan Peninsula">
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"); w.show();" alt="Yucatan Peninsula" title="Yucatan Peninsula">
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"); w.show();" alt="Yucatan Peninsula" title="Yucatan Peninsula">!}
BIG BLUE HOLE
The GREAT BLUE HOLE is a major tourist attraction in Belize. This is a huge karst sinkhole that has a diameter of 305 meters and a depth of 120 meters. It was made famous by Jacques Cousteau, who included it in his list of the 10 best dive sites in the world and is now a popular dive site. Here you can find many interesting species of fish, angel fish, nurse sharks, grouper, reef shark. Typically, divers dive no more than 30 meters because there is not enough oxygen beyond that and therefore life thrives only closer to the surface.
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"); w.show();" alt="Great Blue Hole" title="Great Blue Hole">
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"); w.show();" alt="Great Blue Hole" title="Great Blue Hole">
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"); w.show();" alt="Great Blue Hole" title="Great Blue Hole">
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"); w.show();" alt="Great Blue Hole" title="Great Blue Hole">!}
FRENCH POLYNESIA
FRENCH POLYNESIA is one of the best diving destinations in the world. Rangiroa is the planet's second largest atoll and is internationally popular for its divers' encounters with large ocean creatures. Divers love to dive into warm waters to encounter humpback whales, stingrays, dolphins and many marine animals that live in coral rings. The temperature here in winter is about +21°C, in summer - 27°C, which allows you to dive into these waters all year round.
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"); w.show();" alt="French Polynesia" title="French polynesia">
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"); w.show();" alt="French Polynesia" title="French polynesia">!} 
"); w.show();" alt="French Polynesia" title="French polynesia">
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"); w.show();" alt="French Polynesia" title="French polynesia">!}
CATALINA ISLAND
CATALINA ISLAND is an island located 35 kilometers from California. This is one of the best diving spots in North America. The famous Avalon Underwater Park is a great place for inexperienced divers. This park has giant kelp trees that reach 100 meters in length, and fauna includes Californian horn sharks, bright orange garibaldi, fathead wrasses, moray eels and fur seals. Also an interesting, but also difficult place is the Ship Rock rock, which resembles the sail of a ship. The 30-meter 19th century schooner Diosa del Mar sank here. Visibility in these waters is about 20 meters. It is better to go from May to October; the water temperature in summer is +18...+20°C.
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"); w.show();" alt="Catalina Island" title="Catalina Island">
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"); w.show();" alt="Catalina Island" title="Catalina Island">!} 
"); w.show();" alt="Catalina Island" title="Catalina Island">
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"); w.show();" alt="Catalina Island" title="Catalina Island">!}
More than 70% of our planet is covered by seas and oceans. Tens of thousands of strange inhabitants hide in its depths from human eyes. Endless tunnels of underwater caves attract with their mystery and majestic beauty. And the ships hiding at the bottom keep countless secrets of the past. website presents a list of the most beautiful and unforgettable dive sites.
1. Great Barrier Reef, Australia
This unique place has made Australia famous throughout the world. Its corals form an entire underwater country the size of Great Britain. The lines of Australian reefs can be seen even from space, but it is better to admire this beauty up close - directly under water. Here you will find about three thousand reefs, more than 70 coral islands, consisting of 350 species of coral, as well as whales, dolphins, turtles and hundreds of exotic fish. The best diving here occurs in the summer.
UNESCO awarded this place the status of a natural treasure of the world. Once upon a time, on the site of the Great Blue Hole there was a huge limestone cave. After its destruction, a huge number of beautiful underwater stalactites up to 15 meters high appeared above it. Lovers of beautiful animals have something to see here. What is the butterfly fish worth alone!
For those who love history, Chuuk Lagoon in Micronesia is ideal. Divers from all over the world are attracted here by the largest underwater cemetery of ships, planes and even tanks. You will not find anywhere else with such a large accumulation of military equipment of the last century.
Ras Mohammed (bottom right)This place became famous throughout the world thanks to many years of research and films by Jacques-Yves Cousteau. The luxurious underwater plateau amazes with the beauty of its reefs and their inhabitants. It is best to dive here in the afternoon, when the influx of tourists has subsided. The best underwater mountains and mesmerizing cliffs of the Mohammed Caps (this is how the name of this tourist pearl of Egypt is translated) will not leave anyone indifferent!
This piece of paradise is located near the shores of the island of Sri Lanka, washed by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Blue lagoons with clear water and colorful corals will bring true pleasure to true scuba diving gourmets. Multi-colored fish, huge stingrays and turtles, as well as moray eels and starfish live here. And the meeting with the colorful clown triggerfish, the emblem of the Maldives, is simply impossible to forget. The best time to dive here is from the end of January to April, but summer underwater excursions are in no way inferior to those in winter and spring.
Sipadan Island is an extinct volcano rising a kilometer above the water. But the underwater world around it is much more interesting and attractive for tourists than its land part. Here you can photograph sharks that are not afraid of people and do not harm them. You will see huge schools of barracudas, which, twisting in a spiral, create an incredible picture. In addition, you can swim into the same funnel made of carancas. Once inside, divers feel as if they are in the center of a giant underwater tornado of large fish shining with silver. The season on Sipadan never closes, but from late spring to early winter the rains make the water a little cloudy.
The authoritative organization of divers CEDAM International absolutely deservedly recognized this place as one of the most unique underwater places in the world. The best diving views in Palau are found in the so-called Blue Hole. Swimming into the local catacombs, you will see a truly magical sight: sunlight breaking through the stones and playing in the water with all shades of blue. And the unique flora and fauna of these regions will make this spectacle even more incredible. The best time to dive in Palauan waters is from January to May.
The entire coast of Thailand is dotted with wonderful diving spots, but the king among them is undoubtedly the island of Koh Tao. Its blue waters, as well as the majestic and formidable underwater cliffs strewn with corals, invariably attract divers from all over the world. Here you will find an abundance of fabulously beautiful angel fish and parrot fish, as well as large turtles and sharks - the real kings of the local waters. In the second half of spring, you can admire huge whale sharks here, but the best months for diving are February and March.
These islands also belong to the best dive resorts in the world located in Thailand. Diving in this area will delight both beginners and experienced divers. On the gentle eastern slopes, beginners can admire the rich flora and fauna without much difficulty. And experienced divers can plunge into the mysterious underwater grottoes, tunnels and caves of the west coast. The islands are open for diving only from November to May. But, nevertheless, trips there are booked in advance throughout the year.
If you dream of diving underwater and underground at the same time, there is no better place than this. The waters around this island contain the world's most extensive labyrinth of underwater caves. Their total length has not yet been established. Now it varies about 70 km, but divers are constantly discovering new caves. The water in these places is so clean that divers who find themselves in it feel as if they are not swimming in the ocean, but floating in weightlessness. The best time to come here is from May to July. And from August to September it is better not to take risks, since during this period there are hurricanes in Yucatan.
Catalina Island is located in the Caribbean Sea off the coast of California. This is one of the most favorite places for divers of any experience. The island is famous for its two dive areas: the Wall and the Aquarium. The wall is a sheer slope that goes 40 meters underwater. Experienced divers will enjoy swimming at great depths in this area, and beginners will get no less impressions from diving even to 4 meters. The aquarium is an ideal place for inexperienced divers. On this reef shallow, up to 12 meters deep, lies a world of colorful fish, beautiful sponges, corals and algae, which can be perfectly seen in the clean, clear water. The best time to come here is from late January to April.
Darwin and Wolf are islands that are part of the Galapagos archipelago. They are formed as a result of ancient volcanic eruptions. Underwater granite rocks, soft and black corals, large stingrays, world-famous Galapagos turtles, huge sea lizards moray eels - this is not a complete list of local attractions. The best visibility in the waters occurs from August to November.
At one time, more than 70 percent of the fish that live in the Pacific Ocean can be seen near this island. Multi-colored sponges, sea anemones, corals, crabs, shrimps and many other inhabitants of these waters help divers plunge into the underwater fairy tale of this picturesque place. You can dive both off the coast of the islands themselves and along deep reef walls. You need to go to Bunaken from March to October, when rains do not make its water cloudy.
The dive resort Manta Ray Village is located on the Big Island of Hawaii, owned by the United States. Its name translates as “village of manta rays.” It is one of the world's best diving spots thanks to the huge number of stingrays that live in its waters. To admire them, it is best to dive at night. At this time, local residents go out to sea in boats and use the light of lanterns to attract small plankton. The stingrays immediately swim to feed on them. But even if you dive during the day, you will certainly see these underwater beauties, whose dimensions exceed human height.
15. Barents Sea, Russia and Norway
The waters of this sea are a real mecca for lovers of extreme diving. Thanks to the Gulf Stream, its waters are not as cold as those of its neighbor, the White Sea. Here you will discover all the richness of northern underwater life. Whales, dolphins, belugas, crabs, salmon, sea anemones, crabs and other local wildlife will not leave you indifferent. And swimming among ice caves and sunken ships will bring a lot of unforgettable impressions and emotions.
Text: Zakhar Bakutin
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