Diving holidays abroad. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. Dangers - real and imaginary

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. About three thousand reefs await you here, more than 70 coral islands, consisting of 350 species of corals, 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 great amount beautiful underwater stalactites up to 15 meters high. 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.

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 warm waters 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 rises a kilometer above the water dormant volcano. But undersea world the area 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. Best views diving sites in Palau are located 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 strewn with beautiful places for diving, but the king among them is undoubtedly 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 most best months for diving - 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 mysterious underwater grottoes, tunnels and caves 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. Aquarium - perfect 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 tortoises, 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 Manta Rey Village dive resort is located on Big Island in Hawaii, which belongs to 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 that time local residents They swim 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. 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 there will be a lot of sunken ships unforgettable impressions and emotions.

Text: Zakhar Bakutin

The ocean and seabed are fascinating. You only need to be underwater once, and the magical world will attract you all your life. Therefore, if you have ever been involved in diving, this passion will never leave you, and you will again and again dream of diving under water, left alone with picturesque visions, the likes of which do not exist. It is to you that we dedicate an article in which we will tell you about the 10 best places on our planet for diving.

1. Bahamas, Western Atlantic.

Bahamas is an archipelago consisting of 700 islands with a total length of 100,000 square miles located in the western part Atlantic Ocean. It was formed as a result of the subsidence of a huge plateau (presumably ancient continent) and the islands are nothing more than the peaks of ancient mountains. Average depth The sea here is only 5-8 meters, but it is possible to find truly deep-sea cracks, such as the world-famous and not fully studied “Language of the Ocean”.

Thanks to the warm ocean current, washing these islands, on the seabed you will find a vibrant riot of life and many amazing and beautiful coral reefs.

But a truly exciting adventure awaits you in the underwater cave network on the island of Grand Bahama, where both sunken ships and amazing underwater grottoes are found in abundance. For the most demanding divers, we can recommend diving near the islands of Biminis, Abacos, Eleuthera, Cat Island, San Salvador and Inagua - a dive here will be a real test of your courage and strength.

2. Papua New Guinea, Bismarck Sea.

The coast of Papua New Guinea is famous for its mountainous landscapes, both coastal and underwater. But these places are also amazing because they are the center of the confluence of three different seas: the Bismarck Sea we mentioned, the Solomon Sea and the Coral Sea. Now imagine what an incredible world of this kind, both animal and plant, awaits you here!

Due to the variety of seabed topography, diving in Papua New Guinea You can practice either near the shore or sailing many kilometers away from it on a ship or yacht, or on an aboriginal boat rented on the nearest beach. But we advise you to contact representatives of some local travel company, which for just $50-$80 will take you to sunken ships and planes from the Second World War, giving you the opportunity to explore the beautifully preserved ships throughout the daylight hours.

If you consider yourself a truly high-quality diver, then you should definitely visit the area around Kimbe Bau, Madange, Rabaul and Kavieng. Why? We will not deprive you of the pleasure of becoming a discoverer of these incredible places!

3. Galapagos Islands, Pacific Ocean.

Galapagos Islands have long been considered a diver's paradise thanks to the variety of magnificent marine life and challenging geographical topography. But before you go there, you must go through a really serious school underwater diving. This is due to the fact that in the Galapogoss you will find the most incredible changes in temperature and depth, as well as encounters with the most dangerous predators all oceans - white sharks.

The problem of insufficient training can be solved by hiring a guide or instructor on site. Here you can meet many professionals from all over the world who are ready to become both your guides and bodyguards for just a hundred or two dollars.

The Pacific water off the Galapagos Islands is as clear as glass, so even sitting in a boat, you can easily see the bottom at a depth of 25-50 meters. That is why here you can organize the best night dives, the sensations of which cannot be compared with anything else.

4. Rangiroa, Polynesia.

Directories will tell you that Rangiroa is one of the largest atolls in the world, being the largest of the Tahiti islands. But in fact, this is not a single island, but countless islets and coral reefs entangled in a complex network, even a superficial acquaintance with which may take you several years.

The average sea water temperature here is always constant, and is 23-28 degrees, both in winter and summer, and if so, then you can go to Rangiroa at any time of the year to meet the amazing underwater world of Polynesia, which differs from others in its incredible diversity and number of tropical fish, shellfish, octopus and crabs.

As for the depth of the bottom, here it rarely reaches 30 meters. And one more thing - only here you can meet schools of dolphins, habitually taking fish directly from the hands of divers.

5. Riviera Maya, Mexico.

Riviera Mayo or Maya Riviera is located near the Caribbean coast of the state of Quintana Roo in Mexico. This is a reef, or rather, part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, which has long attracted the most advanced divers and tourists who simply love to splash around in warm and clear water. And if you're looking for a place to family vacation, then you won't find anything better. Your family will bask in snow-white sand, while you explore a network of underwater rivers or witness the formation of carbonate caves formed by the mixing of fresh and salt water.

The Riviera Maya is home to two of the longest underwater cave systems in the world, called Sac Actun and Ox Bel Ha. It is there that you can find rare sights, more like landscapes of distant planets. But just remember that swimming in these caves is only possible for the most experienced divers. However, there will also be something for beginners to see here.

6. Great Barrier Reef, Australia.

Australia's Great Barrier Reef consists of more than 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands, the largest reef system stretching 2,600 kilometers under and above the waters of the Coral Sea. This World Heritage is home to several million species of amazing and beautiful sea creatures and hence, even if you spend a month there, you will not be able to see everything. More than 400 species of corals alone can be found here.

However, you must remember that local regulations require you to complete three days of training and pass an exam before you are allowed to dive. Only after this will you be able to obtain documents allowing you to dive in these places.

7. Little Cayman, British West Indies.

The Little Cayman Islands are located in the Caribbean Sea south of Cuba. This is a real abode for rare species birds, fish and animals. If you choose the Little Cayman Islands for your trip, then know that the best time for this will be from June to August, when there are no storms, which allows the sea water to be clear.

When choosing a dive site, you should know that on the northern part of the islands there is a protected marine park that will be the best place for diving. You can even go boating here, but hunting, fishing and even anchoring are prohibited.

If you're into deep-sea diving, head to Bloody Bay, where you can dive into a vertical cave 1 kilometer deep with visibility of almost 100 meters at the bottom. And for lovers of shallow water, Jackson Bay is suitable, which, as local residents joke, can be easily forded. But remember, here you can easily encounter a gray reef shark, which, although it cannot kill, can inflict more than serious wounds when attacking.

8. Bonaire, Caribbean Sea.

The geographical position of Bonaire seems to be created for an incredible riot of underwater flora and fauna. Its completely calm waters and natural shelters have encouraged the growth of corals, making the local beaches an ideal place for family holidays. As a diver, you will enjoy exploring its seabed, full of the vibrant riches of the Caribbean. And if you're lucky, you'll stumble upon the wreckage of a sunken caravel or pirate brig. But what can we say if the most impressive shots from the film “Pirates” Caribbean"seem like faded black-and-white photographs compared to the views you'll encounter here.

These places are deservedly considered the best preserved corner of wildlife, which makes them a paradise for all diving enthusiasts. Crystal clear water with visibility up to 80 meters, bright colors, a complete absence of predators and excellent service - this is what will make your trip to Bonaire unforgettable.

And I’ll add on my own behalf that this is where you need to go in order to swim with the largest ocean turtles.

9. Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands.

Located among the Micronesian Pacific Islands, Bikini Atoll is part of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. This group of 36 islands, which lies halfway between Australia and Honolulu, is one of the world's best scuba diving destinations, attracting anyone who enjoys diving among shipwrecks. The most famous of them (and there are many hundreds of them) are the US and Japanese warships Saratoga and Nagato. However, there is one “but”, and that is that in the mid-50s, Bikini Atoll was an experimental site for nuclear testing. Remember the movie "Godzilla"? So, this monster was born here, just like “SpongeBob SquarePants.”

Today, Bikini Atoll and the lagoons around it are one of the most beautiful places for scuba diving, fishing and other aquatic species sports. Although this island is barely inhabited, it has already become a favorite destination for many divers, which is why prices here immediately skyrocketed. It is expected that this season the price of a week's accommodation on the atoll will rise to $5,000.

10. British Columbia, Canada.

British Columbia is the most amazing place for snorkeling throughout North America thanks to the extraordinary diversity of marine life off its shores. Here you can meet not only shrimps and crabs, but also sea lions, whales, large octopuses, and even killer whales, which are so accustomed to people that they allow you to swim within arm's length of them. In total, more than 5,000 species of invertebrates and 400 species of colorful fish live here. But if you are not ready for such adventures, then don’t worry, as here you can find many backwaters fenced with steel nets for the safety of divers.

Diving is a special type of recreation that relaxes, makes you happy and causes an adrenaline rush.. Moreover, diving can be quoted as family look tourism and entertainment.

And it suits all ages. That is why every year it becomes more and more popular. If you want to take your mind off Everyday life, diving vacation is what you need.

Which country should I choose?

Diving is possible not only in warm waters, but also at temperatures of 10-20 degrees. But if you are a beginner, then it is better to go to warm countries. The water temperature there is suitable, the climate is inviting, and there is plenty of exotica. Plus the equipment is not so complicated and expensive.

Beginner divers prefer tours to Egypt. Best place for diving - the coastal area near the resort of Sharm El Sheikh. Marsa el-Alam is also famous for its coastline. Can .

A great place for diving tours is Thailand. There are Russian-speaking trainers and wonderful dive sites here. And the underwater expanses will not leave even the most demanding diver indifferent.

Holidays on the island are popular. Here you can dive near the US Liberty wreck, and at Manta Point you can see huge manta rays. If you haven’t tried diving in caves, we recommend it.

If you haven't been yet, please correct this error. The most popular resorts are Hoi An, Danang, Nha Trang, Con Dao and Phu Quoc islands. By the way, one of the cheapest in the world.

In general, when choosing a country, look at the goals and plans that you set for yourself.

What do you need to know?

Find out in advance the list of services of local trainers. Ask about the possibility of training and obtaining a certificate (but it is better to come on vacation with the appropriate documents).

Take an experienced person with you as a partner.

Listen to your instructor

Physiological problems are possible during and after a dive. Be attentive to your well-being.
Before diving, read everything you are asked to sign.

There are a number of contraindications to diving; if you have them, then it’s not destiny.

Find all the equipment you need before you go on holiday, as there may not be one in your size.
To avoid decompression sickness, dive and ascend according to the rules.

Diving is an opportunity to plunge into another reality and get to know yourself and your abilities. This is a rather expensive pleasure, but you can always find budget places and combine diving with interesting vacation on the land.

Türkiye, Kas

Under the water

The water off the coast of Kas is clear, the underwater landscape is replete with caves, canyons and tunnels. The underwater fauna is teeming with stingrays, turtles, you can find soldier fish, octopuses, and moray eels. Underwater reefs have become natural traps for ships, turning them into archaeological artifacts. But the celebrity of the Flying Fish reef is the sunken Italian torpedo bomber.

For beginners, Kas has many easy dive sites: Neptun Riff, rich in antique amphorae, TheTunnel - a rock tunnel covered with soft corals, home to colorful parrotfish and snails, AssiIsland - a place where you can watch octopuses and sea turtles, Mavi Magara is a glowing blue cave that was once inhabited by Mediterranean seals.

Above the water

Kas is located 280 km from Antalya Airport in a bay surrounded by numerous islands. The town is very quiet, there are no Russian-speaking tourists here, but the infrastructure is developed. Kash is popular among young people and divers. Taking a break from diving, you can watch ancient city Mira.

Best diving club: www.divingcharterturkey.com

Egypt, Dahab

Under the water

Egypt and diving are synonymous words. The former Bedouin village of Dahab has become a Mecca for lovers of underwater spectacles. In Dahab, you don’t need to swim long to get to the dive site - the dive sites are accessible from the shore. Both beginners and professionals will find something for themselves here. interesting objects for research.

Local celebrity - Blue hole(Blue Hole), its depth reaches 100 m. Daredevils who are “knee-deep in the sea” dive into the hole in an attempt to exit through the 54-meter tunnel into the open sea, which often ends with memorial plaques on the shore. In Dahab it is officially prohibited to dive deeper than 25 meters.

For beginners, it is enough to dive to a depth of no more than 10 m. In addition to the Blue Hole, there are many other interesting spots in Dahab: Lighthouse, The Bells, Canyon, Islands, Caves and Free Pools (Three Pools), and this is not a complete list of dive sites.

Above the water

Dahab is located on the shores of the Gulf of Aqaba, 100 km from Sharm el-Sheikh. It is fundamentally different from the usual Egypt, it is a place for free people. There is a large selection of inexpensive accommodation for unpretentious tourists and restaurants with authentic cuisine. The main thing is diving and freedom. In Dahab, the wind blows 300 days a year, so in addition to scuba divers, windsurfers and kite surfers live here. For a change, you can go to a Bedouin village and experience the delights of their life firsthand.

When to go: all year round
Best diving club: dahab-club.ru

Spain, Canary Islands

Under the water

Canary Islands eternal spring. Oddly enough, many divers are not aware that the Canary Islands have excellent diving. Probably because the recreation here is very diverse, and it often doesn’t come down to diving. The flora here is not very picturesque, but the fauna makes up for the lack of coral reefs.

Huge, almost tame turtles easily let you scratch your belly, barracudas peer out from numerous grottoes, and other sea creatures keep scuba divers busy. The migration of large schools of fish, gathering into huge balls, is incredibly impressive.

Tenerife has more than a dozen dive sites. Ali Baba's Cave (Cuevade Ali-Baba) is 54 meters deep and covered with black corals. The Champiniones site features bizarre “mushrooms” of solidified lava, Atlantida – basalt colonnades and underwater staircases reminiscent of the remains of the sunken mythical Atlantis. It’s also interesting to swim with stingrays in La ciudad de la srayas - a sunken fishing boat, around which they circle, smoothly moving their “wings”.

Above the water

Although Canary Islands and belong to Spain, prices here are lower than European ones. The Canaries have everything: from cleanest beaches to volcanoes and nature reserves. You can safely go on vacation with the whole family; there is enough entertainment for everyone. In the Canaries, as a rule, they do not collect large groups divers, no fuss or rush. The instructors are very friendly and offer a wide selection of dive sites.

When to go: all year round
Best diving club: www.oceandivingtenerife.com

Nha Trang, Vietnam

Under the water

Vietnam has the cheapest diving in the world, but you will have to spend money on the flight, the main thing is not to have high expectations from it. Coral reefs delight with an abundance of underwater inhabitants that are not afraid of divers - for underwater photographers, Vietnamese diving is simply a paradise. There is a lot to see and many places to dive: Nha Trang, Hoi An, Con Dao and Phu Quoc islands.

There are practically no sunken ships in Vietnam; local residents pulled out everything they could and sold it for scrap. But the flora and fauna are simply stunning: pearl shells, colorful bright fish and huge lazy turtles, cuttlefish, octopuses and squids. The main thing is to get to the season when there are no strong currents.

Above the water

Picturesque beaches, a variety of fruits and vegetables, cheap food and accommodation. In Nha Trang, a boulevard with hundreds of cafes, bars and clubs stretches along the 30-kilometer beach line. Phu Quoc Island is more suitable for have a relaxing holiday, there are no crowds of tourists or noisy embankments. But there is rich nature: mountains and relict forests, waterfalls and jungle. You can diversify your water dives by watching how black pepper grows or how the “fragrant” Vietnamese fish sauce nuoc mam is made.

When to go: to Nha Trang - February-October, to Phu Quoc Island - from November to May
Best diving club: www.divevietnam.com

Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka

Under the water

Hikkaduwa is a wide coastline and the best dive resort in Sri Lanka. The warm waters of the Indian Ocean and clear waters created excellent diving conditions. A coral reef stretches 300 meters along the coast of Hikkaduwa, protecting the bay from the waves. It's just a stone's throw from the shore - about 50 meters. Perfect place for newbies. Giant turtles They enjoy swimming with divers in shallow waters. There are more than 20 dive sites here. One of the most interesting is the sunken British ship Earl of Shaftsbury. It lies at a depth of 12–20 m and is accessible for penetration.

Above the water

Hikkaduwa is located 100 km south of Colombo. Here you can stay either in a hotel or in a small family hotel. The easiest way to get to Hikkaduwa is by bus or train from Colombo. Travel time is 2-3 hours. In order to get away from sea ​​holiday, you can go to the city Buddhist temple, admire the birds on the lake. Night discos are open for tireless tourists.

Crimea

Under the water

There are no coral reefs, exotic animals or bright underwater plants in Crimea. But interesting places There is still one for diving. Diving in Crimea is, first of all, a touch of history and traces of past eras.

On Cape Tarkhankut, south of Olenevka, underwater there is an underwater museum “Alley of Leaders”. These are busts of Ilyich and Karl Marx, which were eventually joined by Pushkin and Yesenin, Mayakovsky and Tchaikovsky. Capes Aya and Batiliman are rich in a variety of grottoes and caves. And in the Sevastopol area there are many sunken ships from the Second World War.

Above the water

Holidays in Crimea are so diverse that you should decide for yourself what you like and can afford. Hotel, boarding house or tent - everything is appropriate here. And most importantly, there is a choice. In addition to nature, there is a lot of entertainment on the shore, but still Crimean mountains combined with a clear sea - this is the best thing that the Crimean peninsula has.

When to go: May to September
Best diving club: blackseadivers.com.ua

Thailand, Similan Islands

Under the water

Similan - nine uninhabited islands in the Andaman Sea, located 70 kilometers from the mainland of Thailand. Large boulders with arches and tunnels, caves in which lobsters live, leopard sharks basking in the shallow waters, stingrays, barracudas and surgeonfish. Sometimes there is also a whale shark.

For beginners, the dive sites Breakfast Bend and Christmas Point are suitable, where you should dive at dawn, when the sun illuminates the underwater world, revealing everything down to the smallest detail. Elephant Head Rock is one of the most popular sites, although there are quite a few strong currents, and it is recommended only for professionals.

Above the water

The Similan Islands are one of the most beautiful places southern part of Thailand and they are a national park. You can spend the night in tents or bungalows owned by the administration national park, or on board a ship. Diving in the Similan Islands is worth going not for one day, but for at least three.

When to go: November to April
Best diving club: www.phuket-scuba-club.com

Baikal

Under the water

The most famous and cleanest lake on the planet is Baikal. Diving is also practiced here. Moreover, both in summer and in severe frosts, when the water becomes clear and the ice reaches a thickness of more than 10 cm. Quite extreme and unusual. Particularly impressive are winter dives near ice hummocks, between which you can swim, as if through galleries.

Dives must be secured with a rope so as not to get lost among the ice bells and whistles and ice tunnels. Famous dive sites of Lake Baikal: The coast of brown bears, Listvyanka, Ushkany Islands, where you can watch the seal rookeries. Professionals will be interested in cave diving - diving into underwater caves.

Above the water

Diving on Lake Baikal takes place regardless of the weather. You can go on one “dive” or spend a week on Lake Baikal. Accommodation on the shore in small private hotels, meals there in a cafe. There are both economy options and those with a claim to stardom, with two-story rooms and a jacuzzi. Dives in Listvyanka are carried out from the shore twice a day: in the morning and in the afternoon.

When to go: February to July
Best diving club: www. baikaldiving.ru

Philippines

Under the water

The Philippines is part of the so-called “coral triangle” (together with Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia). There is such a rich variety of flora and fauna here as in no other place on the globe. At the bottom lies a huge number of sunken ships from the Second World War. The islands of Coron, Busuanga, Tubbataha and Basterra reefs in the Sulu Sea are among the world's best dive sites. Off Donsol Island, you can swim with whale sharks from March to May.

Above the water

The best beaches in the world, a varied cuisine in which everyone will find a dish to their liking, generous nature with incredibly beautiful lakes, caves and grottoes and, of course, the Filipinos are one of the most cheerful and hospitable people in the world. The water temperature in the Philippines all year round is 26‒28°C.

When to go: all year round
Best diving club: www.divescotty.com

Israel, Eilat

Under the water

There is always a season in Eilat, diving is carried out at any time of the year, it is always warm and dry here. The Eilat reef is rich and varied and goes to a depth of up to 50 meters. Rich in living creatures and flora The reef boasts a variety of eels, moray eels, flounders, stingrays, crustaceans and molluscs. The bottom of the bay is generally solid coral seas, teeming with “coral small fry”.

There are also special attractions: two small specially sunken ships that were once part of the Israeli Navy - the 40-meter missile ship Satil and the small patrol boat Yatush. There are no predatory sharks here, though whale sharks visit Eelat regularly. “Japanese gardens” made of spreading corals are another underwater feature of Eilat.

Above the water

Eelat nestled comfortably between Jordan and Egypt. Seven-kilometer beach resort on the shores of the Red Sea, where a coral reef begins at the edge of the shore - all dives are made from the shore. The Sinai mountains and the sands of the Negev desert are also Eilat. And also hotels, restaurants, discos, dive clubs, which are slightly reminiscent of Egyptian Hurghada, but unlike Egypt, there is a good diving school.

When to go: all year round
Best diving club: aqua-sport.com

Cheap does not mean bad, so don’t be afraid of budget dive spots. If you are a beginner, try an introductory dive before purchasing a course. What if you don't like it? And be sure to think about insurance. Not all resorts can issue it, but dive centers with a good reputation will definitely require it.

Photo: thinkstockphotos.com, flickr.com

Which countries should you go to for inspiration? We talk about the best diving spots around the world. From Australia to the Barents Sea.

Why scuba diving

The thrill of diving is incomparable - you can look at something that no one has seen before, communicate with the inhabitants depths of the sea. You can feel like an astronaut - with modern equipment you acquire neutral buoyancy at almost any depth. This is a unique state of weightlessness that gives a feeling of freedom and flight.

Travelers have access to so-called recreational diving, when the loads are calculated so that they are much less than a person can withstand. Paired belay, good organization and reliable equipment reduce the risk of diving to zero.

Where to go diving

Great Barrier Reef

The vast expanse of ocean filled with coral reefs is comparable in area to England. Diversity sea ​​creatures such that their number is similar to the fauna of the continents. The Great Barrier Reef unites 3,000 reefs, 70 coral islands (more than 350 varieties of coral alone). The variety of fish and shellfish amounts to several thousand. On the Bolshoi barrier reef there is a developed diving infrastructure. You can come to these places all year round, but the most best time: , .

Catalina Island

This island is located near California. It is not only a base for diving of varying degrees of difficulty, but also an excellent vacation spot for those who prefer land. The most famous of the local beauties is the Avalon Underwater Park, where novice athletes gain experience. It is preferable to visit this place in summer.

Maldives

« Best places for diving in the world" - many people associate this phrase with a paradise. Indeed, snow-white beaches, blue transparent lagoons and palm trees are at the service of vacationers. But the main feature of the Maldives is the fantastic underwater world with colorful tropical fish, sea turtles, moray eels and stingrays. Best season in the Maldives - from end to .

Planning a trip? That way!

We have prepared some useful gifts for you. They will help you save money while preparing for your trip.

Malta

Diving attracts travelers to Malta. It is characterized by an indescribably beautiful underwater landscape - grottoes and canyons, caves, sunken ships of all times - all this untouched beauty will attract the attention of travel and adventure lovers. In Malta you can relax from early spring to late autumn.

Southern coast of the Red Sea

The resorts of Sharm el-Sheikh, Hurghada and Dahab have been occupied by numerous tourists for a long time, fortunately you can come here all year round. Wonderful places, but one minus – it’s very crowded!

Yucatan

Only here, on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, you can fully experience the exoticism of diving underground and underwater at the same time. The world's largest concentration of underwater caves attracts expeditions, as divers continue to discover more and more caves. The water here is unusually clear and all the cave spaces with giant underwater stalactites and stalagmites are in full view. The Indians consider these places sacred. You can visit Yucatan all year round.