The best places and countries for diving. Where is the best place to go diving?
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 Galapagos islands 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 submersible 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.
- The first group belongs to the so-called cult diving. This is, of course, the Galapagos Islands, which are considered an underwater paradise and the best place for diving due to its rich ecosystem. Of course, these are Cocos Island and the Socorro Islands, which are a sanitation station in the middle of the Pacific Ocean for a variety of marine life, including a huge population of sharks. Iconic dive destinations also include the wild, still poorly explored waters of Raja Ampat in Indonesia and the world's largest atoll, Aldabra, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, which is very difficult to simply get to. To understand why J. Cousteau, the main expert on the best diving, spent so much time studying the Sea of Cortez, you need to come to Mexico's Baja California. The dream of many divers is to take part in the famous sardine race in South Africa. By the way, most of the above-mentioned sites can only be reached by safari yacht. In fact, these are real mini expeditions on special ships.
- The second group can roughly include countries with mass diving trips. It includes the Red Sea with Egypt and Sudan, the Maldives, unrivaled in the beauty of the underwater world, and almost all the countries of Southeast Asia: Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Micronesia, Papua New Guinea. Australia and Oceania can be included in the same group: the Great Barrier Reef, paradise French Polynesia, Fiji with shark feeding. And, of course, Cuba with coral reefs and shark diving, the Dominican Republic with caves, the Bahamas with bull and lemon sharks, Turks and Caicos with humpback whales. In Europe, the choice is small - Malta and wrecks, budget Croatia and expensive Norway with killer whales. People go to all these countries for both daily diving and diving safaris.
- Well, the third category of countries for diving from the category: “It’s worth diving there at least once!” These countries can hardly be called the best places for diving, but if a diver is there, he will find something to see underwater. This includes landscape diving in Spain and the Canary Islands, archaeological diving in Greece and Turkey and Tunisia, the reefs of Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Jordan, the biodiversity of Seychelles and Mauritius. Diving in these countries can be interesting due to its novelty and specificity, therefore, once here, most divers will want to “check in” in the local waters. Thus, diving in the Canary Islands is called landscape diving. There are no coral reefs here, and the depths between the islands reach 3 km. Encounters with the inhabitants of the open ocean can be the most unexpected, especially on the outer islands of the archipelago, but they cannot be guaranteed. Many islands have not yet been explored at all, which adds interest and intrigue.
With many of the best diving spots in the world, everyone chooses what interests them. Those who are looking for a new direction, some need to “get their gills wet” inexpensively, some are interested in sharks, for others diving is exploring new caves and wrecks.
Diving is a very exotic sport. Any diver, whether an expert or a beginner, will be fascinated by the depths of the places where he finds himself on every dive. Every diver has their own list of favorite dive sites. A survey of divers from around the world has resulted in a list of some of the best dive sites.
Similan Islands
The Similan Islands in the western Andaman Sea are considered the best diving spots in Thailand. The archipelago consists of 9 white sand islands covered with tropical jungle. There are 2 diving options: the eastern side has gently sloping coral reefs, and the western side has massive granite boulders covered with coral. The depth can vary from 15 to 40 meters. Read also about the most beautiful islands of Thailand in a separate selection; there are also very good places for diving.
Maldives reefs
Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the most popular diving destinations in the world. It is the largest coral reef system in the world, stretching over 3,000 kilometers. These are the only reefs on Earth that can be seen from space. The Great Barrier Reef also has a wealth of wildlife and exotic fish, including green sea turtles, dolphins, humpback whales and clownfish.
"); w.show();" alt="Great Barrier Reef" title="Great Barrier Reef">!}
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">
!}
"); w.show();" alt="Great Barrier Reef" title="Great Barrier Reef">
!}
"); w.show();" alt="Great Barrier Reef" title="Great Barrier Reef">!} 
"); w.show();" alt="Great Barrier Reef" title="Great Barrier Reef">!}
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.
"); w.show();" alt="Maldives" title="Maldives">
!}
"); w.show();" alt="Maldives" title="Maldives">
!}
"); w.show();" alt="Maldives" title="Maldives">!} 
"); w.show();" alt="Maldives" title="Maldives">!}
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.
"); w.show();" alt="Coconut Island" title="Cocos Island">
!}
"); w.show();" alt="Coconut Island" title="Cocos Island">
!}
"); w.show();" alt="Coconut Island" title="Cocos Island">!} 
"); w.show();" alt="Coconut Island" title="Cocos Island">!}
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.
"); w.show();" alt="Palau" title="Palau">
!}
"); w.show();" alt="Palau" title="Palau">
!}
"); w.show();" alt="Palau" title="Palau">!} 
"); w.show();" alt="Palau" title="Palau">!}
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.
"); w.show();" alt="Similan Islands" title="Similan Islands">
!}
"); w.show();" alt="Similan Islands" title="Similan Islands">
!}
"); w.show();" alt="Similan Islands" title="Similan Islands">!} 
"); w.show();" alt="Similan Islands" title="Similan Islands">!}
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.
"); w.show();" alt="Red Sea" title="Red sea">
!}
"); w.show();" alt="Red Sea" title="Red sea">
!}
"); w.show();" alt="Red Sea" title="Red sea">!} 
"); w.show();" alt="Red Sea" title="Red sea">
!}
"); w.show();" alt="Red Sea" title="Red sea">
!}
"); 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.
"); w.show();" alt="Bahamas" title="Bahamas">
!}
"); w.show();" alt="Bahamas" title="Bahamas">
!}
"); w.show();" alt="Bahamas" title="Bahamas">!} 
"); w.show();" alt="Bahamas" title="Bahamas">
!}
"); 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.
"); w.show();" alt="Malta" title="Malta">
!}
"); w.show();" alt="Malta" title="Malta">
!}
"); w.show();" alt="Malta" title="Malta">!} 
"); w.show();" alt="Malta" title="Malta">
!}
"); 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.
"); w.show();" alt="Sipadan Island" title="Sipadan Island">
!}
"); w.show();" alt="Sipadan Island" title="Sipadan Island">
!}
"); w.show();" alt="Sipadan Island" title="Sipadan Island">!} 
"); w.show();" alt="Sipadan Island" title="Sipadan Island">
!}
"); 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.
"); w.show();" alt="Yucatan Peninsula" title="Yucatan Peninsula">
!}
"); w.show();" alt="Yucatan Peninsula" title="Yucatan Peninsula">
!}
"); w.show();" alt="Yucatan Peninsula" title="Yucatan Peninsula">!} 
"); w.show();" alt="Yucatan Peninsula" title="Yucatan Peninsula">
!}
"); 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.
"); w.show();" alt="Great Blue Hole" title="Great Blue Hole">
!}
"); w.show();" alt="Great Blue Hole" title="Great Blue Hole">
!}
"); w.show();" alt="Great Blue Hole" title="Great Blue Hole">!} 
"); w.show();" alt="Great Blue Hole" title="Great Blue Hole">
!}
"); w.show();" alt="Great Blue Hole" title="Great Blue Hole">
!}
"); 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.
"); w.show();" alt="French Polynesia" title="French polynesia">
!}
"); w.show();" alt="French Polynesia" title="French polynesia">
!}
"); w.show();" alt="French Polynesia" title="French polynesia">!} 
"); w.show();" alt="French Polynesia" title="French polynesia">
!}
"); 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.
"); w.show();" alt="Catalina Island" title="Catalina Island">
!}
"); w.show();" alt="Catalina Island" title="Catalina Island">
!}
"); w.show();" alt="Catalina Island" title="Catalina Island">!} 
"); w.show();" alt="Catalina Island" title="Catalina Island">
!}
"); w.show();" alt="Catalina Island" title="Catalina Island">!}
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.
The Bahamas is an archipelago of 700 islands covering 100,000 square miles located in the western Atlantic Ocean. It was formed as a result of the submersion of a huge plateau (presumably an ancient continent) and an island - nothing more than the tops of ancient mountains. The average depth of 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 that washes these islands, the seabed is filled with vibrant 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 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 diversity of the seabed topography, diving in Papua New Guinea can be done either offshore or sailing many kilometers away on a ship or yacht, or on an aboriginal boat rented at the nearest beach. But we advise you to contact representatives of a local travel company, who, for only 50-80 dollars, will take you to sunken ships and planes from the Second World War, giving you the opportunity to explore the perfectly 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.
The Galapagos Islands have long been considered a diver's paradise due to its diversity of magnificent marine life and challenging geographical topography. But before you go there, you must go through a really serious scuba diving school. 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 of all the 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 are looking for a place for a family holiday, then you will not find a better one. Your family will bask on the 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 Site is home to several million species of amazing and beautiful sea creatures and hence, even if you spend a month there, you won't 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 of 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. What can we say if the most impressive shots of the film “Pirates of the Caribbean” seem like faded black and white photographs compared to the views that you will find 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 snorkeling, fishing and other water 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 diving destination in all of 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.