The Best Diving Sites in the World
Water is something that soothes our mind, body and soul. There’s something about being surrounded by water that makes the body feel relaxed. There are many ways we can experience such a feeling, from taking a hot bath to diving in the ocean. These top diving sites are not just for expert divers, some may also be explored by snorkelers.
As Jacques Yves Cousteau said:
“The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever“.
Water sports are becoming more popular and gone are the days when swimming was the only favorite hobby that one could afford. People are now spending more time near the water and sports such as snorkeling, diving, kayaking and canoeing are becoming more popular and affordable. Families plan the camping trips with their kids and enjoy a variety of water sports in nearby lakes, rivers and oceans. For those who are particularly interested in diving as a water sport, we have collaborated with Tom to come up with this fantastic list of the most magnificent diving sites in the world.
RICHELIEU ROCK, THAILAND
If you’re heading to Thailand on your next vacation and you fancy checking out a good diving spot, Richelieu Rock is the perfect place to visit. This heavenly place is located 75km north of Khao Lak, 20km east of the Surin Islands and 200km north of Phuket. Whale sharks and other large pelagic like Manta Rays or Devil Rays can be sited in this region.
GREAT BLUE HOLE, BELIZE
The Great Blue Hole in Belize is of one those jaw dropping diving sites that makes you want to go back for more. Its depth is 125 meters (410 ft.) and is over 300 meters (984 ft.) wide. The hole is situated just off the coast of Belize and is surrounded by a beautiful coral reef.
This diving location is home to nurse sharks, giant groupers, and different kinds of reef sharks, such as the Caribbean reef shark and the Blacktip shark.
SHARK AND YOLANDA REEF, EGYPTIAN RED SEA
Shark and Yolanda dive site was named after Yolanda Cargo Vessel that sunk in 1980. Shark and Yolanda happens to be one of the most beautiful places for diving in the world. During the summer months, you can encounter the school of snappers in the morning. The current can be strong at this diving site, which makes the dive more thrilling.
BLUE HERON BRIDGE, RIVIERA BEACH, FLORIDA, USA
Blue Heron Bridge is one of the most favorable diving sites in the USA. South Florida, a critter hunter’s paradise, is home to some of the weirdest and most unique marine creatures that exist. Bandtail sea robins, flying gurnards, and striated frogfish are few of the many species to be seen in this magnificent diving spot.
RMS RHONE, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
The RMS Rhone was a UK ship which was used for Royal Mail and the remains of this ship wreck can be seen just off the British Virgin Islands. Sea life to be observed in this area include lobsters, turtles and eels making the dive worth it. If you want to see orange cup corals extend beautiful translucent tentacles, head to this spectacular diving site at night.
SUPERIOR PRODUCER, CURAÇAO
The producer was a cargo ship overloaded with Christmas items en route to Columbia which sank in 1977. The producer is 109 feet deep on a sandy plateau and is home to barracuda, queen angelfish, tarpon, turtles and seahorses. The rooms are filled with sponges and various types of fish.
THE SISTERS, TOBAGO
The Sisters in Tobago lies between two powerful ocean currents. This is one of the most beautiful diving sites in the world and hosts some healthy reefs. Barracudas, eagle rays, turtles, tarpons, groupers, moray eels, nurse sharks, hammerheads and spiny lobsters hang out there, while sharks are also sometimes encountered by divers who dare to dive deeper.
HAIRBALL, INDONESIA
The Hairball is perfect for those who are interested in seeing unusual marine life. This is one of those diving sites where even the most experienced divers come up to the surface and share their extraordinary encounters. Dive in the Lembeh strait for the famous ‘muck diving’ experience and look out for the weird and wonderful species such as ribbon eels, pygmy seahorses, frogfish, batfish, schools of angelfish and mantis shrimp.
Head to this fascinating diving spot at night and look out for tiny frogfish, hairy frogfish, mimic octopus and long-horn cowfish.
BARRACUDA POINT, SIPADAN, BORNEO, MALAYSIA
The journey to Barracuda Point includes, a flight into Kuala Lumpur, a puddle jumper to tiny Tawau, and a two hour taxi ride to Semporna. This is one of those diving sites that is on the bucket list for many divers, so the long journey is well worth it. There’s a high chance of encountering gray reef sharks, turtles, octopus, eagle rays and schooling whitetips at this magnificent location, not to mention the barracuda, that swirl by in the size and shape of a Kansas tornado.
SOMOSOMO STRAIT, FIJI
Between Taveuni Island and Vanua Levu is the world`s soft coral capital: the Somosomo Strait. It’s great white wall covered in pinkish-white soft corals can be explored through a shallow cave. The reef is decorated with orange, red and yellow soft corals. The Somosomo Strait is home to some of the best diving sites that the world has to offer. The current here is strong, but it makes the colors extravagant.
Author Bio: Tom is a blogger and a nature lover. He ‘s obsessed with traveling and loves experiencing new adventures with his family. He believes that water has a steady hold of him and regularly writes about his experiences at kayakcritic.net.
Did we miss anything? If so please share your recommendations for the best diving sites, in the comments below.
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