Photo: Contiki
Adventure holidays can take many forms, and one of these forms is scuba diving! The act of submerging yourself underwater with a strange breathing machine in your mouth, clad in a wetsuit and flippers, encased in millions of bubbles as you go down until they burst and you’re left cradled in the ocean with a whole new world around you – okay, Ariel.
In all seriousness, diving is totally magical. No wonder thousands (maybe millions?) of travellers flock to the shores and don their gear for this.
Whether you’re a beginner on your PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) journey or a seasoned diver, there are some spots in the world you absolutely can’t miss. Schools of fish to meet, sharks to observe from a distance, coral reefs to gawk at – all waiting for you! We’ve rounded up 10 of the best scuba diving locations to help you figure out where to go next. You’re welcome x
1. Indonesia
For many scuba divers around the world, Indonesia is the destination. The most popular diving areas in Indonesia include Raja Ampat and Wakatobi National Park, both offering tranquil jewel-like waters and plenty of life below. These locations, however, aren’t the most budget friendly.
Other enchanting and more affordable dive sites include the Gili Islands, Komodo National Park, and Bali! The Gili Islands are especially unique with the ring of underwater sculptures resting below the waves – perfect for marine photography! There’s so much to do in Bali, so diving is often forgotten, but it’s actually one of the more affordable locations in Indonesia.
Image source:Contiki
2. Philippines
If you’re looking to witness colourful arrays of marine life and swim over craggy coral reefs, the Philippines is the best scuba diving location for you. Palawan, one of the Philippines’ best islands, is where you’ll start many of your diving adventures. You can dive from many of the beaches, but the most famed is Tubbataha Reefs, a UNESCO Marine Heritage Site. The exploration here is hefty, a little expensive, but so gloriously worth it!
Catch reef sharks, manta rays, and over 600 species of tropical fish flitting in and out of the corals – maybe even whale sharks on a lucky day.
3. Egypt
South East Asia is the go-to for many people looking to enjoy some scuba diving, but if you’re both a diving and history nerd, Egypt might be the best scuba destination for you. The Red Sea is home to the third largest reef system on the planet, boasting shoals of sharks, barracudas, and dolphins! But more than that, the Red Sea is famous for the abundance of wreck dives. If you’re feeling up to reliving the past and exploring barnacle-clad ships reclaimed by the natural world, you can try your hand at the SS Thistlegorm shipwreck dive – an adventure which will take you up close to a World War II ship.
For experienced and skilled divers – this is not amateur hour – you can also face the infamous Blue Hole dive in nearby Dahab. This is a 130m deep sinkhole into the ocean which many have likened to the Everest of diving; so, heed our warning.
Image source:Francesco Ungaro / unsplash
4. Thailand
Thailand is a stellar holiday destination for many reasons – the beaches and turquoise oceans being a main selling point! It’s one thing discovering the waters above shore, but if you can get below shore you’ll be swimming in paradise. Koh Tao is revered as one of the best scuba spots in the world, and on top of that it’s the best place to go if you’d like to get your PADI license and/or teaching license!
The Similan Islands in Thailand are also a top scuba spot where you’ll be afforded vibrant views of coral reefs and potentially whale sharks.
5. Australia
Is it any surprise that the home of the Great Barrier Reef is one of the best scuba diving spots on the planet? Setting off on a diving adventure without hitting Australia would just feel sorta wrong. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to 3,000 species of rainbow coloured fish, as well the entire cast of Nemo like clownfish and sea turtles. Spend your nights lulled to sleep on a dive boat and your days watching your skin prune as you explore the depths below – dreamy!!!! And you can do it on our Great Barrier Reef Explorer trip.
Image source:Contiki
6. Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos are an incredibly unique destination. The wildlife here is unlike anything you’ve ever seen before: sea lions sunbathing on white sandy shores, low-bellied iguanas soaking up the rays, and even blue-footed boobies (yes) hooting and hollering at the waves. And below the water is even more magical. People come scuba diving in the Galapagos to be awed by the sheer beauty of it all. And it’s not just fish you’ll see: hammerhead sharks too!
7. Mexico
Summer holiday destination for many Spring Breakers, many don’t necessarily view Mexico as a spot for diving, and yet… It’s one of the most unique diving destinations, actually, just because of the diversity of dive adventures you can have. If you want to spot whales and other massive pelagic species, the Baja California coast is the spot. And if you want coral reefs or even cenote dives giving you glimpses of underwater Mayan caverns and structures, then the Yucatan Peninsula is where you should head.
Either way, you’ll have a total blast in Mexico, exploring the endlessly blue open waters and gorging yourself on top tier street food afterwards.
Image source:Francisco Jesus Navarro Hernandez / unsplash
8. Maldives
Known as a luxury destination for many reasons (the beaches? The accommodations? The pristine waters? Hello????) the Maldives are also a leading spot for the best scuba diving in the world! You’ll get to see tiger sharks, manta rays and eagle rays, and lots and lots of friendly fish – including eels! Sure, you may have to spend a pretty penny, but if you’ve got the cash, this destination is well worth it.
9. Antarctica
Bit out of the box this one, but I mean, who doesn’t want to visit Antarctica? This icy snowy and glittering wonderland is truly amazing, one of the world’s most precious gems, and if you want the MOST unique scuba holiday, then head here. Just, make sure you’re comfortable being cold…
The type of diving you’ll be doing here is ice diving, obviously, and it’s definitely not for beginners. Some effort is going to need to be put in beforehand, but boy is it worth it. Penguins, leopard seals, and the bluest of blue glaciers are amongst the things you’ll see. Antarctica is home to a very singular marine ecosystem you won’t find anywhere else, but you’ll have to brave freezing temperatures to witness it.
Image source:Freysteinn G. Jonsson / unsplash
10. Belize
Venture out to Belize, just south of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, for some world-class diving that is also quite affordable! Caye Caulker is the perfect spot (which you can discover on our Ultimate Central America trip) for chilled and beginner friendly dives in Belize. But if you want to get deep into it, literally, then the famous Great Blue Hole is where you should head. It’s 300m wide (!!!!) and 124m deep – not for the faint of heart of the untrained, seriously. But it’s a bucket list destination for sure.
