Most of us had experienced how it feels to fly like a bird while traveling in an airplane, flying in hot air balloons and some of us might have experienced sky diving and flown by parachutes. But how many of you had swim like a fish and experienced the aquatic world? It is a fact that human beings had explored space far more than oceans, in fact, we have very less knowledge about oceans comparatively sky and space.
There is a world inside the ocean which is not just different but beautiful than that of the world outside it. Do you have a lust to explore this whole new dimension? Trust me! It will be one of the best experiences of your life. Surfing underwater is called scuba diving.
To cure your urge of best scuba diving experience, we made this list of best places to scuba dive in the world. Go and explore the underwater world in these best dive sites in the world.
Best Places to Scuba Dive in the World
There are lot many different sites where you can explore the oceanic world from scuba diving. In this blog, I will tell you 12 best places where you can do scuba diving and explore this whole new dimension.
Let’s start!
1. Yongala
Location – Australia
Situated in the Great Barrier Reef, it is considered as one of the best sites for scuba diving in the present world. It is a wreck dive spot of SS Yongala. In the year 1911, SS Yongala sailed into a cyclone and sank into the waters of Great Barrier Reef. Unfortunately, none of the passengers survived and the wreckage was found after 50 years 12 nautical of the town of Townsville.
Coming to the point, your eyes will get astonished after visiting this old unfortunate wreckage of SS Yongala. There is a mesmerizing aquatic surrounding inside and outside of the wreckage; you will see a variety of aquatic animals like Barracudas, sea turtles, manta rays, eagle rays, etc.
Level – Intermediate, If you are an experienced diver then this diving site is perfect for you, but if you are a beginner then make sure to go ahead with an experienced scuba diver and be in the view as this site is prone to strong currents.
Best time for diving – Any month of the winter season
2. Misool Boo Rock
Location – Indonesia
It is located at the Raja Ampat Island in Indonesia and is considered as one of the best sites for scuba diving in the world. Raja Ampat is famous for its rich aquatic biodiversity. It is located in the West Papua province of Indonesia and you can easily reach there by flying from Jakarta/Bali to Sorong.
Misool is an island area which is a part of Raja Ampat Island and is famous for its soft corals, mantas, reef fish, etc. You will witness some saltwater crocodiles near mangroves areas in this region. Now, In Misool there are around 20 scuba diving sites like Gampi, Lonely rock, Killer cape, Blue hole, etc. But the most notable site is Boo Rock Boo island. Boo rock is located at the eastern point of Boo island and is famous for Eels, Scorpionfish, Parrotfish, Dragonet and lot many other aquatic animals.
Level – Moderate, Just be aware of the saltwater crocodile.
Best time for diving – October – April
3. Micronesia
Location – USA
If you have a lust for marine biodiversity and you are fond of scuba diving than Micronesia is a paradise for you in the form of tiny uninhabited islands. It is located between the Philippines and Hawaii at the north of the equator. There are different sites for scuba diving and one of them is Fujikawa Maru in Chuuk. It is a former cargo ship which is packed with parts of airplane and ammunition. Chuuk was the Japanese Naval base during World War 2.
You will encounter several aquatic animals like manta rays or manta birostris in this wreckage. Diving sites like Palau, Chuuk, Yap Island, and Guam have their own specific charm such as Palau is famous for its muck dives and current dives whereas Yap Island is famous for Mantas and Sharks. On the Other hand, Chuuk is famous for its cargo wreckage whereas Guam is known for its beautiful diving. You can easily get there by reaching Guam’s International Airport.
Level – Moderate to Intermediate, There are different diving sites you can choose them as per your diving experience or you can also take help from an experienced diver.
Best time for diving – All months and seasons
4. Cayman Islands
Location – Caribbean
The Caribbean is known for its vast marine life and crystal clear water, Cayman Island is rated as the best diving sites among all the Caribbean islands. There are many other diving sites in the Cayman Islands like Bloody Bay wall in the Little Cayman, USS Kittiwake in Grand Cayman, Babylon in Grand Canyon, Stingray City in the Grand Cayman and the Jackson’s Bight in the Little Cayman. These sites are not just beautiful but also famous for the coral reefs and aquatic animals. You may also encounter table size stingrays.
Level – Moderate to Intermediate, depends upon the site you choose and current level.
Best time for diving – All seasons and months.
5. Sipadan
Location – Malaysia
Sipadan is one of the favorite places among the divers; it is situated in the indo-pacific basin. Sipadan has a variety of aquatic plants and animals, more than 3000 species of fishes can be found along with different forms of Coral reefs. In a single dive, you will see more than 12 Sea turtles and if I talk about fishes than let me tell you that Sharks are one of the most common fish which you will see every now and then. If you are lucky enough then you will also see The Hammerheads shark. Interestingly Sipadan is the only volcanic island in Malaysia.
Level – Intermediate, Strong currents sometimes make it challenging for diving. Make sure you are diving with experts.
Best time for diving – Anytime between April and December
6. Bay Islands
Location – Honduras
Honduras is a famous tourist spot and the credit goes to offshore islands known as Bay Islands. Waters of this place is crystal clear and rich in coral reefs along with marine biodiversity. Barrier reefs are easily accessible and the marine life is equally satisfying.
Level – Moderate to Intermediate, you can choose a dive site as per your safety.
Best time for diving – All seasons and months
7. Brothers Island
Location – Egyptian Red Sea
There are two small islands known as Brother Islands in the red sea at an area known as ‘deep south”. One of the Brother islands is Big Brother Island which is larger than the other; it is 400 meters long and allows you to witness a wide view of coral reef and an opportunity for scuba diving.
Here all diving is wall diving and you need to be careful at every point. You can see all those big guns like such as Thresher shark, Hammerheads, Sting Rays, Giant Murrays, Eagle rays, Tuna, etc. If you are fond of coral reefs than you can along the shore of Small brother
Level – Intermediate, The wreck here is 80 meters down and is positioned vertically. Swimming inside the wreck can disorient you and can take you deeper into the depths.
Best time for diving – All seasons and months
8. Manta Ray Night Dive
Location – Hawaii
Now, this is something interesting! Here in the night divers use light to shine up the surface of the water to attract Planktons. As Manta rays eat planktons also comes behind these attracted planktons. They simply come up and eat them by swooping through the water with their mouth.
You will see these rays coming at the surface and eating planktons while showing some twist, turns and somersaults, giving you an unforgettable memory.
Level – Moderate to Intermediate, at night time you have to be cautious. Make sure you are having someone who is experienced.
Best time for diving – All Months and Seasons.
9. Aliwal Shoal
Location – South Africa
It is a rocky reef where you can find a variety of fishes along with different sizes of coral reefs. It is considered as one of the best diving spots in the world. It is not only famous for its recreational dives sites but it has two famous ship wreckages as well. It is the home of Grey Nurse Shark and this makes it a most favorable diving spot in the world.
Level – Moderate
Best time for diving – January to November
10. U-352 Dive
Location – North Carolina
U-352 was a German submarine that was used during World War 2 along the North Carolina coast. It was sunk in the year 1942 and was discovered in 1974. It is one of the best-known sites in North Carolina because of its historical importance. It is the home for Sand tigers and some beautiful Coral reefs.
Level – Intermediate
Best time for diving – All Months and seasons
11. Tobermory Scuba diving
Location – Canada
It was named as the Scuba Diving capital of Canada because of its multiple diving sites. Here the Ship wreckages are more than a hundred years old and make this site more mesmerizing, relishing and significant.
There are 22 wreckages in number till yet and Fathom Five national park preserves these wreckages and possession.
Level – Moderate to Intermediate
Best time for diving – All months and seasons
12. The Wall
Location – Havelock Island, Andaman
It is located between the Havelock and Peel Islands, The wall is one of the most unpredictable and popular scuba diving sites in the world. It is a wall-like formation starting from 10 meters to 55 meters and is a home of various aquatic animals like the octopus, Scorpionfish, Reef fish, sweet lips, etc.
Level – Moderate to intermediate; having a wall-like formation, this site provides preferences to divers of various skill levels.
Best time for diving – All Months and Seasons
So, these were some famous scuba diving sites around the world. If Scuba diving is in your bucket list then you should visit the sites mentioned above and if it is not in your bucket list then you should add it. Make sure to get proper guidance of the place or site you visit along with the information regarding the equipment you will use.
