Grab your fins and discover the underwater worlds…
Only about 5% of the world’s oceans have actually been explored, and among that 5% are the best diving spots in the world. So, get ready for a journey through our 7 seas.
10. Great Barrier Reef, Australia
The Great Barrier Reef in the Australian state of Queensland is worth a visit in itself and impresses travelers with its breathtaking biodiversity and crystal clear waters. You should start your journey to the reef from Airlie Beach or Townsville. There are also some diving schools here, so you can prepare for a diving trip. A highlight for every diver at the Great Barrier Reef is the wreck of the SS Yongala. The ship sank in 1911 during a cyclone and now lies in 30m depth on white sand. The wreck was only found in the ’50s and has been a popular dive spot ever since. The wreck is home to much marine life such as rays and bull sharks. From June to November you can also see minke whales and humpback whales here. From October to January there are turtles and if you are lucky you can even spot a whale shark.
Meet turtles on the Great Barrier Reef |
Biodiversity |
9. Thailand
Thailand is a paradise for divers because the water temperatures range between 22°C and 29°C all year round. You can also dive here all year round. From May to September, the Thai Gulf offers incredible visibility. One of the best diving spots here is Koh Tao. The unique rock formations make this place very special and if you are lucky you can see whale sharks here in May and June.
From October to April the visibility in the Andaman Sea is particularly good, from Phuket you can dive to the wreck of the King Cruiser. The ferry sank off Phuket in 1977 and is now home to many animals and plants. However, a dive here is recommended for experienced divers. If you prefer a more relaxed dive, you can dive at Shark Point, where you have the chance to see leopard sharks and the coral formations are incredibly beautiful. From mid-October to April you can see manta rays at this dive site.
If you haven’t had enough of Thailand yet, you should definitely read our Thailand travel guide here!
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Thailand is the perfect dive spot to observe rare species of animals
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8. Lofoten, Norway
On the Lofoten Islands in Norway, you will experience untouched nature north of the Arctic Circle. Norway and especially the Lofoten Islands belong to the most beautiful diving spots in the world, due to their high biodiversity. Of course, it is a few degrees colder here than for example in Thailand, but a dive in a dry suit is definitely worth it. If you are lucky, you can also see orcas on a dive along the Lofoten, if you would like to dive for a wreck, the coast of Narvik offers a real smorgasbord of cargo and warships and there is even a sunken seaplane.
Village in Lofoten
7. Gili islands & Bali, Indonesia
The Gili Islands and Bali are also among the best diving spots in the world and are very popular with tourists. Here even beginners can marvel at beautiful underwater worlds without any problems.
Coral Fan Garden: On the Gili Islands, the Coral Fan Garden is a beautiful destination. Here you can get very close to sea turtles and even see clownfish playing hide and seek in anemones.
USAT Liberty: On Bali, you can start your dive directly from the beach at many places. A popular destination for beginners is the wreck of the USAT Liberty. The USAT Liberty was an American cargo ship that was torpedoed by the Japanese in 1942 and finally sank off Bali. The wreck is home to much different fish, such as moray eels and blue spotted rays.
Of course, there are many more diving spots on the Indonesian islands that you can experience. If you want to learn more about Bali and the Gili Islands, here is the perfect guide for you.
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Experience beautiful underwater worlds in Indonesia
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6. Tiger Beach, Bahamas
Tiger Beach in the Bahamas is one of the few places in the world where you can dive with tiger sharks. The crystal clear waters offer a unique view of beautiful reefs and much marine life. The ideal time to dive with the sharks is from October to January because then there is an incredible number of sharks at Tiger Beach due to the breeding season. However, you can observe tiger sharks here all year round, because the water is always 22°C to 29°C warm. Diving here is also possible for beginners because the depths go from 3m to 30m. The combination of unique animals, white sand, and crystal clear water makes Tiger Beach in the Bahamas one of the best diving spots in the world.
Swim with tiger sharks in the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea
5. Great Blue Hole, Belize
The Great Blue Hole in Belize has a diameter of 300m and is about 108m deep. It is believed to be a 150,000-year-old cave that has been filled with seawater. It takes about 3 hours to get there by boat, as the coast is about 100km away. In the coral atoll that surrounds the Great Blue Hole, you can observe many exotic fish and some shark species. The cave itself becomes more impressive the deeper you dive and you only realize the full extent at the bottom! It is not for nothing that it is one of the most beautiful and impressive dive sites in the world.
Experience the exciting underwater world in Belize
4. Red sea, Egypt
The Red Sea in Egypt is not only one of the most popular diving spots in the world but also one of the most beautiful. In Hurghada and Safaga you can dive with dolphins or go snorkeling. From Sharm el-Sheikh you can also visit one of the most famous shipwrecks in the world. The wreck of the Thistlegorm (“Blue Thistle”) was a British cargo ship sunk by aircraft bombers in October 1942. Nowadays you can find the 126m longship in 17-30m depth in the Red Sea.
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The Red Sea is a true paradise for enthusiastic divers
3. Kailua Kona, Hawaii
On Kailua Kona in the US state of Hawaii, you can dive with manta rays at night. At sunset, you leave the island and have a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean and Kailua Kona. On the tour, you will learn everything about manta rays and get very close to the gentle giants. The operators of the dive make sure that not too many people go along and that nothing happens to the animals. The encounter with the manta rays and many other sea creatures makes this dive spot an absolutely unforgettable experience!
Get very close to manta rays
2. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Far out in the Pacific Ocean, you will find the Galapagos Archipelago and at the edge of this incredible archipelago, you will find one of the most impressive dive sites in the world, Darwin’s Arch. During a dive at a depth of about 9m, you can admire many different species of animals. Here you can encounter schools of silky sharks, hammerheads, blacktips, and Galapagos sharks. If you are lucky you can even meet a whale shark and observe various whales.
The probability of meeting whale sharks is particularly high at another dive site, Shark Point, but only experienced divers should jump into the water here due to the current and the swell. Around the islands of the archipelago, you will also encounter a lot of sea turtles and water iguanas.
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Meet impressive ocean liners in the Galapagos Islands
1. Greenland, Denmark
In the east of the largest island in the world, you can dive under majestic icebergs and paddle along large kelp forests to see cod and sea wolves. If you are lucky, you may spot a whale. However, the main focus of this dive site is the adventure of diving under an iceberg.
From Tasiilaq you start your journey to an untouched paradise with water temperatures of 2°C – 4°C. Greenland is very sparsely populated and tourism has not really arrived yet, but the locals are happy about visitors. A visit to the island and a dive are worthwhile here, even if you prefer diving in tropical areas.
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Picturesque Greenland, one of the best diving spots in the world
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