Scuba diving is an amazing sport that combines adventure, nature-loving, and the excitement of spending time under the water. Scuba diving enthusiasts all over the world are constantly in search of new, amazing locations to practice this activity and explore their boundaries. Luckily, we live on a beautiful planet that is the home of the most diverse and most amazing places for scuba diving. All you have to do is know where to find them.
That’s why we’ve put together a list of the jackfish10 best places for scuba diving to discover this year. You’ll learn where you can go, what to expect, and how to make the most out of your scuba diving planes for this year.
Here are the 10 amazing spots we know you’d love.
Source: Pixabay
1. Redang Island, Malaysia
At the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia lies the beautiful must-dive spot for scuba diving lovers, Redang Island. The island is one of the nine islands that form a marine sanctuary park and is the home of crystal clear waters and sandy beaches.
But, scuba divers love it for the amazing coral reef that creates the most amazing dive conditions. Divers can see all kinds of marine life species including reef sharks, manta rays, barracudas, and even whales.
2. Galápagos Island, Ecuador
Galápagos is considered to be one of the world’s most extraordinary places for wildlife viewing, and it’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen when it comes to scuba diving.
It lies more than 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador and is a preserved natural gem. If you decide to scuba dive in the Galápagos, you’ll be able to enjoy:
- all kinds of sharks
- sea turtles
- dolphins
- manta rays
- colorful coral and sea algae
Beware of the strong currents and make sure your scuba diving skills are up for the challenge.
3. Dumaguete, Philippines
The entire country of the Philippines is stunning and rich in natural beauties, but Dumaguete offers spectacular diving opportunities for scuba divers of all skills levels and interests.
What makes Dumaguete so amazing is the versatility of scuba diving opportunities. You get to choose whether you want to explore coral reefs, macro diving, or have fun swimming with jack fish and whale sharks.
4. Jardines de la Reina, Cuba
No matter your skill levels or experience, Jardines de la Reina (Gardens of the Queen) has something for everyone. It’s an archipelago in the southern part of Cuba.
It can proudly present the best-preserved coral reef system in the Caribbean, which makes it a top destination for scuba divers.
It’s the home to:
- an amazing variety of sharks including the Caribbean reef, great hammerhead, and silky
- numerous species of coral and sponge
There are more than 80 different scuba diving spots in Jardines de la Reina, so it’s definitely worth the trip.
Source: Pexels
5. Gili Islands, Indonesia
Trawangan, Air, and Meno are a group of three small islands that together form the Gili islands near the coast of Lombok.
What makes the Gilis yet another must-see scuba diving destination for you this year is the amazing variety of sea turtles you’ll see on every step you make, as well as amazing reefs just off-shore.
Beginner scuba divers will be thrilled to hear that the currents are gentle, and they can enjoy the Gilis without fear.
6. Sipadan Island, Malaysia
Commonly mentioned as one of the top 5 scuba diving spots in the world, Sipadan Island is the next stunning location you need to know about.
It’s known for the incredible variety, but also an abundance of marine life and coral species. The versatility and richness of life in the Sipadan Islands amaze anyone who has the chance to scuba dive here. Scuba divers in Sipadan mingle with barracudas, anthias, lionfish, octopus, and so many more amazing species.
7. Cocos Island, Costa Rica
Around 550 km southwest of the Costa Rican mainland lies Cocos Island, a national park and a World Heritage Site protected by UNESCO. It’s the home to large pelagic species, which is one of the main reasons divers love it.
In addition, Cocos Island offers:
- underwater caves
- large shoals of hammerhead sharks
- submerged volcanic islands
You’ll love diving in Cocos Island and seeing the preserved and insanely rich biodiversity.
8. Chichijima, Japan
Ogasawara Islands are located around 1000 km from Tokyo and are home to a beautiful scuba diving spot – Chichijima. It is yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site that is fairly hard to reach since you have to take a 24-hour ferry boat ride, from Tokyo, but definitely worth the trouble.
Chichijima is rich in large marine species such as whales, manta rays, and dolphins. Scuba divers love it for the clear and pleasant waters, especially in August.
Source: Pixabay
9. Thistlegorm, Egypt
If you’re interested in seeing more than marine life and beautiful corals, you could go wreck diving in Egypt. The perfect spot to do so is Thistlegorm. This wreck site portrays a 420-foot (128-meter) British transport ship that sunk in 1941 after being bombed by German bombers.
Divers get to learn a bit about history but also see the wrecks of trucks, jeeps, motorcycles, and tanks. The deepest spot is 29 meters and some divers enjoy diving in this spot during the night.
10. Banco Chinchorro, Mexico
Mexico is a popular destination for scuba diving, but Banco Chinchorro is a hidden gem that not many divers know about. The unique biodiversity and lack of crowds are what make this spot a part of our top 10 scuba diving places at the moment.
Superb visibility and clear waters are just the tip of the iceberg. Divers of all skill levels can find a perfect spot to enjoy scuba diving and explore the amazing underwater life.
Final Thoughts
We know the list we shared above will inspire you to start planning your next scuba diving adventure. Whether you’re a beginner or expert scuba diver, you’ll be able to enjoy the most fascinating underwater sights that this planet has to offer.
Hopefully, we’ve helped you discover new the fascinating and memorable places you were looking for.
About the Author:
Jessica Fender is a professional writer and educational blogger at GetGoodGrade. Jessica enjoys sharing her ideas to make writing and learning fun.