10 Rare Destinations for the Best Scuba Diving in the World
- 13min Read
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- Maldives
- Komodo Island, Indonesia
- Sipadan, Malaysia
- Raja Ampat, Indonesia
- Red Sea, Egypt
- The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
- Blue Hole, Belize
- Palau, Micronesia
- Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
- Cocos Island, Costa Rica
It goes without saying that if you’re an experienced diver who enjoys diving, you’re always searching for the best places in the world for diving and photographing uncommon underwater occurrences. Even if you are not, why not give it a try?
It should come as no surprise that there are countless areas to explore in the deep waters, given that oceans span more than 70% of the Earth’s surface.
But you have to know where to search to locate some of the world’s top scuba diving spots within reach for leisurely enjoyment. We’ll take you on a voyage to the top 10 locations for the best scuba diving in the world to discover the depths of the mighty oceans!
Top 10 Best Diving Spots in The World
1. The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
If you want to create a splash during your vacation and experience the best scuba diving in the world, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is a must-visit. There’s no better place to try underwater sports for the first time than this. It is the largest coral reef system on the Earth and is also considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is also home to thousands of diverse species, attracting more than two million tourists annually to witness this amazing spectacle.
The Great Barrier Reef is particularly well-known for having thousands of marine species to explore, along with some of the best reef and wreck diving in the world, and is considered to be one of the best locations for scuba diving. However, the experiences in Australia continue, though. If you are interested in kelp forests, visit the colder southern parts which are home to playful sea lions, nesting cuttlefish, and captivating leafy seadragons.
The Great Barrier Reef is considered one of the best places in the world for diving and has over 450 hard coral species, lobsters, anemones, worms, sponges, gastropods, crabs, crayfish, and prawns. The reef is also home to approximately 1,500 different species of fish and various other creatures. Wrasses, triggerfish, angelfish and damselfish are some of the most popular species, along with sharks, rays, whale, and tiger sharks.
Best time to visit: June to October
Average cost of diving: USD 200-500 (~ INR 17,000-42,000)
2. Blue Hole, Belize
The Blue Hole in Belize offers the best scuba diving in the world. It is one of the largest sea holes in the world and is easily recognisable from space. If you are looking for submerged caves when rising waters cover them, this is the place to visit. You can explore thousands of stalagmites and stalactites that were formed when the Blue Hole was above the series of caverns.
The Great Blue Hole is considered one of the best scuba dive destinations. It is also a considerable part of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System. This giant sinkhole is located off the coast of Belize at the centre of the Lighthouse Reef. The UNESCO World Heritage Site has a circular-shaped hole that runs 300 metres across and 125 metres deep. It is one of the world’s largest formations of its kind. It contains both saltwater and freshwater.
Rocks like gypsum, limestone and marble are soluble and hence create the passages of the caves underground. Different fossils have been discovered to indicate life forms in the Blue Hole. Other forms of life include tortoises, crocodiles and microbes. Micro-organisms include meiobenthic, foraminifers, and nematodes.
Best time to visit: April to June
Average cost of diving: USD 200-300 (~ INR 17,000-25,000)
3. Palau, Micronesia
Palau offers one of the most thrilling and unique diving experiences, holding its position as one of the best scuba diving in the world. You can either cling to the reef or drift through the channel along the current and admire mantas, sharks, and large schools of fish. You can also soak up the mesmerising view and shafts of sunlight that pierce the pristine waters and bring out the undersea caverns.
This diving location, known as an idyllic paradise and one of the best diving spots in the world also treats scuba divers to the emerald green jungle-covered rock islands of the archipelago covered by turquoise waters. You cannot complete your visit to this island without visiting Jellyfish Lake. And the best part is that the jellyfish here do not sting. Scuba diving is prohibited here, however, you can go snorkelling to watch and photograph the famous golden jellyfish that stay near the surface to maximise their exposure to the Sun.
You shouldn’t also miss the historic shipwreck of WWII, where the Japanese oil tanker, Iro Maru, sank in Palu. Even though many of the wrecks have been removed or salvaged, it is still considered to be one of the best remaining sites to explore.
Best time to visit: October to May
Average cost of diving: An 8 days/7 nights trip with around 20 dives starts at around USD 3050 (~ INR 2,50,000). Rental equipment is not included in this price.
4. Maldives
The Maldives is home to dreamy white sand beaches and excellent reefs. It is a low-lying nation with plenty of marine life. You can try the best scuba diving in the world, which can be leisurely done here as the Indian monsoon currents sweep the ocean chains, moving the divers along. The rich blue waters feed the soft corals that cling to the sides of the rocks.
Inside the rock pinnacles and atoll lagoons, thila rises from the depths to scratch the surface of the waters. Within the channels, you can find swim-throughs, overhangs, and caverns festooned with gorgonians, invertebrates, and colourful sponges. At cleaning stations, you can also find manta rays, shrimp, and wrasse, as well as giant whale sharks and turtles.
If you want to explore luxury, there are plenty of underwater resorts like Anantara Khiavah, Conrad Maldives Ozeen Life MAADHOO, and Murada which is the first underwater hotel in the world, where you feel like you’re constantly diving or living underwater! These places allow you to take a pause and enjoy fine dining at some of the most exquisite restaurants in the world. If discovering marine life is not your only goal, this can be a great factor in planning a trip to Maldives now.
Best time to visit: December to May
Average cost of diving: USD 70-85 (~ INR 5,300-6,400) per dive
5. Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
This island is a bucket-list destination for all divers, and it offers an unforgettable encounter with its exotic biodiversity. If you seek memorable interactions with rare animals, big marine life, and sensational underwater photography opportunities, this is the place to be. There are a lot of ultra-rare marine iguanas, hammerhead sharks, turtles, manta rays, and more.
If you land here at the right time to encounter one of the best scuba diving in the world, you can strike off several animals from your marine life bucket list. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the presence of exotic creatures like blue-footed booby, sea lions, marine iguanas, and Galapagos giant tortoises.
From Darwin’s Arch and Mosquera to Cousins Rock and Floreana, you can indulge in a fascinating diving experience at multiple interesting spots within the Galapagos Islands.
Best time to visit: December to June
Average cost of diving: USD 180 (~ INR 15,000) per person, all-inclusive
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6. Komodo Island, Indonesia
Indonesia is one of the best countries to go diving and Komodo Island offers best scuba diving in the world with some of the most surreal experiences. The dive highlights an underwater paradise that is unknown to many divers. The variety of fish you can find is unreal and it includes millions of reef fish, from massive pelagic fish to sharks hunting on the pristine coral reefs.
The Komodo National Park is a well-protected area with a lizard population of around 5,700. Lizards are also known as the Komodo Dragons for their aggressive behaviour and devilish appearance. However, the highlights are the massive manta rays that glide swiftly underwater and the Komodo Dragons walking on the Komodo islands. Diving here at the best place in the world for scuba diving is, however, about the bog stuff that includes seahorse, ringed octopus, pygmy seahorse, crocodile fish, and more.
Best time to visit: April to November
Average cost of diving: IDR 12,750,00 (~ INR 67,000)
7. Sipadan, Malaysia
Sipadan, located in the Celebes Sea, was formed when corals grew on top of an extinct volcano. And today, the island is at rising 600 metres from the seabed. Located in the middle of the coral triangle, it is considered the best place in the world for scuba diving and has one of the richest marine drives as the area spots over 3,000 fish species and 600 coral species. It is one of the most biodiverse areas on the entire planet that you can get to witness while on your diving spree.
The depths of the islands and the oceanic currents make it a converging point for open sea marine life. You can literally find the whole marine food chain here. Starting with colourful reef fishes to sharks, whales and turtles, Sipadan holds its spot as one of the most unique dive spots in the world.
Best time to visit: March to May
Average cost of diving: RM 600-1000 (~ INR 10,000-18000)
8. Red Sea, Egypt
Diving in the Red Sea in Egypt can give you an opportunity to view some of the world’s most beautiful coral reefs, a wide variety of dive sites, and plentiful marine life. It is considered one of the seven wonders of the underwater world and literally the best place to go scuba diving in the world. Both the southern and northern Red Sea have WWII wrecks and excellent diving activities, including the world-renowned SS Thistlegorm. It also includes Big Brother, Little Brother, and Daedalus, offering dramatic encounters with sharks and manta rays.
The waters also have spectacular reefs teeming up with healthy corals. You can also see wrecks like the Chrisola, the Carnatic, and the Giannis D. Local pods of dolphins can also be spotted while diving between the white sandy seabed and shallow coral heads. It is also considered to be one of the most protected marine areas in Egypt, as it is home to diverse local reef life with steep walls and drop-offs that add drama to your diving experience.
Best time to visit: March and May or September and November
Average cost of diving: EUR 30-250 (~ INR 2,700-23,000)
In a Nutshell
You can also access the Red Sea reefs from Israel (Eilat) and Jordan (Aqaba). However, it may be the cheapest to reach the Red Sea from Egypt since Israel and Jordan are comparatively expensive.
9. Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Raja Ampat or the Four Kings, nestled amidst nature has an interesting story behind its origin. Four of its most prominent islands are believed to be the islands of four kings who originated from an enchantress’s magical eggs. Covering over 9 million acres of land, Raja Ampat introduces you to a fascinating range of ocean life, including over 1,000 species of coral fish and hundreds of mollusc varieties. The marine diversity of this magnificent place makes it the best place to go scuba diving in the world.
Besides being among the best diving destinations in the world, this archipelago is known for its initiatives to conserve its incredible flora and fauna. The manta rays, sharks, turtles, dugongs, and various other ocean life indigenous to this place are protected with the best efforts. The authorities have banned the aquarium fish trade and reef bombing in and around the regions, making them a safe haven for marvellous creatures.
Best time to visit: October to April
Average cost of diving: USD 50-70 (~ INR 4,000-6000)
10. Palawan, Philippines
Palawan is a true gem in the crown of the Philippines, consistently ranking among the top diving destinations in the world. This stunning island province is home to nearly 1,800 islands with a staggering variety of dive sites. With crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral reefs teeming with life, and dramatic underwater landscapes, Palawan caters to divers of all experience levels.
Some of the highlights of scuba diving in Palawan include:
El Nido is famous for its towering limestone cliffs, hidden lagoons, and pristine coral reefs. You can explore coral gardens, swim-throughs, and even underwater caves.
Coron is known for its World War II shipwrecks, which are now home to a variety of marine life. You can also explore coral reefs, underwater caves, and hot springs.
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is a remote island chain with some of the most biodiverse coral reefs in the world. You can see a wide variety of marine life, including sharks, manta rays, and whale sharks.
Best time to visit: December and April
Average cost of diving: USD 50-70 (~ INR 4,000-6,000)
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Key Takeaways
The mesmerising experiences these best diving spots in the world offer remain with you as memories to count forever. From the Great Barrier Reef of Australia to the Maldives, each place has its own charm and exotic biodiversity to keep you spellbound. If you haven’t visited any of these diving destinations, start now and strike off the most coveted destinations from your bucket list.
Whether you are seeking to photograph some of the most beautiful dive sites in the world, scuba diving with sharks, or are just curious about the historic wrecks, these places can let you have some of the most rewarding and memorable experiences. So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags, put your diving gears on, and get ready for some of the most effervescent experiences of your lifetime.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best diving destinations in the world help you discover the adventurer within you while connecting with nature. You can interact with the ocean world and feel the lives within from the core. Such a divine experience definitely makes it a worthwhile adventure to try at least once in your lifetime.
The Maldives is a popular destination to get a glance at manta rays, whale sharks and overwater bungalows. It is also one of the best scuba dive destinations to check out for a memorable experience.
Absolutely! There are quite a few. St. Johns/South, Bahamas, Bay Islands, and Bonaire are a few scuba diving destinations that are apt for beginners.
The Great Barrier Reef is believed to be the world’s largest coral reef system.
The underwater sinkhole, The Great Blue Hole, is situated around 60 miles off the coast of Belize. It is famous for its astonishing underground caves, which have been a part of the world since the Ice Age.
