10 Best Diving Holiday Destinations In The World

A person who dreams of, at least once, plunging into the depths of the sea to enjoy the mesmerizing dance of the inhabitants, probably cannot imagine the beauty that is hidden from our eyes underneath the water. Millions of the most diverse marine inhabitants of all colors, shapes, and sizes, are waiting for you, dear guest, to showcase the richness and splendor of their underwater world. So let's take a look at 10 best diving holiday destinations in the world:

Sipadan, Malaysia

As one of the venerable dive-gurus once said, "Instead of flying to Egypt two times, travel to Sipadan." Although the Red Sea, undoubtedly, gives many vivid emotions from familiarity with the underwater world, it is impossible to compare it to the beauty of Malaysia. The island looks like it is protruding out of the water and is adorned with lush greenery. There are real hidden treasures lying under the surface of the water that were found by the most famous underwater pioneer, Jacques-Yves Cousteau. There are almost two hundred types of sea creatures, from small fishes to sharks and so on. Majestic turtles are especially beautiful and even famous ballerinas cannot compare to the gracefulness possessed by these creatures.

The Sipadan beaches have long been used by these delightful creatures for breeding, so if you are lucky, you might have the opportunity to meet the turtles' children there. Another trademark of the island is the huge fleet of Barracudas that are attracted by the warm current. It is impossible to describe all the beauty present in Sipadan with words: just get on a plane and enjoy it all yourself.

Yucatan, Mexico

Fans of underwater mazes will certainly enjoy this Peninsula. Here you can find many interesting caves, which fill the beautiful location of Yucatan. The Maya called the caves "cenotes," and they believed that it was possible to get to the afterlife and meet with the Gods through these caves.

The caves are located hundreds of meters underneath the water/ground, and they look like real palaces. These caves are creations of nature and have been in existence for many millennia. What is interesting is that the entrance to these palaces is marked by rather unremarkable ponds, when on the other side of these plain pounds you will find yourself in a real fairy tale.

Yucatan attracts underwater tourists from all over the world, in part because of its comparative affordability. There is no need for a special certificate to explore the island, but an experienced instructor is mandatory. By the way, the water in these cenotes is so clear that it is difficult to determine the exact place where the air ends and the underwater world begins.

Although you will not find bright fishes there, you will get invaluable experience and a whole heap of inexpressible emotions, especially when traveling to the longest local cenote, Dos Ojos, giving you more than two hundred meters of continuous underwater enjoyment. That is what makes this state one of the best diving holiday destinations.

Maldives

You want to know where is paradise? The Maldives is where it is. Dazzling white sand, vibrant turquoise lagoons, beautiful palm trees, and much more that is required for a real vacation are there. But this is only the tip of the iceberg. The real beauty is deeper. Even a person who is not a diving tourist will certainly see several dozen representatives of the local underwater fauna right from the balcony of his or her appartement (for example, some types of rays love to hang around the coast), saying nothing about the miracles that take place at greater depths.

It is worth noting that you can meet almost all the inhabitants of the tropical seas there. The main symbol of these islands is, of course, clown triggerfishes, striking with their incredible colors. If you are interested in wreck diving, you should certainly pay attention to North Male Atoll, and in RAA Atoll, there you will surely encounter a variety of marine inhabitants.

Palawan, Philippines

From time immemorial, the sea Gods often fell into a rage and, on this basis, had ruined many courts, forever locking countless treasures in their Kingdom. For a long time, they were the only owners of those treasures, but once their kingdom became a good place for people who love wreck diving, and they had to share their treasures with mere mortals.

If you enter the number of these people, then you will like the depths near Palawan island. The most popular spots are several wrecked Japanese ships covered with thick layers of corals. They have become the new homes to many of the local inhabitants. Of course, in addition to ships, there are many other things to look at. There are spectacular coral reefs among which huge sharks and fish-hammers slowly float. Also, there is an incredibly warm lake called Barracuda, in which, as the name implies, a very friendly five-foot barracuda inhabits. If you want to look at a variety of local shellfish and small, colorful fishes, then this is the reason to go to "Oceanic-2" ship near the Basterra Reef.

By the way, Cousteau had claimed that the local underwater beauty is unique by its nature, and who are we to argue with this respected researcher? All that remains is to verify his assertion through our own experience.

Coco, Costa Rica

The Coco Islands is one of the most mysterious places shrouded in legends in the Pacific. It appeared on the maps five centuries ago and almost immediately attracted the attention of pirates thanks to its sheer cliffs and secluded corners.

This place was a kind of treasury for pirates. However, as the years and centuries rolled by, the pirates went with them, but the treasures of the island have remained with it. However, it is not about trivial gems and precious metals, but the marvelous underwater world, where, at the intersection of several streams, the most diverse representatives of the ocean realm are living, ranging from invisible microorganisms to giant humpback whales and tiger sharks. Besides, the biggest number of ocean inhabitants is concentrated near the Coca Islands, so diving there is a true delight for connoisseurs.

Also, the islands are famous for its caves, which dot their cliffs and are almost vertically sinking to the bottom of the sea. However, they are allowed to be explored only by experienced diving gurus. Beginners can swim surrounded by swarms of dolphins, sea turtles, and other amazing creatures (frankly, in such company, there is no reason to grieve about some inaccessible caves). Manta rays and sharks are usually at the Bajo Alcyone spot, while the beauty of reefs can be seen near the Bahia Wafer Bay.

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

If somebody decided to arrange a tour of our planet from its orbit, this reef is sure to be one of the main attractions. Besides, it is in the TOP 7 world's natural wonders and is certainly one of the best diving holiday destinations.

Of the 350 species of corals that are known to date, 340 of them you can find there. Hence, where there is such an impressive collection of corals, there are sea homes for "our little brothers," there is, of course, no less impressive population of underwater creatures, both big and small.

Besides, the Great Barrier Reef is home to aquatic mammals such as Dugongs that are now endangered. If you have dreamed all of your life of exploring these beauties, it is better to go to Heron Island, which is the recognized center of local diving. There you will meet people who will advise you on the most interesting sites where you will enjoy coral forests and the diversity of underwater inhabitants. In order to find coral gardens, it is necessary to go to Tropical North Queensland, while the best wrecks can be found near Townsville.

Dahab, Egypt

One of the most delightful places for diving in the world is, without a doubt, the Great Blue Hole, which is a giant underwater tunnel stretching to the center of the Earth at a depth of over 130 meters. It is located in the Red Sea, near Dahab, and is striking for its underwater beauty and an abundance of greenery and bright sea creatures, gradually changing each other as you change the depth of your dive.

In the walls of the Blue Hole, there are several tunnels through which you can get to the Red sea or, on the contrary, back to the hole. One of the most common routes there is a journey through one of the caves that is located at a depth of 6 meters. The path is quite simple; therefore, it can easily be overcome, even by a beginner (of course, under the guidance of a good instructor). However, despite the seeming simplicity of the Blue Hole, it enjoys a very bad reputation and is often referred to as the divers' cemetery. It is because of the human factor, as many people flock into the hole without the right training and equipment, but with a great desire to prove something to themselves and the world in general. As a result, such an adventure ends in death and stories about a "damn hole." So, be careful.

Fujairah, United Arab Emirates

If you are just a beginner in the world of diving, you should definitely not lose sight of the coast of United Arab Emirates, which is not only one of the best resorts in the world, but also is one of the diving holiday destinations.

The underwater landscape there abounds with a variety of reefs, islands, and wrecks that are favorite sites for beginners in the field of diving and also their more experienced colleagues. But despite the fact that nature has endowed Fujairah with such generous underwater gifts, the local authorities decided to improve this impressive picture with an artificial reef. To do this, they had flooded a couple of dozen old cars, turning them into a kind of parking for fish. The latter, incidentally, were delighted with the gift and still are; therefore, they had turned the flooded iron horses into their houses, and corals and shellfish did some work on the interior. Now, there are many nimble octopus and crabs living there.

In Fujairah, you will be able to choose the dive sites to your liking. There are so many places for diving that it is sometimes difficult to choose the most suitable one. They all differ from each other, and their levels of difficulty are different. Also, close to Martini Rock, you will find plenty of stunningly beautiful coral that will surely enchant you with its grandeur.

Similan Islands, Thailand

If the thirst for new discoveries in you is incredibly strong, but the desire to be safe is even more, then do not worry and go to Thailand. There is a breathtaking marine reserve; therefore diving there is a real pleasure.

Close to the Similan Islands, you can find many sunken ships that are shrouded in gloomy legends, as well as many natural formations that will certainly capture your imagination. Everything is peaceful and calm there and at the same time is incredibly interesting. The locals are nice barracudas, reef sharks, majestic groupers, cuttlefishes, bright parrot fishes and so on. Also, these islands are famous for its caves, in which you can find the Nemo and its cousins, many shellfish and a variety of colorful crustaceans.

The nearby surroundings of the islands include many diving sites for every taste. For beginners, it is recommended to visit East of Eden (the underwater life is always active around the massive coral reef), while for more experienced divers, it is recommended to visit Elephant Head Rock, that is laced with real mazes of caves and tunnels (you can find even lionfishes and sea turtles there).

Eilat, Israel

The Red Sea is undoubtedly the home to many beautiful sea creatures, a decent portion of which has chosen the coast of the Israeli Eilat as home. The main underwater place of interest there is a half-kilometer wall consisting of delightful corals around which the whole herds of bright and colorful tropical small fishes are swimming. If you are lucky, you can meet whale sharks and even majestic manta rays, and if not, then you can always admire colorful corals and smaller inhabitants of the local waters (it is recommended not to touch anything for the sake of your safety).

If you consider yourself a fan of wreck diving, then there is a crashed submarine, that is now, thanks to the hands of Poseidon, has transformed into a cozy abode for barracudas, lionfishes, and other inhabitants of the underwater Kingdom. By the way, due to the fact that there are a lot of dive clubs, prices are very adequate. So, if you want to see corals, then visiting Neptune's Tables is the best option, while for experienced drivers, it is recommended to visit Paradise that is a huge crater concealing many secrets in its depths, which makes Eilat one of the best diving holiday destinations to date.