Every diver has a location they love going to. Whether it’s a hidden site in their hometown or a well-known area in a more touristy spot. Whatever the place might be, it probably evokes some unique memories in you. Memories of colorful sea-life, magnificent coral reefs, or even historic shipwrecks.
In case you haven’t found your dream destination yet or simply want to find more incredible places in the world to dive at, we got you. We drafted a list with the most impressive and surely breathtaking places for you to explore on your next trip to the sea. So, look no further if you want to learn about the best diving spots in the world.
In this article, you will get answers to the following questions:
- What are the best diving spots in the world?
- Where should you travel to have the best scuba diving experience in the world?
- What sea-life can you expect to see at all these amazing places?
- And which other highlights characterize those sites?
Best diving spots in the world
Every day, more and more people fall in love with exploring the underwater world. And this is no surprise, as diving allows you to get an entire new perspective of the blue world surrounding us. However, to make the very most out of your dive, it is worth picking a place that also offers the best diving experience. And for that you need the right information. Luckily, we have exactly that. So, before we jump into the deep blue, let us jump into the list of the best diving spots in the world, starting off with the “Blue Hole” in Malta.
1. Blue Hole in Malta
When thinking of the best diving spots in the world, Malta might not be the first to pop into your head. But believe me, it is one magnificent place to visit in Europe and might even be the best spot in Europe when it comes to diving.
The Blue Hole caters to divers of all skill levels. The natural arch-shaped formation, crafted by the forces of water and wind, offers divers the option to delve into the cavern or venture into the open sea via the tunnel to encounter schools of fish. Additionally, the parking lot is just a 5-minute walk away from the spot, which makes it a preferred location for casual divers.
2. Devil’s Den Cave in Florida
Next on the list of the best diving spots in the world is the Devil’s Den Cave, located in Florida. The Devil’s Den is considered one of the oldest, but at the same time one of the most beautiful underwater caverns in the world. What makes the Devil’s Den a treat for the eyes is the sinkhole, formed by limestone and shaped like an upside-down mushroom. Through its unique form, sun rays sparkle through the center of the Devil’s Den and create an image that is unforgotten.
And the best part is that you don’t even need a scuba certification to explore this magical place. With a maximum depth of 16.45 meters, the 10,000-year-old Devil’s Den is suitable for both professional and amateur divers. If you’re lucky, you may even be greeted by colorful fish or wandering turtles. It’s best to experience it for yourself.
3. The great sardine run of South Africa
Number 3 on our list of best diving spots in the world is located at the tip of South Africa. The great sardine run has its name from the humble but powerful sardines that swim from South Africa all the way to Mozambique each summer. If you are lucky, you might just see a shoal of fish when you are heading out to this breathtaking location.
What makes the great sardine run of Africa one of the best diving sites in the world is the other beautiful creatures of the sea that are attracted by the sardines. These range from big tuna and friendly dolphins all the way to hungry sharks.
One spectacular event that you might witness when diving in the great sardine run is the “bait ball”. The “bait ball” is a hunting strategy used by dolphins, in which they herd sardines into a dense mass to make it easier for them and other predators to catch them. You definitely don’t want to miss out on that!
4. Dive with sea turtles in Malaysia
Number 4 of our best diving spots in the world takes us to Sipadan island in Malaysia – where you have the mesmerizing chance of diving with sea turtles. Sipadan is the only oceanic island in Malaysia and best known for its large population of green and hawksbill sea turtles.
Moreover, you’ll find a flourishing population of reef sharks and magnificent coral in the region. When visiting Sipadan island, you can be sure that you will see things that you have never seen anywhere else before.
5. Underwater caves of Poor Knights Islands in New Zealand
For the best diving in the world, number 5 takes us to New Zealand, where the underwater caves of Poor Knights Islands guarantee a one-of-a-kind diving experience.
Diving here is a lot of fun. The crystal-clear water is warmed by the warm currents flowing through the island and filled with sensational underwater attractions. Especially, the marine life at the Poor Knights Islands is one of the most diverse. You will not only see colorful fish, crabs, and soft corals, but sometimes blue humpback whales, who occasionally visit the islands. The beauty of the area is enhanced by the near-vertical rock faces that descend 100 meters through a maze of rock arches and sandy-bottomed caves.
Best places to scuba dive in the world
Scuba diving itself is already a very exciting experience, where you have the opportunity to dive into the underwater world and see the planet from a completely new perspective. To experience the best scuba diving in the world, it is also worth searching for the best locations. We have compiled a list of our all-time favorites for you, so you don’t have to. Let’s start with our number one Location: Thailand.
1. Thailand
Throughout your scuba diving journey, you will definitely explore some remarkable places. But sooner or later you will have to visit Thailand. Thailand is one of the scuba diving hotspots of the world with amazing sites such as: Richelieu Rock, Similan Islands, Koh Phi Phi and many more.
If you are on a budget, we recommend visiting Ko Tao. The spot is cheaper compared to others and offers various dive shops for both amateurs and pros. In case you want to get your Open Water Diver scuba certification, Ko Tao offers those too, starting at around $300.
2. Maldives
Of course, one of the most iconic places to visit are the Maldives. But did you know that they also account for one of the best places to scuba dive in the world? Well, if you have the budget (which is certainly necessary for a scuba dive at this breathtaking location) it is definitely worth considering a trip there.
The best places for scuba diving in the Maldives are located around North Male Atoll, Ari Atoll, and Hanifaru Bay. There, you will get the chance to encounter the picturesque reefs the Maldives are known for and will maybe even get to see manta rays and sharks. It is an incredible place where an incredible time is more than guaranteed.
3. Cocos Islands in Costa Rica
If you plan a trip to the Cocos Islands in Costa Rica, you will also have to consider the time it takes to get there. The islands are situated over 340 miles (ca. 547 km) away from the Pacific coast of the country and can only be reached by a liveboard scuba diving boat such as the “Okeanos Aggressor 1” and the “Okeanos Aggressor 2”.
Getting from the mainland to the islands by these boats will take approximately 36 hours – so better be prepared. Once you reach Coco Islands you will get the unique opportunity to dive with hammerheads, whale sharks, manta rays and many other stunning fish that will quickly make up for the long journey.
4. Fiji
Fiji is known for its vast color spectrum, with its soft corals ranging from yellow, pink, and orange all the way to blue and purple. Adding its captivating marine life such as turtles, clownfish and seahorses, you can just image how incredible a scuba dive in Fiji is. Yes, Fiji certainly is one of the very best places to scuba dive in the world!
The sites we recommend visiting lie around Viti Levu, Vanua Levu and the Yasawa Islands, which are all great places for solo or family trips. Next to resorts offering the best dining experience you can imagine, you will also find loads of dive shops that offer everything you need for your scuba journey. So, if you want to see some of the most colorful underwater-world, scuba diving in Fiji is definitely a must on the list.
5. Egypt
Another superb spot on our list of best places to scuba dive in the world takes us to the Red Sea in Egypt. Located between Africa and Asia, the Red Sea is part of the Indian Ocean and offers wonderfully clear waters filled with pulsating sea-life. The Red Sea in Egypt is constantly warm all year round, which makes it a popular destination for scuba divers preferring those warmer waters when exploring the sea.
In Egypt, you will find great places for scuba diving, from Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh to the shipwrecks in Sha’ab Abu Nuhas. You can get your Open Water Diver certification almost anywhere in Egypt and can also go for the very affordable two-tank diving for less than 75 $ in many places. Definitely worth a visit!
6. Australia
There are so many great places for scuba diving on our wonderful blue planet. One of those places is Australia. The continent famous for its exotic (and sometimes scarily big) animals that adorn the landscape offers mesmerizing animal encounters on land, but also underwater. One of the most famous sites for scuba diving in Australia is the Yongala. There you will find a broad array of sea-life including beautiful corals, sea snakes, and octopuses. You might as well have the chance to catch humpback whales if you’re lucky.
Getting to the Yongala can be quite a challenge as the site can only be reached by boat. But once you get there, you will have one of the most historic scuba dives of your life, as the Yongala is home to many wrecks that stretch over the seafloor. So, if you happen to get to Australia, the Yongala is the place to go!
Learn more about scuba diving cost and scuba diving certification.
Conclusion: Best scuba diving in the world
Finding the best places to dive can be quite tricky at times, as our blue planet offers lots of wonderful places to go to. If you are looking for sites to dive you might consider visiting the Blue Hole in Malta suited for all diving-skills. Or even consider going to the Devil’s Den in Florida, which is one of the oldest but at the same time most eye-catching caverns in the world.
For the best scuba diving experience this world has to offer, you can consider visiting the various islands in Thailand or the iconic sites in the Maldives or Fiji. Getting to the Cocos Islands in Costa Rica takes some time, but the remarkable underwater world is surely worth the journey, while Egypt offers you crystal clear and warm waters. If you get the chance, definitely also plan a scuba-trip to Australia, where you will encounter stunning animals above and below the water.
