If you are a diving enthusiast, then you have come to the right place. Your attention is presented to the top of the best places on our planet, where it is most interesting to go diving.

Cocos Island, Costa Rica

Despite the fact that this island is not so close, it will certainly reward you with gorgeous underwater views. The nearly 24 sq. km island is rumored to have even inspired the filmmakers of Jurassic Park, and in the surrounding waters, divers are tempted by hammerhead and reef sharks. The island is a national park, there are no hotels and tourist centers however, diving off the coast is permitted.

Magnetic Island, Australia

Magnetic Island, located 8 kilometers off the coast of Townsville, offers a wide range of diving opportunities, and after diving it is more than pleasant to relax on secluded, gently sloping and terribly beautiful beaches. There is nothing better than snorkeling among the underwater gardens of the Great Barrier Reef - wild nature amazing! In addition, the water in these places is very clear and very warm, up to 28 degrees. From Magnetic Island you can dive to the world-famous wreck passenger ship SS Yongala, one of the largest and best-preserved wrecks in the waters of Queensland, a state in northeast Australia. The ship that sank in 1911 lies at a depth of 30 meters - for a hundred years the ship has acquired numerous corals and turned into a real ocean garden.

Ambergris Cay, Belize

Experienced divers claim that Belize has the second largest reef in the world after the Great Barrier Reef, and diving in these parts is simply fantastic! The water in these parts is really teeming with life, the visibility of the water is amazing, but, by the way, all the beauty is at a relatively shallow depth. You can dive into the famous "Blue Hole", a 100-meter hole, but to see the true splendor of the sea, you should go to the shores of Ambergris Cay, where hammerhead sharks and other rare marine inhabitants swim.

Ras Mohammed National Park, Egypt

In the first and most beautiful national park Egyptian divers can dive to the wreck that once carried hundreds of toilets.

Baa Atoll, Maldives

This atoll is part of World Wide Web biosphere reserves of UNESCO, and more than a dozen documentaries. What is unique about this place? Divers have the opportunity to observe accumulations of up to 150 stingrays - an amazing sight! And, if you're lucky, you'll spot whale sharks, hawksbill turtles, and green turtles, and you'll definitely encounter hundreds of moray eels.

Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea

Kimbe is a large bay and a place of amazing biodiversity. These waters are home to 60 percent of the coral and coral fish species of the entire Indo-Pacific region. Thus, in Kimbe Bay you can find more than 860 species of fish living in coral reefs! In view of the massive extinction of coral around the world due to pollution, human activities and global warming, Kimbe Bay is becoming an increasingly important place, as this bay is seen as one of the last such "coral homes". Efforts are underway to limit human impact on the bay, but diving is still possible here.

Silfra, Iceland

Silfra - unusual place. This is a rift in Thingvallavatn Lake, which is part of the boundary between the North American Plate and the Eurasian Plate. This is probably the only place in the world where you can go scuba diving and look at the junction of two huge plates. Visibility is impressive - up to 120 meters in some cases!

Truk Lagoon, Micronesia

First, what is Micronesia? Micronesia is the common name for groups of small islands in Oceania - a total of 1,500 islands (including Palau, Nauru, Kiribati, etc.). In one of the lagoons of Micronesia in 1944, a Japanese ship, one of the largest in the world, sank. Today, it has become an underwater museum, with sake cups, skeletons and fighter jets still in their hangars. This epic collection of a sunken ship can be seen even while snorkeling, but it is better to explore the ship with scuba gear.

Bloody Bay Wall, Little Cayman, Cayman Islands

Off the coast of the island, the smallest of the Cayman Islands in terms of area and population, you can find dozens of ideal dive sites with coral gardens swaying in the waves, sponges and reef fish large and small, in particular barracudas.

Tiputa Strait, Rangiroa Island, Polynesia

Experienced divers will be completely delighted with the waters of the Tiputa Strait, which is in the northwestern part of the Rangiroa lagoon: the blue lagoon here smoothly passes into the open ocean, and a lot of unusual organisms live in the water column. Professionals can dive in these parts a little further from the coast to a depth of 45 meters to get acquainted with the bronze hammerhead shark.

Sipadan Island, Malaysia

The coastal waters of the island are shoals of barracudas, sea ​​turtles, big-eyed trevally and other organisms through which it is difficult to see corals. It is not so easy to get to the island and beautiful places, but it is worth it.

The ocean and seabed is enchanting. One has only to go under water once, and Magic world will haunt you all your life. Therefore, if you have ever been diving, this passion will never leave you, and you will again and again dream of diving under water, left alone with picturesque visions that are not like them. It is to you that we dedicate an article in which we will talk about the 10 best places on our planet for diving.

1. Bahamas, Western Atlantic.

Bahamas is an archipelago of 700 islands with a total length of 100,000 square miles, located in the western part of the Atlantic Ocean. It was formed as a result of the subsidence of a huge plateau (presumably an ancient continent) and an island - nothing more than the tops of ancient mountains. Average depth the sea here is only 5-8 meters, but it is possible to find truly deep-sea cracks, such as the world-famous and not fully understood under the name "Ocean Language".

Thanks to the warm ocean current washing these islands, a vibrant riot of life and many amazing and beautiful coral reefs await you on the seabed.

But a truly exciting adventure awaits you in the underwater cave network on the island of Grand Bahama, near which both shipwrecks and amazing underwater grottoes are found in abundance. For the most demanding divers, we can advise diving near the islands of Biminis, Abacos, Eleuthera, Cat Island, San Salvador and Inagua - diving here will be a real test of courage and strength for you.

2. Papua New Guinea, Bismarck Sea.

The coast of Papua New Guinea is famous for its mountainous scenery, both coastal and underwater. But these places are also amazing in that they are the center of the confluence of three different seas: the Bismarck Sea we mentioned, the Solomon Sea and the Coral Sea. Now imagine what an incredible similar world, both animal and vegetable, awaits you here!

Due to the diversity of the seabed topography, diving in Papua New Guinea you can practice both near the coast and sail for many kilometers from it on a ship or yacht, or on a boat rented on the nearest beach of the natives. But we advise you to contact the representatives of some local travel company, which for only 50-80 dollars will take you to the sunken ships and aircraft of the Second World War, giving you the opportunity to explore the perfectly preserved ships throughout the daylight hours.

If you consider yourself a truly high-class diver, then you should definitely visit the surroundings of Kimbe Bau, Madang, Rabaul and Kavieng. Why? We will not deprive you of the pleasure of becoming a pioneer of these incredible places!

3. Galapagos Islands, Pacific Ocean.

The Galapagos Islands have long been considered a real paradise for divers due to the variety of magnificent marine life and complex geographical reliefs. But before you go there, you have to go through some really serious diving school. This is due to the fact that the most incredible temperature and depth changes await you on the Galapogos, as well as meetings with the most dangerous predators of all oceans - white sharks.

The problem of insufficient preparation can be solved by hiring a guide or instructor on site. Here you can meet many professionals from all over the world who are ready to become both your guides and bodyguards for just a hundred or two dollars.

The Pacific water near the Galapagos Islands is transparent, like glass, thanks to which, even sitting in a boat, you can easily look at the bottom at a depth of 25-50 meters. That is why here you can organize the best night dives, the sensations from which cannot be compared with anything.

4. Rangiroa, Polynesia

Reference books will tell you that Rangiroa is one of the largest atolls in the world, being the largest of the Tahiti islands. But in fact, this is not a single island, but countless islets and coral reefs tangled in a complex network, even a superficial acquaintance with which you can take several years.

The average sea water temperature here is always constant, and is 23-28 degrees, both in winter and summer, and if so, then you can go to Rangiroa at any time of the year to meet the amazing underwater world of Polynesia, which differs from others in incredible diversity and number of tropical fish, shellfish, octopus and crabs.

As for the bottom depth, here it rarely reaches 30 meters. And one more thing - only here you can meet flocks of dolphins habitually taking fish directly from the hands of divers.

5. Riviera Maya, Mexico.

Riviera Mayo or Maya Riviera is located next to the Caribbean coast of the state of Quintana Roo in Mexico. This is a reef, or rather, part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, which has long attracted the most advanced divers and those who simply love to splash in warm and clear water tourists. And if you're looking for a place to family vacation you won't find a better one. Your family will luxuriate on the white sands while you explore a network of underwater rivers or witness the formation of carbonate caves formed by the mixing of fresh and salt water.

The Riviera Maya is home to two of the longest underwater cave systems in the world, called Sak Aktun and Oh Bel Ha. It is in them that you can find rare sights, more like landscapes of distant planets. But just remember that swimming in these caves is only for the most experienced divers. However, for beginners there will be something to see here.

6. Great Barrier Reef, Australia.

With over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands, Australia's Great Barrier Reef is the largest reef system stretching 2,600 kilometers under and above the waters of the Coral Sea. This World Heritage Site is home to several million species of amazing and beautiful sea creatures and therefore, even if you spend a month there, you won't be able to see everything. More than 400 species of corals can be found here alone.

However, you must remember that local laws require you to complete three days of training and pass an examination before you are allowed to dive. Only after that you will be able to obtain documents allowing you to dive in these places.

7. Little Cayman, British West Indies.

The Lesser Cayman Islands are located in the Caribbean Sea south of Cuba. This is a real abode for rare species of birds, fish and animals. If you choose the Lesser Cayman Islands for your trip, then know that best time for this there will be a period from June to August, when there are no storms, which allows the sea water to be transparent.

When choosing a place to dive, you should know that there is a protected area in the northern part of the islands. marine park, which will become the best place for diving. Here you can even go boating, but hunting, fishing and even anchoring is prohibited.

If you are a fan of deep diving, then head to Blood Bay, where you can dive into a vertical cave to a depth of 1 kilometer, at the bottom of which visibility is almost 100 meters. And for lovers of shallow water, Jackson Bay is suitable, which, as they joke locals, you can easily wade. But remember, here you can easily run into a gray reef shark, which, although it cannot kill, can inflict more than serious wounds when attacking.

8. Bonaire, Caribbean.

The geographical position of Bonaire seems to be created for an incredible riot of underwater flora and fauna. Its perfectly calm waters and natural hiding places have encouraged coral growth, transforming local beaches in perfect place for family holidays. As a diver, you will enjoy exploring its seabed full of the vibrant treasures of the Caribbean. And if you are lucky, you will stumble upon the wreckage of a sunken caravel or a pirate brig. What can I say, if the most impressive shots of the film "Pirates Caribbean Sea” seem faded black and white compared to the views you will find here.

These places are deservedly considered the best preserved corner of wildlife, which makes them a paradise for all diving enthusiasts. Crystal clear water with visibility up to 80 meters, bright colors, the complete absence of predators and excellent service - this is what will make your trip to Bonaire unforgettable.

And I’ll add on my own that this is where you need to go in order to swim with the largest ocean turtles.

9. Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands

Located among the Micronesian Pacific Islands, Bikini Atoll is part of the Republic Marshall Islands. Halfway between Australia and Honolulu, this group of 36 islands is one of the world's best scuba diving destinations that attracts anyone who loves to snorkel among the wrecks. The most famous of them (and there are many hundreds of them here) are the US and Japanese warships Saratoga and Nagato. However, there is one “but”, and this is that in the mid-50s, Bikini Atoll was an experimental site for nuclear testing. Remember the movie Godzilla? So, this monster was born here, like "SpongeBob SquarePants".

Today Bikini Atoll and the lagoons around it are one of the the most beautiful places for scuba diving, fishing and other water sports. Although this island is barely inhabited, it has already become a favorite destination for many divers, and prices here immediately skyrocketed. It is expected that this season the price of a week of accommodation on the atoll will rise to $5,000.

10. British Columbia, Canada.

British Columbia is the most amazing snorkeling spot in the whole North America thanks to the extraordinary diversity of marine life along its coasts. Here you can meet not only shrimp and crabs, but also sea lions, whales, large octopuses, and even killer whales, which are so accustomed to people that they allow you to swim up to them at arm's length. In total, more than 5,000 species of invertebrates and 400 species of colorful fish live here. But if you are not ready for such adventures, then you can not worry, as here you can find many creeks fenced for the safety of divers with steel nets.

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Diving is an amazing sport and it does not matter if you have dived once or hundreds of times, the beauty and depths of the underwater world will delight and attract you again and again. Each avid driver probably has his own favorite place for diving, but we want to acquaint you with a list of the best places for diving.

GREAT BARRIER REEF

GREAT BARRIER REEF (Australia) - famous natural feature Australia and one of the most popular diving destinations in the world. It has all the ideal conditions for diving. You can go here at least a whole year, but October, November and December are considered the most season. The water here is always warm +25…+30°C. Visibility in the water reaches 20 - 30 meters. It is the largest coral reef system in the world and the only one visible from space. Its length is about 3000 kilometers. The Great Barrier Reef has been on the list since 1981. world heritage UNESCO as the largest of the existing coral reefs of our planet. A Marine national park Australia is considered one of the wonders of the world. Here you can see dolphins, green sea turtles, clown fish, humpback whales, 1500 species of fish and 4000 varieties of shellfish.

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MALDIVES

Probably many people, having heard the word Maldives, imagine paradise, with blue lagoons, long clean beaches, white sand, palm trees, bungalows. But the Maldives is not only white sandy beaches and lagoons, here is also magnificent undersea world. Giant rays, large fish - Napoleons, sea turtles, various moray eels, stars, barracudas, tropical fish, white tip sharks, hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, tiger sharks and the Maldivian clown triggerfish - all that you can see in the Maldives. Divers from all over the world come here to admire the beauty and diversity of this underwater world. The best time to visit is from the end of January to April. The water temperature is +28…+30°С all year round. Visibility from 5 to 30 meters.

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COCONUT ISLANDS (Costa Rica)

Cocos Island is located about 600 kilometers off the coast of Costa Rica. It is the largest of the uninhabited islands of the Pacific Ocean, and therefore one of the best places for diving. This is the perfect place natural conditions free from pollution and fishing. Rocks with caves 600 meters high surround the island from all sides. In the local waters live: hammerhead fish, white sharks, manta rays, green sea turtles, humpback whales, reef sharks, tuna, rays, dolphins, whale sharks and much more.

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PALAU

PALAU is a republic that unites 200 Pacific islands with lagoons full of clear water, tropical forests and a rich underwater world. The diving association CEDAM International named Palau one of the seven underwater wonders of the world. Here you can meet a leopard shark, octopuses, various crabs, more than 700 species of tropical fish, as well as other very rare marine life. This is an area with rich flora and fauna, as well as a place where there were many shipwrecks during World War II. The season is all year round, but it is better to go from January to May. The water temperature is approximately +20°C.

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SIMILAN ISLANDS

SIMILAN ISLANDS - an archipelago located in the western part of andaman sea, consists of nine islands with tropical jungle and white sand. They have become very popular among tourists and are considered to be the best diving in Thailand. Divers have two options for diving: from the west side, where there are massive coral-covered granite boulders, from east side which has gently sloping coral reefs. The depth reaches from 15 to 40 meters.

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RED SEA

There are many in the Red Sea interesting places for diving, the most popular are the reefs of Sharm el-Sheikh, Hurghada and Dahab, but the places in the South of the Red Sea, from El Kezira to the border with Sudan, are very attractive to divers. These places are free from intrusive sellers and diving boats, and under the water there are amazing coral reefs, canyons, caves and a wide variety of marine life. Among them: squids, octopuses, turtles, dugongs, dolphins, moray eels, stingrays, sea turtles, sea cucumbers, arotrons, fish - hedgehogs, fish - Napoleon, warts, sharks, barracudas, fish - stone, starfish and much more. You can go here at any time, but the best time is from November to March. The water here is always warm, around +29°C in summer, +23…+26°C in winter. The average visibility is about 20 meters.

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BAHAMAS

BAHAMAS - the islands are located between Florida and Cuba, with the purest warm water and excellent beaches. Some come here for the beaches and palm trees, others for their honeymoon, and some for diving and fishing. It has everything you need for this: vibrant marine life, coral reefs and the longest cave maze found on the island. The island has shallow reefs from 3 to 15 meters deep and reefs at greater depths from 30 meters. The underwater world is the pride of the Bahamas, and the water here is considered the most transparent in the world, which allows you to see all its inhabitants very well. Here, mating games of bottlenose dolphins and spotted dolphins are held annually, you can also meet sharks, manta rays, rays and stingrays. It is very popular to swim with a mask and fins or scuba diving. The water temperature, even at great depths, does not fall below +22°C.

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MALTA

MALTA is one of the most attractive diving destinations. There is no such beautiful beautiful flora and fauna as, for example, in the Red Sea, but the local underwater world is famous for its caves, canyons and grottoes. Many ships and submarines also sank in these waters. different eras. Drivers like to dive 42 meters to the British Blenheim bomber, which was shot down during World War II. The French liner Karnak is also sunk here, on board of which there are various antiques, silverware and porcelain. At a depth of 60 meters is the English submarine X7. Diving on the island can be practiced all year round, the water even in the winter months does not fall below +14°C, in summer the water is about +23°C. In Malta you can take scuba diving lessons, there are 30 schools at your service, offering a wide range of courses and rentals. necessary equipment.

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SIPADAN ISLAND

SIPADAN ISLAND (Malaysia) is a legendary place for divers. This is the top of an extinct underwater volcano, which rises from the sea for almost a kilometer. The island itself is very small, you can get around it in half an hour, but all the beauty is around the island, where underwater life is in full swing. There are many species of exotic fish, sharks, hammerheads, and the population of sea turtles is one of the largest in the world. One of amazing places- Barracuda - Point where barracudas gather in giant flocks of thousands of pieces that create patterns and spirals. Around the island there are many reef sharks that are not afraid of people and allow themselves to be photographed. In 1989, Jacques-Yves Cousteau was on the island, who was fascinated by the local underwater world and coral forests, which resemble the fauna of the Australian Great Barrier Reef. Diving is strictly controlled here, no more than 120 is allowed per day. The water temperature is +29 ... + 30 ° С, so the season here is all year round, but heavy rains occur from May to November, so the water becomes less transparent.

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YUCATAN PENINSULA (Mexico)

Here is the longest system of underwater caves in the world. The island itself is made of limestone rocks, there are practically no rivers and few lakes, but there are sacred cenotes here. Cenotes are the entrance to the cave, the so-called well, which the Indians called the gate to the kingdom of the dead and considered this place sacred. They dropped gold ornaments there as gifts to the gods. Everything valuable, of course, has already been taken from there, but this did not reduce the interest of tourists in cenotes. Most of them are located in the jungle and look like a well or a small pool. It is better to go here during the period from May to July, it is not recommended to go in August and September, since at this time the probability of hurricanes is highest. The water here is warm - +25…+27°C, with visibility up to 85 meters.

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GREAT BLUE HOLE

The GREAT BLUE HOLE is the main attraction in Belize. This is a huge karst funnel, which has a diameter of 305 meters and a depth of 120 meters. It became so famous thanks to Jacques-Yves Cousteau, who included this place in the list of 10 best dive sites in the world and now it is a popular dive site. Here you can find many interesting species of fish, angel fish, nurse sharks, groupers, reef sharks. Usually divers dive no more than 30 meters, because there is not enough oxygen further and therefore life flourishes only closer to the surface.

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FRENCH POLYNESIA

FRENCH POLYNESIA is one of the best dive sites in the world. Rangiroa is the second largest atoll on the planet, which is world famous due to the meetings of divers with large inhabitants of the ocean. Divers love to dive into warm waters to meet humpback whales, rays, dolphins and many marine animals that live in coral rings. The temperature in winter here is about +21°C, in summer - 27°C, which allows you to dive into these waters at least all year round.

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CATALINA ISLAND

CATALINA ISLAND is an island located 35 kilometers from California. This is one of the best dive sites in North America. Famous Avalonian underwater park - perfect place for inexperienced divers. This park has giant algae that reach 100 meters in length, the fauna includes California horned sharks, bright orange garibaldi, fathead wrasses, moray eels and fur seals. Also interesting, but also difficult, is Ship Rock, which resembles the sail of a ship. The 30-meter schooner of the 19th century Diosa del Mar sank here. Visibility in these waters is about 20 meters. It is better to go from May to October, the water temperature in summer is +18…+20°С.

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Each diving destination has its own underwater features and its own unique atmosphere. Conventionally, diving - countries can be divided into two categories: those in which it is a real crime not to dive for a diver, and those in which it is worth diving if there is a desire and opportunity. The first group of countries includes all countries of the South - East Asia, as well as the Caribbean and Latin America, the Dominican Republic and Mexico. In Europe, these are Malta, Croatia and Norway. As well as South Africa, Australia, Maldives, India, Ecuador and Egypt. The second category includes the Caribbean Islands, Austrian Lakes, Spain, Greece, Tunisia, Goa, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Jordan, Seychelles, Mauritius and others.

Every diver has their favorite spots. We offer a selection of the most popular diving destinations in the world.

Great Barrier Reef, Australia.

One of 7 natural wonders of light is the Marine National Park of Australia. Since 1981, the Great Barrier Reef has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List as the world's largest existing coral reef. Here is the world's largest concentration of coral reefs, where there are 400 species of coral, 1500 species of fish and 4000 species of shellfish. The reef is also inhabited by sea cows and turtles. Tourists can only visit a few islands. The most expensive are Bedarra and Hyman. And the islands of Dunk, Hamilton, Fraser, Brampton and Keppel combine and excellent beach holiday, and diving, and trips on excursions. The only negative of this place is the poisonous jellyfish that flood the reef from late October to early May. But this only applies to the coast, so the resorts on the islands are safe all year round.

The real paradise of the Maldives is the underwater world of these islands. Flocks of bright fish, giant stingrays, sea turtles, stars, moray eels, live in warm waters. huge fish napoleons and barracudas.
You can join the underwater beauties here even in shallow water. Many hotels have their own reefs that you can even walk to.

French polynesia

Islands French Polynesia have established themselves as one of the best places for extreme diving. Romira Island has gained worldwide popularity due to frequent encounters with large ocean dwellers. The warm and quiet lagoons are home to manta rays and sharks, and sometimes even humpback whales swim. Average temperature sea ​​water here is about 21 degrees in winter and 27 in summer, and the technical equipment of dive clubs meets international standards and undergoes regular checks.

Bahamas

Rest in the Bahamas is the purest water of a comfortable temperature and very beautiful beaches. The Bahamas is the perfect place for a wedding or honeymoon. Also here everything is adapted for excellent diving and fishing. Warm ocean currents have allowed vibrant marine life and extended sea coral reefs. Most of the islands offer divers reefs with a depth of 3 to 15 m. But here you can also find cliffs, the depth of which goes beyond the limits of diving. There are also many shipwrecks around the islands.

Cocos Island, Costa Rica

Cocos Island is the largest desert island in pacific ocean. It is a zone free from pollution as well as from fishing. Around this island there is the richest concentration of oceanic animals in the world, hundreds of fish - hammerhead and reef sharks, manta rays, rays, tuna, dolphins, sea turtles, whale sharks and even humpback whales. The island was discovered in 1526 and became a legendary place - a repository of pirate gold. The island is known for the fact that, according to popular legends, the largest treasure is hidden on it, which has not yet been discovered by anyone. You need to know that you can only be on Cocos with an organized tourist group and only with the permission of local authorities. It is forbidden to camp or stay overnight on the island.

Sipadan Island, Malaysia

The expanses of water in Sipadan are full of exotic fish, sea turtles, sharks and hammerheads. A maximum of 120 dives are allowed per day. Local coral forests are a mini-copy of the Australian Great Barrier Reef. Sipadan is the top of an extinct volcano. The walls of the seamount go to a depth of more than 600 meters. It is forbidden to build housing on the territory of the reserve, so hotels are located on the islands of Mabul and Kapalai.

Riviera Maya, Mexico

The Riviera Maya is located along the Caribbean coast of Mexico. After the Australian Barrier Reef, it is the second largest reef system in the world's oceans. There are practically no rivers on the Yucatan Peninsula, very few lakes, but there are special karst formations - cenotes. These are lakes, wells and entire cave complexes. The Maya called them "gates to the realm of the dead" and considered their waters to be sacred. The Indians used them as places for sacrifices.

More than 70% of our planet is covered by seas and oceans. Tens of thousands of outlandish inhabitants hide in its depths from human eyes. The endless tunnels of underwater caves beckon with their mystery and majestic beauty. And the ships hiding at the bottom keep countless secrets of the past. website presents a list of the most beautiful and unforgettable dive sites.

1. Great Barrier Reef, Australia

This unique place glorified Australia to the whole world. Its corals form an entire underwater country the size of Great Britain. The lines of the Australian reefs can be seen even from space, but it is better to admire this beauty up close - directly under water. About three thousand reefs are waiting for you here, more than 70 coral islands, consisting of 350 species of corals, as well as whales, dolphins, turtles and hundreds of exotic fish. The best dives here take place in the summer.

In UNESCO, this place was given the status of a natural treasure of the world. Once upon a time, on the site of the Great Blue Hole, there was a huge limestone cave. After its destruction, a huge number of beautiful underwater stalactites up to 15 meters high appeared above it. Lovers of beautiful living creatures have something to see here. What is worth one only fish-butterfly!

For those who love history, Chuuk Lagoon in Micronesia is perfect. Divers from all over the world are attracted here by the largest underwater graveyard of ships, aircraft and even tanks. You will not find a place with such a large crowd anywhere. military equipment last century.

Ras Mohammed (bottom right)

This place has become famous throughout the world thanks to years of research and films by Jacques-Yves Cousteau. The magnificent underwater plateau strikes the imagination with the beauty of its reefs and their inhabitants. It is best to dive here in the afternoon, when the influx of tourists subsides. The best underwater mountains and bewitching cliffs of Mohammed's Cap (as the name of this tourist pearl of Egypt is translated) will not leave anyone indifferent!

This paradise is located near the shores of the island of Sri Lanka, washed by warm waters indian ocean. blue lagoons with clear waters and colorful corals will bring true gourmet diving pleasure. Colorful fish, huge stingrays and turtles, as well as moray eels and starfish live here. A meeting with a colorful clown triggerfish, emblem Maldives just impossible to forget. It is best to dive here from the end of January to April, but summer underwater walks are in no way inferior to winter-spring ones.

Sipadan Island is a kilometer above the water dormant volcano. But the underwater world around it is much more interesting and attractive for tourists than its terrestrial part. Here you can take pictures of sharks that are not afraid of people and do not harm them themselves. You will see huge flocks of barracudas, which, twisting in a spiral, create an incredible picture. In addition, you can swim into the same funnel of carancas. Once inside, divers feel as if they are in the center of a giant underwater tornado of large, shining silver fish. The season on Sipadan never closes, but from the end of spring to the beginning of winter, the rains make the water a little cloudy.

The authoritative organization of divers CEDAM International absolutely deservedly recognized this place as one of the most unique underwater places in the world. The best diving views in Palau are in the so-called Blue Hole. Swimming into the local catacombs, you will see a truly magical sight: sunlight breaking through between the stones and playing in the water with all shades of blue. And the unique flora and fauna of these lands will make this spectacle even more incredible. The best time to dive in the waters of Palau is from January to May.

The entire coast of Thailand is strewn beautiful places for diving, but Koh Tao is undoubtedly the king among them. Its blue waters, as well as the majestic and formidable underwater rocks strewn with corals, invariably attract divers from all over the world. Here you will find an abundance of fabulously beautiful angel fish and parrot fish, as well as large turtles and sharks - the real kings of the local waters. In the second half of spring, you can admire the huge whale sharks here, but the best months for diving are February and March.

These islands also belong to the best dive resorts in the world located in Thailand. Diving in this area will please both beginners and experienced divers. On the smooth eastern slopes, beginners can admire the rich flora and fauna without much difficulty. And divers with experience can plunge into the mysterious underwater grottoes, tunnels and caves. west coast. The islands are only open for diving from November to May. But, nevertheless, vouchers are booked there in advance throughout the year.

If you dream of diving under water and underground at the same time, there is no better place than to find it. In the waters around this island is the world's largest labyrinth of underwater caves. Their total length has not yet been established. Now it varies about 70 km, but divers are constantly discovering new and new caves. The water in these places is so clear that it seems to divers who find themselves in it, as if they are not swimming in the ocean, but floating in weightlessness. The best time to visit here is from May to July. And from August to September it is better not to risk it, because during this period there are hurricanes in the Yucatan.

Catalina Island is located in the Caribbean off the coast of California. This is one of the most favorite places for divers of any experience. The island is famous for its two diving areas: the Wall and the Aquarium. The wall is a steep slope that goes under water for 40 meters. Experienced divers will enjoy swimming at great depths in this area, and beginners will get no less impressions from diving even to 4 meters. The aquarium is an ideal place for inexperienced divers. On this reef shallow up to 12 meters deep, there is a world of colorful fish, beautiful sponges, corals and algae, which can be perfectly seen in clear, transparent water. It is best to come here from the end of January to April.

Darwin and Wolfe are islands that are part of the Galapagos archipelago. They are formed as a result of eruptions of ancient volcanoes. Underwater granite rocks, soft and black corals, large stingrays, the world-famous Galapagos tortoises, huge sea moray lizards - this is far from full list local attractions. The best visibility in the waters falls on the period from August to November.

More than 70 percent of the fish that live in the Pacific Ocean can be seen near this island at one time. Colorful sponges, anemones, corals, crabs, shrimps and many other inhabitants of these waters help divers plunge into the underwater fairy tale of this picturesque place. You can dive both off the coast of the islands themselves and along the deep reef walls. You need to go to Bunaken from March to October, when the rains do not make its water muddy.

Manta Ray Village Dive Resort is located on big island in Hawaii, owned by the United States. Its name translates as "village of manta rays". It belongs to the world's best diving sites due to the huge number of stingrays that live in the local waters. To admire them, it is best to dive at night. At this time, local residents swim out into the sea in boats and lure small plankton with the light of lanterns. The stingrays immediately come to feed on them. But even if you dive during the day, you will certainly see these underwater beauties, whose dimensions exceed human height.

15. Barents Sea, Russia and Norway

The waters of this sea are a real mecca for lovers of extreme diving. Thanks to the Gulf Stream, its waters are not as cold as those of its neighbor, the White Sea. Here you will discover all the richness of the northern underwater life. Whales, dolphins, beluga whales, crabs, salmon, sea anemones, crabs and other local animals will not leave you indifferent. And swimming among the ice caves and sunken ships will bring a lot unforgettable experience and emotions.

Text: Zakhar Bakutin