Best Scuba Diving Destinations

Hey Tourist! Scuba diving is a sport characterized by spending time underwater courtesy of a whole lot of scuba gear. The single greatest part of scuba diving is discovering an entirely different world under the sea. There are many fantastic places in the world to go scuba diving, many of which fall in tropical areas due to the warm climate and clear blue water, but some individuals even go scuba diving in the Arctic after some practice. Common gear essentials include a diving tank, dive mask, diving regulator, buoyancy compensators, wetsuit, and fins. If the location is warm enough, like most of the ones below), a wetsuit might not be necessary, but it can increase diver comfort as it gets chillier below the surface.

Dive into the best scuba destinations around the world now!

Varadero, Cuba

Varadero in Cuba offers many options for scuba diving, and it is possible to customize the journey by choosing a dive shop with reviews fitting each traveler’s needs. One option is to go to Coral Beach, which offers an extensive view of coral reefs teeming with sea life, including barracudas, lobsters, crabs, and of course many small fish. Some tours will even allow guests to feed the fish right from their own hands. Dives around the world vary in difficulty, but in Varadero, there are many locations for beginner divers to go out and get their feet wet without going down too deep. Additionally, the exceptional views of underwater wildlife make this location a favorite for scuba divers looking to glance some more exciting fish, such as eels and lionfish. Just be sure to learn the scuba signal for a lionfish nearby, as they are incredibly deadly to humans. Luckily their brilliant colors make them stand out underwater, so it isn’t likely to accidentally brush up against one.

Head over to wonderful Australia for the next scuba diving destination.

Yongala, Australia

Australia is known for its Great Barrier Reef, but the Yongala dive takes is perhaps an even better experience. In 1911, the S.S. Yongala sank in a cyclone off the coast one day before the famous sinking of the Titanic, but wasn’t discovered for almost fifty years after the initial shipwreck. Thankfully, the shipwreck was finally discovered in 1958, leading to a legacy of some of the best dives in the Great Barrier Reef. It is known to be one of the best adventure dive trips individuals can experience anywhere in the world and is the nation’s most intact historic shipwreck, allowing divers to get up close and personal with all the mega marine life Australia’s Great Barrier Reef has to offer. They even offer accommodations on-site for anyone who wants to make a few dives on their trip to this historic destination. The wildlife offered in the area includes sea turtles and eagle rays, as well as some beautiful sea snakes. When travelers get lucky, they might even be able to view a bull shark swimming by.

Although this dive is phenomenal, it's time to head on over to the next one! Continue reading for the details.

Great Blue Hole, Belize

The Great Blue Hole in Belize is a giant submarine sinkhole near the center of Lighthouse Reef, about forty-three miles from the mainland. The hole is circular and offers some of the coolest dives for more experienced scuba divers. Don’t expect typical coral reef diving here, however. The Great Blue Hole is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Belize for a reason, but it is not because of the array of wildlife and vibrant colors. The hole offers an otherworldly experience, characterized by Caribbean reef sharks and enormous stalactites. The key to this dive is to experience it without feeding into the common tourist interpretation of this dive. This dive sees its biggest successes when divers can just relax and enjoy the view along with the slight nitrogen buzz, which is a feeling noted as enjoyable by many divers and caused by unavoidable nitrogen narcosis. What might sound scary at first is actually a perfectly harmless effect that goes away as soon as divers begin to ascent at the end of their dive. It is recommended scuba divers with a little bit of experience under their belt attempt this dive, as new divers are sometimes prone to panic and should stick to shallower dives to get comfortable.

Beginner divers will love the next scuba diving destination on this list.

Maaya Thila, Maldives

Another excellent choice for beginner divers, this dive is back to the typical viewing expectations of coral reefs and wildlife surrounding divers. Sharks are common here, especially grey reef sharks and white tips; it is common to see dozens of them circling the reef. The Maaya Thila is a marine reserve protected by the Maldivian government, and as such has been preserved for many years from threats of pollution and damage to the reefs. It is definitely worth a visit on any trip to the Maldives. What makes it especially unique is the way the reef forms several coral outcrops, including a large number of caves and overhangs. A big cave on the north side of the reef houses butterflyfish, parrotfish, and even the dog-toothed tuna. More careful observers might even be able to view some stonefish and anglerfish, which are uncommon at many other reefs. When the weather allows, they even offer night dives to give a different experience.

No scuba diving experience would be complete without a visit to Hawaii. Continue reading to learn more.

Kailua Kona, Hawaii

Famous for its day and night dives, Kailua Kona is exactly what individuals expect from an island where everyone says “Aloha.” Beautiful reefs with crystal clear water make this a popular travel destination for scuba divers of all skill levels, though the real excitement happens after the sun sets. Blackwater ray dives are famous in this area of Hawaii and lead to a unique dive for anyone who is bored of simple daytime diving. The excitement and serenity of black waves are unmatched by any daytime experience. Many companies also offer the option to see dolphins, and snorkeling excursions for anyone looking to still view the underwater world without the whole tank, suit, and mask. Hawaii is home to nearly seven hundred species of fish available for viewing above and below the waves. But perhaps the best thing about the island is the culture and natural formations. With active volcanoes around every turn, it is an adventurous tourist's dream.