Hitting the destinations to dive is not always easy. There are many options, but which one best suits our tastes? Do we want to dive among sunken ships? Do we prefer to see as much biodiversity as possible? Or are we one of those who prefer to see unique species of a specific ecosystem?
You also have to wonder about the accommodations. Do we want the hotel to also be part of the experience? Would we like to stay on a private beach? Are we going with the whole family and we just want to dive? Do we prefer a simple destination to dive with children ?
As each person has their own answer to these questions, we have selected ten destinations for diving that are very different from each other. Each of them corresponds to a way of dealing with diving and having the best luxury travel experiences .
Great Barrier Reef (Australia)
A must on any list of what to see in Australia , the Great Barrier Reef is the most diverse marine ecosystem in the world. It only accounts for 2% of the marine surface, which also makes it the largest animal in the world, being an accumulation of coral that covers an area of ​​2,600 kilometers.
But 20% of the planet’s marine biodiversity lives in that 2% . A good reason to go to the antipodes and visit the Great Barrier Reef. In no other of the diving destinations that we are going to talk about you will be able to see so many different species.
In addition, some of the best hotels in Australia are located in this area. Both on the coast of the continent, being able to take boat trips to the reefs, and on the barrier itself.
If possible, it is always more advisable to stay in one of the hotels located on islands in the Great Barrier Reef itself. We will have a world of marine diversity waiting for us at our feet.
We know the Maldives for its private island hotels , but it’s also one of the best places in the world for diving. This is one of the most expensive and luxurious destinations on the list, although there are also cheaper options in the Maldives.
We have selected Baa Atoll , but actually we could have chosen any other atoll. In the Maldives you can dive all year round and there is a great diversity of corals and marine species to see. Of course, there is more life from January to April, coinciding with the low season and its monsoon. The monsoon is quite light and does not prevent you from enjoying the area.
Even so, it is a particularly interesting destination if we want to treat ourselves as a couple. It is a destination to relax and where you can combine diving excursions with massages in its luxury hotels with spas , high-class meals in its restaurants, kayaking and other water sports.
Sharks, mantas, whales or tuna join corals, mantas, dolphins, stingray fish, puffer fish, lion fish, etc… with different areas depending on the difficulty of diving that we want. It is, in fact, also a good place to start diving .
Zanzibar (Tanzania)
Among the essential trips to Africa , the island of Zanzibar always has a prominent place. Here are the best all-inclusive resorts in this area of ​​the Indian Ocean, as well as a perfect seabed for amateur diving.
Generally, all their hotels with private beaches also have diving options available to their guests. In the surroundings of the island there are several coral reefs where we can see up to 500 different species.
The most recommended area for diving in Zanzibar is the Mnemba Atoll . This area, which has a 7-kilometre reef, is also perfect for snorkelling and is often frequented by dolphins. If some of us dive and others want to snorkel, it is a very good option because we can have both modalities in the same place.
If it is true that if we want a more professional and deep dive, perhaps other destinations on the list are better. This is more recommended for beginners and more amateur people.
The Galapagos Islands have a unique ecosystem in the world. And this is so both on the islands and on their seabed. Being a remote area, far from the rest of the planet, it has developed its own flora and fauna above and below the surface.
Therefore, it is one of the most interesting options to see species that we will not be able to see anywhere else. 20% of its species are found only there. Getting to the Galapagos Islands takes time and is not a cheap destination, but it is a favorite for expert divers.
In addition, the sea conditions are not very stable. Sometimes there are currents, poor visibility, etc… so it is a destination for which it is important to have several days available and already some experience in diving .
Although you can go all year round, the best time is from July to November if you want to see the whale shark. In addition, we will also be able to see other species of sharks such as the Galapagos shark, an endemic species, the hammerhead or the tiger. Also noteworthy are penguins, sea lions, seals, the curious marine iguanas, different species of turtles, eels, whales, orcas, rays, etc…
Red Sea (Egypt)
The best beaches of the Red Sea are spectacular places for diving. Both in the area of ​​Hurghada , on the African coast, and in that of Sharm El Sheikh , in the Sinai Peninsula .
In this last area is the Ras Muhammad National Park where, in addition to corals and colorful fish, you can dive among the remains of the SS Thistlegorm, a British ship sunk in the middle of the last century.
The most interesting thing about diving in Egypt is the great quality of its waters and the diversity of its fauna, just a few hours from Spain. It is, apart from national destinations, the cheapest way to dive with a quality that has nothing to envy to the depths of the Indian Ocean or the Caribbean.
Also, there are different levels of difficulty. Whether we want more expert diving or an initiation course, we can do it here.
Tahiti (French Polynesia)
One of the most unknown destinations in the world and, at the same time, one of the last to have virgin enclaves for diving. In French Polynesia hotels, diving is always an available option since its marine environment is one of its main attractions.
From July to October you can see whales, beyond the colored sponges or coral roses that make its marine environment one of the most beautiful in the world. With a constant water temperature all year round, you can also see different species of sharks, moray eels, leopard rays or perch, among many other species.
Of Tahiti’s many islands , one of the most pristine and interesting for scuba diving is the island of Moorea , but you can really do it on any island in the archipelago.
In addition, we are also in a perfect destination for snorkeling and for people who do not yet have much experience.
The Riviera Maya is one of the best destinations for diving if we are just starting out. There are high -quality courses for beginners in scuba diving or diving, in Spanish and for all ages.
From the best hotels in the Riviera Maya , different diving excursions are made and one of the most interesting does not have the sea as its objective. On the contrary, the most different and interesting thing you can do here is to dive in cenotes .
These limestone karst pits are connected by a system of underground tunnels. Seeing some of these tunnels is really amazing, entering the jungle subsoil.
Stalactites, stalagmites, tunnels and going up to the surface to breathe, in fresh and transparent water like few others.
Of course, the Caribbean Sea will also welcome us for diving. In this destination we can choose or simply dive in both places, generating a fairly complete experience.
Few people know that the best marine reserve for diving in all of Europe is located in Spain . Of course, it is no surprise for expert divers who have one of their favorite stops in the Cabo de Palos-Islas Hormigas Marine Reserve .
A perfect destination for a weekend getaway in Spain , it is located in the city of Cartagena (Murcia). With a rail connection, it can also be a destination for train travel in Spain .
Here one of its main attractions is to see the ship El Sirio. This civil ship sank in 1906 and is at a great depth, so it is not recommended to visit it for amateur divers. A storm destroyed the lighthouse, now rebuilt, and the ship was unable to avoid the rocks.
Amateurs and pros can enjoy its corals, fish and algae of all kinds and even cetaceans such as dolphins or whales that head to the Atlantic Ocean.
In the area there are also many diving schools prepared to have a first approach to the bottom of the sea. A good first stop before venturing into other exotic destinations such as the Red Sea or the Great Barrier Reef.
Bali (Indonesia)
The luxury hotels in Indonesia do not forget diving either, being common in Bali in areas such as Borneo , Papua or Komodo . In any of these destinations you can find diving options in top quality marine reserves.
If we stay in one of the luxury hotels in Bali and we want to go diving, the most interesting thing to do is to go to the western part of the island. The Pulau Menjangan area has coral ridges, sea grass, caves, etc… a true delight for the diver.
Among the animals, tropical species such as barracudas, parrot fish or clown fish, with fairly good visibility throughout the year. If we want to see sunfish and sharks, the season runs from June to September, although diving is generally recommended from April to December.
A lot of months in which to be able to contribute this extra that Bali gives as one of the best destinations for diving on the planet.
Finally, we cannot forget Cocos Island , one of the great paradises for divers in the world. An isolated destination, located in the Pacific, 532 kilometers from the continental coast. As in the case of the Galapagos Islands , its location in the middle of the ocean and far from the coast has made it an area with incredible biodiversity and very different from what we can see in other places.
In this National Park live 57 species of crustaceans; 118 of molluscs; more than 200 fish and 18 different corals. In the terrestrial area there are also 70 endemic plant species, as well as four bird species (there are 85 in total), 64 endemic insects or even two unique lizard species.
We are therefore facing a spectacular destination for diving and delving into nature. More recommended for experts, it will be like discovering a whole new world. You will not be surprised that it has been declared a World Heritage Site for its natural beauty.
