The upcoming locations are varied, so whether you’d prefer the tropical climes of the Bahamas or the lava-filtered water of Iceland, there’s something for everyone.
Read on for eight places you should consider for your next scuba diving adventure.
Being the largest ocean sinkhole in the world, Belize’s Great Blue Hole is one of the most unique and picturesque diving spots on the planet.
Head over between April and June and you can immerse yourself among hammerhead, whale and tiger sharks, as well as sea turtles and barracuda. As well as the wildlife, you’ll be treated to dramatic limestone cave formations with large, underground chambers.
One important thing to point out is that the Great Blue Hole is not a dive for beginners. It’s dark and deep – 407 feet deep to be precise, which is beyond recreational diving limits. However, the location remains a bucket list dive for experienced divers around the globe.
If you’re into your history, particularly Second World War history, the SS Thistlegorm wreck in the Egyptian Red Sea is a must visit. The well-preserved wreckage of SS Thistlegorm, sunk by the Luftwaffe in 1941, lies 105 feet below the surface and makes for a unique exploration adventure.
Three of the ship’s cargo holds have remained intact, with divers able to find motorbikes, weaponry, cars and even a steam locomotive.
The location of the wreckage is rather remote, with visitors taking day trips from Sharm El Sheikh, starting at 4am and returning at 6pm. However, the journey is worth it once you immerse yourself in the historical importance of the area.
It’s safe to say that Silfra in Iceland is an ideal location for cold water scuba divers, with water temperatures hovering between 2-4°C all year round. This makes it a breeding ground for unique wildlife like amphipods and Arctic char.
The water in Silfra is beautifully pure, making for some of the best underwater visibility in the world. This is because it has been filtered through porous lava, which also means that it is completely safe to drink.
Reaching Silfra is simple, as it is a mere hour’s drive away from the nation’s capital city, Reykjavik.
If you’re an experienced scuba diver, the chances are that Santa Rosa Wall in Mexico will be somewhere near the top of your bucket list. We do have to emphasise the word ‘experienced’ here though, as currents in the area are unpredictable and can prove too dangerous for new divers.
Much of Santa Rosa Wall’s appeal comes from its topography, with natural coral swim-throughs and, of course, the sheer drop over the wall.
It’s also a top location for wildlife, hosting sea turtles, sponges, lobsters, groupers and more. All of which you’ll be able to clearly spot as the area is great for high-visibility dives.
Tiger Beach in the Bahamas is a hotspot for shark enthusiasts, due to its reliability for tiger shark sightings. Divers, if they have the nerve, can partake in the once-in-a-lifetime experience of swimming alongside the sharks.
This is a much safer activity than it sounds, as tiger sharks are used to human interaction in the area. However, visitors are heavily encouraged to bear in mind that these creatures are predators and should be treated with absolute respect.
As Tiger Beach is a shallow sand flat, it isn’t the place to go if you’re looking for complex rock and cave systems. On the other hand, if you’re a shark or general wildlife enthusiast, it’s a prime location.
While Tiger Beach is ideal for spotting tiger sharks, Tonga is the place to go if you want to swim alongside humpback whales. Humpback whales are known for their mild temperaments, making it a far less intense experience than swimming alongside sharks.
Tonga is known for its natural beauty too, with an abundance of coral and dramatic rock formations to be found in its waters.
The area is also renowned for its consistency. Water temperatures very rarely stray outside of 27-29°C no matter the season, with diving conditions also being consistent throughout the year.
As its name suggests, Barracuda Point off Sipadan Island in Malaysia is known for the huge schools of barracuda that gather there. The area’s strong currents also bring in a variety of sharks, including grey reef sharks and hammerheads.
One of Barracuda Point’s most appealing features is its incredible visibility, with divers able to see up to 100 feet in front of themselves.
This visibility allows divers to take in the area’s extreme natural beauty. The water around the island is home to some of the most incredible coral formations in the world, further justifying your visit.
The Fjords, dotted all over Norway, are as beautiful underneath the water's surface as they are above it. Coral reefs are accessible at shallow-enough depths, with marine life such as anemones and flounders easy to spot thanks to the clear Norwegian water.
You can also swim alongside wild orcas, which despite their alternative name of killer whales, have never been reported to attack humans in the wild.
The Fjords are also excellent for wreck divers, with the wreckages of dozens of Second World War-era shipwrecks able to be explored.
If you’re worried about missing out on your next scuba diving adventure because of bad eyesight, you needn’t. At Dive Sight, we offer top-rated prescription dive masks to help you fully immerse yourself in the scuba experience.
We have a range of products to suit all face shapes and sizes, even offering children’s goggles, so nobody has to miss out. Order online today or contact our team if you have any questions.
