The majority of Russians associate the word “diving”, first of all, with a vacation on the Red Sea. However, fans of scuba diving probably know that there are many places on the planet that are famous for their marine life.
Today's top ten contains best diving spots... Some are famous for their coral reefs, while others for the opportunity to explore sunken ships. But in any case, crystal clear water and many hours of unforgettable impressions await the diver.
10. Great Barrier Reef
This famous diving site is about 3000 kilometers long. This is a whole system of coral reefs that can be seen even from space. Here you can find green sea turtles, clown fish, humpback whales and, of course, dolphins.
9. Reefs of the Red Sea
The waters of the Red Sea are renowned for their transparency, making it one of the best diving spots. Here professionals and amateurs can fully enjoy the unforgettable underwater scenery. The reefs of the Red Sea are inhabited by many exotic marine life.
8. Galapagos
The Galapagos Islands are the largest marine reserve. The archipelago is about 70,000 square kilometers. The reefs are not the main target for divers here. The main attraction of these places is the incredible variety of marine life.
7. Chuuk Lagoon in Micronesia
This place is a godsend for adventure seekers. In the depths of the lagoon, there are a myriad of sunken ships from the Second World War, as well as aircraft shot down during the war. There are also coral colonies familiar to divers, as well as small colored fish.
6. Gansbaai in South Africa
This place is popular among fans of extreme diving. Indeed, in the local waters at certain times of the year there is the world's largest concentration of white sharks... Among those who like to tickle the nerves, the attraction with a dive in a steel cage is very popular, when sharks swim by at arm's length.
5. Maldives reefs
For those who want to combine a luxurious vacation with the study of underwater flora and fauna, the Maldives is the best option. Here you can admire flocks of the most beautiful tropical fish, and after an exciting dive - relax in a luxurious villa to the sound of the surf.
4. The Big Blue Hole
The underwater cave extending vertically into the interior of the planet is one of the main attractions of Belize. The diameter of the hole is 3 hundred meters, and the depth reaches 120 meters. During the dive, rare marine life such as the Caribbean reef shark, angel fish and nurse shark can be seen. Sea stalactites up to 15 meters high are also impressive.
3. Australian underwater cave Cocklebiddy
This cave, which has a length of almost 7 kilometers, was discovered in 1983 by French speleologists. Only professionals can dive here, but for the sake of the views, it is worth working hard and improving your diving skills.
2. Cocos Islands
This archipelago is located 300 miles from Costa Rica. The islands are uninhabited, they come here exclusively for diving. In coastal waters you can observe whale sharks, white sharks, hammerhead fish and tuna.Lack of civilization has a positive effect on the abundance of marine life.
1. Phi Phi Islands
Islands located between the mainland of Thailand and Phuket have been recognized the best diving spot in the world strict experts of the Forbes edition. The most interesting underwater views can be found at Hing Klang Reef. Corals and vibrant tropical fish are abundant here.