Making a Splash! Best Places to Go Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
Did you know that less than 10% of the planet’s oceans have actually been explored? Sounds like we’ve got work to do. Whether you’re a scuba superstar, or an aquatic amateur, the sea is calling, and with this list of stunning submerged scenes, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a single view that requires an Instagram filter. These 10 dazzling destinations are waiting for you to dive in: Who knows what you’ll discover?
Scrawling 185 miles, it’s the largest barrier reef outside of Australia, and its home to all kinds of eels, rays, and Finding Nemo extras. Colorful submerged coral highlights the tantalizing turquoise waters, and provide the perfect backdrop for the perfect “swimming with sharks” selfie. If you’re a serious snorkeler, check out Ambergris Caye or the Hol Chan Marine Reserve to get up close and personal with some deep sea specimens.
This wild wonderland sits off the coast of Brazil, halfway between Sao Paolo and Rio. Monkey filled jungles surround breathtaking blue lagoons teeming with technicolor fish, seahorses, and turtles, underwater caves, and even a few shipwrecks you can explore, too, matey!
“The Big Island” encircles more square footage than all of Hawaii’s other islands combined! There’s an underwater state park at Kealakekua Bay which features an incredible assortment of aquatic acquaintances, and marks the spot where Captain James Cook - the first European officer to set foot in Hawaii - first landed. You can also check the waters of Hanauma Bay to explore alongside dolphins and rare fish species.
The waters surrounding the 7,000 islands in the Philippines archipelago make up a diverse habitat for all sorts of wild flora and fauna. Dive into the Bay of Donsol to swim with whale sharks, or visit the amazing coral reefs outside of Noa Noa Island. You can also check out fish-filled lagoons such as Honda Bay, Tubbataha reef and Starfish Island. Hmm…wonder what they have there?
Buck Island, St. Croix, US Virgin Islands
You can snorkel between the Elkhorn coral barrier reefs with the likes of parrot fish and several species of sea turtles before washing up on a beach to watch the stoic endangered brown pelicans. This underwater treasure is also notable shallow and gentle, making it perfect for beginning divers and snorkelers.
Many people come here for the dragons. But the overlooked Pink Beach features just as much excitement in the form of rays, groupers and hawksbill turtles, all inhabitants of a majestic underwater garden. The nearby Komodo National Park also features water that house more than 1,000 species of fish, and 14 types of endangered whales, dolphins and giant turtles. Honestly, at this point, we really don’t care if we find Nemo or Dory anymore.
This upper Florida Key survived 2017’s Hurricane Irma with most of its mesmerizing coral reefs intact. Among them, coral-laced Molasses Reef, which is part of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, features the likes of nurse sharks, Southern stingrays, and loggerhead, green and hawksbill turtles. The famous Christ of the Abyss statue is also within a flipper’s reach.
Experienced divers will attest that the best snorkel reefs start shallow. At Glovers Reef, low tide reveals scattered coral heads popping up from the ocean. Venture a little deeper - possibly at the Off the Wall Dive Center and Resort - and you’ll peer into a rainbow world of living marine invertebrates, along with hundreds of species of fish, including the toadfish - a cranky bottom dweller that lets out an unsettling croak when threatened.
A great spot for scoping anemones, this tranquil island off of Thailand’s west coast is an untouched gem in the Andaman Sea. The island itself offers modest, rustic accommodations, while the nearby island of Koh Lanta likes things a little more posh. Either way, you’ll never want to take off your mask.
This balmy Dutch island was the first Caribbean island to be designated a marine park sanctuary. As such, the protected corals remain some of the most vivid in the region, and can be seen at any of the 89 dive sites accessible to visitors. Top recommended snorkel sites here include Andrea I, Witch’s Hut, and 1,000 Steps, which is appropriately named after the limestone staircase that leads in. Don’t worry, though, there are really only 78 steps.