10 Best Places in the World to Dive with Marine Life
Whether you belong at sea or are finally booking that well-deserved vacation to the beach, enhance your trip with a little ocean adventure, scuba diving is one of the marvelous ways that humans get to see and interact with the underwater world that is usually so foreign to us.
For unforgettable sightings of marine animals that will leave you pinching yourself to see if you’re dreaming, consider diving with marine animals for a day… or two… or three! You won’t regret it.
In this article we will look at our top ten favorite places to swim with animals on the high seas. Book your plane tickets and pack your scuba gear! Let’s get to it!
1. Galapagos Islands
Just off the coast of the Galapagos Islands, you can frequently see gams (groups of sharks) congregating for a little shark social hour. Professionals suggest going north to Darwin and Wolf islands for the best views and higher chances of participating in sea activity.
The calmest weather stretches from February through June, but with cooler ocean water, August through November is the prime time to see more activity.
2. Bimini, The Bahamas
Playing in the wakes of yachts cutting through the high seas or swimming alongside boats in the ocean, dolphins aren’t shy animals! Wild Atlantic Spotted Dolphins are a unique species of dolphin that frequents Bimini, just 50 nautical miles south of Miami.
These dolphins are highly social and love to play, jump, twirl, and dive with humans as they swim or dive. The warm, clear water is perfect for your human-dolphin connection to flourish and for a lifetime of memories to be made.
3. Koh Bon, Thailand
Have you ever seen a manta ray effortlessly glide through the water? No, nature documentaries don’t count. Nothing is quite as majestic as the wings of a manta ray swooping through the ocean.
Hailing from the Andaman Sea, manta rays have a long season and are frequently seen in the waters of Thailand. For divers all across the world, sitting on the bottom of the ocean, watching manta rays being “cleaned” by little feeder fish will never get old. October through March is the prime season to visit, so book your tickets and get your scuba suit ready! Also if you are interested to know more about scuba diving check the article here.
4. Maaya Thila, Maldives
Maaya Thila in Maldives is a unique diving spot that stands out in many ways. As a protected Marine Reserve, Maaya Thila is home to many sea animals – namely, sharks. With daytime and nighttime diving, this diving site goes as deep as 30 meters and has copious cave outlets to explore and encounter marine life.
Gray reef sharks and white tip sharks are the most common sea creatures that make an appearance of Maaya Thila, but others like great barracudas, turtles, rays, and exotic fish also tend to introduce themselves every once and a while.
5. Sipadan Island, Malaysia
Sipadan Island, specifically Barracuda Point, is home to thousands of barracudas. You may even see thousands of these freaky fish at the same time. Can you imagine? These fish swim as a pack, and their speed and coordination is a spectacle you won’t believe and will never forget.
This area also sees the occasional reef shark, turtle, and manta rays. Keep your eyes peeled, and you may be lucky to catch a sneak glimpse!
6. Isa Mujeres, Mexico
The warm, blue waters make this gorgeous diving spot the perfect place to watch out for unique marine creatures. With sea turtles, whale sharks, sailfish, and gorgeous coral reefs – Isa Mujeres is a high-traffic spot for gorgeous fish and unforgettable diving.
Isa Mujeres is also close to Cancun Underwater Museum – a popular diving spot for coral reef exploration.
7. The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
As a sea-turtle-protected area, the Great Barrier Reef is a great place to see those majestic sea turtles responsibly. Specifically, the north and south reefs are gloriously unspoiled reefs, teeming with fish of all shapes and sizes. Diving here, you can expect to see groupers, five different species of sea turtles, sharks, and more.
It is best to dive at the Great Barrier Reef between June and October for warmth and water clarity, so book your tickets and get out there! This natural wonder of the world is one to behold.
8. Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Indonesia is one of the best locations globally to scuba dive, with over 13,000 islands. This location is part of the Coral Triangle – one of the most biodiverse habitats in the world. Raja Ampat alone is home to over 75% of all coral species and over 1,500 species of fish.
Sightings of manta rays and sharks are commonplace in Raja Ampat and will leave you breathless. The life and color on abundant display along these coral reefs are just as beautiful and magical as the whale sharks that swim among them.
9. Malapascua, Philippines
Malapascua is a tiny island just past the shores of Cebu and the home of regular sightings of thresher sharks. With over 500 species of coral – hard and soft – this area inside the Coral Triangle invites manta rays, hammerheads, barracuda schools, and other prolific fish.
With plenty of wrecks to explore, marine life to behold, and year-round diving, you will never want to get out of the water in fear of missing something amazing. It is possible to dive year-round; however, January through April offer prime weather conditions.
10. The Red Sea – Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Sudan
No diving list would be complete without sharing about The Red Sea. It’s one of the world’s underwater wonders, for goodness’ sake! Although all of it is stunning in its own way, some of the highlighted areas would include Ras Mohamed and Tiran, Blue Hole, and St John’s.
With long-nosed hawkfish, oceanic whitetips, hammerheads, and whale sharks – there is a sea creature for everyone to behold – whether novice or technical expert. World-class wrecks and coral reefs line the ocean, creating beauty and wonder around each bend and coastline. Diving is also available year-round, making diving possible for anyone’s holiday plans.
