The best places and countries for diving. The best dive sites in the world
Diving is not just scuba diving. Diving is a breathtaking process that is inextricably linked with contemplation. Therefore, in order for the dive to give you pleasure, these beauties should at least be in the diving site.
It is for this reason that dives are not carried out in random incomprehensible reservoirs with muddy waters and dubious underwater fauna.
Connoisseurs of the delights of the deep sea try to choose the most beautiful places for diving, where you can see a lot of beauty and wonder.
In this article, we will try to tell you about the best dive sites, which are most often visited by scuba divers seeking the aesthetic benefits of diving.
Thailand
Currently, Thailand is in great demand not only among ordinary tourists, but also among those who travel to the resort for diving.
Where to dive?
People who travel abroad specifically for the sake of diving most often visit the Similan Islands in Thailand.
This destination differs from many others not only in geographical, but also in material accessibility.
The best diving is in the marine reserve, which is protected by UNESCO. To get to it, it takes only two hours by boat from Phuket.
Fauna
Scuba divers in the Similan Islands can spend time surrounded by barracudas, coral sharks and spotted groupers, striking in their size.
If you go on one of the underwater cave tours, you can see the anemone fish made famous by the Finding Nemo cartoon.
Education
You can not only go to Thailand with diving experience behind you. Here you can get training. But be prepared for the fact that for such a service you will have to pay about six or even seven thousand rubles.
Mexico
Mexico, as a rule, which love resorts with underwater caves.
Yucatan Island
There are plenty of underwater caves here. They intersect, forming whole tangles and labyrinths. Moreover, to travel through the caves, scuba divers dive in places that look like small ponds, dotted with water lilies and other aquatic vegetation.
And under water, a real kingdom awaits a person with mysterious passages and rivers.
It is not surprising that the Mayan Indians who lived in those places considered underwater caves to be passages for the gods. underworld. The underwater nature looks very mystical.
Education
It is believed that special "cave" training is not required to visit the Yucatan caves. Experienced instructors work there and their supervision ensures sufficient diving safety.
However, everyone can go through "cave" diving and go to explore the caves without strangers.
Ecuador
Ecuador is another "magnet" for those who love scuba diving.
If you go to Ecuador for diving, then you should definitely visit the Galapagos Islands. True, it should be noted that this resort assumes that the scuba diver has sufficient experience. It's not easy to dive here. There are strong waves and currents.
Perhaps that is why local diving centers that train tourists charge a substantial fee for their services. So, those who want to learn diving on the spot can pay from thirty to sixty thousand rubles.
Darwin
The island, which is called Darwin, comes in the sweetest dreams of seasoned scuba divers. He is big volcano. True, he fell asleep a long time ago and, theoretically, does not pose a danger.
Fauna
Off the coast of Darwin you can find beautiful and unhurried sea turtles, whitetip sharks and hammerhead sharks, as well as dangerous stingrays - stingrays.
At the rock "Arch" the scuba diver can be among the huge whale sharks.
But these places attract tourists most of all at night. Since there are many luminous crustaceans in them, in the dark the waters turn into an amazing environment full of small moving stars of a bluish color. Such beauty simply defies description.
Egypt
Many Russian scuba divers are upset by the ban on visiting Egypt. After all, this is where blue hole, which is considered one of the most unusual reefs located in the Red Sea.
A blue hole is a large funnel. Its diameter reaches fifty meters. The walls of the funnel go down vertically. Due to the fact that the sun's rays are continuously reflected from the walls of the hole, the diver is not fully aware of where he is going. Because of this, an impression of mystery and unreality of what is happening is created.
Dahab resort is located 15 kilometers from the Blue Hole. So getting there is easy.
Education
Inexperienced divers would certainly be pleased with the low cost of learning to dive in Dahab. Training centers, as a rule, charge only 2.5 to 4.5 thousand rubles for the course.
Australia
It is not so easy for Russians to get to Australia. However, those who nevertheless made an effort, visited this country and were able to go diving, as a rule, do not regret it. No wonder, because this is where the Big barrier reef - fairy dream divers and surfers around the world.
What is so amazing about this place? The fact is that here (and only here) you can see 340 species of corals while diving. Is it a lot? A lot, considering that there are 350 species of corals in total.
It should be noted that the local reliefs are protected. Tourists are not allowed to break off pieces of coral and take them with them. Coral broken by flippers can be punished. Such rigor allows the authorities to preserve the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef for many years.
Fauna
But corals are not the only attraction of the Great Barrier Reef. It is also home to red perch. This fish is considered a long-liver, because its life cycle reaches an average of fifty years.
Also here you can observe very rare specimens of underwater fauna: clown fish, parrot fish, butterfly fish, hedgehog fish, cardinal fish, as well as blenny and wrasse.
But every diver must remember that the touch of one bright fish can be life-threatening. Many of the local inhabitants are as beautiful as they are poisonous.
Malaysia
In Malaysia, you can find a small duplicate of the Great Barrier Reef, located in Australia. This understudy is located on the territory of the island of Sipadan.
Sipadan
Sipadan Island was one of my favorite places famous traveler and explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau.
There are whole coral forests here, which, although they are inferior to the Australian reef, in terms of the variety of species, do not lose to it in beauty.
In fact, Sipadan is the top of a volcano, which, as if flirting with a person, looks out of the water.
Deciding to reach the foot of the volcano, the scuba diver can dive to a depth of six hundred meters.
Fauna
Since Sipadan is characterized by warm currents, barracudas often come here. They travel in packs. Also here you can see sea turtles, which do not just swim off the coast, but lay their eggs there.
Education
There are no training centers on Sipadan. This is because it is forbidden to build any structures here. The territory of the island is considered a protected area.
But you can get training on the nearby islands: Mabule and Kapalai.
UAE
Those who want to get high-quality diving training in an ideally suitable territory are usually offered to visit the United Arab Emirates.
fujairah
Fujairah is one of the Arab Emirates. It is located on the east coast of the state. Not only amazing fauna and calm currents are here. At the bottom you can observe a lot of sunken ships, which, like everything frozen in time, amazes the imagination of a person.
autorhythms
The Fujairah administration has created a unique reef of its kind, which has become a haven for many bright tropical fish. To create this space, the authorities of the region had to flood several old cars.
Now not only cute fish live here. Underwater parking has also become a home for octopuses, lobsters and crabs.
The once luxurious "iron horses" of the Cadillac and Ford brands are now covered with tubercles of shells and look more like a motorcade of King Triton.
Education
There are many training centers that offer services for a moderate fee. For the course, the tourist will have to pay about seven thousand rubles.
Israel
Most often, divers visit the resort of Eilat in Israel.
Eilat
The local coral forests are very diverse and beautiful. But due to the accessibility of this resort, a huge number of scuba divers regularly visit it. Therefore, you most likely will not be able to swim under water calmly, in the company of exclusively familiar people.
Education
There are many training centers here that can dip you into wonderful world diving for only 4-5 thousand rubles.
Republic of Maldives
Islands
It practically does not matter which island you start your amazing acquaintance with the underwater world of this state from. Almost every island has coral forests and parts of sunken ships, some of which went under water several centuries ago.
Education
If you have found the means to come to the Maldives and explore the local undersea world, not the fact that you have enough money to take diving training here.
Many centers "lift up" the prices for training to amazing heights. From time to time you will be offered to take a full dive course for 90 thousand rubles (and this is not the “ceiling” of local prices).
Therefore, before packing your suitcase to visit the Maldives, it is better to go through at least basic training in your city (if possible).
We have told you about the most famous and colorful places suitable for diving.
If you have knowledge of the less popular but no less amazing places for divers, please share this information in the comments.
Which countries should you visit for inspiration? We talk about the best places for diving around the world. From Australia to the Barents Sea.
Why Scuba Diving
The thrill of diving is incomparable to anything - you can look at what no one has seen before you, communicate with the inhabitants of the deep sea. You can feel like an astronaut - with modern equipment you acquire neutral buoyancy at almost any depth. Such a peculiar state of weightlessness, which gives a feeling of freedom and flight.
So-called recreational diving is available to travelers, when the loads are calculated so that they are much less than a person can withstand. Pair insurance, good organization and reliable equipment bring the risk of diving to zero.
Where to go diving
Great Barrier Reef
The vast expanse of the ocean, filled with coral reefs, is comparable in area to England. Diversity marine life such that their number is similar to the fauna of the continents. The Great Barrier Reef unites 3000 reefs, 70 coral islands(only there are more than 350 varieties of corals). The variety of fish and mollusks is estimated at several thousand. The Great Barrier Reef has a developed diving infrastructure. You can come to these places all year round, but the most best time: , .
Catalina Island
This island is located near California. It is not only a diving base of varying degrees of difficulty, but also a great vacation spot for those who prefer dry land. The most famous of the local beauties of Avalon underwater park in which novice athletes gain experience. It is preferable to visit this place in summer.
Maldives
« Best Places for diving in the world "- this phrase is associated with many people with a paradise place. And indeed, white sandy beaches, blue transparent lagoons and palm trees - at the service of vacationers. But the main feature of the Maldives is a fantastic underwater world with bright tropical fish, sea turtles, moray eels and stingrays. The best season in the Maldives is from the end to.
Are you planning a trip? That way!We have prepared some useful gifts for you. They will help save money at the stage of preparation for the trip.
Malta
Diving attracts travelers to Malta. It is characterized by an indescribably beautiful underwater landscape - grottoes and canyons, caves, sunken ships of all times - all this untouched beauty will attract the attention of travel and adventure lovers. In Malta, you can relax from early spring to late autumn.
South coast of the Red Sea
The resorts of Sharm el-Sheikh, Hurghada and Dahab have been occupied by numerous tourists for a long time and for a long time, since you can come here all year round. great places, but one minus - it's very crowded!
Yucatan
Only here, on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, you can fully experience the exoticism of diving underground and underwater at the same time. The largest concentration of underwater caves in the world attracts expeditions, as divers continue to discover more and more caves. The water here is unusually clear and all cave spaces with giant underwater stalactites and stalagmites are in full view. The Indians consider these places sacred. You can visit Yucatan all year round.
Diving is an opportunity to plunge into another reality and get to know yourself and your abilities. This is quite an expensive pleasure, but you can always find budget places and combine diving with an interesting vacation on land.
Turkey, Kas
Under the water
The water off the coast of Kas is clear, the underwater landscape is replete with caves, canyons and tunnels. The underwater fauna is teeming with stingrays, turtles, you can meet soldier fish, octopuses, moray eels. underwater reefs became natural traps for ships, turning them into archaeological artifacts. But the Flying Fish reef's celebrity is a sunken Italian torpedo bomber.
For beginners, Kas has many easy dive sites (places to dive): Neptun Riff, rich in antique amphoras, TheTunnel - a tunnel of rocks covered with soft corals, in which bright parrot fish and snails live, AssiIsland - a place where you can watch octopuses and sea turtles, Mavi Magara is a blue-lit cave once inhabited by Mediterranean seals.
Above the water
Kas is located 280 km from Antalya Airport in a bay surrounded by numerous islands. The town is very quiet, there are no Russian-speaking tourists, but the infrastructure is developed. Kas was chosen by young people and divers. Distracting from diving, you can see the ancient city of the World.
Best Diving Club: www.divingcharterturkey.com
Egypt, Dahab
Under the water
Egypt and diving are synonymous words. The former Bedouin village of Dahab has become a mecca for lovers of underwater spectacles. In Dahab, you do not need to swim to the dive site for a long time - dive sites are available from the shore. Both beginners and professionals will find here for themselves interesting objects for research.
Local celebrity - Blue Hole ( blue hole), its depth reaches 100 m. Daredevils, who are “knee-deep sea”, dive into the hole in an attempt to get out through the 54-meter tunnel to the open sea, which often ends with commemorative plaques on the shore. In Dahab it is officially forbidden to dive deeper than 25 meters.
For beginners, it is enough to dive to a depth of no more than 10 m. In addition to the Blue Hole in Dahab, there are many other interesting spots: Lighthouse (Lighthouse), Bells (The Bells), Canyon (Canyon), Islands (Islands), Caves (Caves) and Free Pools (Three Pools), and this is not a complete list of dive sites.
Above the water
Dahab is located on the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, 100 km from Sharm el-Sheikh. It is fundamentally different from the usual Egypt, it is a place for free people. There is a large selection of inexpensive accommodation for unpretentious tourists and restaurants with authentic cuisine. The main thing is diving and freedom. In Dahab, the wind blows 300 days a year, so besides scuba divers, windsurfers and kitesurfers live here. For a change, you can go to the Bedouin village, feel the delights of their life on your own skin.
When to go: all year round
Best diving club: dahab-club.ru
Spain, Canary Islands
Under the water
The Canaries are the islands of eternal spring. Oddly enough, many divers are not aware that the Canary Islands have an excellent "dive". Probably because the rest here is very diverse, and often it doesn’t come to diving. The flora here is not very picturesque, but the fauna makes up for the lack of coral reefs.
Huge, almost tame turtles easily let you “scratch your belly”, barracudas look out from numerous grottoes, and other sea creatures do not let scuba divers get bored. The migration of large shoals of fish merging into huge balls is unrealistically impressive.
Tenerife has over a dozen dive sites. Ali Baba Cave (Cuevade Ali-Baba) is 54 meters deep and covered with black corals. The Champiniones site is also bizarre "mushrooms" of solidified lava, Atlantida - basalt colonnades and underwater stairs, reminiscent of the remains of the sunken mythical Atlantis. It is also interesting to swim with stingrays in La ciudad de la srayas - a sunken fishing boat, around which they circle, smoothly moving their "wings".
Above the water
Although Canary Islands and belong to Spain, the prices here are lower than European ones. The Canaries have it all: from the cleanest beaches to volcanoes and nature reserves. You can safely go on vacation with the whole family, there is enough entertainment for everyone. In the Canaries, as a rule, they do not collect large groups divers, no fuss and haste. The instructors are very friendly and offer a wide range of dive sites.
When to go: all year round
Best diving club: www.oceandivingtenerife.com
Nha Trang, Vietnam
Under the water
Vietnam has the cheapest diving in the world, but you will have to spend money on a flight, the main thing is not to have too high expectations from it. Coral reefs delight with an abundance of underwater inhabitants who are not afraid of divers - for underwater photographers, Vietnamese diving is simply a paradise. There is something to see and many places where to dive: Nha Trang, Hoi An, the islands of Con Dao and Phu Quoc.
There are practically no sunken ships in Vietnam, locals pulled everything they could and handed over for scrap. But the flora and fauna are simply amazing: pearl shells, colorful colorful fish and huge lazy turtles, cuttlefish, octopus and squid. The main thing is to get into the season when there are no strong currents.
Above the water
Picturesque beaches, a variety of fruits and vegetables, cheap food and accommodation. In Nha Trang, along the 30-kilometer line of the beach, there is a boulevard with hundreds of cafes, bars and clubs. Phu Quoc is more suitable for a relaxing holiday, there are no crowds of tourists and noisy embankments. But there is rich nature: mountains and relict forests, waterfalls and jungles. You can diversify your water dives by watching how black pepper grows or how the "fragrant" Vietnamese nuoc mam fish sauce is made.
When to go: to Nha Trang - February-October, to Phu Quoc Island - from November to May
Best Diving Club: www.divevietnam.com
Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka
Under the water
Hikkaduwa has a wide coastline and the best dive resort in Sri Lanka. warm waters indian ocean And clear water created excellent conditions for diving. Along the coast of Hikkaduwa stretches for 300 meters coral reef protecting the bay from waves. From the shore to it is a stone's throw - some 50 meters. Great place for newbies. Giant tortoises are happy to swim with divers in shallow water. There are over 20 dive sites. One of the most interesting is the sunken British ship Earl of Shaftsbury. It lies at a depth of 12–20 m and is accessible for penetration.
Above the water
Hikkaduwa is located 100 km south of Colombo. Here you can stay both in a hotel and in a small family hotel. The easiest way to get to Hikkaduwa is by bus or train from Colombo. Travel time is 2-3 hours. To take a break from sea recreation, you can go to the city Buddhist temple, admire the birds on the lake. Night discos are open for tireless tourists.
Crimea
Under the water
There are no coral reefs, exotic animals and bright underwater plants in Crimea. But interesting places for diving is still there. Diving in the Crimea is, first of all, touching the history and traces of past eras.
On Cape Tarkhankut, south of Olenevka, under water there is an underwater museum "Alley of Leaders". These are the busts of the Ilyichs and Karl Marxes, which were eventually joined by Pushkin and Yesenin, Mayakovsky and Tchaikovsky. Capes Aya and Batiliman are rich in various grottoes and caves. And in the Sevastopol area there are many sunken ships from the Second World War.
Above the water
Rest in the Crimea is so diverse that you should decide for yourself what you like and can afford. A hotel, a boarding house or a tent - everything is appropriate here. And most importantly - there is a choice. In addition to nature, there is a lot of entertainment on the coast, but still Crimean mountains in combination with transparent sea- this is the best that is on the Crimean peninsula.
When to go: May to September
Best diving club: blackseadivers.com.ua
Thailand, Similan Islands
Under the water
Similans - nine uninhabited islands in the Andaman Sea, located 70 kilometers from the mainland of Thailand. Large boulders with arches and tunnels, caves in which lobsters live, leopard sharks basking in shallow water, rays, barracudas and surgeonfish. Sometimes there is also a whale shark.
For beginners, the dive sites Breakfast Bend and Christmas Point are suitable, where you should dive at dawn, when the sun illuminates the underwater world, revealing everything to the smallest detail. Elephant Head Rock is one of the most popular sites, although the currents are quite strong and it is only recommended for professionals.
Above the water
The Similan Islands are one of the most beautiful places southern part of Thailand and they are a national park. You can spend the night in tents or bungalows owned by the administration national park or on board the ship. Diving in Similan is worth going not for one day, but for at least three.
When to go: November to April
Best Diving Club: www.phuket-scuba-club.com
Baikal
Under the water
most famous and clear lake on the planet - Baikal. Diving is also practiced here. Moreover, both in summer and in severe frosts, when the water becomes transparent and the ice reaches a thickness of more than 10 cm. Quite extreme and unusual. Particularly impressive are the winter dives near the ice hummocks, between which you can swim, as if through galleries.
Diving must be insured with a rope so as not to get lost among the ice twists and ice tunnels. Famous Baikal dive sites: Brown Bear Coast, Listvyanka, Ushkany Islands, where you can watch seal rookeries. Professionals will be interested in cave diving - diving into underwater caves.
Above the water
Diving on Baikal takes place regardless of the weather. You can go on one "diving" or spend a week on Baikal. Accommodation on the shore in small private hotels, food in the same cafe. There are both economy options and those with a claim to stardom, with two-story rooms and a jacuzzi. Dives in Listvyanka are carried out from the shore twice a day: in the morning and in the afternoon.
When to go: February to July
Best diving club: www. baikaldiving.ru
Philippines
Under the water
The Philippines is part of the so-called "coral triangle" (together with Malaysia, papua new guinea and Indonesia). There is such a rich variety of flora and fauna here, like nowhere else. the globe. At the bottom lies a huge number of sunken ships from the Second World War. The islands of Coron, Busuanga, Tubbataha and Basterra reefs in the Sulu Sea are among the best dive sites in the world. Off Donsol Island, from March to May, you can swim with whale sharks.
Above the water
The best beaches in the world, a varied cuisine in which everyone will find a dish to their liking, generous nature with incredible lakes, caves and grottoes, and, of course, the Filipinos are one of the most cheerful and hospitable people in the world. The water temperature in the Philippines all year round is 26‒28°C.
When to go: all year round
Best Diving Club: www.divescotty.com
Israel, Eilat
Under the water
It is always a season in Eilat, diving is carried out at any time of the year, it is always warm and dry here. The Eilat reef is rich and varied and goes down to a depth of 50 meters. Rich in wildlife and flora, the reef boasts a variety: eels, moray eels, flounders, rays, crustaceans and molluscs. The bottom of the bay is generally solid coral seas, teeming with "coral fry".
There are also special attractions: two small specially sunken ships that were once part of the Israeli Navy - the 40-meter Satil missile ship and the small Yatush patrol boat. There are no predatory sharks here, although whale sharks visit Eelat regularly. " Japanese gardens”of sprawling corals is another underwater feature of Eilat.
Above the water
Eelat nestled comfortably between Jordan and Egypt. seven kilometers beach resort on the coast of the Red Sea, where a coral reef begins at the edge of the coast - all dives are made from the coast. The Sinai mountains and the sands of the Negev desert are also Eilat. And also hotels, restaurants, discos, dive clubs, which are slightly reminiscent of Egyptian Hurghada, but unlike Egypt, there is a good diving school here.
When to go: all year round
Best diving club: aqua-sport.com
Cheap does not mean bad, so do not be afraid of budget dive spots. If you are a beginner, then before you buy a course, try an introductory dive. What if you don't like it? And be sure to think about insurance. Not all resorts can issue it, but dive centers with a good reputation will definitely require it.
Photo: thinkstockphotos.com, flickr.com
Diving is a very entertaining activity. It catches you already after the first dive, creating a desire to return to the depths of the seas and oceans again and again. Where can you go diving? It depends on what the diver expects from the dive, because in different places you can see sunken ships, stunning underwater caves and a variety of marine life.
Great Barrier Reef
One of the most favorite places for divers is the Great Barrier Reef on northeast coast Australia, the largest coral reef in the world. He became one of seven natural wonders of light is not accidental: a huge number of various living organisms live there. To see some of them, it is not necessary to scuba dive: even in a mask and snorkel, you can see a lot of beauty.
Among 3,000 reefs formed by 350 coral species, there are representatives of 1,500 fish species and 4,000 shellfish species. This place is often visited by divers. different levels training, but thanks to the huge size of the reef (its area exceeds that of Great Britain!) they do not interfere with each other to enjoy diving. The Great Barrier Reef is open to visitors all year round, but October-December is considered the best season.
Saint Catalina Island
In North America great place for diving is the island of St. Catalina, thirty-five kilometers from California. In addition to many land-based activities, there are 49 dive sites. Beginners should visit the Avalon Underwater Park: giant brown algae grow there, and tiny California horned sharks, brightly colored Garibaldi fish, moray eels and fur seals swim among them. And one and a half kilometers to the west of the island there is a rather difficult place - Ship Rock. The schooner Diosa del Mar (Spanish for “Goddess of the Sea”) sank in shallow water next to it – you can see it even with a simple mask. The diving season on Catalina runs from May to October.
Maltese Islands
The most attractive place for lovers of sunken ships will be the Maltese Islands in the Mediterranean Sea, where ships of all eras are found - from Phoenician galleys to modern submarines. Since many local underwater attractions are difficult to access, most of them have remained almost intact, and therefore more interesting. A downed English bomber, which has remained here since the Second World War, is very popular among divers. A British submarine was sunk in St. Paul's Bay, and a French merchant ship was sunk off the coast of Valletta, on board of which dishes and wine were found. Probably, he was attacked by Mediterranean pirates, whose base Malta served for a long time. The best time to look at the numerous ships, as well as grottoes and canyons, is from June to September.
Maldives
Surely many have heard of the Maldives - small but very beautiful islands with white sand beaches, palm trees and lagoons. One of the first visitors to the islands were divers who explored the incredibly beautiful underwater world of the Maldives. You can meet its representatives even in shallow water, where stingrays love to swim. And at the depth of the inhabitants you can’t count: there are colorful tropical fish, turtles, sea stars, imposing Napoleon fish, barracudas and moray eels. There are also sharks here. different types such as whale and tiger sharks, hammerhead sharks and whitetip sharks. Many hotels here have their own reefs, where diving takes place. The most suitable diving season in the Maldives is from January to April, although the water is warm all year round.
Republic of Palau
The next place is recognized by the diving association CEDAM International as one of seven underwater wonders Sveta. Palau is a republic located on two hundred islands, of which only eight are inhabited, since the natural community here is very fragile and, of course, very beautiful. In the numerous lagoons of the Palau Islands, there are 700 species of tropical fish, leopard sharks, octopuses, turtles and crabs. Also in Palau there are very rare marine animals that are not found anywhere else. The main attraction for divers is the so-called " blue hole”, a complex system of underwater caves, many entrances to which let light through so that from different angles of view and at different times of the day, the water acquires all shades of blue. The season for visiting Palau is from January to May.
Sipidan Island
Sipidan Island is formed by the top of an extinct underwater volcano, protruding from the sea for almost a kilometer. Despite the fact that it is very small, many people can envy the underwater life boiling around it. large archipelagos. In one part of the island, huge flocks of caranaxes gather, and on Barracuda Point, barracudas form flocks of thousands of individuals and create amazing patterns. Also, one of the largest populations of sea turtles settled on Sipidan. Local reef sharks are not afraid of people and allow you to swim up to them on close quarters. These sharks are small, so divers take advantage of the opportunity to photograph them up close. You can dive here all year round, but from May to November it rains on Sipidan and visibility decreases.
Diving in Thailand
Diving in the Red Sea
The Red Sea is very popular with divers, but in the most famous places like the reefs of Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh there are always a lot of tourists, and divers had to master South coast seas. There, from El-Kezir to Sudan, an uninhabited desert coast stretches for hundreds of kilometers, but under the water there are coral gardens, and among the caves and canyons there are many animals that have not yet been intimidated by divers. There are also octopuses, and squids, and turtles, as well as relatives of sea cows - amazing dugongs.
Recently, an airport was built in Marsa Alam, which led to the opening of dive centers there. But it is much more interesting to spend time in special diving camps. Enthusiasts have organized entire cities with diving schools, bungalows, tents and restaurants. The only obstacle to enjoying the dives can be the winds that cause the currents, and in general the south of the Red Sea is open for visits all year round. The best time is from November to March.
Yucatan Peninsula
Diving under water and underground at the same time is considered especially exotic. Such dives are practiced in Mexico on the Yucatan Peninsula. 60 underwater caves up to 68 km long have already been discovered here, and divers continually discover new ones. cave systems. The Indians considered the entrances to these caves to be the gates to the afterlife and threw gold jewelry there as a gift to the gods, and sometimes sacrificed their fellow tribesmen.
Of course, everything that has archaeological value has long been raised from the bottom of the caves, but this does not make them less interesting. Most of these caves are located in the jungle near Cancun. The entrance to the cave resembles a pool or a well, which is why the Maya called it "cenote", which means "well". Sometimes getting to the cenotes is not so easy: you have to climb rocks or jump into the water from a height of three meters. But what is under transparent, like air, water is worth such an effort. Hurricanes are likely in August and September, and the best time to travel to the Yucatan is May-July.
Diving in St. Petersburg
For those who want to learn diving and freediving in St. Petersburg, there are good diving schools that meet all certification requirements. For teaching children and adults diving in St. Petersburg, you can contact Natalia Levochskaya at https://diving-deti.ru/. Well, if you are an adult and you need a diving certificate, I recommend the website of the Baltika Club in St. Petersburg.
Diving in the North Sea
Most extreme view diving is immersion in ice water northern seas. Before you go diving to the North Pole, you should try yourself in the Barents Sea. Getting to the diving base will not be so easy: it is located on the border with Norway on the German Peninsula, and you can get there only with permission border service. At the bottom of the Barents Sea, you can see a lot of shells and shells, as well as sunken ships. From marine animals, northern dolphins, beluga whales, whales, seals and salmon are found here. You can dive from May to August.
Reading this article:
Diving from A to Z: where and how to start diving, where to go diving, certificates and equipment, tips from dive expert Veronica Birman.
In my previous articles, which have already accumulated - wow! - as many as five, I told you about what diving tourism is and who divers are. The summer season is ahead. And this means that neither the Maldives, nor Phuket, nor Egypt, which has already become native, are waiting for divers in the coming months. So where should a scuba diver go? Or rather - where can you "submit" a diver in the summer? Of course, the Mediterranean European countries lure in the "high season" - the same Malta, Croatia, Spain, Turkey, Tunisia ... only diving there, in general, is very mediocre.
Therefore, now we will talk about the best diving destinations of the summer season. That is, about those resorts where summer is not just the right time, and it is the best time for diving. For example, contrary to the habit of our compatriots to fly in South East Asia in winter, many islands and resorts in this region are waiting for the influx of tourists from March-April to November! Marvelous? But a fact! So read on and you will find the best, if sometimes unexpected, options for divers.
Thailand
The "high season" for diving in the Andaman Sea, in the popular Phuket and the Similan Islands, ends in March. But this does not mean at all that Thailand is not waiting for divers in the summer - it starts from April high season V Gulf of Thailand, and the islands of Koh Samui and Tao are waiting for divers until September inclusive. It is best to stay on Koh Samui, from where "daily boats" leave daily for Koh Tao and nearby dive sites. True, it is worth warning that there can be quite a lot of divers underwater, and visibility can sometimes leave much to be desired.
Philippines
And cruises "Bali - Komodo - Bali", as well as other resorts in Indonesia, will be of interest not only to divers, but also to those who like to swim with a mask and snorkel. A great addition in the form of an interesting ground program will help tourists diversify and fill their vacation with impressions.
In order not to lose time out of season, many well-equipped safari yachts depart for the summer from the Similan Islands of Thailand to neighboring countries- Indonesia or Malaysia. There at this time just the highest season! Among these "emigrants" you can meet the well-known Russian divers yachts "Mermaid I" and "Mermaid II", "Filcade", "Ocean Rover" and others.
Vietnam
From March to October, divers are waiting for the waters of popular diving resorts - Nha Trang and Whale Island. Hon Moon Marine Park is not rich in ocean life, but bright colors and rare fish species are enough - more than 400 species of hard corals create an impressive palette! Whale Island, located nearby, offers divers walls and coral gardens, breathtaking drift dives and, of course, countless species of brightly colored nudibranchs - the largest variety of them can be found in Vietnam. There you can even take a unique course and get a certificate as a "specialist in nudibranch molluscs of Vietnam."
Slightly shorter season for a new one for Russians Vietnamese resort Kon-Dao - he waits for divers from March to September. This archipelago of 14 islands off the coast of Vietnam's southeast has been protected by the state since 1984, which has allowed it to escape the destructive actions of fishermen and preserve the pristine beauty of the reefs. The value of this marine park has been recognized by worldwide associations of marine reserves and reserves. More than 1,000 hectares of coral reefs, inhabited by more than 1,300 species of marine life, await divers here. And all this - with the almost complete absence of dive centers, which in the eyes of sophisticated diving adepts only adds to the attractiveness of the resort. What's more, the seagrass meadows at Con Dao host a small population of rare dugongs, and from June to September it is the egg-laying season for green turtles and hawksbill turtles. Dolphins are also frequent visitors to the area.
Among other things, travelers will certainly want to visit on land, in the jungle of Con Dao. This island has already received the status of "the best place for eco-tourism in Vietnam", but still retained all its originality and "non-capture" by numerous vacationers.
From March to August, you can offer divers another "fresh" resort in Vietnam - Hoi An. Nearby Ku Lao Cham Marine Park, half an hour away by boat, has eight islands with 155 coral species, 202 fish species, four lobster species and 84 shellfish species.
Galapagos
While the best season to visit the Galapagos Islands is from December to May, the best time to spot whale sharks and hammerheads in Darwin and Wolf Islands is during the garua season from July to December, with peak months in August and September. The fact is that the water there at this time “blooms” with plankton and visibility drops, but the area becomes attractive for large fish that feed on these microorganisms.
The most popular dive destinations should be booked as early as possible. For example, in February it can be difficult to find a yacht for a November safari in the Galapagos or Palau, and the most popular dive resorts in Indonesia and Malaysia can also be fully booked. After all, there are a lot of people who want to go there.
Papua New Guinea
Here, as in other extended island countries The season varies by region. For example, the dive resort Valindi pleases with the best weather from May to October - here it is the driest period of the year, the best in terms of diving. Rains, however, are still possible, but plankton does not “bloom” at this time, and visibility is quite high. But in the resort of Tawali best season a little "moved out" - the best time here is from August to December inclusive.
Seychelles
The best time for diving in the Seychelles is from March to May and from September to November. At the same time, the most great chances you will get to know whale sharks closer almost out of season - in August and November.
The tourist season and the best season for diving in the Seychelles may differ. Moreover, not even diving and not tourist season here it can be attractive for diving enthusiasts: visibility, of course, drops due to the abundant reproduction of plankton, but the largest oceanic fish come to feed on them, for example, the whale shark, the dream of any diver.
Australia
The surest way to see the best of underwater Australia is to go on a "dive safari". And the best time for a "diving safari" in Australia is from July to November. In addition, from June to September it is worth diving in Osprey - in the north, in the Coral Sea. And especially sophisticated divers can go to the west coast in March and April - there, at the Ningalo Reef, whale sharks frolic at this time.
Belize, Fiji, Honduras and French Polynesia
The high season in Belize lasts from March to May, but divers are most Better conditions for diving, the weather guarantees from April to June inclusive, when the winds are not so strong. April and December are the best months for whale shark sightings.
In April-May, the season in Fiji changes - the sea becomes calmer, the water remains warm, but visibility is low due to the "bloom" of plankton. Although, at the same time, this is the best chance to get up close with whale sharks. The most transparent, but also the coolest water awaits divers from June to October.
The best time for diving in Honodras, on the island of Utila is from March to September. April and July are the best months for joint underwater walks with whale sharks.
The most suitable conditions for diving on the islands of French Polynesia are provided by nature and climate from April to November. In September, humpback whales visit here, and the most frequent meetings with manta rays can be expected from September to October inclusive.
So, now you know where you can safely go in the summer. I want to emphasize that these seasons are an order that has developed over decades. However, one should never forget that nature depends only on one's own mood and one should always be prepared for its possible surprises.
Veronica Bierman, CEO company "Exotic Time"
