Rating of the best places for diving. The best areas and places. Unforgettable holidays in Belize

For most Russians, the word "diving" is associated primarily with recreation on the Red Sea. However, fans of scuba diving probably know that there are many places on the planet famous for their marine life.

Today's top ten contains best diving spots. Some are famous for their coral reefs, others for the opportunity to explore sunken ships. But in any case, the diver will find crystal clear water and many hours of unforgettable experiences.

The length of this famous diving site is about 3000 kilometers. This is a whole system of coral reefs, which can be seen even from space. Here you can meet green sea turtles, clown fish, humpback whales and, of course, dolphins.

9. Red Sea reefs

The waters of the Red Sea are famous for their transparency, which makes it one of the best places for diving. 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

Galapagos Islands are the largest marine reserve. The territory of the archipelago is about 70,000 square kilometers. Reefs here are not the main goal of divers. The main attraction of these places is an unimaginable variety. marine life.

7. Chuuk Lagoon in Micronesia

This place is a godsend for adventure seekers. In the bowels of the lagoon, there are a myriad of sunken ships from the Second World War, as well as planes 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 their nerves, a steel cage diving attraction is very popular, when sharks swim by at arm's length.

5. Maldivian reefs

For those who wish to combine a luxurious holiday with the study of underwater flora and fauna, the Maldives - best option. Here you can admire schools of the most beautiful tropical fish, and after a fascinating dive, relax in a luxurious villa to the sound of the surf.

4. Great Blue Hole

An underwater cave vertically extending deep into 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, you can see such rare marine life as the Caribbean reef shark, angel fish and nurse shark. Sea stalactites up to 15 meters high are also impressive.

3. Australian Underwater Cocklebiddy Cave

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 opening 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, people come here only to dive. In coastal waters, you can watch whale and white sharks, hammerhead fish and tuna. The absence of civilization has a positive effect on the abundance of marine life.

1. Phi Phi Islands

The islands located between the Thai mainland and Phuket have been recognized the best diving spot in the world by strict Forbes experts. The most interesting underwater views can be found off the Hing Klang Reef. Corals and colorful tropical fish abound here.

Many people are unable to cope with the call of the ocean, because they love the beauty of the sea, risk and adventure. If you are one of those people who fill the romantic beaches and islands of the world, you should try one of the most wonderful ways to have fun. The excitement and enjoyment of water sports increases when you visit one of the most iconic dive sites in the world. If you are a diving fanatic and have a burning desire to visit various dive sites, you should find out these really interesting facts about the world's best diving sites.

The Bahamas is an archipelago that consists of 700 islands spread over 100,000 square miles in the West Atlantic Ocean. The Bahamas are composed mainly of coral limestone. The flooded areas of underwater elevations are vast shallow waters abounding in coral reefs (the largest is the Great Bahama Bank). The usual depth of the sea here is about 20 feet except for those deep ocean trenches, which are called ‘The Tongue of the Ocean’ (“The Sting of the Ocean”) and cut through the flooded plateau.

There are practically no rivers on the islands. Many salt lakes (communicating with the sea). Sea waters are rich in fish, crustaceans and mollusks.

Tour with Sharks / Photo fromtherocketscientist )

Group photo, together with sea bass(A group shot, complete with a grouper / Photo fromactive2gether )

Warm ocean currents around these islands have given rise to vibrant marine life and extensive coral reefs. You will be able to have an endless number of adventures in the longest cave and cave labyrinth found in the Grand Bahama (the GrandbahamaIsland).

A full travel package is very advantageous, which includes diving, accommodation and transport costs. Separately paid dives to explore caves and shipwrecks, and diving into the Blue Holes (the Blue Holes). You should not miss these Bahamas How Bimini Islands (the Biminis), Abacos, Eleuthera, Cat Island, San Salvador and Inagua.

The Biminis are best known for their fishing - the surrounding ocean is considered by many to be one of the best places in the world to fish. fishing. Because Bimini is only 80 km (50 miles) east of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, many American anglers travel to the islands by boat or yacht to fish or enjoy the nightlife of the islands. Scuba diving and snorkeling are also popular, as there are many shipwrecks around the islands.

Bahamas - feedingsharks(Bahamas - Stuart Cove's shark feeding/ Photo from remainingoceansart)

On Bimini there are several natural monuments with mysterious properties of unclear origin: the Bimini road, the fountain of youth, the healing grotto.

Biminis are closely associated with significant events and people in American history:

  • During Prohibition in the United States, Bimini was a favorite haunt and supply point for the liquor (rum) trade.
  • An Atlantic blue marlin weighing about 250 kg, caught off the coast of Bimini, inspired Ernest Hemingway to write The Old Man and the Sea.
  • The last scene of the movie Silence of the Lambs(1991) takes place at South Bimini Airport.
  • December 31, 2005 one of the most famous bars in Bimini, "Experienced Angler" ( The Complete Angler) burned to the ground in a fire. The bar became famous for the photographs of Ernest Hemingway hanging on its walls; the photographs perished in the fire.
  • Heinrich Heine has a poem called "Bimini", where it is called "the island of happiness".
  • The first part of Ernest Hemingway's Islands in the Ocean takes place in North Bimini. This part of the novel is called “Bimini”.

2. Papua New Guinea, Bismarck Sea - (papuaNewGuinea, BismarckSea)

Coastline Papua New Guinea (papuaNewGuinea listen)) is a mountainous area that is difficult to cross. Papua New Guinea was formed at the confluence of three seas: the Bismarck Sea (the Bismarck Sea) or the New Guinea Sea, the Solomon Sea (the Solomon Sea) and the Coral Sea (the Coral Sea). This place is rich in marine flora and fauna.


Papua New Guinea - unique country. There are few places on Earth with such a variety of languages, customs and cultures, landscapes, flora and fauna.

The official language of Papua New Guinea is English. It is used in business, education and government circles. Local tribes speak more than 700 languages, and the languages ​​of different tribes can be radically different from each other. The tribes communicate with each other in Tok-Pisin languages ​​(a simplified version in English with admixtures of German, Portuguese and Austronesian languages, the most common language of intertribal communication), Hiri-Motu, Enga, Chimbu (Sambu), Hagen, Kamano and others.

The local jungle, inhabited by original tribes, has not yet been touched by civilization, which makes this region especially attractive. local mountains, valleys, volcanoes, rivers, waterfalls and coastal marshes are great for activities hiking. But the main attraction of Papua New Guinea is the underwater world of the seas surrounding it. It is one of the world's premier diving destinations and the birthplace of mak-diving.

It is believed that the local marine fauna is twice as rich as the fauna of the Red Sea and five times richer than the fauna of the Caribbean. Iridescent soft corals never cease to amaze. And sharks, manta rays, giant clams, lionfish, reef fish, Napoleon, sea pikes, clownfish, nudibranch clams scurry around.

FishScorpion(Pez Escorpion/ Photo from Squalo Divers)

triggerfish(Triggerfish/ Photo from Boogies with Fish)

You can dive here to explore the diverse marine life as well as explore the remains of WWII shipwrecks found in the Bismarck Sea.

coral sea- the Pacific Ocean, which lies between the coasts of Australia, New Guinea, New Caledonia. 4068 thousand km². Max Depth 9174 m. Has numerous coral reefs and islands, such as the islands of Willis, Tregross, Bampton, Chesterfield. One of the most famous reefs is the Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef in the world.

By chartering a boat in Alotau, you will get excellent opportunities for exploring the area.

The city of Alotau is located in the southern part of Milne Bay and is the main city of the province of Milne Bay. Milne Bay and, in particular, Alotau are considered one of the best places in the country for beach holiday diving, surfing and kite surfing. In the coastal waters there are more than 500 coral reefs and a variety of sunken ships and aircraft left lying on the bottom since the Second World War.

In an inaccessible part of Milne Bay is Tawali dive resort. You can get here only from Alotau by boat. The isolation of the resort makes the rest here quiet and calm. Tourists are delivered to the dive sites by two vessels equipped with special equipment for processing digital photos on site. The waters surrounding the Tawali resort are considered among the best for poppy diving. The underwater world of this part of Milne Bay is very diverse, here you can see all kinds of corals that have created entire coral walls and huge fans, among which, in addition to small fish, there are large marine life, including sharks and rays.

Most excursions to nearby islands depart from Alotau. The most popular excursions Ferguson Island with volcanoes, hot springs and mud pools; Murua island where wood carving masters live; Trobriand Islands, where tribal chiefs are highly revered but inherited through the female line, and where the annual Milamala Harvest Festival is held between June and August.

You will have an unforgettable diving experience by visiting Kimbe Bay, Madang, Madang (35 Japanese and American aircraft from WWII at Hansa Bay), Rabaul (64 wrecks from WWII at Simpson Harbour), and Kavieng.

Archipelago Galapagos Islands(Galapagos Islands)- real paradise for scuba diving thanks to the lush marine life and amazing geographical conditions. You will need advice from experts in diving equipment to find the right suit for diving in changing temperatures.

Galapagos Islands (Spanish) Islas Galapagos) is an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, 972 kilometers west of Ecuador, consisting of 13 main volcanic islands, 6 small islands and 107 rocks and alluvial areas. It is believed that the first island was formed 5-10 million years ago as a result of tectonic activity. The youngest islands Isabela And Fernandina– still at the formation stage, the last volcanic eruption was observed in 2005.

whale shark(Whale Shark/ Photo from PedroAlberto98)

The Galapagos Islands are territorially owned by the state of Ecuador.

The islands are best known for their large number of native species and for Charles Darwin's research here, on the basis of which the evolutionary theory of the origin of species was written.


Greenturtle(Green Turtle. Chelonia mydas./ Photo from hsacdirk)

IslandWulf(Wolf island/ Photo from hsacdirk)

The waters of the Pacific Ocean near the Galapagos Islands are clear as glass, which allows you to see colored fish at a depth of 15-25 meters. Most of the islands in the Galapagos group are suitable for drift diving, night diving and deep diving.

Rangiroa ( Rangiroa) - the world's largest atoll, located in the Tuamotu archipelago (French Polynesia). It is the largest of the Tahitian Islands. French Polynesia is made up of 118 islands and atolls located in the Pacific Ocean.

The land area of ​​79 km² is a cluster of 415 small islands, or motu. The 1446 km² lagoon is 80 km long and 32 to 5 km wide. The largest settlements here are Avatoru ( Avatoru) and Tiputa ( Tiputa).

Rangiroa - Green Lagoon/ Photo from JulienNarboux)

An intricate network of islets and coral rings (atolls) is home to a variety of marine life. Rangiroa consists of two different dive sites located near the Paio motu lagoon. They are called Ava Toru and Tiputa pass. In these places you can see all the marine riches of French Polynesia.

Undersun(Under the sun/ Photo from Autopsea)

The average sea water temperature is around 70 F (approx. 21 degrees C) in winter and 80 F (approx. 27 degrees C) in summer, making Rangiroa a great diving destination throughout the year. The maximum depth is about 80 feet and it is worth diving into the depths of the sea on a bathyscaphe to watch the life of dolphins, sharks, rays and tropical horse mackerel.

5. RivieraMayan- (Riviera Maya, Mexico)

Riviera Maya(Riviera Mayo or the Mayan Riviera) is located along Caribbean coast the Quintana Roo region of Mexico. The reef that forms the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System runs along the Yucatan coast. After the Australian Barrier Reef, this is the second largest reef system in the world's oceans, which attracts both divers and tourists to this region.

Peninsula Yucatan entirely composed of limestone rocks. There are practically no rivers, few lakes (and if there are, they are almost certainly swampy), but the Yucatan Maya Indians did not lack clean fresh water - they had sacred cenotes.

Cenotes (Spanish) cenote, from the Yucatán Maya language dzonot-"zonot" - something deep) - special karst formations- lakes, wells and entire cave complexes with underground rivers and, at times, access to sea water. The Maya called them "gates to the realm of the dead" and considered their waters sacred.

Cenote - Yucatan, Mexico/ Photo from okinal)

cenotes Maya Indians used as places for sacrifices. Especially famous for this sacred cenote in the city of Chichen Itza.

Cenotes were formed from the fact that rainwater, penetrating through the limestone crust, merged with underground rivers.

From the surface typical cenote looks like an even round well, in which water is visible somewhere below. The Indians call it cenotes "mouths" or " eyes". And indeed, the wells make some kind of unearthly impression.

Meanwhile, scientists explain the formation of even round holes simply: when in underground cave filled with water, the water level drops, the arch of the cave collapses inward.

Most of the cenotes are located on the Yucatan Peninsula. Huge arches, bright penetrating light of the sun, fabulous formations - all this can be seen, plunging into the cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsula. A fabulous view both above and below the water - funny birds, incredible fish, crystal clear water, amazing colors.

Diving in cenotes

Some cenotes have become established diving centers. Perhaps the most famous of them is Dos Ojos(Spanish) two eyes), located north of Tulum. Exploration of the caves only began in 1986 and is now a world class dive site along with the Great Blue Hole Belize, Palau's micronesia or Sipadan in Malaysia. Cenote diving is also popular. Chuck Mol (Chac Mol).

What attracts divers in cenotes? First of all, uniqueness.

Go Cave Diving in Huge cave systems(the total length of the caves is only the cenote Dos Ojos, for example - more than 213 km), see huge stalactites and stalagmites, follow the light effects, mysterious bewitching rays breaking through the water from somewhere above, travel under the roots rainforest in water of such transparency that it is indistinguishable from air, and in places where salty ocean water meets fresh, see an optical phenomenon - a halocline, when you feel the ghostly boundary of the layers, and any movement that mixes the water creates an incredible iridescent cloud. And all this is possible only with an Open Water certificate. The water temperature in almost all cenotes is even and constant - 24-25 ° C, diving in the developed places is simple and safe, accessible to beginners. The conditions are physiologically very comfortable, but at first, purely psychologically, they may seem creepy. You seem to go out into space, open a new, different world.

No, it was not in vain that the Mayans idolized the Cenotes!

ImmersionVcaveVcenoteChuckMol(Cavern diving in the Chac Mool cenote in Quintana Roo./ Photo from brad77)

In fact, the Riviera Maya includes two of the world's longest systems of underwater caves, which are called SacActun And OxBelHa. If you are new to scuba diving, the reefs of Playa del Carmen and Tulum are suitable for you.

6. Great Barrier ReefAustralia)

Including over 2900 reefs and 900 islands, Great Barrier Reef- the largest reef system stretching for 2600 km in the Coral Sea. This world heritage site is home to some wonderful marine life and as such, divers are rewarded with amazing bio-diversity during their dives.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Queensland, Australia(Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Queensland, Australia/ Photo from !snednas!)

Heartgiganticclam(Heart of a Giant Clam/ Photo from Kälaino'ono'o)

When diving in warm sea ​​waters, you can spot over 400 species of corals and other endangered marine animals. You should be theoretically well prepared before diving here by planning and preparing this underwater expedition.

The Lesser Cayman Islands are dependent on the UK and are located in the Caribbean Sea south of Cuba. Here is a habitat for rare species of birds and aquatic animals. If you choose the Lesser Cayman Islands as a diving destination, you should come here between June and August.

Grand Cayman, 9 foot bronze mermaid(GrandCayman 9 ftBronzeMermaid/ Photo from Sam Cathey)

Spawning(Silversides Spawning/ Photo courtneyplatt

If you are planning a wall dive and prefer "vertical diving", visit the bloodyBaywallon the northwest side of the islands. It is home to some of the world's most famous dive sites, including the impressive Great Wall And deep canyons Marilyn's Cut.

You can dive over 3,000 feet underwater and explore the pristine ocean world for 100 feet.

Jackson's Bay is another hot dive spot in the Lesser Cayman Islands where you can go through the Big Blue. While exploring underwater crevasses and tunnels, you will be able to face gray reef sharks, nurse sharks, rays and turtles over the wall, which will add to the pleasure of diving.

Netherlands Antilles consist of two groups of islands in the Caribbean Sea, are an autonomy within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Two major islands, Curacao and Bonaire, are located in the southern part of the Lesser Antilles archipelago, off the coast of Venezuela.

Farewell to Bonaire (Farewell Bonaire)/ Photo from Kälaino'ono'o)

Bonaire's geographic location is excellent for aquatic life to thrive. These calm waters and a natural sanctuary from the trade winds encourage coral growth and great family fun. As a diver, you will have great fun exploring these marine parks full of the vibrant riches of the Caribbean. These waters offer completely pristine dive sites, and crystal clear waters with visibility up to 150 feet make for some great underwater photography.

Turtle(Turtle/ Photo from edpdiver)

Located in the Micronesian Pacific island chain, Bikini Atoll is part of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The Micronesian state of the Marshall Islands is a cluster of atolls and islands located in the Pacific Ocean just north of the equator. The Marshall Islands are a group of 36 islands located halfway between Australia and Honolulu and one of the best places for divers to swim among the shipwrecks. Among the most famous wrecks is a former USS Saratoga (Saratoga) and Japanese Nagato.

Marshall Islands(Marshall Islands/ Photo from Povilas Redko)

The island has an irregular shape resembling an oval. Consists of 36 islets, or motu. The land area of ​​Bikini is 6.01 km², the area of ​​the lagoon is 594.14 km². Average depth the lagoon is 35-55 m. The island is covered with dense thickets of vegetation typical of atolls, mainly pisonia. The climate in Bikini is tropical. Destructive cyclones happen here.

Bikini Atoll was used as a nuclear test site in the 50s. In total, the United States conducted 67 nuclear tests on the Bikini and Eniwetok atolls between 1946 and 1958.

At present, the average dose of external radiation is 3.8 R/h. And in the area of ​​testing the prototype thermonuclear bomb TX-21 with a power of 15 MT, the background is only 2 R/h.

BattleshipNagato(Nagatobattleship/Photo from rjdiver)

USS Saratoga (USSSaratogaaircraft/Photo from rjdiver)

Today Bikini Atoll and the lagoon is one of the most promising places for diving, fishing and other aquatic species sports. And although this island is barely inhabited due to radiation pollution, its waters are inhabited by a stunning variety of fish. It has only recently become the focus of attention from divers. Only a small number of divers have taken the risk of visiting this site, as a week-long diving tour will cost an extravagant $5,000.

British Columbia- one of the most amazing places for diving in North America, thanks to the extraordinary diversity of marine life. As a diver, you will be rewarded by seeing shrimp, crabs, killer whales, sea lions, large octopuses, toothed greenlings or many other marine life from over 5,000 invertebrate species or 400 colored fish species during your dive.

While British Columbia is famous for some of the world's strongest undercurrents, its calm waters are great for long underwater expeditions. You can start by investigating the low tides near the underwater rocks and slowly work your way into the depths of the waters. As you swim through the countless straits of Vancouver Island, you can see the beauty of the full-color algae reflected in the sea water.

Russia is surrounded by seas and oceans, it is also filled with lakes and rivers, so there are many great places for diving. Almost all dive centers offer diving in cold water (from 2 to 20 degrees), so you need to dive in a special dry suit and before that take a course called Dry Suit Diver PADI. This article will introduce you to the best diving spots in Russia in 2019.

He is himself deep lake on a planet with a huge (about 20%) supply fresh water. It is very clean and cold here: the temperature of the upper layers in summer is up to +10, in some bays - up to +15, and the lower layers - only +4 degrees. Diving is possible here for beginners and professionals.

It is worth noting that diving on the lake is possible all year round.

Winter diving

In the cold season, you can dive from the moment when the ice freezes well, and you can not only walk on it, but also drive a car. Particularly interesting dives are around hummocks, which are areas double ice between water and ice. Sometimes there are underwater sections up to 40 m long. For the purpose of safety, so that the diver does not get lost under a layer of ice, diving is carried out with an insurance cord.

  • The most famous places on the lake are the western shore, with sheer cliffs. Particularly picturesque areas are located near the shore of the Circum-Baikal Railway and near about. Olkhon. These places attract tourists with straight canyons, the depth of which can reach 70 m and the width up to 20 m.
  • Also, the canyon, which will impress and give a lot of positive emotions, is located on the territory of the reserve, opposite the river. Ice.
  • Those who like to enjoy unusual beauty should visit Ayu Bay and Frolikha Bay. The shores and the bottom of the bay are dotted with pitfalls.
  • Another picturesque place for submariners is shallow water near the Ushkany Islands, off the eastern shores of Lake Baikal. In the south of the island, at the bottom, there are fields of solidified lava, which are of considerable interest to divers.

Price

If you wish, you can purchase a tour, the price category of which is diverse. Some tour operators offer to apply for a vacation, costing from 6500 rubles. With a group of 2 people lasting about an hour. The cost of the tour includes not only the rental of equipment, but also the accompaniment of an experienced instructor.

For beginners, an introductory dive will cost from 3500 rubles. Winter option - 5500 rubles.

The best diving centers of Lake Baikal are Diving Tech, Aqua Eco, New Dimension.

About diving on Lake Baikal - in the video:

How to get there

The best option is to travel by plane to Irkutsk. For travelers planning to dive along East Bank, you can fly to Ulan-Ude and stop in Baikalsk. A direct flight from Domodedovo to Irkutsk takes no more than 6 hours.

Black Sea

This is the warmest place for diving in Russia. The temperature of surface waters in summer can reach +27 degrees, and deep waters - up to +10 degrees. True, there is no such picturesque fauna as in other seas. But on the other hand, there are many ancient sunken ships and artifacts at the bottom.

When planning to go to explore the underwater beauty of the Black Sea, you can count on a lot of positive emotions and adventures in the underwater kingdom. It will also be interesting to spend time here and appreciate the picturesque nature for beginners, explore underwater reefs, animals and plants, spearfishing. For experienced divers, there is the possibility of excursions to sunken ships and aircraft.

  • Tarkhankut. This place is chosen by directors, the films "Pirates of the 20th century" and "Amphibian Man" were filmed here. An underwater paradise for experienced divers is the Dzhangul and Atlesh tract. You can also dive for beginners.
  • For those who like to see ancient sights, you can dive into places that carefully keep traces of ancient events. In the area of ​​cape Chersonesos, one can see warships of various centuries, fragments of statues, amphorae and coins on the bottom of the sea. It is convenient to appreciate the underwater beauty of the Black Sea off the coast of the blue bay.
  • An ideal place for diving is Gelendzhik, Sochi, Anapa, where sunken ships are located. For inexperienced submariners, the tanker Valerian Kuibyshev in Anapa and the Odessa City Council will be an ideal option. Off the coast of Novorossiysk, it is worth visiting the gunboat, which lies at a depth of about 5 m. Experienced divers are advised to dive to the Yak-7b fighter off the coast of Gelendzhik.

The price category of an introductory dive with equipment rental ranges from 1300 rubles. in half an hour. An excursion to sunken ships and aircraft for a group of three will cost 3,000 rubles per person. If there is a group of 6 people - 2000 rubles / person.

How to get there

The fastest option is by plane. A direct flight from Moscow airport to Sochi takes about two and a half hours. The price category of the ticket ranges from 3000 rubles. This is a bold decision for those who do not like long journeys in stuffy train cars.

If you go by train, it will take a day and a half and the ticket will cost more than if you fly. Traveling by private car takes up to 20 hours. You can get to Sochi from the Moscow bus station by bus, ticket price from 3500 rubles, time 24 hours. Most buses are equipped with air conditioning and video equipment.

Some of the best diving centers are Potok, Aqua Globus, Chernomor, St. Andrew's flag.

Barencevo sea

It is the edge of the Arctic Ocean. The temperature here is about +4 degrees. But it is rich in flora and fauna. Belugas, whales, dolphins, seals and other representatives of fauna interesting for divers live here.

The warm South waters of the sea attract both freedivers and professionals, and only a small number of them are ready to get acquainted with the harsh nature of the Barents Sea. Consider the need for an insulated swimming suit, average temperature in the sea does not exceed 4 degrees.

Advantages and disadvantages of diving in northern waters

At a time when we are talking about diving into the waters of the sea, it is worth talking about extreme pastime, as icy winds blow here. northern winds, and snowdrifts do not melt until summer. Those who plan to dive first of all need to obtain permission, which can be obtained from the commander-in-chief of the local border service. In some cases, guests receive refusals. Also important is the registration of cylinders in the Murmansk region, on the basis of which a permit is issued.

Among the advantages of underwater pastime, one can single out a truly bewitching flora and fauna. Experienced divers always take special cameras with them.

The highlight of the dive is the fact that a huge number of treasure hunters come here every year. Such excitement is caused by the fact that several hundred ships that belonged to the Vikings found shelter in the Barents Sea. It is also worth seeing Swedish frigates and Soviet ships underwater.

  • The most visited area is Dalnie Zelentsy, famous for its picturesque landscapes. Families with children can have a great rest at the adjacent bases. One dive will cost about 4000 rubles. with equipment rental.
  • Three miles from the port, you can dive into Dolgaya Bay, where diving is carried out regardless of weather conditions. There are king crabs and huge sea anemones, jellyfish, shrimp and scallops.
  • For those who dream of enjoying the picturesque landscapes underwater world it is worth visiting Krasnaya Bay, the bottom of which is covered with canyons, kelp and brown algae. A walk along the adjacent valley, on the territory of which deer, seals and cormorants are found, will be unforgettable.

The best diving centers are Far Zelentsy, Sea Angels.

How to get there

To dive, you need to get to the Kola Peninsula. The road lies through Murmansk, from Moscow a ticket will cost a little over 5,000 rubles. by the most popular route the road from Murmansk to Liinakhamari by private car is considered. Then there will be a boat trip to the right places. Divers come here from May to August. The maximum warming of the water falls on the last month of summer.

White Sea

This is a small and shallow sea, which is distinguished by the fact that the water temperature is below 50 meters, even in summer it is about -1 degrees. This is due to the presence of cold currents. In the White Sea there are unique representatives of the fauna - ophiura Gorgon's Head, starfish, polar sharks, etc.

Here you can meet a huge variety of representatives of the animal world, so this place is suitable for those who are not indifferent to the picturesque landscapes and rich fauna. The White Sea will delight you with its beauty and unique places, thanks to which vivid impressions will remain for a long time.

In the northern part of Karelia, in the Arctic almost all year round snow. Ice diving is carried out here. Both beginners and experienced divers come here. Who does not like the cold, you should go to the village of Chkalovsky. Here you can see unique corals, octopuses and enjoy spearfishing. At the same time, diving centers provide travelers with comfortable living conditions.

You can contemplate grottoes and canyons off the coast of Kishkino Island. It is more suitable for experienced scuba divers who plan to upgrade their skills. After all, only here at a depth of 22 you can go down to the grotto.

Unique in its beauty, with amazing forests, is the Keret Granite Island, where diving from a boat or a boat is carried out. This place is popular with newbies.

You can enjoy the beauty of the underwater relief and excellent visibility off the coast of Kasyan Island. Not far from it is the scientific base of Moscow University, which has been engaged in the underwater world of the sea for a long time.

To see the sunken ship, you will have to go to the village of Kovda, off the coast of which lies a Swedish frigate.

The most popular diving center is the Arctic Circle.

How to get there

The easiest way to get to Karelia is to travel by private car along the R-21 highway to Chupa, then, focusing on the signs, drive for another half hour on a dirt road (Murmanskoe highway). Traveling by car will take about 15 hours. If you go by train, get off at Chupa station. You can also fly to Murmansk.

Orda cave

This is the longest gypsum underwater cave in Russia. A comfortable entrance to the water is equipped here, but only experienced divers risk diving here. In winter, very beautiful ice formations freeze over the cave. Despite the cold and darkness, amazing creatures and algae live here.

The longest course of the caves of the underwater world of the planet and the longest in Russia is Orda cave. These places gather divers from all over the world. The study of this area became permissible only with the beginning of the nineties. To date, researchers have examined 5 km of passages. Of these, 300 m is on land, the rest is under water. This option is for experienced divers who do not miss the opportunity to swim in clear waters underwater galleries. It will stop conveniently in a cottage settlement, which is located near the cave.

The cave is located near the village of Orda in Perm on the southwestern outskirts. For the safety of divers, only some galleries are available, which are equipped with specially stretched ropes. Beginners do not belong here, as amateurs can easily get lost in the labyrinths. There is a center that prepares cave divers. After the course, the tourist receives a certificate. In the village of Orda, you can stay in a hotel, the cost of which starts from 700 rubles. from a person.

How to get there

closest to right place are Perm and Kungur. Also nearby is the village of Orda. You can get to Perm by any transport, and it is convenient to get to the village fixed-route taxi. The price of a plane ticket to Perm from Moscow is from 3500 rubles. By train - from 3000 rubles. Transfer from Perm to the village from 2500 rubles.

Blue Lakes

They are located in and consist of three lakes. The water in them is absolutely transparent. The greatest depth is 18 meters. The temperature ranges from 3 to 7 degrees above zero. First of all, landscape views are interesting here. From the representatives of the fauna you can meet the water scorpion, amphipods. Due to the high salt content and low temperature, fish are not found here.

This is an option for those who are not afraid cold water. Blue Lake counts perfect place for newbies. In addition, people who plan to improve their health come here, as the water in the lake contains certain minerals and other useful components. Among the advantages of this place is a convenient location. The town is located just 800 km from the capital. In addition, a diver with a modest budget can afford to dive here.

You can stay in a hotel or inn, the price category of which ranges from 2000 rubles. for a person. At the same time, guests are provided with comfortable living conditions, cottages are located near the diving site.

Among the diving clubs, it is worth highlighting the Nautilus, which offers travelers to take courses and receive a certificate worth from 22,000 rubles. But there are options for 15,000 rubles.

Scuba diving is one of the favorite tourist adventures during a beach holiday. For many, scuba diving becomes a hobby, and then they travel the world and explore the mysteries sea ​​depths. Both novice scuba divers and professionals will be interested to know where is the best diving.

Adventurers love to dive near the reef. Elphinstone. In addition to the fact that it is very interesting to study the beauty of the underwater world, sharks are found in these waters, which can be found while swimming.

At any Egyptian resort, you can learn to scuba dive, of course, provided that you already know how to swim. Children under 10 years of age are not allowed to dive.

is the dream of all divers. Here you can scuba dive all day, but still not explore all the wonders of the underwater world of the Indian Ocean. The Maldives consists of 26 atolls, each of which includes many large and small coral islands. The atolls are surrounded by lagoons with a large number of coral reefs. To go diving in the Maldives, it is not necessary to swim far, you can dive right off the coast of the atoll that you have chosen for your vacation.

The best diving in the Maldives is safari tour, within which you will have the opportunity to explore and compare the most popular dive sites, visit uninhabited islands, go fishing and have a barbecue.

lagoons Maldivian atolls is one of the best places for beginner divers. There are very soft coral reefs, so diving in these places is safe. In addition to reefs, in these waters you can explore mysterious caves and sunken ships, and, of course, you cannot ignore the diverse fauna of the Indian Ocean.

Among the resorts , providing the best diving, you can highlight the island. There are many scuba diving centers offering the best modern equipment. Dives are organized for beginners and experienced scuba divers. The waters of the Andaman Sea attract with coral reefs and an interesting underwater world.

The best diving in the Caribbean is And . Here the main attention of divers is focused on the rich fauna - colorful tropical fish and marine animals.

If we are not talking about the most popular resorts among Russians, then the best diving is provided to you on Galapagos Islands, on Bahamas, V papua new guinea, V , on Marshall Islands , V Canada(British Columbia), etc.

  • The first group belongs to the so-called cult diving. This, of course, is the Galapagos Islands, which are considered an underwater paradise and the best place for diving due to their rich ecosystem. Of course, this is Cocos Island and the Socorro Islands, which are a sanitary station in the middle of the Pacific Ocean for a variety of marine life, including a huge population of sharks. Other iconic dive destinations include the wild, yet poorly explored waters of Raja Ampat in Indonesia and the world's largest atoll, the UNESCO-listed Aldabra Atoll, which is very hard to get to. To understand why J. Cousteau, the main connoisseur best diving, spent so much time exploring the Sea of ​​Cortez, it is necessary to come to Mexico to Baja California. The dream of many divers is to take part in the famous sardine race in South Africa. By the way, you can get to most of the above sites only on a safari yacht. In fact, these are real mini expeditions on special ships.
  • The second group can be conditionally attributed to the countries of mass diving trips. It includes the Red Sea with Egypt and Sudan, the unsurpassed beauty of the underwater world of the Maldives, almost all countries South-East Asia: Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Micronesia, Papua New Guinea. Australia and Oceania can be included in the same group: the Great Barrier Reef, paradise French Polynesia, Fiji with shark feeding. And, of course, Cuba with coral reefs and shark diving, the Dominican Republic with caves, the Bahamas with bull and lemon sharks, the Turks and Caicos with humpback whales. In Europe, the choice is small - it's Malta and wrecks, budget Croatia and expensive Norway with killer whales. In all these countries, they go to daily diving and diving safaris.
  • Well, the third category of countries for diving from the category: “It’s worth diving there at least once!” These countries can hardly be called the best places for diving, but if a diver is there, he will find something to see under water. This is landscape diving in Spain and on canary islands, archaeological diving in Greece and Turkey and Tunisia, the reefs of Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Jordan, the biodiversity of the Seychelles and Mauritius. Diving in these countries can be interesting for its novelty and specificity, therefore, having got here, most divers will want to “check in” in local waters. So, diving in the Canary Islands is called landscape diving. There are no coral reefs here, and the depths between the islands reach 3 km. Meetings with residents open ocean may be the most unexpected, especially on the outermost islands of the archipelago, but they cannot be guaranteed. Many islands have not yet been explored at all, which adds interest and intrigue.

From the many best places in the world for diving, everyone chooses what interests him. Who is looking for a new direction, someone needs to “wet their gills” inexpensively, someone is interested in sharks, for someone diving is the study of new caves and wrecks.