For anyone who has experienced the thrill and beauty of exploring the world beneath the waves, finding a new diving destination can be almost as addictive as the activity itself.
Most tropical countries offer excellent diving and snorkelling opportunities, but we’ve put together a list of the most exciting and luxurious destinations to tantalise your tanks. Dig out your flippers and call the travel agent – you won’t want to miss diving into these stunning locations.
Borneo
This unique destination is the third largest island in the world and as well as exquisite diving locations, it also has the oldest rainforest on the planet – over 130million years old – making it a fantastic holiday spot for adventurers who want to explore on land us well as under water.
Diving conditions are typically good all year round, except for Layang Layang which is best from September through till April, and the rich ecosystem means sightings of whale sharks, hammerhead sharks and green turtles are common.
The Maldives
A smorgasbord of islands and reefs, this destination offers every level of luxury possible, and the riches found beneath the waves don’t disappoint either. Another benefit of diving in the Maldives is that due to the nature of the atoll formations, pesky insects and mosquitoes are practically nonexistent, which means you can leave the malaria tablets at home.
Because most islands are surrounded by very shallow reefs, you will have to take a boat trip out of the atoll to get to the best diving spots. Once your boat passes through the ‘mouth’ of the atoll and into the open sea, expect to be rewarded with sightings of manta rays, grey reef sharks and turtles.
Mexico
Despite the devastation of the 2010 oil spill, Mexico still offers some of the best diving locations in the world thanks to its proximity to the Great Mesoamerican Reef. While Cancun is the destination of choice for most divers, it is overpopulated with large hotel resorts and busy beaches, so if you want a little more ‘off-the-beaten-track’ luxury then head a little further south to Tulum, on the boarder of Mexico and Belize.
The Philippines
A hidden destination of ultimate luxury,Amanpuloin the Philippines is a diver’s dream thanks to a 7 kilometre fringe of pristine coral reef. The resort is the only one located on Pamalican Island, and beyond the reef there are numerous dive sites waiting to be explored.
Thanks to crystal clear waters, visibility can be around 20-30 metres on a good day, and the warm temperature attracts a plethora of animals to the dive sites around the island, including wit-tip reef sharks, hawkbull turtles, tuna and jackfish.
The Galapagos Islands
For a truly decadent diving experience, charter a luxury yacht and sail around the Galapagos Islands with a personal chef, dive instructor and first class accommodation on board. Divers are likely to see schools of snappers on a daily basis, while manta rays, whale sharks and yellowfin tuna can also be spotted depending on the time of year you choose to visit.
Have these locations whet your appetite for a dive? What is the most luxurious diving destination you’ve been to? Let us know in the comments below!
