5 Amazing Destinations for Tropical Scuba Diving
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Scuba diving is a popular pastime for multiple reasons. Diving allows you to explore parts of the sea that are usually only home to animals – and can be enjoyed all over the world in a multitude of amazing locations. Many people also find spending time underwater to be calm and relaxing. Once you’ve received your scuba diving license, you’ll likely be eager to explore the ocean and make the most of your new skills. If you’re after a tropical experience but are not sure where to start, the following locations will surely tempt you:
Venezuela
The South American country of Venezuela has the longest coastline in the Caribbean, as well as over 300 islands. While diving in the pristine aqua water surrounding the Los Roques archipelago, visitors can expect to see an incredible underwater ecosystem and an abundance of colourful fish. The country’s beaches are well worth a visit, too, making Venezuela the perfect destination for your next tropical holiday. Visit in summer to avoid the rainy season.
Samoa
The islands that make up the country of Samoa, in the Pacific Ocean, are perfect for a spot of scuba diving, thanks to their lagoons and abundance of fish and other wildlife. If you want a tranquil place to explore, try Savai’i; if you haven’t already completed a diving course, you can do it here. Warm water year-round makes Savai’i the ideal place to dive to your heart’s content, and if you’re lucky, you might even spot a dolphin or a group of turtles!
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Djibouti
The African country of Djibouti is best suited to more experienced divers, as currents in the Indian Ocean can be dangerous to newbies. If you are a confident diver, exploring Djibouti’s waters will be an experience you’ll never forget. The remote Sawabi Islands – also sometimes referred to as the Seven Brothers Islands – lie off Djibouti’s coast and offer divers the chance to see incredible reefs, whale sharks, and manta rays.
Australia
The world’s largest coral reef is found off the coast of Cairns, Australia. The Great Barrier Reef should be on every diver’s bucket list – with incredible biodiversity and links to Australian Aboriginal spirituality. The location of the reef makes it one of the most exciting places to visit on Earth, with wreck diving is a favourite hobby of many scuba divers. You can take part in wreck diving while you’re exploring the Great Barrier Reef: the SS Yongala, which sunk in 1911, is now home to a multitude of colourful marine life.
Malaysia
With its generally calm waters, Malaysia is the perfect spot for both new and seasoned divers. The Southeast Asian country is home to Sipadan Island, which has a daily limit on the number of divers who can explore the island. While Sipadan may be a little tricky to visit, it’s well worth the effort – as the waters surrounding the island house a plethora of turtles and other marine life worth seeing. If you’re a little more experienced, you might like to try deep diving at Layang Layang Island, where you can visit D Wall, a 2000m wall often patrolled by sharks; Snapper Ledge, where, thanks to the strong current, you’ll have excellent visibility; or Wreck Point, where hammerhead sharks prowl and black coral thrives.
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Scuba diving in a tropical location can be one of the most rewarding parts of a vacation, so skip over-visited tourist sites and explore the sea on your next trip. Whether you’re looking to explore wrecks, spot sharks, or simply gaze at fish and coral, tropical scuba diving is sure to be the highlight of your holiday.
Cloe Matheson would drop everything to escape to a tropical paradise, especially during New Zealand’s cold winter months. There’s nothing better than a great book and feeling soft sand between your toes, lulled by the sound of gentle waves crashing on the shore. Visit Cloe’s Tumblr page to read more of her published work.