Again with David for a top 10 on the World's best Scuba spots. Thanks for the list David!
Clear waters, low pollution, abundant wildlife, an impressive backdrop and a variety of experiences on offer are crucial factors in the ideal scuba destination and all are met in spades at the following ten sites. Each one is as close to an aquatic paradise as you are ever going to find on this oceanic planet of ours.
Queensland, Australia - A predictable choice perhaps, but there is a reason that even the most hydrophobic of land-lubbers has heard of The Great Barrier Reef. Hugging 1800 miles of the Queensland coast, the Great Barrier Reef is apparently visible from space, although most would agree it looks better through the lens of a dive mask. Over 1500 species of fish, 20 different species of reptile and over 400 spectacular species of coral carve out a living in the coral gardens of the reef. Whether approached from the luxury of Heron Island, or one of the many budget hotels or hostels that line the Queensland Coast, the Great Barrier Reef must surely appear on every diver's bucket list.
The Egyptian Red Sea - Lovely warm seas, a huge variety of marine fauna, an abundance of wrecks and reefs and a mere four and a half hour hop from the UK, the Egyptian Red Sea well deserves its reputation as a premier scuba destination. The plethora of biodiversity on display has not escaped the attention of conservationists and many of the Egyptian reefs are now part of protected marine parks in which sustainable diving is the order of the day, making the Red Sea a top destination for the eco-minded diver.
Chuuk Islands, Micronesia - On the 17th February 1944, the United States Navy launched Operation Hailstone, a massive air and surface assault that sent 47 Japanese ships to the bottom of the sea. 55 years later, the wrecks of that terrible day are slowly disintegrating at the bottom of Truk Lagoon, in the beautiful island state of Chuuk, a fascinating historical curio and a stark reminder of the horror of war.
Truk lagoon is surely the pinnacle of wreck diving. Strewn among the eerie hulls of sunken ships are jeeps, aircraft and tanks, a morbidly fascinating seascape softened by the encroaching vibrancy of the beautiful Pacific marine life. This is one to see before the ruins of history are finally consumed by the sea.
Richelieu Rock, Thailand - The sheer walls of Richelieu Rock are home to a simply stunning array of wildlife. White eyed moray eels, harlequin shrimps, tigertail seahorses, pineapple fish and lionfish bejewel the cracks and crevices of the sea walls, while schools of snapper, mackerel, jacks and barracuda patrol the open waters in search of a meal.
A utopia for the underwater photographer, Richelieu Rock has also long been famous for its giant residents. While less common than in previous years, vast whale sharks are still regularly seen in the area, as are majestic manta rays. Divers should be aware that this oasis of marine life is not the most accessible; with very few daytrips available, this site is one for the live-aboards.
Turks and Caicos - Nestled in the warm waters of the Caribbean, the Turks and Caicos Islands are home to some of the most pulse-raising diving in the world. The walls of North West Point and West Caicos are favoured hunting grounds for blacktip sharks, hammerheads, tiger sharks and an abundance of Caribbean reef sharks. A number of dive companies offer the opportunity to get up close with these prehistoric predators.
For those divers seeking a slightly less adrenaline fuelled experience, these islands still have plenty to offer, not least the opportunity to meet JoJo the Dolphin, something of a cetacean celebrity in these parts.
Fiji - Fiji is known as "The Soft Coral Capital of the World", a title the country richly deserves and one that earns it a place in this top ten. The Republic of Fiji comprises more than 332 islands, providing perhaps the most rich and varied selection of diving experiences available in any one country on Earth. The only problem awaiting any Fiji-bound diver is that most pleasant of conundrums; whether to explore everything the islands have to offer aboard a live-aboard, or to become intimately acquainted with just one of the country's reefs while becoming immersed in the relaxed Fijian culture at an island resort.
Maldives - Much admired as the destination of choice for honeymooners, scuba divers have long since known there is more to the Maldives than all-inclusive romantic getaways. The atolls that support these idyllic islands are scored with deep channels carved out by the warm currents of the Indian Ocean, unique structures that provide a unique diving environment. The plankton rich waters are home to jacks, trevallies, barracuda, manta rays and a glittering assortment of smaller reef fishes.
Of course the scuba diver is not immune to the more obvious charms of the Maldives! There can be no finer backdrop for a diving expedition than the white sandy beaches, gently swaying palm trees and azure seas of this little drop of heaven in the Indian Ocean.
Bonaire - The Bonaire National Marine Park is the benchmark by which all marine parks are judged. Funded by a park entrance fee, the local authorities have invested in law enforcement, education programmes, research, habitat upkeep and monitoring schemes, the results of which are now there for divers to enjoy. Thirty years of conservation have produced arguably the most pristine reefs found anywhere today. Within 300 yards of the shore, a diver will find themselves surrounded by a remarkable array of Caribbean wildlife, including parrotfish, eagle rays, angelfish, porcupine fish, morays and a cornucopia of invertebrates. There is a reason that conservationists seek to replicate the success of Bonaire around the world.
Cayman Islands - The Cayman Islands are, in fact, the tips of submerged mountains, a series of structures that are conducive to some excellent diving. The steep, plunging walls of the mountainsides reach down in places to 20,000 feet below sea level, providing a habitat that is inviting both to divers and to the species they hope to see. The geography of the Cayman Islands goes even further in providing some superb diving. The islands have no natural rivers and few hilly regions, so there is very little run-off into the ocean. These conditions are ideal for reef development and have led to the emergence of some staggeringly beautiful coral formations.
Mozambique - Mozambique offers a wide range of diving experiences, from delicate reefs to high octane pursuits of whale sharks and great white sharks. At the hub of this diving paradise is Praia do Tofo, a small town that shares a coastline with the highest concentration of whale sharks in all of Africa. It also provides access to the Manta Reef, where two new species of manta ray were discovered as recently as 2009.
For all its aquatic treasures, Tofo is not all Mozambique has to offer the diver. A unique experience awaits the visitor to Bazaruto Island, where leatherback, loggerhead and green turtles all frequent the seas, occasionally sharing their crystal clear waters with dugong, an exceptionally rare mammal that is found in greater numbers here than anywhere else in the western Indian Ocean.
Well David, after reading this, I must confess all I wanna do is go straight to the airport and get on the first plane to any one of this fabulous destinations... Just checking, anyone else coming too? ;)
