SCUBA and 5 Beautiful Diving Destinations

Earlier we interviewed AlexInWanderLand, a travel blogger, scuba diver, and professional videographer. She’s done scuba diving all over the world, and we’re pretty jealous, so we looked into it ourselves.

Scuba diving is one of the most popular water sports travelers partake in while experiencing a coastal getaway, rivaling the likes of surfing, wakeboarding and jet skiing. But being 40 meters below the water’s surface, carrying a tank full of oxygen, has to be the most illuminating sea experiences. It’s something Vicky and I have been debating for awhile now. On the one hand it would be a wonderful experience, but on the other it’s expensive and fairly time intensive.

Getting SCUBA certified

If you want to SCUBA dive, as far as we know, you have to be certified (unless you can find some nonreputable person to take you out). If you’re interested in getting SCUBA certified, as we are, you have to be willing to set aside the time. Most courses require around 2 – 5 days of training. Moreover, there are some light requirements, such as

• Being at least 12 years old
• Swim 200 metres/yards (or 300 metres/yards in mask, fins and snorkel). There is no time limit for this, and you may use any swimming strokes you want.
• Float and tread water for 10 minutes, again using any methods that you want.

Beautiful Diving Destinations

Divers can enjoy some bottom time at sites all around the world, with each site offering something different, whether that be amazing visibility through clear waters, an array of vibrant sea life or fascinating underwater scenery and structures. It was always going to be hard to narrow down the choices, but here’s a handful of some of the best diving destinations in the world.

1. Playa del Carmen, Mexico

There are 19 dive sites around this small town between Chetumal and Cancun suitable for all skill levels. With minimal current and shallow depths of 10 meters, the Cerebros dive site with its beautiful brain coral is perfect for new divers, while those more experienced should check out Sabalos. At 15 meters it’s not the region’s deepest site, but the caves here offer some of the longest underwater covered swim-throughs off the Americas – simply stunning.

2. Koh Tao, Thailand

There’s 25 dive sites here, ranging from the beginners’ favorites; the Japanese Gardens and Mango Bay, to the 40 meter deep Chumphon Pinnacle and South West Pinnacle, suited only to the most advanced divers. Many dive sites close to the shore contain intricate rock formations which give the sites their names, but this area is known primarily for its sea life, with clownfish, pufferfish and turtles being some of the most interesting finds.

3. Queensland, Australia

Australia is renowned as one of the best water sports destinations in the world, which is certainly true when it comes to diving. There are many great sites in Queensland, but the most famous and most exciting has to be the the Yongala site – home to the S.S Yongala, a passenger ship which sank in 1911. The wreck is remarkably intact with dining rooms, engine rooms and bathrooms still recognizable. It’s a truly haunting sight.

4. Tioman Island, Malaysia

With a gentle current and excellent visibility, the sites around this island are popular due to their reef network and small fishing wrecks. House Reef, with a depth of 10 meters, is ideal for beginners, while more confident divers can visit the wrecks 30 meters down at Sawadee. Access to this particular island is easy from both Malaysia and Singapore, and should you decide to travel from London, parking at Heathrow Terminal 2 (the newly renovated section of the airport, prior to their flight), is a real stress-saver.

5. Cape Town, South Africa

Ideally situated, divers can choose from sites within two oceans: the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean. The beauty is the opportunity to see some breath-taking sea life such as Seven Gill Cowsharks and Cape Fur Seals at Hout Bay; one of the city’s most popular sites. With a 13 hour flight time from London, it’s definitely a long haul trip, but travelers can be sure they’ll get a good deal with cheap Heathrow parking prices.

What do you think about SCUBA – Is it worth it? What was your experience?

photo credit (via photopin cc):

• drosenthal
• gumuz
• tarotastic
• RnD.de.Portraits
• Swiv