The World’s Best Diving

Scuba or bust

There’s nothing wrong with lounging on the beach or by the pool all summer, but we’ve decided to dive right into the season—literally. Whether you prefer scuba or snorkeling, we found some of the best diving spots around the world, from Hawaii to Egypt. So, take a deep breath and get ready for some serious underwater adventures. 

1. Cape Kri, Indonesia
If you’re hoping to see colorful coral and marine life during your diving trip, head straight to Cape Kri in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. The spot boasts more than 370 species of fish, including sharks and barracudas, and a maze-like coral garden where you could easily plant yourself and watch the wildlife put on a show.

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2. St. Croix, US Virgin Islands
St. Croix has a diverse abundance of underwater life, including 500 species of fish and 40 types of coral, which can be found in an equally diverse collection of diving sites. Off this one island, you can explore shallow shipwrecks at Butler Bay, swim with colorful reef fish at Frederiksted Pier, and seek out sea turtles and sharks at the world-famous Cane Bay Wall.

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3. Kona, Hawaii
If you want to earn major bragging rights in diving circles, try nighttime diving with manta rays in Kona, Hawaii. Tour companies will set up lights on the ocean floor to attract plankton, which attracts the giant rays. You’re pretty much guaranteed a close encounter with at least one feeding manta ray, ensuring a diving experience you will never forget.

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4. Thistlegorm, Egyptian Red Sea
Diving to a shipwreck is a unique, almost eerie experience that few travelers get to experience. One of the most popular of such sites is the wrecked SS Thistlegorm in the Red Sea, a British Navy ship that was sunk by German bombers in 1941. The cargo ship was carrying armored cars, steam locomotives, motorbikes, and weapons, all of which can be seen in their decayed states while diving here.

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5. Great Barrier Reef, Australia
It may seem a bit cliché to include the Great Barrier Reef, but the greats are popular for a reason. Made up of 2,900 individual reefs, the world-renowned site is a diver’s paradise, where you can truly have whatever type of underwater experience you crave. Visit the SS Yongala near Ayr for one of the best wreck dives in the world, or head to Cod Hole to swim with cod that are almost as big as you are. You can even drop by the pristine Stanley Reef to spot turtles and whales passing by. If there’s an underwater site or species you want to see, the Great Barrier Reef probably has it somewhere.

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