Diving is a special type of relaxation that relaxes and pleases and causes a surge of adrenaline.. Moreover, diving can be quoted as a family form of tourism and entertainment.
And he suits all ages. That is why every year it becomes more and more popular. If you want to escape from everyday life, diving vacations are what you need.
Which country to choose?
Diving is possible not only in warm waters, but also at a temperature of 10-20 degrees. But if you are a beginner, it is better to go to warm countries. There, the water temperature is suitable, and the climate has plenty, and plenty of exotic. Plus, the equipment is not so complicated and expensive.
Novice divers prefer tours to Egypt. The best place for diving is the coastal zone in the Sharm El Sheikh resort area. Marsa Alam is famous for its coast. Can .
A great place for diving tours is Thailand. There are Russian-speaking trainers, and great places to dive. And underwater spaces will not leave indifferent even the most demanding diver.
A popular vacation at. Here you can dive near the wreck of the US Liberty warship, and at Manta Point you can see huge manti. If you have not tried to dive into the caves, we recommend.
If you have not been, then correct this error. The most popular resorts are Hoi An, Danang, Nha Trang, Kondao and Fukuok. By the way, one of the cheapest in the world.
In general, when choosing a country, look at the goals and plans that you set for yourself.
What do you need to know?
Find out in advance the list of services of local trainers. Ask about the possibility of training and obtaining a certificate (but it is better to come to rest already with the relevant documents).
Take an experienced person with you as a partner.
Obey your instructor
During and after the dive, physiological problems are possible. Be attentive to your health.
Before diving, read everything that you are asked to sign.
There are a number of contraindications to diving, if you have them, then this is not fate.
Find all the necessary equipment before traveling on vacation, because there may not be your size.
To avoid decompression sickness, immerse yourself and get up according to the rules.
Many people are unable to cope with the call of the ocean, because they love the beauty of the sea, risk and adventure. If you belong to those people who fill the romantic beaches and islands of the world, you should try one of the most wonderful ways to have fun. The excitement and pleasure of practicing water sports increases if you visit one of the most iconic diving sites in the world. If you are a fan of diving and are eager to visit various diving sites, you should learn these really interesting facts about the best diving sites in the world.
The Bahamas is an archipelago that consists of 700 islands extending over 100,000 square miles in the West Atlantic Ocean. The Bahamas are composed mainly of coral limestones. Flooded areas of underwater elevations are vast shallow waters abundant in coral reefs (the largest is the Big Bahamas Bank). The usual depth of the sea here is about 20 feet, with the exception of those deep-sea ocean trenches called ‘The Tongue of the Ocean’ (Ocean Sting) and cut through a flooded plateau.
Rivers on the islands are practically absent. Many salt lakes (communicating with the sea). Sea waters are rich in fish, crustaceans and mollusks.
Tour with Shields (Tour with Sharks / Photo fromtherocketscientist )
Group photo, together with sea bass(A group shot, complete with a grouper / Photo fromactive2gether )
The warm ocean currents on these islands led to the emergence of vibrant marine life and long coral reefs. You can get an endless amount of adventures in the longest cave and cave labyrinth found on the Big Bahamas (the GrandBahamaIsland).
A full travel package, which includes diving, accommodation and transportation costs, is very beneficial. Separately paid dives for exploring caves and the remains of shipwrecks, and diving in the Blue Hole (the Blue Holes). You should not miss such from the Bahamas as bimini Islands (the Biminis), Abacos (Abacos), Eleuthera (Eleuthera), Cat Island (Cat Island), San Salvador (San Salvador) and Inagua (Inagua).
The Bimini Islands are best known for fishing - the ocean surrounding them is considered by many to be one of the best fishing spots in the world. Because Bimini is only 80 km (50 miles) east of Fort Lauderdale (Florida), many American fishermen go to the islands by boat or yacht to fish or enjoy the islands nightlife. Scuba diving and snorkeling and fins are also popular, as there are many wrecks around the islands.
Bahamas - feedingsharks(Bahamas - Stuart Cove’s shark feeding / Photo from remainingoceansart)
On Bimini there are several natural monuments with mysterious properties of unknown origin: the Bimini road, the fountain of youth, a healing grotto.
Bimini is closely associated with significant events and people in American history:
- During Prohibition in the United States, Bimini was a favorite haven and supply point for the sale of alcoholic beverages (rum).
- Atlantic blue marlin weighing about 250 kg, caught off the coast of Bimini, inspired Ernest Hemingway to write "The Old Man and the Sea."
- The last scene of the film Silence of the Lambs (1991) occurs at the airport of South Bimini.
- December 31, 2005, one of Bimini's most famous bars, the Experienced Fisherman ( The complete angler) burned to the ground during a fire. The bar was famous for the photographs of Ernest Hemingway hanging on its walls; the photographs perished in the fire.
- Heinrich Heine has a poem called "Bimini", where it is called "island of happiness."
- The first part of Ernest Hemingway’s novel “Islands in the Ocean” takes place in North Bimini. This part of the novel is called “Bimini”.
2. Papua New Guinea, Bismarck Sea - (PapuaNewGuinea, BismarckSea)
Coastline Papua New Guinea (PapuaNewGuinea) is a mountainous area that is difficult to cross. Papua New Guinea formed at the confluence of three seas: the Bismarck Sea or the New Guinea Sea, the Solomon Sea and the Coral Sea. This place is rich in marine life.
Papua New Guinea is a unique country. There are few places on Earth with such a variety of languages, customs and cultures, landscapes, flora and fauna.
The official language of Papua New Guinea is English. It is used in the business, education and government circles. Local tribes speak more than 700 languages, and the languages \u200b\u200bof different tribes can radically differ from each other. The tribes communicate among themselves in Tok-Pisin languages \u200b\u200b(a simplified version of the English language with impurities of German, Portuguese and Austronesian languages, the most common language of tribal communication), hiri-motu, Enga, Chimbu (samba), Hagen, Kamano and others.
The local jungle, in which distinctive tribes live, has not yet been affected by civilization, which makes this region especially attractive. The local mountains, valleys, volcanoes, rivers, waterfalls and coastal swamps are great for hiking. But the main attraction of Papua New Guinea is the underwater world of the surrounding seas. This is one of the main places in the world for diving and the birthplace of poppy diving.
It is believed that the local marine fauna is two times richer than the fauna of the Red Sea and five times richer than the fauna of the Caribbean. Do not get tired of surprising rainbow soft corals. And sharks, manta rays, giant mollusks, lion fish, reef fish, Napoleon, pike, "clown fish", nudibranch mollusks scurry around.
FishScorpio (Pez Escorpion / Photo from Squalo Divers)
Triggerfish (Triggerfish / Photo from Boogies with Fish)
You can dive here to explore the diverse marine life, as well as to study the remains of shipwrecks from the Second World War, found in the Bismarck Sea.
Coral sea - The sea of \u200b\u200bthe Pacific Ocean, which lies between the shores of Australia, New Guinea, New Caledonia. 4068 thousand km². The maximum depth is 9174 m. It has numerous coral reefs and islands, such as the islands of Willis, Tregross, Bampton, Chesterfield. One of the most famous reefs is the Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef in the world.
By chartering a boat in Alotau you get great opportunities for exploring the area.
The city of Alotau is located in the southern part of Milne Bay and is the main city in the province of Milne Bay. Milne Bay and, in particular, Alotau is considered one of the best places in the country for beach vacations, diving, surfing and kite surfing. In coastal waters there are more than 500 coral reefs and a variety of sunken ships and aircraft that have remained at the bottom since the Second World War.
In the inaccessible part of Milne Bay is located tavali Dive Resort. You can only get here from Alotau by boat. The isolation of the resort makes the rest here quiet and calm. Two vessels are delivered to the dive sites of tourists, equipped with special equipment for processing digital photos on site. The waters surrounding the Tavali resort are considered one of the best for poppy diving. The underwater world of this part of Milne Bay is very diverse, here you can see all kinds of corals that created entire coral walls and huge fans, among which, in addition to small fish, there are large marine inhabitants, including sharks and stingrays.
Most excursions to nearby islands depart from Alotau. The most popular excursions to ferguson island with volcanoes, hot springs and mud pools; murois Islandwhere the masters of wood carving live; trobrian Islandswhere the leaders of the tribes are very revered, but inheritance is carried out along the female line, and where the annual Milamal harvest festival is held from June to August.
You will get an unforgettable diving experience by visiting Kimbe Bay, Madang, Madang (35 Japanese and American WWII aircraft at Hansa Bay), Rabaul (64 wrecks of the Second World War at Simpson Harbor), and Kavieng.
Galapagos Islands Archipelago (Galapagos Islands) - a real paradise for scuba diving thanks to the lush marine life and amazing geographical conditions. You will need the advice of experts in diving equipment in order to choose the right suit for diving in conditions of changing temperatures.
Galapagos Islands (Spanish Islas galápagos) - an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, 972 kilometers west of Ecuador, consisting of 13 major volcanic islands, 6 small islands and 107 cliffs and alluvial territories. It is believed that the first island was formed 5-10 million years ago as a result of tectonic activity. The youngest islands are Isabela and Fernandina - still at the formation stage, the last volcanic eruption was observed in 2005.
Whale shark (Whale shark / Photo from PedroAlberto98)
The Galapagos Islands are territorially owned by the state of Ecuador.
The islands are known primarily for a large number of local species of fauna and a study conducted here by Charles Darwin, on the basis of which an evolutionary theory of the origin of species was written.
Greenturtle (Green Turtle. Chelonia mydas. / Photo from hsacdirk)
IsleWulf (Wolf island / Photo from hsacdirk)
The waters of the Pacific Ocean near the Galapagos Islands are clean like glass, which allows you to see colored fish to a depth of 15-25 meters. Most of the islands of the Galapagos group are suitable for drift diving, night diving and deep diving.
Rangiroa ( Raniroa) - the world's largest atoll, located on the Tuamotu archipelago (French Polynesia). It is the largest of the Tahiti islands. French Polynesia consists of 118 islands and atolls located in the Pacific Ocean.A land area of \u200b\u200b79 km² is a cluster of 415 small islands, or motu. The lagoon with an area of \u200b\u200b1446 km² has a length of 80 km and a width of 32 to 5 km. The largest settlements here are Avatoru ( Avatoru) and Tiputa ( Tiputa).
Rangiroa - Green Lagoon / Photo from JulienNarboux)
The intricate network of islets and coral rings (atolls) is a home for a variety of marine animals. Rangiroa consists of two different diving sites located near the Paio motu lagoon. They are called Ava Toru and Tiputa pass. In these places you can see all the marine wealth of French Polynesia.
Underthe sun (Under the sun / Photo from Autopsea)
The average sea water temperature is around 70 F Fahrenheit (approx. 21 gr. C) in winter and 80 F (approx. 27 gr. C) in summer, which makes Rangiroa a great place for diving throughout the year. The maximum depth is about 80 feet and it is worth diving into the depths of the sea at the bathyscaphe, watching the life of dolphins, sharks, stingrays and tropical horse mackerel.
5. RivieraMayan - (Riviera Maya, Mexico)
Peninsula Yucatan entirely composed of limestone rocks. There are practically no rivers, few lakes (and if there are, they are almost certainly swampy), but the Mayan Yucatan Indians did not know the lack of clean fresh water - they had sacred cenotes.
Cenotes (Spanish cenote, from the Yucatan Mayan language dzonot -"Tsonot" - something deep) - special karst formations - lakes, wells and entire cave complexes with underground rivers and, at times, access to sea water. The Mayans called them "the gates to the kingdom of the dead" and considered their waters sacred.
Cenote - Yucatan, Mexico / Photo from okinal)
Cenotes Maya Indians used as places for sacrifices. Especially famous for this is the sacred cenote in the city of Chichen Itza.
Cenotes formed from the fact that rainwater, penetrating through the limestone crust, merged with underground rivers.
Typical surface cenote It looks like an even round well in which water is visible somewhere below. Indians call such cenotes "mouths" or " eyes"And indeed, the wells make some unearthly impression.
Meanwhile, scientists explain the formation of even round holes simply: when the water level drops in an underground cave filled with water, the cave collapses inward.
Most cenotes are located on the Yucatan Peninsula. Huge arches, bright penetrating light of the sun, fabulous formations - all this can be seen, plunging into the cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsula. A fabulous view both above and under water - funny birds, incredible fish, crystal clear water, amazing colors.
Cenote diving
Some cenotes have become recognized diving centers. Perhaps the most famous of them is Dos ojos (Spanish two eyes) located north of Tulum. Cave exploration began only in 1986, and now it is a world-class dive site, along with the "Big Blue Hole" BelizePalau in Micronesia or Sipadan in malaysia. Cenote diving is also popular. Chuck maul (Chac mol).
What attracts divers to the cenotes? First of all, uniqueness.
Engage in cave diving in huge cave systems (the total length of caves is only cenote Dos ojos, for example, more than 213 km), to see huge stalactites and stalagmites, to watch for lighting effects, mysterious beaming beams, breaking through water from somewhere above, to travel under the roots of a tropical forest in water of such transparency that it is indistinguishable from air, and in places where salty ocean water meets fresh water, see the optical phenomenon - halocline, when you feel the ghostly boundary of the layers, and any movement that mixes the water creates an incredible iridescent cloud. And all this is possible only with the Open Water certificate. The water temperature in almost all cenotes is even and constant - 24-25 ° C, diving in the developed places is simple and safe, accessible to beginners. The conditions are physiologically very comfortable, but at first purely psychologically they may seem creepy. It is as if you are going out into space, discovering a new, different world.
No, it’s not in vain that the Mayans idolized the Cenotes!
ImmersionatcaveatcenoteChuckPier(Cavern diving in the Chac Mool cenote in Quintana Roo. / Photo from brad77)
In fact, the Mayan Riviera includes the two longest underwater cave systems in the world called SacActun and OxBelHa. If you are new to diving, diving in the reefs of Playa del Carmen and Tulum will suit you.
6. Great barrier reef, Australia)
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Queensland, Australia(Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Queensland, Australia / Photo from! Snednas!)
A heartgiantclam (Heart of a Giant Clam / Photo from Kälaino’ono’o)
While diving in warm sea waters, you can spot over 400 species of coral and other endangered marine animals. You should theoretically be well prepared to dive here, planning and preparing this underwater expedition.
The Small Cayman Islands are dependent on the United Kingdom and are located in the Caribbean Sea south of Cuba. Here is the habitat of rare species of birds and aquatic animals. If you choose the Small Cayman Islands as a place for diving, you should come here from June to August.
Grand Cayman, 9th tifutova bronze mermaid(GrandCayman 9 ftBronzeMermaid / Photo from Sam Cathey)
Spawning (Silversides Spawning / Photo from courtneyplatt)
If you are planning a wall dive and prefer vertical diving, visit the BloodyBayWallon the northwest side of the islands. This is the location of some of the world's best-known dive sites, including an impressive Great wall and deep canyons Marilyn "s Cut.
You can dive more than 3,000 feet and explore the pristine ocean world for 100 feet.
Jackson’s Bay is another hot diving spot in the Cayman Islands where you can go through the Big Blue. While exploring underwater crevices and tunnels, you will be able to encounter a gray reef shark, a nanny shark, stingrays and turtles over the wall, which will add to the pleasure of diving.
Netherlands Antilles consist of two groups of islands in the Caribbean, are autonomy within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Two large islands, Curacao and Bonaire, are located in the southern part of the Lesser Antilles archipelago, off the coast of Venezuela.
Farewell to Bonaire (Farewell Bonaire / Photo from Kälaino’ono’o)
The geographical location of Bonaire is excellent for the prosperity of aquatic life. These calm waters and a natural refuge from the trade winds contribute to the growth of corals and a wonderful family vacation. As a diver, you will enjoy exploring these marine parks full of vibrant Caribbean riches. These waters store perfectly pristine diving sites, and crystal clear water with visibility of up to 150 feet allows you to take great underwater pictures.
Turtle (Turtle / Photo from edpdiver)
Located in a chain of Micronesian islands in the Pacific Ocean, Bikini Atoll is part of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The Micronesian state of the Marshall Islands is a cluster of atolls and islands located in the Pacific Ocean just north of the equator. The Marshall Islands is a group of 36 islands located halfway between Australia and Honolulu and one of the best places for divers to swim among the wreckage of ships. Among the most famous wreckage, a former USS Saratoga and japanese Nagato
Marshalls The islands (Marshall Islands / Photo from Povilas Redko)
The island has an irregular shape resembling an oval. Consists of 36 islets, or motu. The land area of \u200b\u200bBikini is 6.01 km², the lagoon area is 594.14 km². The average depth of the lagoon is 35–55 m. The island is covered with dense thickets of vegetation typical of atolls, mainly pisonia. The climate on the bikini is tropical. Destructive cyclones happen here.
Bikini Atoll was used as a nuclear weapons test site in the 50s. In total, the United States conducted 67 nuclear tests between 1946 and 1958 at the Bikini and Enivetok Atolls.
Currently, the average external dose is 3.8 R / h. And in the test area of \u200b\u200bthe prototype thermonuclear bomb TX-21 with a capacity of 15 MT, the background is only 2 R / hour.
Battleship Nagato (NagatoBattleship / Photo from rjdiver)
USS Saratoga (USSSaratogaAircraft / Photo from rjdiver)
Today, Bikini Atoll and the lagoon are one of the most promising places for diving, fishing and other water sports. And although this island is barely populated due to radiation pollution, its waters are inhabited by amazingly diverse fish. It has only recently become a spotlight on divers. Only a small number of divers ventured to visit this place, because a week diving tour will cost an extravagant amount of $ 5,000.
British Columbia is one of the most exciting diving sites in North America, thanks to the extraordinary diversity of marine life. As a diver, you will be rewarded when you see shrimps, crabs, killer whales, sea lions, big octopuses, toothed rasp or many other marine life diving from more than 5000 species of invertebrates or 400 species of colored fish during the dive.
Although British Columbia is famous for some of the world's most powerful underwater currents, its calm waters are great for long underwater expeditions. You can start by exploring the weak tides near the underwater cliffs and slowly move into the depths of the waters. While you swim in the countless straits of Vancouver Island, you can see the beauty of full-color algae, the beauty of which is reflected in the sea water.
The water is warm all year round and the visibility is excellent. Do not pull with a trip here - the Great Barrier Reef is sick, and if nothing is done in the near future, then humanity will lose this miracle of nature.
The main diving site is the island of Giron. You can dive all year round, but the months from October to December, when humidity decreases, are considered the most comfortable.
2. Marlborough Bays, New Zealand
This place attracts lovers of sunken objects. In 1986, the Soviet cruise ship Mikhail Lermontov sank here, it lies at a depth of 30 meters.Turbid water and strong currents make diving quite difficult. The experience of immersion in sunken objects is also necessary so as not to get lost in tangled corridors. There is already a legend about a diver who got lost and drowned here, who was never found. Diving is not easy, but interesting. Perhaps you will be able to solve all the secrets of the ship.
In New Zealand, it is best to dive into the summer months of the southern hemisphere - from December to April, when the water temperature reaches +20 ... + 24 degrees.
3. Dahab, Egypt
Blue hole. Hearing this name, someone dreamily closes his eyes, someone sighs enviously, and someone recalls his dive.Not far from the city of Dahab off the coast of the Red Sea, a vertical underwater dip was formed with a depth of over 100 meters and a diameter of 50 meters. This failure is called the “Blue Hole” for the sky-blue color of water. At a depth of about 50 meters, it connects to the open sea arch with a 26-meter tunnel. Many divers want to test themselves by passing through this tunnel. This is an extreme dive - there is not enough certificate and qualification, you also need an experienced instructor. Unfortunately, some divers overestimate their capabilities and dive without special training and the necessary equipment. This leads to sad consequences, and the “cemetery of divers” on the shore is a confirmation of this.
Of course, passing through the arch is a completely optional dive point. Beginners descend to a depth of no more than 7-9 meters, in addition, you can just swim with a mask.
Mysterious caves and a beautiful coral reef await you under water. You can dive all year round.
4. Malta
Diving in Malta is different from Australia and Egypt - the underwater world in these places is not the most picturesque. However, you can see canyons, caves, sunken ships and planes. For example, an English bomber shot down during World War II or a French ship, on board of which antiques were preserved.Immerse here all year. In winter, the water temperature drops to +14 degrees, you will need a wetsuit. The best time for diving in Malta is the summer months. At this time, the water temperature is +23 degrees.
5. Similan Islands, Thailand
The flow of tourists to and to the Similan Islands is growing from year to year, but does not detract from the beauty of this place. The underwater landscape is diverse: in the eastern part the slopes slowly go into the depths, and this allows beginners to dive, and in the west experienced divers will appreciate tunnels, grottoes, caves, and sometimes unpredictable currents. Barracudas, whale sharks, sea devils, coral fish, lionfish and a huge variety of corals - you will never forget this colorful world.It’s pointless to come here for one day, which is why diving centers organize diving safaris. The best time to visit is the dry season from November to April.
6. Sipadan Island, Malaysia
Having been here, Jacques Cousteau said that he did not see anywhere else such corners as Sipadan Island, they simply are not there. This island is the top of an extinct volcano peeking out from under the water. Sipadan is also called a small copy of the Great Barrier Reef. Warm waters attract flocks of barracudas, colorful fish, and whale sharks to the local coral forests, and turtles come to lay eggs.Sipadan is a nature reserve, so all hotels and schools are located on neighboring islands. Underwater cameras and gloves are not allowed here, as they can damage corals.
Diving in Sipadan all year round. The best time is the period from April to December.
7. Dardanelles, Turkey
Do you think that Turkey is not interested in diving? Then you should definitely visit the diving sites of the Dardanelles Strait near the Gallipoli Peninsula. This is a place for history buffs, because here at the bottom are hidden evidence of the military defeat of the British and French from the Turks during the First World War. The bottom of the sea is literally dotted with fragments of ships and aircraft. Here you can look into the hold of a British merchant ship, as well as see a sunken warship.It is best to come here from May to September.
8. Maldives
Paradise with white beaches and azure water. Take a look under the water - you can get acquainted with stingrays, barracudas, turtles, whale and tiger sharks. The diving sites of the Maldives will be interesting for both experienced divers and beginners. In addition to the diverse underwater world and colorful coral reefs, the remains of ships are scattered at the bottom. For example, it will be fascinating to dive on a Chinese ship that sank here in the 16th century.The best time to visit is from the end of January to April. The water temperature here year-round is +25 ... + 30 degrees.
9. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Darwin - one of the islands of the Galapagos archipelago - a sleeping volcano, whose foot is teeming with animals. These are hammerhead sharks, white sharks, turtles, stingrays, dolphins and sperm whales. And near the rock "Arch" you can swim with huge whale sharks. Do not miss the chance and try night diving - in the dark the ocean turns into a starry sky thanks to a large number of fluorescent crustaceans.The constant currents and waves make diving here quite difficult, and because of the cold water from August to November, a waterproof suit is useful.
10. Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
The Yucatan Peninsula is permeated by a system of underground rivers and caves. Here, any completely unremarkable pond can be the entrance to the mysterious and mysterious underwater world. You can get into a real underwater palace with stalagmites walls. No wonder the locals consider these caves sacred.The best time to dive is from May to July. Since August, the probability of hurricanes is high.
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Diving is an amazing sport and it doesn’t matter if you dived once or hundreds of times, the beauty and depths of the underwater world will again and again delight and attract you. Each avid driver probably has its own favorite place for diving, but we want to acquaint you with a list of the best places for diving.
GREAT BARRIER REEF
GREAT BARRIER REEF (Australia) - Australia's famous natural feature and one of the most popular diving sites in the world. There are all the ideal conditions for diving. You can go here at least a whole year, but October, November and December are considered the season more. The water here is always warm + 25 ... + 30 ° C. Visibility in water reaches 20 - 30 meters. This is the largest coral reef system in the world and the only one visible from space. Its length is about 3,000 kilometers. Since 1981, the Great Barrier Reef has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List as the largest coral reef on the planet. And the Marine National Park of Australia is considered one of the wonders of the world. Here you can see dolphins, green sea turtles, clown fish, humpback whales, 1,500 species of fish and 4,000 species of mollusks."); w.show ();" alt \u003d "(! LANG: Great Barrier Reef" title="Great Barrier Reef">
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MALDIVES
Probably many people having heard the word Maldives, imagine a paradise, with blue lagoons, long clean beaches, white sand, palm trees, bungalows. But the Maldives is not only white beaches and lagoons, there is also a magnificent underwater world. Giant stingrays, large fish - Napoleon, sea turtles, various moray eels, stars, barracudas, tropical fish, white-sharks, hammerhead sharks, whale, tiger sharks and Maldivian clown triggerfish - all that you can see in the Maldives. Divers from all over the world come here to enjoy the beauty and diversity of this underwater world. The best time to visit is considered to be from late January to April. Drive temperature all year round + 28 ... + 30 ° С. Visibility from 5 to 30 meters.
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Coconut Islands (Costa Rica)
Cocos Island is located somewhere 600 kilometers off the coast of Costa Rica. This is the largest of the uninhabited islands of the Pacific Ocean, and therefore may be one of the best places for diving. This is a place with perfect natural conditions, free from pollution and fishing. Rocks with caves 600 meters high surround the island from all sides. In these waters live: fish - hammer, white sharks, mantis, green sea turtles, humpback whales, reef sharks, tuna, stingrays, dolphins, whale sharks and much more.
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PALAU
PALAU is a republic that unites 200 Pacific islands with lagoons full of crystal clear water, tropical forests and a rich underwater world. The CEDAM International Diving Association has named Palau one of the seven underwater wonders of the world. Here you can meet leopard shark, octopus, a variety of crabs, more than 700 species of tropical fish, as well as other very rare marine life. This is a territory with rich flora and fauna, as well as a place where during the Second World War there were many shipwrecks. The season here is a whole year, but it is better to go from January to May. Water temperature is approximately + 20 ° C.
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SIMILAN ISLANDS
SIMILAN ISLANDS - an archipelago located in the western part of the Andaman Sea, consists of nine islands with a tropical jungle and white sand. They have become very popular among tourists and are considered to be the best place for diving in Thailand. Divers have two options for diving: on the west side, where there are massive granite boulders covered with corals, on the east side, which has gently sloping coral reefs. Depth reaches from 15 to 40 meters.
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RED SEA
In the Red Sea there are many interesting places for diving, the most popular are the reefs of Sharm el-Sheikh, Hurghada and Dahab, but divers are very attracted by places in the South of the Red Sea, starting from El-Kezir and to the border with Sudan. These places are free from intrusive sellers and diving boats, and underwater there are delightful coral reefs, canyons, caves and a wide variety of marine inhabitants. Among them: squid, octopus, turtles, dugong, dolphins, moray eels, stingrays, sea turtles, sea cucumbers, arotrons, fish - hedgehogs, fish - Napoleon, warts, sharks, barracudas, fish - stone, starfishes and much more. You can go here at any time, but it is best between November and March. The water here is always warm, in summer about + 29 ° C, in winter - + 23 ... + 26 ° C. Average visibility is about 20 meters.
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BAGAMA ISLANDS
BAGAMA ISLANDS - The islands are located between Florida and Cuba, with clear warm water and excellent beaches. Some come here for beaches and palm trees, others for honeymoon trips, and some for diving and fishing. It has everything you need for this: vibrant sea life, coral reefs and the longest cave labyrinth found on the island. The island has shallow reefs with a depth of 3 to 15 meters and reefs at great depths from 30 meters. The underwater world is the pride of the Bahamas, and the water here is considered the most transparent in the world, which allows you to very well see all its inhabitants. Mating games of bottlenose dolphins and spotted dolphins are annually held here, you can also find sharks, mantis, stingrays and stingreys. It is very popular to swim with a mask and flippers or scuba diving. Water temperature even at great depths does not fall below + 22 ° C.
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MALTA
MALTA is one of the most attractive places for diving. There is no such beautiful beautiful flora and fauna as, for example, in the Red Sea, but the local underwater world is famous for its caves, canyons and grottoes. Also in these waters sank many ships and submarines of different eras. Drivers love to dive 42 meters to the English Blenheim bomber, which was shot down during World War II. Also here, the French liner Karnak is flooded, on board of which there are various antiques, silverware and porcelain. At a depth of 60 meters is the English submarine X7. You can go diving on the island all year round, the water even in the winter months does not fall below + 14 ° C, in summer the water is about + 23 ° C. In Malta, you can take snorkeling lessons, at your service there are 30 schools offering a wide selection of courses and the rental of necessary equipment.
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SIPADAN ISLAND
SIPADAN ISLAND (Malaysia) - a legendary place for divers. This is the peak of an extinct underwater volcano, which rises from the sea for almost a kilometer. The island itself is very small, you can get around it in half an hour, but all the beauty is around the island, where underwater life boils. There are many species of exotic fish, sharks, hammer fish, and the population of sea turtles is one of the largest in the world. One of the amazing places is Barracuda - Point, where barracudas gather in giant flocks of thousands of pieces that create patterns and spirals. Around the island there are many reef sharks that are not afraid of people and allow themselves to be photographed. In 1989, the island was Jacques-Yves Cousteau, who was delighted with the local underwater world and coral forests, which resemble the fauna of the Australian Great Barrier Reef. Diving here is strictly controlled, no more than 120 is allowed per day. Water temperature + 29 ... + 30 ° C, so the season is all year round, but heavy rains occur from May to November, so the water becomes less transparent.
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YUKATAN PENINSULA (Mexico)
Here is the longest system of underwater caves in the world. The island itself is composed of limestone rocks, there are practically no rivers and few lakes, but here there are sacred cenotes. Cenotes is the entrance to the cave, the so-called well, which the Indians called the gates to the kingdom of the dead and considered this place sacred. They threw gold jewelry there as gifts to the gods. Of course, all the valuable things were already taken from there, but this did not reduce the interest of tourists in the cenotes. Most of them are located in the jungle and look like a well or a small pool. It is better to go here in the period from May to July, in August and September it is not recommended to go, since at this time the greatest probability of hurricanes. The water here is warm - + 25 ... + 27 ° C, with visibility up to 85 meters.
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BIG BLUE HOLE
BIG BLUE HOLE - The main attraction in Belize. This is a huge karst funnel, which has a diameter of 305 meters and a depth of 120 meters. She became so famous thanks to Jacques-Yves Cousteau, who included this place in the list of 10 best diving places in the world and now it is a popular place for diving. Here you can find many interesting species of fish, fish - angel, nanny sharks, grouper, reef shark. Typically, divers dive no more than 30 meters, because further there is not enough oxygen and therefore life flourishes only closer to the surface.
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FRENCH POLYNESIA
FRENCH POLYNESIA is one of the best diving sites in the world. Rangiroa is the second largest atoll on the planet, which is globally popular due to the meetings of divers with large inhabitants of the ocean. Divers like to dive in warm waters to meet humpback whales, stingrays, dolphins and many marine animals living in coral rings. The temperature in winter is around + 21 ° C, in summer - 27 ° C, which allows you to immerse yourself in these waters at least all year round.
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CATALINE ISLAND
CATALINE ISLAND - An island located 35 kilometers from California. This is one of the best diving sites in North America. The famous Avalon Underwater Park is a great place for inexperienced divers. This park has giant algae that reach 100 meters in length, California horned sharks, bright orange garibaldi, thick-headed lips, moray eels and fur seals are represented from the fauna. Also interesting, but also a difficult place is Ship Rock, which resembles a ship's sail. Here sank a 30-meter schooner of the XIX century Diosa del Mar. Visibility in these waters is about 20 meters. It is better to go from May to October, the water temperature in summer is + 18 ... + 20 ° С.
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The coast of Russia is washed by 12 seas that belong to three oceans. The Caspian Sea is closed, has no access to the ocean. The Russian seas, cold, harsh, but very interesting, are known to most divers much less than the seas of Southeast Asia and the Caribbean. Is it a shame? Not patriotic? Diving in Russia is harder, more extreme, more emotional, and is a real adventure.
In recent years, diving centers with the necessary infrastructure have been created in the best places for diving in Russia: equipment and diving equipment (compressor, cylinders, compensators, lungs, wetsuits and everything necessary for diving), watercraft: from boats to safari ships, in centers certified instructors work. They can train beginners, dive certified divers. You can come to such a center only with a certificate of international standard, and everything you need will be given in the center.
Thanks to the emergence of appropriate infrastructure, diving in Russia has become comfortable and affordable.
The Black Sea is the closest, most familiar and accessible for residents of the European part of Russia. This sea is a huge deep hollow that connects the narrow straits of the Bosphorus and Dardanelles with the Mediterranean Sea. The Black Sea is unique. Due to its great depth (maximum depth 2245 meters, and the average 1197 meters), and the narrow straits connecting the sea with the Mediterranean, only the surface layers of water contain oxygen. Below 200 meters of oxygen, and therefore life, is not at all. The surface and deep layers of water do not mix. The salinity of the Black Sea is also low. The animal and plant life of the sea is rather poor. All underwater inhabitants can be seen up to 20-25 meters, at a depth accessible to divers.
But if there is no desire or opportunity to go abroad, I want to improve my qualifications or get a certificate, then the Black Sea is an ideal option for these purposes.
Diving in the Caucasus
Almost every resort town or village has a diving center. You can go diving anywhere from Adler to Anapa. But the best place for diving in the Caucasus is in the Vityazevo area. Vityazevo is a village located 11 kilometers from Anapa towards the estuaries. For living there is a large selection of places in the private sector https://edem-v-gosti.ru/eng/vityazevo/
The beaches of Vityazevo are washed by the waters of the Black Sea and Vityazevsky estuary. On one of the wild beaches is the diving club "Chernomor", which has existed since 1995.
The water area around Chernomor is very interesting for diving. Bank of “Mary Magdalene”, many anchors and fragments of sunken ships, the tanker “Vasily Kuybyshev”, blown up by a German torpedo in 1942, the attack aircraft IL-2, shot down presumably in 1943. On the sunken ships you can always meet many fish that use them as a refuge. In addition to fish, here you can see crabs, rapans, jellyfish, ctenophores and many algae, which are overgrown with the walls of sunken ships. Fortunately, in the Black Sea there are no underwater inhabitants dangerous to humans. Diving in Vityazevo is very diverse and well organized.
Like in the Caucasus, almost all the cities and towns of the Crimean coast have diving centers. Many of them are located in rather interesting places with clear water, a diverse relief and a rather rich underwater world. Such places include Sudak, New World, Gurzuf. But the best place for diving in Crimea is on the Tarkhankut peninsula, which is located in the region of the steppe Crimea, to the northwest of Yevpatoriya.
Tarkhankut is a completely unusual place both on land and under water. Today, most of the coast of the peninsula is part of the Tarhankut reserve. The coast of the peninsula breaks into the sea, forming at the same time bizarre rock piles, arches, bays and caves. In numerous caves until the 40s of the last century, the disappeared species of seals - monks were taken cubs. In most caves the entrance is only from under the water, squeezing into a narrow hole with cylinders is quite difficult.
In addition to caves, there are many interesting things under water. At different depths there are many ships that sank over the past 3 centuries.
Enthusiasts divers created under the water “Avenue of Leaders”. They dragged busts of leaders under the water and built an alley from them. The impression is indescribable! The second underwater alley is the anchor alley.
The underwater sites of Tarkhankut are diverse, picturesque, and bear very romantic names: “Bowl of Love”, “Arch of Neptune”, “Tunnel of Chucha”, “Grotto of Neptune”, “Crocodile”, “Monastery”.
It is very difficult to visit all the interesting places in a short period of time yourself. In the village of Olenevka, nearest to Tarhankut, there is a diving center “Team EX”, which perfectly knows the underwater world of the peninsula, has everything you need, including watercraft.
Tarkhankut is not only the best place for diving in the Crimea, but it is a noteworthy place for diving in Russia.
In the north of the European part of Russia, there is a very interesting sea for diving - the Barents. This cold, deep and harsh sea is located beyond the Arctic Circle. It is light around the clock in the summer months, and in June the sun does not set at all.
Sea waters are saturated with oxygen due to the warm Gulf Stream. Therefore, the underwater world is very diverse. The coast of the sea is indented with deep fjord bays. A few years ago, on the site of the Murmansk Marine Biological Institute, on the deserted coast, a sports and tourist complex was built, which includes the Zelentsy diving center.
The center is surprisingly well located. The islands protect the village from the often stormy sea even in summer, and the surrounding bays - Yarnyshnaya, Zelenetskaya and others, are located so that even in a storm there is always a quiet place for diving.
Diving in the Barents Sea is not for beginners. Water in the sea all year round only 4 degrees. You can dive only in a dry suit and with a heater, gloves, and preferably in a full-face mask. Diving in this “outfit” requires certain skills and experience. In their absence, it will not be possible to see, appreciate, and enjoy the unusually rich underwater world. And there is something to see under water. Magnificent walls extending hundreds of meters deep, the rare beauty of stars, crabs, hedgehogs, scallops - all this in amazingly clear water can be seen on dives.
Diving in Far Zelentsy is almost always deep-sea. Up to 10-15 meters in the littoral zone, which is partially exposed at low tide, algae - seaweed, fucus and red algae grow in a continuous strip. Deeper on the walls, echinus hedgehogs glow with blue balls. Even at a depth of 40 meters, this color is preserved, and the gray dusk depths of the hedgehogs look like outlandish lamps.
Not only underwater landscapes, but also the magnificent nature of the Murmansk tundra will delight divers in Dalny Zelentsy. Bird markets, powerful ebbs and flows, sunny days and nights, amazing tundra and berry vegetation, fishing - these are just a small part of what can be seen in the vicinity of the complex.
The Barents Sea is one of the best diving sites in Russia.
In terms of difficulty, diving in Baikal can be compared with diving in the Barents Sea. It is cold, deep and incredibly beautiful both on land and under water. After perestroika, the underwater world of Lake Baikal became accessible thanks to the numerous diving centers that appeared in Irkutsk and on the shores of Lake Baikal. Scuba diving combined with trips along the incredible beauty of Baikal ice is one of the most unforgettable experiences.
The underwater world of the world's largest freshwater lake is not as rich as the underwater world of the seas. But the unique transparency of water, steep walls, going to a depth unattainable for diving, relic Baikal sponges on the walls - all this makes diving on Lake Baikal very attractive.
Baikal waters have inexplicable magic. Even experienced divers for whom a depth of 30-40 meters (the maximum permitted depths for diving in compressed air) are not uncommon, note that the walls that go into the abyss are drawn down into the depths. Today, to reach great depths has become possible thanks to technical diving, which is now available to amateurs. Diving with mixtures and rebreathers made available depths of 70, 100 and even 200 meters.
For traditional divers, the most interesting dive sites are located along the shores of the Baikal Railway, and along the shores of Olkhon. Here under the water you can see canyons of a completely straight form, with a depth of up to 70 meters and a width of 2 to 20 meters. Interesting places for diving and off the coast of the Baikal-Lensky reserve, at Cape Elokhin and Kedrovy, opposite the river Ledyanaya.
It is most convenient to see the underwater world of Baikal on a diving safari (as it is commonly called diving tours). Divers live on a ship that goes along the route through the most interesting sites.
The magnificent nature of Lake Baikal, a unique underwater world, excellent infrastructure for diving and technical diving, make the lake one of the best diving sites in Russia.
Kamchatka for most Russians remains an unfamiliar and elusive land. Meanwhile, the Kamchatka Peninsula is one of the most beautiful and unusual places in Russia. Diving in Kamchatka began to develop much later than in the European part of Russia. But today, divers from all over the country and the Kamchadals themselves are actively exploring the underwater world of Kamchatka.
The Kamchatka Peninsula is washed by the Bering and Okhotsk Seas, and the Pacific Ocean. These stormy cold waters are unsuitable for diving for most of the year. Therefore, Avacha Bay, on the banks of which Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky is located, is most popular for diving. A large, beautiful bay is connected to the Pacific Ocean by a strait only 3 kilometers wide. The bay is well protected from ocean storms, accessible from the sea and warms up better than the ocean. On the shores of the bay there are many bays suitable for diving: Quiet, Bezymyannaya, Stanitsky, Big and Small Camps.
The bay is shallow, 25-28 meters. Water in the warmest summer months on the surface does not exceed 15 degrees, but at a depth, of course, it is cold, and you can only dive in dry wetsuits.
The underwater world of the bay is very interesting. Here you can see ascidians and sea anemones, hairy crabs, octopuses, several types of starfish, shrimp, sponges, mussels, holothurians, hedgehogs, numerous fish, as well as thickets of algae.
Lovers of sunken ships will appreciate their abundance in the bay. Ships lie at shallow depths, and their visit is safe.
Closer to the exit from the bay you can see charming seals that are very curious, but do not let people in.
Today in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky there is a club "Calypso", which accepts those who wish to see Kamchatka and its amazing underwater world. The club organizes diving tours that allow you to see many interesting dive sites in a few days.
South of Vladivostok are the best diving sites in Russia. The subtropical zone is located here, so the underwater world of Peter the Great Bay, the largest bay of the Sea of \u200b\u200bJapan, is unusually rich.
It is really warm in the summer. In July-August there is subtropical heat, the water warms up to 22-23 degrees. For divers, this is a real paradise, you can dive in wet suits, or even without them.
It is impossible to describe the diversity of the underwater world of the Sea of \u200b\u200bJapan in the article. The determinant of animals and plants of Peter the Great Bay occupies a voluminous volume. This part of the Sea of \u200b\u200bJapan is the richest place in terms of flora and fauna of all Russian seas. In the warm subtropical waters of the sea, there are species of plants and animals that you will not find in other Russian seas. Trepangs, giant mussels, oysters, scallops, dozens of star species, soft corals, several species of hedgehogs and dozens of species of marine life.
The underwater landscapes of the bay are also diverse. Walls and freestanding cliffs, boulder piles, sandy glades - in every new place there is a new underwater landscape, and life is in full swing everywhere.
Diving in the Sea of \u200b\u200bJapan is perfectly organized. In Vladivostok, there are several diving centers that organize diving by international standards. The centers have dive bots for daily diving. The underwater sites are described in detail. Divers can choose their favorite places.
Diving in Peter the Great Bay is a real holiday. The magnificent nature of the southern coastal area, the unusual variety of underwater sites, the affectionate climate of the subtropics - all here are happy.
Diving in the Marble quarry of Ruskeala
Not far from the city of Sortavala and the Finnish border is the Marble quarry of Ruskeala. The extraction of marble here began as early as the Swedes in the 17th century. But a century later, for the grandiose projects of St. Petersburg, it took a lot of marble. In the quarry, a large-scale development began for the extraction of marble for the cathedrals and palaces of the northern capital. The architect of St. Isaac's Cathedral, O. Monferrand himself, personally chose marble for the columns of the cathedral in his career. Marble quarry revetted the facade of Mikhailovsky, decorated the window of the Winter. It was used in the construction of the Kazan Cathedral, the palaces of Gatchina and Tsarskoye Selo.
What does diving have to do with it? The huge production volume has led to the formation of a huge deep quarry during development. After the explosion in 1960, the quarry was flooded. As a result, a large body of water formed, surrounded by sheer marble mills. The depth of the reservoir reaches 200 meters. Under water there were passages between quarries, a sunken technique. Amazing transparency (10-15 meters) of water, an interesting underwater terrain and good transport accessibility quite quickly led to the fact that diving in the quarry became popular among divers in nearby cities and St. Petersburg.
Quarry today is a tourist attraction. You can ride a boat on the lake, go down the cable over the quarry, and the pier is rented to divers.
With the advent of technical diving, Ruskeala has become a unique place for the preparation and training of techno divers. You can come here at any time of the year. Especially exotic are winter ice dives. Diving equipment must be brought with you.
The underwater halls of the quarry are an amazing, incomparable sight. Huge marble pillars of old workings, walkways, caves - all here are of unusual sizes and shapes.
Every year around the quarry, which has become a popular tourist attraction today, the number of hotels where you can stay for several days is increasing. Therefore, there is where to relax after a difficult diving.
Caspian, White and other seas of Russia
Diving on the seas, other than those listed, is not of interest, or is difficult to implement.
The Caspian Sea is available for diving only on the coast of Dagestan and Azerbaijan. The east coast is a desert zone, the north is the Volga delta, which is of interest to underwater hunters. Scuba diving is prohibited and is considered poaching.
The western coast of the Caspian is completely deserted under water. In addition, the Caspian Sea is very difficult. Even in summer, at 9-10 o'clock every day the wind rises, a storm of 4-5 points begins at sea. Of the 30 days of the summer month, 4-5 days can be calm. To come to the sea before 9 in the morning, and at 11-12 it is no longer possible to even swim in some strange way.
The White Sea is the only sea located entirely in Russia. Compared to the Barents Sea, it is less interesting for diving. Despite the fact that Pomors lived on the seashores from the 12-14th centuries, the infrastructure on the coast is practically absent. Of the several bays of the White Sea, the most interesting for diving is Kandalaksha Gulf, especially the Gulf Islands.
Large clubs of Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities make trips to the White Sea in the summer months. At the same time, you need to bring everything you need with you: from tents, a compressor, boats with motors, cylinders, suits and many little things for life and diving.
Water in the White Sea, even in hot summers, rarely warms above 18 degrees. It’s even colder in the depths. Diving here is only possible in dry suits.
Under water, you can see interesting underwater reliefs - stones, dumps, various underwater inhabitants - stars, hedgehogs, sea anemones, hermit crabs. If you are lucky, you can see the indigenous inhabitants of the White Sea beluga dolphins.
The nature of the White Sea is magnificent. Forest tundra with berries and plenty of mushrooms, forest lakes and sea fishing for White Sea cod, haddock - all this makes the rest very interesting. Having the opportunity to go to a base for diving in the Barents Sea, the question remains whether it is worth heroically struggling with difficulties in the White Sea. Who likes what.
The Baltic Sea is fresh, poor in terms of underwater flora and fauna, is of interest only to lovers of sunken ships. But even the famous clubs of Kaliningrad and St. Petersburg often arrange trips to other seas, while ignoring the nearest sea.
The seas belonging to the Arctic Ocean basin (Kara, Laptev Sea, East Siberian and Chukchi) are generally unsuitable for diving. It is almost impossible to get there, even in summer the seas are often not cleared of ice, the shores of the seas are almost uninhabited. Most importantly, the complete lack of life - pack ice almost turns coastal waters into a desert.
Diving in Russia is interesting and diverse. Every year the number of diving centers in the most attractive places for diving is increasing. More and more Russians have the opportunity to join this fascinating, emotional occupation.
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