Top scuba diving destinations and coral reefs
Top scuba diving destinations and coral reefs
Top diving reefs and underwater destinations
The world's best diving destinations share a few things in common: visibility, healthy reef structure and enough marine biodiversity to reward repeated dives in the same spot. Where those conditions hold, diving becomes less about ticking off one site and more about returning to the same water again and again.
The destinations here range from remote atolls reachable only by liveaboard to shore-accessible reefs minutes from a dive shop. Some are known for big pelagic encounters such as sharks, rays and mantas. Others are known for the sheer density and colour of smaller reef life.
Certification level, season and current strength all affect which sites are realistically accessible and matching the destination to experience level makes for a far better trip.
Lists by region
Country
Indonesia
Volcanoes, temples, rice terraces and coral reefs
Indonesia sits at the center of the Coral Triangle, home to the greatest coral and reef fish diversity on Earth. Scientists have documented more coral species here than anywhere else in the ocean. Visitors can dive dramatically different ecosystems by moving between islands. Liveaboards remain the most common way to reach remote reef systems.
Country
Maldives
Coral atolls, lagoons and overwater villas
South Ari Atoll in the Maldives hosts whale sharks spotted somewhere in its waters year round. Local guides track recent sightings to help boats find the sharks each morning. Visitors can snorkel or dive alongside the animals under guidelines that limit disturbance. Manta ray cleaning stations elsewhere in the Maldives draw similar seasonal crowds.
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