The ocean covers 70% of the Earth’s surface, which only means that dive wise, you can spend the rest of your life diving, but never be able to see everything. Whats the interpid diver to do? Fret not, 51 Scuba brings you the 5 Dive Sites that you absolutely must visit before you die, and theres everything here for the freshest PADI Open Water Diver, to the most hardcore Techie.
For Wreck Diving
USS Saratoga
Located at Bikini Atoll in Marshall Islands, The USS Saratoga is a World-War II era aircraft carrier that was sunk during atomic bomb testing in the area. It survived the first bomb blast, but was sunk by the second one, which was detonated about 500m away from it. (This is the only aircraft carrier in the world that has survied an atomic bomb)
Because the test was supposed to be as realistic as possible, littered on the bottom are Helldiver and Avenger Bombers, fully loaded 50-inch anti aircraft guns, as well as 500lbs bombs. This wreck is so epic that you need a minumum of 4 dives to just see the ship in its entirety, but luckily, the ship lies only 30m deep, making it the only recreationally diveable aircraft carrier in the world.
As an added bonus, due to high levels of radioactivity in the past, divers and fishermen have largely avoided this spot, and as a result, there is a higher than average amount of marine life in the area, including sharks and rays.
51 Scuba recommends a skill level of PADI Advanced Diver and above, with certification in Enriched Air Nitrox and Wreck Diving also highly recommended.
View the USS Seratoga Video
USS Saratoga, Bikini Atoll - Watch the top videos of the week here
For Cave Diving
Riviera Maya
Riviera Maya in Mexico is home to over 100 kilometers of interlocking cave systems, created though a perfect combination of very soft limestone rock and underground erosion. The waters are crystal clear due to the absence of soil particles, and the caverns are large and display a full range of rock formations, from stalactites to soda straws to bacon strips.
Entry to these caves are through sinkholes in the ground, and due to the dense jungle canopy covering the area, only a small fraction of these sinkholes have ever been found. Which means that for the adventurous cave diver, there exists an entire buffet of unexplored cave systems to go poking around in. I get the shivers just fantasizing about it.
51 Scuba recommends that a diver be PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certified, as well as PADI Cave Diver certified in order to fully enjoy this wonder of nature.
Best Atoll Dive
Rangiroa, Polynesia
Located in French Polynesia, Rangiroa enjoys a reputation of having the best “conventional diving” in the world. According to one website “You will see caves crammed full of Red Snapper, walls of barracuda and dozens of Napoleon Fish. You’ll dive with turtles, dolphins, rays and sharks. If you schedule your trip between November and February you will most likely see Hammerhead sharks. In September you will likely see Manta Rays as they migrate from within the lagoon to their final destination in Hawaii.”
The famous location is around the Tiputa Pass. Divers there usually get to meet dolphins that are just hanging around, while strong currents at the entrance and exits of the pass attract scores of sharks to just stay motionless there, allowing a long, hard view of the sharks and the stingrays that attract them.
This is an easy, relaxed dive, and 51 Scuba doesn’t see the need for anything more than a PADI Open Water Diver’s Certification to enjoy the sights and sounds of Rangiroa.
Join a group of divers on a Shark Dive in Rangiroa.
Best Deep Blue Diving
South Africa’s Sardine Run
Every June or July each year, sardines congregate off the cool waters to the south of the African continent in huge shoals. These sardines then make a “run” northeast towards the warmer waters on the Indian Ocean, massing on the way into what is probably the greates shoal on Earth. (It is so huge that millions of sardine fish get washed ashore during this season). Of course, when there’s food, you can expect there to be predators, and the sadine run does not disappoint. Legions of shark, dolphin, penguin, orca and seal swarm the waters, churning the shoals into a “bait ball”, while the sky darkens with gannet and albatross.
Whats more, this season coincides with the annual Humpback Whale migration, so whale sightings are an almost daily sight. You’ll probably see more of the “highly sought after” fish on one dive than all the dives you’ve made in the entire year put together.
These dives are a pure adrenaline rush, and 51 Scuba recommends that you have at least a PADI Advanced Diver’s Certificate so you won’t find yourself missing a moment of the action.
Watch a video of the Sardines in Action
Best Ice Diving
Antartica
Needless to say, the best ice diving in the world is where there is the most ice. For divers looking for a greater kick than any of the four dives above, this might just be the one for you.
Ultimately inhospitable, the waters off Antartica are at below freezing, and divers there need to have and be skilled in using top-of-the-line equipment. But once underneath the ice, its a place different even from the normal underwater world. Ice cracking under pressure sends eerie noises through the water, and visibility is strange, because light has to shine through a layer of ice before hitting the water. Contrary to popular belief, Antartica is far from a barren desert. In the water, orca, seal and penguins frolick, and numberous kelp, icefish, and bottom dwelling animals can be found on the seabed.
This is the ultimate dive, and for sheer inhospitability it ranks number one on the 51 Scuba list of places to dive.
51 Scuba recommends you have at least a PADI Rescue Diver Certification, and be trained in Ice Diving. Heaps of experience is also a necessity if you want to dive safe and without worries.
Hi, good post. I have been wondering about this issue,so thanks for posting.