33 Of The Best Diving Sites In The World

[ScubaJohnnyD]

What do you all think?

I'm a new diver and I've only done Cozumel, Mexico. It was pretty awesome

Which of the 33 locations have you scuba dived?

 

[TSandM]

I've done Maui, and the British Virgin Islands, and Cozumel, and Catalina. I'll be doing Rangiroa in September. I haven't been to the Red Sea yet, but it's high on my list.

 

[alcina]

The Pier in Exmouth is great (I have 100s of dives on it), but there's no way I would come all this way just to dive it. And given the choice, I'd dive the reef any day over the Pier.

The reef ROCKS...so spend a few days, do three or four on the reef and another on the Pier

 

[Doc]

What do you all think?

I think maybe... you own that website? :spam:?

Dunno, just a guess. I mean- nowhere does it say anything about Gilboa Quarry in Ohio.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I'd say that a lot of the sites listed are based more on popularity than quality.

I wasn't all that impressed with Maui. It was nice ... but I'd hardly put it in the "tops in the world" category. In fact, I'd put it near the bottom of the warm-water dive destinations I've been to.

The Blue Hole, Belize and Manta Ray night dive, Hawaii are more "been there, done that" sort of dives ... you do them because everyone else said they were great. And then later on ... when you've been to some real nice places, you think back and wonder what all the fuss was about.

Catalina Island is terrific ... but I don't think it's even the best dive site in Southern California, much less the world.

Cozumel I just don't get ... it's where everyone wants to go when they first get certified, and then go back because it's familiar and easy to get to. For me it was nothing special.

Bonaire is ... IMO ... one of the legitimately top-quality dive destinations. I've been there three times, and can't wait to go back again.

I think a lot of what you consider "best" really depends on what kind of diving you like to do, and what means you have to get to a given destination. The tops on my personal "best in the world" locations is Lembeh Straits, Indonesia ... but there's a lot of places I haven't been yet ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Dr. Doug Ebersole]

I've been to about 1/2 but never to Thailand or the Red Sea. Most sound pretty reasonable to be in a "top 33" list.

However, as a photographer, I think the accompanying photos leave a lot to be desired. Even the good ones have issues. The photo of Jillian Morris with the green moray by Walt Stearns (Underwater Journal) was from a magazine photo shoot in Ft. Lauderdale or Pompano, Florida -- not Fiji.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

However, as a photographer, I think the accompanying photos leave a lot to be desired.

Me too ... but for different reasons. As a dive instructor I really hate it when I see promotional photos showing divers using poor form, or with octos and consoles dangling. Companies promoting diving should learn to set better examples ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Diver Dennis]

I have to agree about the quality of the photos and kudos to RM and debersole for the very nice catches...

 

[Kim]

Richelieu in Thailand is a fantastic dive......

The main problem there these days is the sheer number of boats trying to dive the place at the same time - usually 12+ liveaboards at the same time.

I was lucky last week - only two other boats the day we were there (VERY unusual). We stayed for three dives as the conditions were so good and the place was empty.

Didn't see a whale shark though (but saw a ton of other stuff!)

I've been there three times now....... 10 dives on the rock.

 

[GrumpyOldGuy]

I have not been to most of the places listed - someday I would like to. The pictures are great. I have been to and love Catalina and the Keys, both are top shelf diving and I could spend months or years at either place. I have been to Maui 2x and while its a great vacation place with decent diving, I am not sure the diving is in the top shelf.