8 of the Best Scuba Diving Locations on the Planet
Roatan, Honduras
One of the primary reasons visitors come to Roatan, an island in Honduras, is to spend time exploring the breathtaking underwater world.
SportDiver named it one of the best dive sites, noting that the island has “easy offerings to suit every kind of diver.” National Geographic refers to it as a “divers’ dream destination” with a shallow-water, reef eco-system that’s teeming with tropical marine life while being easily accessible to novice divers and snorkelers.
You’ll find people of all ages and skill sets coming from all corners of the globe to explore the more than 170 dive sites on Roatan, including wrecks, deep walls and caves, brilliant shallow coral gardens, awe-inspiring canyons, and much more. The entire Roatan coastline is surrounded by healthy, vibrant coral reef and is home to 90% of all Caribbean reef species.
Kealakekua Bay, Hawaii
Located on the Big Island of Hawaii, about 40 minutes south of Kailua-Kona in Kona, Kealakekua Bay is designated an underwater state park, and is renowned as one of the best scuba locations in the world and in the Hawaiian Islands.
As there are no roads that lead to the shore, and the bay is protected by cliffs, this marine sanctuary boasts pristine, calm waters with impressive visibility up to 100 feet for viewing the array of marine life. The bay is home to unique sea life that can’t be found anywhere else but in Hawaii.
You’ll likely spot butterfly fish, lizard fish and flame angelfish that swim among delicate filigree forests of pale pink, white and purple coral.
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Green Turtle Cay, Outer Abacos, Bahamas
Green Turtle Cay in the Outer Abacos is far removed from the busy mega-tourist destination of Paradise Island, and is renowned for its often empty stretches of sand. On the eastern side, particularly along the northern end, exceptional beach access diving can be enjoyed with stunning underwater scenery within the inner reef system.
One of the best ways to experience this area, however, is to join a tour with Brendal’s Dive Center, where you’ll be taken out to some of the most jaw-dropping array of marvels that can be found underwater, including sea turtles, manta rays, dolphin, lionfish, a variety of sharks and caves.
Dive master Brendel is famous for his magnetism when it comes to fish, especially groupers — they’re known to swim right up for a hug when he appears.
