One of the most famous diving spots in the world, the Blue Hole is part of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System. The Blue Hole is a karst limestone sinkhole over 1000 feet wide on the ocean floor of of Ambergris Caye in Belize, and is popular with SCUBA divers from around the world. Surrounded by turquoise ocean water, the sinkhole was declared by explorer Jacques Cousteau to be one of the top ten diving sites in the world. In the coral reef that rings the hole, divers can see bright, colorful fish, nurse sharks, rays, and other large tropical fish. Visibility is long-range in the clear water and coral colors are vibrant. When diving over the edge of the sinkhole, you will descend along the sheer walls until the hole widens; there, you can swim among the Blue Hole's famous stalactites that line underwater caverns which are filled with fresh water instead of salt water.
The Great Barrier Reef system off of the northeastern coast of Australia is a haven for wild tropical plants and animals. The largest in the world, the reef system can be seen from space and offers endless opportunities for SCUBA diving. There, you can see an enormous variety of wildlife, including several endangered species. Sea turtles, whales, dolphins, sharks, stingrays, giant clams, pipefish, and seahorses all inhabit various sections of the reef, among many others. According to the Diving Cairns website, the Great Barrier Reef contains the highest concentration of life on earth. The easiest access to SCUBA diving on the reef is from Cairns or Cooktown. Dive shops in both places offer courses, day trips, multi-day trips, and a variety of other options to explore the reef.
The Maldives are a system of islands in the Indian Ocean known for their stunning blue waters, white sand beaches, and abundance of marine life. With over 1000 islands in the system, the Maldives offer endless opportunities for SCUBA diving. In the reefs off the coast, you can see hammerhead sharks, eagle rays, manta rays, snapper, and an enormous variety of marine species. The Malidives have many popular dive sites, including the Embudhu Canyons, where you can explore a canyon with an extensive cave system, lined with brightly-colored coral. In the Potato Reef, divers can mix with a variety of sea life and explore nearby sunken cargo ship. One of the most popular dive sites in the Maldives is the Rainbow Reef, where vibrant colors and an abundance of wild fish make for excellent diving year-round.
