Top Alternative Scuba Diving Destinations

The largest of the cayes off the north coast of Belize, Ambergris is one of Central America’s most popular islands. It’s a firm favourite amongst seasoned divers, with the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef providing excellent snorkelling and scuba diving opportunities. Also the world’s second largest reef, the area is home to a whole range of marine life, so you’re sure to get up close and personal with some astounding sea life here. Majestic whale sharks, manatees and hawksbill turtles all live harmoniously in this ocean paradise.

Stretching for more than sixty miles, the idyllic Quirimbas Archipelago is a collection of protected islands set off Mozambique’s northern coast. A true marine paradise, Mozambique’s waters are home to some of the most pristine and abundant reefs in the world. More than 350 species of reef fish, humpback whales, whale sharks and even elusive dugong manatees call this reef home. With such a secluded setting, Quirimbas is the perfect place to escape modern life and enjoy paradise in the form of a private island.

An archipelago of 16 islands located off the south coast of Vietnam, Con Dao is a tropical paradise of stunning natural beauty which offers adventure, relaxation and world-class scuba diving. These islands have long been coined Vietnam’s hidden treasure, but they’ve recently started emerging as a fantastic destination for outdoor pursuits. With coastal surroundings defined by pristine beaches, colourful coral and scenic bays, the Con Dao islands are perfect for snorkelling, diving and swimming.

Mnemba is heaven incarnate. A small island 4.5 kilometres off the coast of Zanzibar, this isolated paradise is a true desert island escape. The exceptional scuba diving here is thanks to the island’s proximity to Mnemba Atoll Marine Park. Beachside Zanzibari houses sit amidst pine forest with ocean views, while the island’s own dive centre makes it easy to explore the protected reef. Best known for its schools of fish and exceptionally frequent turtle sightings, the Mnemba Atoll Marine Park is quite unlike anywhere else on Earth.

While Langkawi is often favoured as Malaysia’s preferred diving destination, there’s more than meets the eye under the waters surrounding Tioman Island. Just off the south-eastern coast of the Malaysian Peninsula, tiny Tioman Island is the largest of 64 volcanic islands scattered throughout the South China Sea. An abundance of sublime sandy beaches and white coral reefs make this a spellbinding diving environment. The island’s waters are known for wreck diving in particular, with a number of  WWII wrecks in the surrounding area, such as the British battlecruiser HMS Repulse. Diving around Tioman Island is best suited to technical divers, as these vessels lie more than 50 metres below sea level.

Situated halfway along the Mayan Riviera, Mexico’s Isla Cozumel is the perfect place to scuba dive. The Cozumel Reefs National Marine Park lies just off the shore here, making this a real haven for water lovers. There are two world-famous dive sites here – Punta Sur and the Devil’s Throat. With incredible underwater cave systems at both sites, there’s a plethora of marine life here. Observant divers can spot everything from rainbow parrotfish to whale sharks.

The White Continent is otherworldly in and of itself, but Antarctica’s waters are truly ethereal. On a classic diving cruise, you’ll jump from the beach or a Zodiac boat to dive under shallow ice and down along ice walls. Water, sunlight, and ice formations all combine to create a true kaleidoscope of colour, proving that diving under Polar waters is an experience like no other. Under the waters, divers may be treated to sightings of anything from jellyfish to sea butterflies.