Feature: Top diving holidays

Each year, thousands of British holidaymakers travel the world to get to dive on pristine coral reefs, explore ship wrecks or simply just to experience the hidden paradise that is found beneath the surface. Underwater sports have not only increased in popularity in recent years, they have opened up a new (underwater-) world to the British traveller. And there are many places to go when you feel the urge to plunge into crystal clear waters. From Australia to the Maldives, there are no limits to what your next diving holiday could entail.

If you’ve got the time, we’ve got the destinations...or at least we’ve done our best to come up with what we think are the top diving holidays right now! You better have your suitcases on standby because after reading about clear waters, beautiful reefs and stunning scenery you will be rushing to the nearest airport faster than we can say ‘remember to bring your underwater camera’.

Cozumel, Mexico
The first stop on our tour of perfect dive holidays is the island of Cozumel, off the Mayan coast in Mexico. There’s no prize for guessing why this diving paradise has made it on our list of best diving holidays in the world. Surrounded by gorgeous reefs and pristine clear water, Cozumel is the perfect destination for scuba diving. Experts say that on a good day visibility can be up to 200 feet.

The gentle currents running parallel to the reef make this a drift diver’s ultimate dream. With 19 popular scuba diving reef areas to choose from, holidaymakers looking to come up close and personal with marine wildlife are in for a treat. The dramatic swim-throughs are teeming with marine life. Affordable accommodation and a vibrant nightlife make Cozumel a holiday haven for young, enthusiastic divers. Also, if you love a bit of cave diving, a trip to the mainland’s cenotes (freshwater caves) is definitely a must.

Florida, USA
Offering you the best of both worlds, Florida’s two coasts – the Atlantic and the Gulf – gives you two different diving experiences. The Gulf Coast generally has better visibility, while the Atlantic Coast has a wealth of reefs and wrecks. And Florida Keys boast stunning warm weather and tropical fish. There’s no doubt in our minds here at ActivityAway that Florida offers the best scuba diving opportunities in North America. With numerous dive shops lining both coasts, there is also plenty of opportunity to look good while you dive. The best and most stylish gear is within easy reach.

Only a few miles from the hustle and bustle of many of the big resorts you will be submerged alongside giant turtles, manatees, sharks, tropical fish, rays and dolphins. All of this is only a short boat ride from the coast. Florida is also a great destination if you’re looking for easy travel options. A range of UK tour operators, such as Virgin Holidays, arrange special holidays to Florida and the destination can be reached from most major UK airports.

Heron Island, Australia
Any list of top dive destinations would not be complete without including the famous Great Barrier Reef. Are we right?! Heron Island is literally a coral island rising above the spectacular reef. Needless to say, this world-renowned destination offers excellent diving conditions for divers of all ages and at all levels. Just steps from the shore, you can dive into the shallow waters and experience a world of magic. The coral reef is home to a wealth of marine wildlife, from tropical fish to mystical creatures.

It is no surprise that large numbers of dive enthusiasts flock to the Great Barrier Reef to explore its wonders. But if you want a relaxed and quiet diving holiday, you should opt for Heron Island. Devoid of industry and day trippers, the relaxed and casual lifestyle on the island offers the perfect location for a laid-back holiday where you will spend most of your time underwater.

Koh Tao, Thailand
This is the place you go if you don’t mind the occasional fellow tourist joining you for a dive in the waters off the coast of Koh Tao. Located in the Gulf of Thailand, the island is a tourist-friendly resort island which caters especially for divers. Surrounded on all sides by colourful reefs, the island is also well-known for opportunities for close-encounters with Whalesharks and Grey Reef Sharks. If you dare!

Koh Tao has a lot to boast about, which is also what has attracted more and more divers to the island. This is the ideal holiday destination for travellers looking to explore the magic of diving while still having the opportunity to spend a week on one of the many beaches offered by Thailand. Combining a diving holiday with a winter sun getaway to one of Thailand’s other beach resorts.

Sipadan, Borneo
Drop everything! This is serious business. Sipadan in Borneo is the ultimate dream of a diving holiday – if you don’t mind spending more than a day getting there. Yes, it might take three plane journeys, a long bus ride, an overnight stay in a floating hotel and a two hour boat ride to reach Sipadan but it’s all worth when you see the proliferation of spectacular underwater marine life.

It’s even difficult to figure out where to start. There is so much to see. So, perhaps you should cancel your next diving holiday or two, and just spend some extra time in Sipadan. You won’t be overrun by fellow tourists either. The remoteness of the destination has kept it free from charter tourism.

Micronesia, Pacific Ocean
Okay you might have to either quit your job or spend the next many holidays exploring this spectacular dive haven. With more than two thousand tiny tropical islands, Micronesia offers not one, not two but numerous dive sites. Made up of eight island groups, Micronesia is ideal for an adventurous holiday which combines underwater ventures with island hopping.

But the 340 islands that make up the archipelago of Palau are the top destinations in Micronesia for divers seeking a wealth of marine life. Rimmed by a barrier reef that separates shallow reef lagoons from sheer walls, the waters surrounding Palau host more than a thousand species of fish and coral. If you are looking for a history lesson during your dive, head over to Truk Chuuk, where you will find some amazing wrecks of Japanese naval vessels from the Second World War. The wrecks have transformed into astonishingly beautiful marine ecosystems. From shore dives, to large drop-offs and walls, liveaboards and dive resorts, the small islands of Micronesia are nothing short of a haven for divers.

So, are you ready to sip up that wetsuit and strap on those fins yet?! With so many excellent dive destinations around the world, there are many reasons why a diving holiday attracts an increasing number of British holidaymakers. And with most of the gear and equipment available to rent at the destination, the only thing you’ll have to remember to pack is a great underwater camera for those unforgettable moments in the water.
 

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