By Lana B.
Anybody with experience of scuba diving and snorkelling will tell you that there is no experience comparable to entering the world of aquatic creatures and witnessing them in their natural environment. There are many places around the world where you can do this. Some, however, are truly special, and here we’ve gathered five of the very best.
Palawan, Philippines
The Philippines are home to a huge variety of marine life, such as manta rays, whale sharks, seahorses, and bizarre and fascinating frogfish. The best place to visit for biodiversity is the island of Palawan, particularly the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, a marine and bird sanctuary that can be explored by divers and snorkelers from liveaboards departing from Puerto Princesa City.
Galápagos Islands
The Galápagos Islands are known for having such a large number of endemic species that they inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection, and this extends to the marine life in the surrounding waters.
All sorts of amazing creatures can be seen, from dolphins to hammerhead sharks, to sea turtles, to penguins. However, sea conditions are often challenging and most areas are only for experienced divers. The islands can be reached by flying out from mainland Ecuador.
Grand Bahama, Bahamas
If you want to see sharks in their natural habitat, there’s no better place in the world to visit than the Bahamas. If you can only visit one location, make it to Tiger Beach, in Grand Bahama. As its name suggests, it’s the ideal location to find tiger sharks, as well as a variety of other marine creatures, so grab a plane or fast ferry from Ft. Lauderdale to Freeport and start exploring!
Palau
Palau is one of the world’s finest destinations for scuba diving, boasting hundreds of species of coral and fish, manta rays and various species of sharks. All of this is set in a relatively unspoiled environment, with very little in the way of pollution or encroachment. You’re guaranteed an unforgettable experience.
Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Brazil
With pristine waters, perfect diving temperatures, and an absolutely dizzying array of aquatic creatures including octopi, hammerhead sharks, barracuda, sea turtles, manta rays, sand sharks, and more, this group of islands off the coast of Brazil is a diver’s paradise.
The only problem is getting there; access to Fernando de Noronha is restricted to preserve the unique environment, and you will need to book months in advance. Once this is resolved, however, you’re guaranteed the experience of a lifetime.
Want to find more information about locations around the world? Head over to CrowdsourcedExplorer.com, where you can find locally sourced information about thousands of cities around the world.
This piece was prepared online by Panuruji Kenta, Publisher, SEVENSEAS Media