Seven of the world’s most beautiful diving spots

«Whale shark to port!» calls the dive guide. With wide eyes and open mouths, guests from around the world crowd the railing, scanning the water for the ocean’s largest fish. And there it is — gliding serenely beneath the boat. Masks on, fins strapped, tanks secured — and in they go. Swimming alongside a whale shark, the biggest fish on Earth, is among the most unforgettable experiences for any underwater enthusiast.

But many more encounters await: catsharks, dolphins, sea turtles, manta rays, moray eels, dugongs, seals, and thousands of tropical fish frolicking through dazzling coral gardens.

So where exactly are the world’s most beautiful diving spots? As always, beauty is in the eye of the beholder — which is why rankings vary. Yet some locations appear again and again. Here are seven that consistently rise to the top.

Marsa Alam, Egypt – Hammerhead Heaven

Egypt is a classic diving destination, and with good reason. The Red Sea offers a kaleidoscope of coral reefs and countless wrecks that make for an incredibly diverse underwater landscape. Marsa Alam, about 300 kilometres south of Sharm El Sheikh, El Gouna and Hurghada, remains far less crowded — at least above water.

Below the surface, the scene is alive with colour and motion. Thanks to spectacular reefs and exceptional visibility, divers can encounter an impressive variety of marine life. Legendary sites like Elphinstone Reef, with its dramatic drop-offs, are regularly visited by hammerheads, grey reef sharks, and occasionally even oceanic whitetips. Offshore islands such as Daedalus and the Brothers promise big-fish encounters of the highest order, while colourful coral gardens attract dolphins, turtles, and dugongs to sheltered bays — making this paradise accessible even to beginners.

Lady Musgrave, Australia – Dive the Reef, Sleep on the Reef

Stretching 2,300 kilometres, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is not only the world’s largest reef system but also one of the most threatened by coral bleaching. Conditions are still relatively healthy in the southern section, particularly around Lady Musgrave Island, a coral cay two hours by catamaran from Queensland’s mainland, adrift in the vast Pacific.

A floating pontoon in a sheltered lagoon serves as the ideal base for snorkelling and diving — and doubles as an environmental education centre. Beginners can explore safely under supervision, while experienced divers venture to the outer reef’s dramatic drop-offs, where manta rays, reef sharks and dolphins roam. Encounters with majestic sea turtles are almost guaranteed, especially around dusk, best viewed from the pontoon’s glass-bottomed chamber.

Guests can even stay overnight on the pontoon and slip back into the water at sunrise — pure bliss. From June to November, lucky visitors may spot migrating minke and humpback whales passing nearby.

Palau – Jellyfish, Wrecks and a Sea Full of Sharks

The Pacific island nation of Palau remains a relatively remote and lesser-known diving haven, mostly due to its location. But those who make the journey are richly rewarded. As the world’s first shark sanctuary, Palau teems with life — white-tip, black-tip and grey reef sharks, eagle rays, and Napoleon wrasse are just the start. Divers can glide among barracuda or weave through labyrinthine rock formations.

Top sites like Blue Corner and German Channel are legendary, attracting hundreds of manta rays — though strong currents mean these spots are best for experienced divers. Palau’s underwater landscape is striking: sheer drop-offs, intriguing caves, and the famous Rock Islands, where WWII plane and shipwrecks lie scattered across the seabed. And for a surreal experience, float among millions of harmless jellyfish in Jellyfish Lake — an encounter that’s equal parts eerie and enchanting.

Yucatán, Mexico – Paradise for Cave Divers

Cave diving isn’t for everyone — it’s enclosed, mysterious, and undeniably thrilling. But for those drawn to it, Yucatán is the ultimate destination. Beneath the dense jungle of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula lies a vast network of cenotes — freshwater sinkholes leading into spectacular submerged cave systems.

Inside, divers discover a dreamscape of stalactites, crystal-clear water and shimmering beams of light filtering through narrow openings. Some systems stretch for hundreds of kilometres, offering the chance to glide through tight tunnels, cathedral-sized chambers and hidden corridors.

Beyond their geological wonder, the cenotes are culturally sacred — once revered by the Maya as holy sites and vital sources of water. It’s a dive into both nature and history.

Richelieu Rock, Thailand – Big Fish and Tiny Treasures

About 18 kilometres east of the Surin Archipelago, Richelieu Rock — the «jewel of the Andaman Sea» — is as breathtaking as its nickname suggests. At low tide, this isolated limestone pinnacle just breaks the surface; below, it plunges over 30 metres into a kaleidoscope of marine life.

Visibility can reach up to 35 metres on clear days, revealing purple soft corals, gorgonians, and anemones teeming with life. Schools of barracuda, mackerel and snapper sweep past, while macro lovers can spot ghost pipefish, harlequin shrimp and seahorses. Richelieu Rock is also renowned for seasonal whale shark encounters, typically between February and April — the ultimate big-fish thrill.

Raa Atoll, Maldives – Rich in Life, Sparse in Crowds

When divers dream of paradise, the Maldives quickly comes to mind. This archipelago of more than 1,200 islands in the Indian Ocean is famed for its pristine reefs, crystal lagoons, and kaleidoscopic sea life. Yet not all atolls are equal — some suffer from coral bleaching or mass tourism.

Raa Atoll, however, remains a well-kept secret. Located in the western chain, its reefs are still healthy and teeming with life. In the outer reefs and channels, divers can encounter eagle rays and reef sharks, while the lagoons shelter turtles and swarms of colourful reef fish. Highlights include manta ray cleaning stations, where these gentle giants glide gracefully within arm’s reach. For thrill-seekers, dramatic overhangs, canyons and underwater caves provide unforgettable dives in an unspoiled marine sanctuary.