Now Take a Deep Breat. Underwater experiences can be incredibly transformative and can give you a whole new perspective on marine life. Being underwater allows you to witness the beauty and diversity of marine life up close and personal. It can also give you a greater appreciation for the importance of protecting our oceans and the creatures that live there. From great white shark dives to underwater sculpture parks, these are some of the must-visit underwater destinations you need to add to your bucket list. Happy adventuring!
1. Cage dive with Great Whites in South Africa – Shark Alley
SHARKS – sounds scary isn’t it? Home to one of the largest populations of great white sharks, Shark Alley is a narrow channel of water that runs between Dyer Island and Geyser Rock near Gansbaai in South Africa (just two hours from Cape Town). Cage diving is an adventure every sea lover must experience once in a lifetime, but getting close to the legendary great whites isn’t for the faint of heart.
2. Dining underwater in the Maldives: Ithaa Undersea Restaurant
Opened in 2005, Ithaa, which means ‘mother of pearl’ in the local language Dhivehi, is an underwater restaurant situated five meters below the surface where you can dine surrounded by views of coral and fish at the Conrad Maldives. The restaurant serves local flavors with Western and Asian influences and can be reserved for private dining, weddings and special occasions.
3. China’s Atlantis City: Lion City
Built during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25–200), Shi Cheng dubbed “Lion City” is a submerged metropolis sitting 26 meters to 40 meters below the Qiandao Lake. The city was deliberately flooded by the Chinese government in 1959 to make way for a new hydroelectric power station. The historical metropolis has become a popular attraction for tourists with dive operators running regular dives between April and October when the water is warmer. Are you adventurous enough to make a dive trip there?
4. Snorkelling at Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park, Grenada
Located in the Caribbean sea off the western Grenada, Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park was the first underwater garden designed by the British artist Jason deCaires Taylor. Created in 2006, the 75 works cover an area of 800 square metres, most of them made of pH-neutral cement to minimise the impact on the water. Listed as one of the Top 25 Wonders of the World by National Geographic, you can see the park via a snorkeling or scuba diving trip. So, when visiting Grenada, what more do you need to persuade you to go?
5. Sleep Underwater at Manta Resort
6. Party At Subsix Underwater Club
Famous for being the first underwater nightclub in Maldives, Subsix is nestled in Niyama Private Islands, Huluwalu, Dhaalu Atoll. Located 1,650 feet (500m) from shore and 20 feet (6 m) down, Subsix can be reached via speedboat. In the words of Niyama’s General Manager Dietmar Koegerl, “Subsix is the closest you can get to the reef without a mask or a wetsuit.” So what does it feel like to dance under the sea?
7. Swim with whale sharks in Mexico
Whale sharks can be found in the warm open water and Mexico is one of the lucky locations to be graced by whale sharks. As one of the ocean’s gentlest giants, whale sharks grow to be an average length of 39 feet long and weigh up to 79,000 pounds and are incredibly safe to swim with. You can see whale sharks swimming in Cancun, Cozumel, or Baja California, and the best time to see them in action is typically mid-summer during June or July.
