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Top 10 best dive sites in the world to see rare underwater sights

Alison Tan

Last updated 4 Sep 2023

Photo credit: @Unsplash: Roberto Nickson, Rod Long, ChungHoi Kim

Let's get diving! 🤿

If you're an experienced diver and enjoy diving, there's no doubt that you're constantly looking for new dive sites to capture rare underwater sightings. The ocean is deep and there's plenty to discover, but here are the top 10 best dive sites around the world!

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Here's a countdown of the best diving sites in the world!

10. Cenote Dos Ojos, Tulum in Mexico

We're starting the list with Cenote Dos Ojos, one of the best cenotes in Mexico located in Tulum. The clear blue waters shimmering in the sunlight offer divers visibility that can reach up to 100 meters. The Dos Ojos is home to a variety of fishes and marine life; making it one of the best dive sites for an underwater adventure. However, do note that there is an entrance fee to swim in the cenote! 🌊

Opening hours: 8am - 5pm
Entrance fee: around 200 Mexican pesos (around USD 11.82)
Location: Two Eyes Cenote, 77774 Q.R., Mexico
Best time to dive: All year round (comfortable, stable temperature)

Note: There will be additional charges for snorkeling or diving equipment rental

9. Port Saint Johns, South Africa

South Africa is one of the best-known places to experience sardine runs during winter. Though there's no fixed location to experience this phenomenon, the highest probability of experiencing sardine run diving is near the little village of Port St. Johns! Your best bet is to follow a diving tour and leave it to the expert to spot the location. The best part about diving during a sardine run is watching marine predators make an appearance too. 🦈

Location: Waters near Port Saint Johns
Best time to dive: Mid June to the end of July (Winter in South Africa)

8. SS Thistlegorm, Red Sea in Egypt

The SS Thistlegorm in the Red Sea is a must-visit dive site for wreck enthusiasts and curious minds. It poses a unique experience of wartime history and underwater treasures. It houses a fascinating collection of wartime artefacts like jeeps, motorbikes, a shipment of boots, and plenty of ammunition. The superstructure is also home to abundant soft corals and some interesting macro hidden amongst the wreck; a must-see for every wreck enthusiast. ⚓

Location: In the North of the Red Sea in the Strait of Gubal
Best time to dive: March to May and September to November

Note: Visit with a liveaboard for a better experience (after-dusk diving & longer dive times)

7. Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, Philippines

The Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is a world heritage site located in the Philippines and is a protected area that can only be reached by Tubbataha liveaboard. It is arguably the best dive site and the most biodiverse scuba diving destination in the Philippines. Marine life you can find there include large marine animals like sea turtles, manta rays, and various shark species. You will also be greeted by the display of multi-colored reef fish, lobsters, stingrays, and turtles on every reef! 🦞

Entrance fee: 5,000 pesos (USD 87.94)
Location: Cagayancillo, Palawan, Philippines
Best time to dive: March until June (calmer waters)

Note: You will need a permit to dive in this protected marine park

Check out other water activities in the Philippines!

6. Lembeh Strait, Indonesia

For fans of Muck Diving, the Lembeh Strait in Indonesia is a must-have on your bucket list! It's the best muck diving site in the world as it houses plenty of strange-looking tiny creatures, or 'muck critters'. Some of the few species you might come across whilst diving include: hairy frogfish, juvenile barramundi cods, harlequin shrimps, and more! If you love photography, you would want to carry an underwater camera with a macro lens to photograph macro or super macro shots of unique-looking creatures. 🐚

Location: North Sulawesi, Indonesia
Best time to dive: All year round, but best from September to October

Spend a night at Lembeh Dive Resort before you dive

5. Manta Ray Night Dive, Kona in Hawaii

The Manta Ray Night Dive in Kona, Hawaii is rated as one of the most magical dives you will ever experience. This dive site is often visited by the enormous but gentle manta rays that glide gracefully as they feed while illuminating under the glow of underwater torches. Be mesmerized by the giant but friendly marine creatures and watch them swim around you gracefully. Since manta rays are elusive and rare, this experience is a must-try for at least once in your life!

Location: Honokohau Harbor
Best time to dive: All year round, but avoid winter and rainy season

Dive with manta rays in this night snorkel experience!

4. Darwin Island, Galápagos Islands in Ecuador

Darwin Island is one of the more popular islands among the Galapagos Islands. This remote island is the best site to dive if you've always dreamed of swimming among large and rare marine life. You can even stand a chance to catch the incredibly rare marine iguana underwater. Experience swimming among a school of hammerhead sharks or playful sea lions, and look out for other rare marine life! 🦭

Location: Darwin Island
Best time to dive: All year round (Whale shark season in June to November and Manta season in December to May when it's slightly warmer)

Note: The waters can get quite cold, so only advanced divers are advised to dive here

3. Raja Ampat, Indonesia

Raja Ampat in Indonesia is one of the best dive sites in the world for biodiversity. The remote islands are home to 75% of the world's coral species and an astounding array of marine life, where every dive here feels like a discovery. If you are looking for a diving site to spot most marine life and critters, Raja Ampat will be your best pick. Some of the many marine life here include large schools of fish, manta rays, reef sharks, wobbegong sharks, barracuda, pygmy sea horses, nudibranchs galore, crustaceans, and stunning pristine coral reefs!

Location: Raja Ampat Islands
Best time to dive: October to April

Check in for the night and enjoy a good rest at Raja Ampat Dive Lodge!

2. Jellyfish Lake, Eil Malk Island in Palau

The Jellyfish Lake in Palau is one of the most astounding sights to behold. Even before entering the waters, you could see millions of jellyfish floating in the waters while their golden hues lighting up the water. These jellyfish are protected and bred, and because they are so remote from other marine life, they have become stingless. However, before swimming here, either apply reef-safe sunscreen or avoid sunscreen to protect the jellyfish population from declining.

Location: Marine Lake located on Eil Malk Island in Palau

Note: You can only snorkel here as diving is not allowed because the bottom water layer is filled with poisonous dissolved hydrogen sulfide gas

1. Silfra Fissure, Iceland

Claiming the top spot is Silfra Fissure in Iceland. This dive site is notably the most sought-after diving site for every diving enthusiast who aims to discover all the unique diving spots in the world. Imagine diving between two continents in the clearest waters on Earth, between tectonic plates. Divers can see up to 100 meters below, and this dive site is truly a geological marvel that touches both the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates at the same time. Truly awe-shocking!