71% of the earth’s surface is covered in water so if you haven’t been scuba diving, you’re missing out! Luckily, there are some amazing cruise destinations that are perfect for deep sea divers of all ages and skills. Whether you’re a seasoned PADI Dive Master or a complete underwater novice, these dive friendly destinations are sure to delight with their crystal clear waters, abundant sea life, colourful coral and exciting shipwrecks. To help whet your appetite, we’ve compiled a list of the world’s top five deep sea diving destinations!
Great Barrier Reef
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is perhaps the world’s most famous fishbowl. As the largest living coral reef on the planet, it boasts an abundance of marine life and a kaleidoscope of colourful coral. Just how big you ask? Well, put into perspective the Great Barrier Reef covers an area equivalent to the size of the United Kingdom and is the earth’s only living structure that can be seen from outer space! If you can drag yourself away from the stunning sun kissed beaches, there are over 3000 individual reef systems just begging to be explored. With a wealth of whales, dolphins, tropical fish and sharks calling the Great Barrier Reef home, you’re guaranteed to see some of the best wildlife the ocean has to offer.
Grand Cayman
Grand Cayman is the most visited dive site in the Caribbean and for good reason. The island is famous for stingray sightings and is a mecca for those wanting to get up close and personal with the gentle gliding giants. The calm waters off Seven Mile Beach are perfect for exploringthe 251-foot USS Kittiwake wreck while underwater reef formations such as Bonnie’s Arch and Trinity Caves offer the ultimate deep sea exploration experience for advanced divers.
St. Lucia
Located in the Eastern Caribbean Sea, St Lucia offers divers crystal clear waters and awe inspiring undersea topography. The site is most famous for its twin Pitons which rise half a mile into the sky and play host to a thriving underwater ecosystem. The Soufriere Marine Management Area near Anse Chastanet is fantastic for beginners with its huge schools of fish, giant sea fans and colourful corals. The underwater pitons known as The Pinnacles are great for more experienced divers while nearby Superman’s Flight offers a cruisy drift dive where you can really soak up the underwater sights.
Bahamas
With over 700 islands to its name, the Bahamas is the ideal place to indulge your love for diving. Sites such as Nassau and Freeport are renowned for regular shark sightings while Grand Bahama offers thrill seekers the chance to swim with tiger sharks. Love Beach is bursting with vibrant coral clusters while shallow sites such as The Abacos and Dry Heads are perfect for families and those with young teens learning to breathe underwater for the first time. A resident pod of dolphins also delights visitors to the New Providence islands which makes the Bahamas great for animal lovers!
Key Largo, Fla.
Who would’ve thought that the United States would boast some of the world’s best diving? If you’re departing or arriving on a cruise from the port of Miami, why not take a day trip down to Key Largo and immerse yourself in its flourishing tropical waters? At John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park you can explore the 8.5 foot Christ of the Abyss statue which is great for beginners and advanced divers alike. After you’ve had your fill of the statue, head over to Molasses Reef where you can view rare elkhorn coral and an abundance of marine life such as lobsters, tangs, jacks and parrotfish. For those with a taste for adventure, the Spiegel Grove wreck plays host to a 510 foot reef submerged in 130 feet of water!
Choose Your Voyage Today
Now that you’ve wet your diving palate with these awe inspiring sites, why not head over to Cruise 1st and book yourself a voyage to one of these incredible destinations? With the opportunity for shore excursions as well as post and pre embarkation trips, a cruise is the perfect way to explore the abundant sea life that covers a huge 71% of the globe!
