5 Of The Worlds Best Diving Resorts

Great Barrier Reef, Australia - Lizard Island Resort

Lizard Island Resort is the most northern Great Barrier Reef resort and offers luxurious accommodation for a limited amount of guests. One can choose between suites, private villas or pavilion .The splendour and tranquility of this resort creates a perfect setting for hours of peaceful existence. Depending on your preference, one can enjoy picnics on secluded beaches, or more formal five-star cuisine.

Lizard Island Resort

Photo by Michael B

There are 24 white, soft, sandy beaches which appear almost untouched. At Lizard Island one can partake in a number of activities, ranging from snorkeling, deep-sea game fishing, or ultimately, diving at Cod Hole which is one of the world's most popular dive sites. Professional diving guides provide both scuba and snorkeling trips which makes it possible for beginners as well as experienced divers, to witness the wonderful display of coral gardens and vast array of marine-life. Night dives are also very popular expeditions, providing divers with the unique opportunity of seeing various nocturnal marine creatures.

Lizard Island has it all, and is widely considered to be one of the world’s best diving resorts.

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands - Cobalt Coast Dive Resort

The Cobalt Coast Dive Resort is situated on the northwest coast of Boatswains Bay and provides a quiet and tranquil setting, in comparison to the busy Seven Mile Beach, which lies slightly to the south. This is a luxury retreat, definitely one of the worlds best diving resorts, sporting a typical Caribbean flavour. The resort offers one and two bedroom suites as well as comfortable detached villas. As one would expect from a superior resort, all accommodation is fully air-conditioned and equipped with cable TV, fridges, irons, hairdryers etc. There is a restaurant and bar providing breakfast, lunch and dinner. Guests also have the choice of self catering villas which are also fitted with laundry appliances.

Cobalt Coast Resort

Photo by Kevin E

The superb marine life and coral reefs are situated close by and the huge dock provides an ideal land-based diving site for snorkelers and divers alike. Cobalt Coast Resort also has an on-site dive centre offering courses for beginners as well as experienced divers, who may wish to dive at Cobalt Canyon where there is an abundance of brightly coloured parrotfish and angelfish. The reef is home to stingray, eels as well as turtles.

Elba, Italy - Hotel Ilio

Boutique Hotel Ilio is situated on the north-western part of Capo Sant Andrea, Elba Island and lies with the Tuscan Archipelago National Park. With its beautiful beaches, high cliffs and clear blue waters, it is the perfect destination for those wishing to escape the hustle and bustle of the city life. It lends itself to relaxing days in the sun and being refreshed by the gentle sea breeze.

Hotel Ilio

Photo by Marh

This hotel is certainly also one of the best diving resorts, offering diving enthusiasts the chance to explore the warm waters of the Mediterranean, boasting underwater gardens of enchanting colour and a vast world of marine life. All this can be enjoyed simply by swimming gently on the surface of the sea, using just a mask, flippers and a snorkel. With the assistance of a qualified marine biologist guide, your snorkeling adventure will be informative as well as visually stimulating.

At the Diving Centre, which is situated about 150 metres form the hotel, qualified guides and instructors are passionate about introducing guests to the incredible wonders and mysteries of the ocean.

Onemobaa Island, Indonesia - Wakatobi Dive Resort

Wakatobi, is a luxury eco dive resort in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. Here one has the choice of four different levels of accommodation, ranging from Villas, Select Beach Bungalows, Standard Bungalows and also Garden Bungalows. Irrespective of the level of accommodation one chooses, they are all very spacious inside and each has its own balcony which is ideal for sun tanning or merely relaxing outdoors. Air conditioning and ceiling fans are standard features in these tastefully decorated units. As Wakatobi is a family friendly dive resort, they have introduced a program which will ensure that children of all ages will be entertained to enable you to make the most of your diving vacation.

The weather conditions are perfect for diving all year round which makes Wakatobi another one of the worlds best dive resorts. Although there are many diving options, including yacht excursions, one may find that you have no need to make use of the boat dives, as the reef at the resort offers such a wide area of diverse marine life.

Wakatobi has the highest coral reef biodiversity in the world. The dive staff are all professional, qualified instructors. so one can always be assured of a safe and exciting dive experience,

Bonaire, Caribbean - Bonaire Buddy Dive Resort

All the apartments at Bonaire Buddy Dive Resort are fully equipped with all modern amenities. The private patios provide a relaxing environment where one can enjoy the view of either the tranquil ocean, or of the wonderful tropical gardens. Each unit is situated close to the two swimming pools and a thatched seaside pool bar.

The exquisite, raised beaches at Bonaire Buddy Dive Resort provide the perfect setting for lazing in the sunshine and observing the spectacular views of the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. There is easy access, to the sparkling ocean below, by means of short stairway.

The Diving centre at the resort is well equipped, ensuring the satisfaction of every diver. For the less experienced diver, the calm waters, with minimal currents, are ideal for viewing the abundance of spectacular marine life. For the more adept diver, a day trip on One of the custom boats, will prove to be a fascinating encounter with a variety of colourful tropical fish.