Top Dive Sites - Best Diving Locations

Every dive site is unique in its own certain way, and sometimes you can experience something amazing on a less than average dive site, but there are definitely a few dive sites which stand out above the rest as the top dive sites in the world. Whether it be because of the marine life present on the dive, the clarity of the water or the rich coral growth.

We all know the feeling of diving a site which we haven't dived before, sitting on the boat all geared up and ready to go. Imagination wandering, excited at the thought of experience the unknown. What will this site hold for you? Will you come across a majestic oceanic whitetip while you make your way down a coral plastered wall or will you descend to the sound of dolphins playing in close proximity. The underwater world has a special experience each time and there are definitely places where these experiences are more common, these are what I call the best dive sites in the world.

Below are the top dive sites in my experience in no order. Though of course there are many top dive sites which I am yet to dive, and am unable to give my opinion on. Be sure to add a comment at the bottom of the page if you feel you know a dive site worthy of being listed as a top dive site, as it can be used for a later revised version of the top dive sites in the world.

Japanese Gardens - Koh Tao, Thailand

Japanese Gardens is an amazing beginner dive site which despite only having a maximum depth of 15 meters, has more than enough to offer divers. The Japanese Gardens are also situated in an area of little current but great visibility. Often divers have to sacrifice either visibility or put up with currents, though this is not the case at Japanese Gardens where there is little to no current at all and visibility stretching as far as 20 meters at times. One of the most amazing parts of this dive to me were the eagle rays which glided past in these shallow waters. One of the only negative aspects to this dive is that due to the quality and ease of the dive site it is sometimes crowded.

Big Brother - El Quseir, Egypt

One of my favourites is also Big Brother in The Red Sea, Egypt. It is the ultimate dive site for large marine life encounters. If you're looking to dive with some oceanic sharks, thresher sharks, turtles, rays, barracuda and so much more- then this is the dive site for you. Topography is great too with various small reefs and wall features. It is a popular dive site for the underwater photographers due to the vast opportunities, from macro life to large sharks accompanied by pilot fish. I definitely recommend that divers and especially photographers visit Big Brother when doing diving in Egypt as it's earned it's right as one of the top dive sites.

Sangalaki - Borneo, Malaysia

Okay okay, not technically a dive site as such and more of a location, as Sangalaki has numerous dive sites. I was simply unable to pick one dive site out of what Sangalaki has to offer. For those who are not familiar with the Sangalaki region, it is an area in Borneo, Malaysia which offers some of the best scuba diving in the world if you're interested in diving with rays, though is certainly not limited to that. Sangalaki is a well known location for encountering rays of all kinds, though the manta ray is definitely the most famous of them here. One is able to dive such sites as Manta Parades or Manta Avenue where encounters with these majestic creatures are almost guaranteed. There are also opportunies to encounter some of the local sharks and turtles in these clear Malaysian waters.

Tofo – Mozambique

Again not truly a dive site and more of a diving location, but once again the experience isn't limited to one specific dive site. When one mentions awesome scuba diving to many, Mozambique may not cross their minds, but the truth is that there are some underwater experiences which top some of the most famous dives elsewhere in the world. Tofo provides divers with the opportunity to descend into the warm Indian Ocean and swim alongside whale sharks, and I don't just mean dive in the same general area. Tofo offers the chance for free-divers and even snorkellers to get close to these creatures as they can be seen passing only a few meters under the surface, allowing for what is nothing short of a life changing experience. A world class top diving destination with more than enough to keep even the most hard to please diver excited.

S.S. Thistlegorm - Gubal Straits, Egypt

Not only is the SS Thistlegorm one of the top dive sites in the world, it may be THE best dive site. I'm sure the SS Thistlegorm needs no real introduction, being noted as one of the world's most popular dive sites. Though it is easy to see why the legend of the SS Thistlegorm has spread from country to country, intriguing divers along the way. The SS Thistlegorm is a 126 meter merchant ship which was originally built in the 1940s and then commandeered as a war vessel. Shortly before a planned mission to supply cargo to British troops in the United States she was attacked by the Germans and sank. Currently the SS Thistlegorm lies at a comfortable 30 meters, with some currents present, restricting the beginner divers. The size of the wreck is humbling and swimming alongside this beast of a ship is an experience you'll never forget, accompanied with the good visibility it is easy to see why this is one of the top dive sites in the world.

White Sand Ridge - Grand Bahama, Bahamas

White Sand Ridge is a unique dive site where you can encounter dolphins face to face as you dive, the best part of diving White Sand Ridge is that you don't even need to carry your tank with you as this is a popular snorkelling and free-diving dive site. The waters are crystal clear at times with visibility exceeding 40 meters on a good day. Granted it is not a dive where you will be encountering fascinating walls or interesting topography, but it is fair to compare White Sand Ridge to the African safaris- think miles of white sands stretching out endlessly, with nature surrounding you in the most simple of environments... Just you, the water and the dolphins! It is definitely worth a visit while in the Bahamas and ranks up there with the top dive sites in the world.

As stated above, feel free to leave a comment suggesting your favourite dive site for the next list of top dive sites in the world.