Top 7 Scuba Diving Locations in The World

Travelers tend to speak hyperbolically and say things like, “I have been all over the world.” But when most adventurers get into the details of their trips, it becomes apparent that they have visited places that are strictly on land. Even if they have truly been to every continent and traveled extensively through each country, they will only have touched 29% of the world. That is because the ocean takes up 71% of earth’s surface. Therefore, if one really wants to “go all over the world,” then they should start scuba diving.

From experiencing the feeling of weightlessness, to encountering ships from the World Wars and sea turtles (one of the world’s oldest creatures), there are numerous reasons to pick up scuba diving. It is the ultimate escape from the daily grind. There are no televisions, cell phones, internet, or zoom meetings while you are underwater.

And, with a push pin map from Wendy Gold, you can pin your diving adventures to show how you've truly been all over the world.

Below we have put together a list of seven of the world’s best scuba diving locations. When you visit these spectacular locations, you can come back to pin that location as a visual checkmark on your top scuba diving list. So without further ado, let’s dive right in!

Push pins marking a dive in Hawaii

1. RMS Rhone - British Virgin Islands

You haven’t been to the British Virgin Islands until you’ve taken a dive trip to the RMS Rhone. This Royal Mail Steamer was wrecked just off Salt Island during a brutal hurricane in 1867. Lobsters, turtles, and eels are some of the sealife you will see along the way as you explore the many artifacts that still remain on the massive ship 150 years later.

Fun fact: the RMS Rhone was featured in the 1977 film The Deep starring Jacqueline Bisset and Nick Nolte.

2. Ray of Hope - New Providence Island, Bahamas

Ray of Hope was sunk in Stuart’s Cove. It now acts as an artificial reef. The 200-foot freighter lies next to a previous wreck named Bahama Mama. The two shipwrecks create an intriguing image. Add in sharks swimming past, and you have one of the Caribbean’s hottest scuba destinations. Everyday, twice per day, boats full of scuba enthusiasts go out to explore the wrecks and swim with the sharks.

3. Superior Producer - Curacao

Forty-four years ago, the 220-foot cargo ship, Superior Producer, sank due to rough seas and a heavy load just outside of St. Annebaai harbor. Now, after four decades of growth, the wreck is an incredible artificial reef. Divers come to see the turtles, tarpon, barracuda, seahorses, and angelfish. As for the wreck itself, divers can explore the numerous rooms and the huge hull.

4. The Sisters - Tobago

Tobago is the smaller of the two Caribbean islands which make up the nation of Trinidad and Tobago. About two miles off its coast, lies the island of Sisters Rock. This location is home to some of the world’s healthiest reefs. It also contains very powerful ocean currents. Diving attractions include shallow gardens of bushy black corals, and also groupers, nurse sharks, moray eels, barracudas, spiny lobsters, and tarpons.

5. Liberty Wreck - Bali, Indonesia

From sea fans and anemones, to big-eyed trevally and lizardfish, there is plenty to see and explore when diving at Liberty Wreck in Bali. Attacked by Japanese torpedoes during World War II, the USAT Liberty is one of the most popular wrecks that is accessible from the shore. Its shallowest section lies about 13-feet deep, which even snorkelers can access. At depths of up to 100 feet is where the real treasures are found. There, divers often find pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs, and ghost pipefish.

6. Shark and Yolanda Reef - Northern Red Sea

Shark and Yolanda Reef are actually two dive sites. However, they are often referred to as one site. These sites are located in the Northern Red Sea at Ras Mohammed National Park. Shark Reef is known for its incredible reef and fauna. Currents can be strong so the locals advise divers to be cautious. Next to Shark Reef is Yolanda Reef, which gets its name from the Cypriot merchant ship that sank in its waters over forty years ago. Not only do divers enjoy exploring the shipwreck itself, but they also search out the cargo it was carrying at the time of the wreck. Emperor fish, Snappers, Napoleon Fish, crocodile fish, Fusiliers, and stonefish are often spotted in the area.

7. Tubbataha National Park, Philippines

Divers from all over the world travel to the Philippines to explore Tubbataha National Park and its various wildlife and incredible underwater terrain. It is one of the most biodiverse scuba locations in the Philippines. Tubbatahais difficult to access due to its remote location. Therefore, it remains one of the least exploited and healthiest reefs in the world. Within its several dive sites, divers can see multiple shark species, stingrays, lobsters, turtles, trevally, tuna, and manta rays. The diving season at Tubbataha is short - from March to June - so be sure to book your trip in advance!

Keeping Track of Your Dives with a Map from Wendy Gold Studios

After you have dived at all these destinations, you will want to keep track of each location you visited. California artist, Wendy Gold, offers an artistic and interactive way to record and remember every diving adventure: push pin maps. Wendy Gold’s push pin map features 21 worldwide scuba diving locations. Creatures and plants from vintage engravings, ephemera, and illustrations decorate the maps. Included with the map are 100 push pins which let you record your dives and travels.

You can even personalize your push pin map with a family name or the name of your dive team.

Whether purchased for yourself or your favorite diver, this push pin dive map makes a great gift for documenting dives and inspiring future adventures. From gifts for graduation or anniversaries, the scuba push pin map will wow your loved one.

Close up of Scuba Push Pin Map Personalization