Devon Dias of Easthampton, MA is an army veteran and entrepreneur. In his spare time, Devon Dias enjoys outdoor sports like hiking, snowboarding, skydiving and scuba diving. In the following article, Devon Dias discusses the best locations around the globe that will provide an unforgettable experience in the water for scuba diving.
It's fully immersive, like entering a brand new, vibrant world and exploring every fascinating nook. It's exciting every single time. And Devon Dias of Easthampton, MA says that it's particularly unforgettable at these best scuba diving sites around the globe:
Devon Dias on the Revillagigedo Islands, Mexico
Devon Dias of Easthampton, MA says that Mexico has long been a destination for scuba diving, especially in some of the most popular resort areas like Cancun. But head a bit off the beaten path, to an archipelago off the Pacific coast, and the reward is the best scuba diving location in the world.
Off the Revillagigedo Islands, divers can swim among hammerhead sharks and humpback whales. Large manta rays call this area home, too, particularly prevalent around the island of San Benedicto.
Here, at a diving site called El Boiler, rays and sharks weave in and out of gorgeous corals. For dolphin spotting, divers head a bit south to Socorro Island and Cabo Pearce. And at Roca Partida, divers are rewarded with gorgeous sites of Pacific creole fish and schools of yellowfin tuna.
The Great Blue Hole, Belize
One of the Caribbean's most unique dives is in the world's largest ocean sinkholes dark, deep, and utterly peaceful. It's unlike anything else. Sharks, angelfish, shrimp, and more swarm through an almost otherworldly scene dotted by stalagmites and stalactites.
The Great Blue Hole isn't as colorful as some other dive sites; don't expect to see a lot of bright coral reefs. But the stark landscape is among the most dramatic sights on Earth.
Darwin and Wolf Islands, the Galapagos
While the Galapagos archipelago off of Ecuador is most famous for its wildlife on land, its striking Darwin and Wolf Islands offer thrilling scuba diving opportunities. Devon Dias reports that rare marine iguanas, over 30 species of sparks, large turtles, and more await.
Both Wolf and Darwin Islands are remote, but both are well worth the boat journey. El Arco off Darwin Island is the best spot to check out schools of hammerheads, while the iconic stone arch of Darwin's El Arenal leads divers to even richer marine life.
Cape Kri, Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Devon Dias of Easthampton, MA explains that some of the largest coral gardens in the world are found in the remarkable scuba diving site of Cape Kri and others around the islands of wonderous Raja Ampat in the West Papua Province.
Over 500 species of coral and over 1,000 different types of coral fish live along the Four Kings islands, making the area home to the most diverse array of coral reefs in the world.
Barracuda Point, Sipadan Island, Malaysia
For those still seeking the best spots for coral reef diving, Devon Dias of Easthampton, MA says that Barracuda Point offers an abundance of coral reefs living around an underwater volcano (don't worry, it's dormant).
Sipadan Island sits in Malaysia's Coral Triangle, home to crystal waters and a strikingly diverse ecosystem of hundreds of coral types and more than 3,000 fish species.
Barracuda Point is home to shock numerous schools of swarming barracudas, but also reef sharks, turtles, and parrotfish. Other diving options near Sipadan include the coral-encrusted South Point walls. Devon Dias of Easthampton, MA says that it's also where drivers can find six of the seven marine turtle species.
The Yongala, Queensland, Australia
The Yongala, a 1911 shipwreck off the Queensland coast in northeastern Australia, is known for its large numbers of manta rays and wondrous coral. It's practically bursting with marine life, from octopuses and tiger sharks to sea snakes.
Devon Dias of Easthampton, MA says that it's no wonder it is protected through the Historic Shipwrecks Act (divers cannot enter the ship). It's also just a half-hour from the shore.
Point Lobos, Carmel, California
Dubbed the crown jewel of the park system of California, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve near Carmel is part of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary that's popular with divers from around the world.
There are sea otters, seals, and kelp forests that grow 70 feet. Diving is allowed in Bluefish and Whalers Coves, both of which sport extensive colorful reefs explains Devon Dias.
Cocos Island, Costa Rica
A national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cocos Island off Costa Rica's Pacific coast is popular for its large populations of dolphins, tuna, sharks, and rays. The island itself is a tropical rainforest. It's also where divers can swim among the Eastern Tropic Pacific's most diverse coral reefs.
