Text and image by Isabella Jusková.

It can be tough choosing a dive destination, given the natural bounty of our vast blue planet. Start your search with one of these top spots that offer pristine beaches, marine biodiversity and unmatched visibility in their waters.

Malapascua Island, Philippines

A one-hour boat ride north of Cebu, in central Philippines, will take you to Malapascua. This tiny island is known for much more than its pristine white-sand beach. Endemic to its waters—and a draw for divers from all over the world—is the thresher shark, whose distinctive feature is a ribbon tail usually as long as its body. To view these graceful creatures, you’ll need an Advanced Open Water diver certification, as they’re typically spotted at a depth of 20 to 30 metres (65 to 98 feet). Tours with the local dive centres head out before sunrise, since early morning is when they’re reportedly more active. And in Malapascua, thresher sharks can be seen year-round—it’s almost guaranteed.

Coiba National Park, Panama

Just off the coast of Panama’s Pacific side is Coiba National Park, whose remote location and protected status help preserve its pristine ecosystems, offering divers a glimpse of unspoiled natural beauty. Every turn here fills you with wonder—the distinctive rock formations and the sudden encounters with schools of twirling mobula rays with their wing-like fins. This Panamanian gem of a dive site is a migratory stop that’s renowned for sheltering a diverse array of fish, dolphins and whales. Travel during humpback whale season (July to October) and you’ll likely see—from your boat, between dives—these magnificent mammals. And, if you’re really lucky, you may even get to hear a mother and her calf exchanging songs underwater.

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Located amid a cluster of islands known for their healthy marine biodiversity, Bora Bora offers memorable marine-life encounters even in its shallow lagoons. Dive into the calm turquoise waters to view vibrant coral reefs and resident aquatic species. Glide alongside graceful manta rays at a depth of around 15 metres (49 feet), with visibility as clear as day, thanks to a motu (reef islet) fringing the main island, which keeps the water calm and serene. It feels effortless to stumble upon the friendly blacktip sharks and stingrays, which captivate observers with their sleek and specialized scales, known as dermal teeth and denticles.

Get Certified

It may be tough to choose from so many great dive destinations, but it’s easy to obtain certification. Opt for reputable dive shops or, better yet, a dive resort accredited by one of these groups:

• Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)
• National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI)
• Scuba Schools International (SSI)

Rise, shine, dive, repeat.

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