While I’m not your average extreme sports practitioner – I prefer trekking across mountains than jumping off them – I discovered a passion for scuba diving many years ago and have spent much of my life looking for the perfect diving destination. The truth is that everywhere I have dived has given me something unique, something unlike anywhere else.
If, however, you twisted my arm and made me tell you just two destinations which stood out in my memory as the ‘very best’ places I’ve ever taken my scuba equipment, these would be them.
The Vast Expanse of the Great Barrier Reef
Okay, so you probably guessed that Australia’s Great Barrier Reef was going to be in the top two. After all, it is unique as the largest healthy coral reef system and the biggest single structure made up of living organisms on the planet. But statistics aside, the Great Barrier Reef has such a varied panoply of reefs and marine life that, depending on where you stop your boat, it can be like diving several different seascapes in one trip. Add to that an average visibility of between 15-21 metres all year round, and this is as near to being a ‘perfect’ diving location as it is possible to get.
Highlights include the remote Osprey Reef, nestled in the heart of the Coral Sea, Ribbon Reefs and Cod Hole. Those who want to put the ‘extreme’ into their extreme sports should visit North Horn for a shark feeding experience which is out of this world. And for the ultimate diving and watersports holiday visit the stunning Whitsundays islands.
Such a vast network of reefs, of course, supports a massive variety of marine life but some of the species worth looking out for here include minke whales (particularly from June to July in the Northern Great Barrier Reef), sea turtles, sharks, manta rays, bumphead parrotfish and sea snakes.
The Two Coasts of Thailand
The wonderful thing about diving in Thailand is that, depending on whether you choose the Gulf of Thailand to the east or the Andaman Sea to the west, your experience will be completely different. This means that a trip here (as long as you’re prepared to travel) gives you two marine seascapes for the price of one flight.
But even if you choose to stay put on just one side of the country, the stunning tropical beaches, warm, clear waters and plethora of marine life will more than satisfy most extreme sports fans. If you don’t want to travel around then choose your coastline depending on the time of year you will be visiting: the Gulf of Thailand is at its best from May to September, while the Andaman Sea offers the best conditions from October through to April.
•Gulf of Thailand
Hotspots here include the hugely popular holiday resorts of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.
•Andaman Sea
For quieter holiday destinations and some exquisite diving try Ranong and Koh Racha on the Andaman Sea. For a breathtaking liveaboard diving experience explore the waters around the Similan Islands.
Before You Go
For any diving adventure planning is key, so find out as much about your destination and the conditions in the water there as you can before you set off. Research dive centres online and check out reviews by other enthusiasts as these can provide an interesting insight. While you may not see yourself as an extreme sports practitioner, bear in mind that your travel insurance company will. Make sure your insurance policy covers diving so that you are prepared for any eventuality.
Ethan Bailey is an experienced adventure traveller and insurance expert with the team at Let's Go Insure. Ethan’s passion is to inspire his clients to go just that little bit further, deeper and higher on their travels and he loves to share his expert knowledge on topics as varied as choosing the right extreme sports activity or creating the ultimate adventure holiday checklist. If you're looking for the best travel insurance, Let's Go works with the most experienced underwriters, intermediaries and insurers to offer a range of competitive insurance without compromising on cover.
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