Where is the best place in the world to dive?

[Allan Carr]

Having been fortunate enough to dive in 29 different countries around the world, there is nowhere that I would say is 'The best'. There is excellent diving of many different types to be had. On our recent trip we had fantastic experiences with sharks in Fiji, superb diverse diving in New Zealand from the cold Milford Sound to sub-tropical on Poor Knights, fantastic corals in Sulawesi, huge fish in Bali. British Columbia also has really spectacular sealife. All very different, all great diving. It all depends on what you want.

I have to agree with Ray though, Whirl Rocks on the Farnes is my favourite UK dive site. A few years ago in early September, we were the first group to get out there for over two months due to weather conditions and we dropped over the side and could see the bottom 26M beneath us. Possibly the best UK viz I've seen in over 40 years of diving. I've heard that it can be better out at St. Kilda and hopefully I'll be able to find out this August. Photos of one trip's catch at the Farnes attached. The larger one, weighing in at 9 lbs was from Whirl Rocks, the smaller one, a mere 7lbs came from the Northern Hares. The big one was easy to catch, the other one took me 10 minutes to get out and I gave my wife a real fright when I shoved my hand right into its hole to grab it. She expected me to come out minus a finger or two!

[Stephen]

If you fancy Indonesia try Alor. I did some expeditionary dives there in the early nineties and thought it was fantastic. Ive heard some indifferent reports since but as a total experience the southern Red Sea and Sipadan havnt beaten it.

[Richard Mason]

Originally Posted by neil_richardson

Mark,

Sounds like you'll like Australia then:



Scuba Diving Victoria, Vic: Wilsons Promontory, Melbourne, Dive sites, conditions and more

Oh dear, not the Diving In Australia website, who writes that crap, I refer more specifically to the section on Tassie - I quote

"Adding to the superb oceanic view is the dramatic set-up of giant kelp that reaches up until 30 metres. Scattered along the floor of the ocean, giant kelp forests not only contribute to the extraordinary marine attractions, but provide as well shelter and playground for the ocean species. You can even touch a kelp's leaf and discover for yourself some sea creatures that have been crawling on and off them.

In Tasmania, passing through the kelp forests and the underwater caves is an amazing water experience. Along the caves are tiny passages and tunnels that lead to the other side of the waters, through which coming across some species is an occasional event. The cave walls literally resemble a celebrated painter's abstract because of the invertebrates covering the walls."

It then goes on to describe a number of destinations around Tas, including a wonderful site in Hobart, (my home town thus):

"For divers who wish to see forest kelps, Tathra Pinnacle is the perfect destination. Also called as the Twin Peaks, this site has two distinctive pinnacles, both of which are accessible by boat. With a depth of 28 meters, the Tathra Pinnacle is covered with soft invertebrates, while schools of fish swim around the area.
Meanwhile, a 30-minute drive from Tathra will take tourists to the Merimbula wharf, a 30-meter shore that has drop offs and underwater cliffs. Species that thrive in this site include seahorses and octopuses. Coral reefs also make this site a haven for various schools of fish."

None of us have ever heard of this site, although there is a site called Twin Peaks on the other side of the island. Never heard of Tathra Pinnacle either though and the 30 minute drive to Merimbula would actually involve a 3 hr drive to Devonport, an overnight ferry across Bass Strait to Melbourne and then an 8 hr drive to Merimbula, NSW, which coincidentally is about 34 minutes drive from Tathra.

[Loneshark]

I'd do Belize. It's cheap, not over crowded, and has some excellent barrier reef dives. You are also close enough to do Costa Rica and/or Mexico for the cenotes.