| One of the most popular sports of our time is | | | | experienced though great snorkelling is available |
| diving, with many people travelling further to | | | | too from most islands; turtles love to swim along |
| experience the best reefs and 1000s of species | | | | next to you. |
| of sea life we have all around the world. Here's a | | | | THAILAND is home to Phuket which offers |
| list of some of the best diving sites from near to | | | | spectacular diving in the Andaman Sea. Take to |
| far to help you plan your next trip: | | | | Shark Point to spot the stunning Leopard Sharks |
| SHARM EL SHEIKH, EGYPT is a great place to | | | | and swim with Manta Rays at Racha Noi South |
| learn to dive, even snorkelling's great to start off | | | | Point. Shark Point is also the place to try and spot |
| as a beginner. You can see Parrot Fish and | | | | the camouflaged scorpion fish hiding amongst the |
| Masked Butterfly Fish swimming carefree in the | | | | coral. The monsoon winds can reduce visibility at |
| clear waters just a few feet off the main beach | | | | other times of the year, the best time to dive |
| at Naama Bay. To explore the fabulous Yolanda | | | | here is mid November to April. |
| Reef, home to tuna, turtles and sharks, a trip to | | | | MEXICO is home to Playa Del Carmen and |
| Ras Mohammed National Park is worth doing. | | | | Cozumel, two world class diving and beach |
| Sharm el Sheikh is an ideal choice for those with | | | | resorts. One of the "must-sees" here is the whale |
| families who can enjoy the life of a developed | | | | shark, Playa Del Carmen has dives suitable for all |
| beach resort where you can take part in your | | | | levels of diver. There are dive companies offering |
| favourite sport. | | | | excursions to take you to Holbox for a chance to |
| HURGHADA, EGYPT offers many diving schools | | | | snorkel with these famous creatures. The waters |
| for those looking to improve their diving skills or | | | | come alive at night, Cozumel is popular for night |
| even to learn to dive in this Red Sea beach | | | | dives; Paradise Reef is the place to do this where |
| resort. With over 30 dive sites off the coast | | | | you can see Octopus and spotted Moray Eels. |
| there's no end to how much you can do here. If | | | | PUNTA CANA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC offers the |
| you are lucky you may spot the famous Moray | | | | chance to experience warm Caribbean waters |
| Eels said to be semi-tame or even a Barracuda, | | | | home to shipwrecks and stunning corals and |
| Careless reef is one of the most popular reefs | | | | sponges as well as lots of caves to explore. As |
| offering many caves to explore. | | | | you dive among the rock formations which these |
| MARSA ALAM, EGYPT With hundreds of species | | | | beautiful creatures call home, Eagle Rays and |
| of tropical and marine fish, holidays to Marsa Alam | | | | Nurse Sharks will meander past. Diving conditions |
| offer spectacular diving and snorkelling | | | | can be difficult in the winter months due to the |
| opportunities. Less crowded than its rivals, Sharm | | | | currents from the Atlantic often sweeping past |
| el Sheikh and Hurghada, it's great for exploring the | | | | this area, so April to September is the optimum |
| best of what the Red Sea has to offer. Home to | | | | time to visit. |
| many species of shark, Elphinstone reef is one of | | | | COSTA RICA in Central America has many great |
| the most popular dive sites in Marsa Alam, this | | | | dive sites just a short boat ride away from the |
| reef is over 20m wide and 180m long. It's | | | | coast. Unusual species of fish such as spade fish, |
| excellent for exploring the pink and purple corals, | | | | cow-nose rays and the beautiful seahorse are |
| home to Lion Fish and if you're lucky you could | | | | found in these waters. Many diving companies can |
| even spot dolphins in these warm waters. | | | | take you out to experience these sights on day |
| COSTA DEL SOL, SPAIN has many dive sites | | | | trips and at night. With the sea hares and tube |
| accessible from Benalmadena and Fuengirola, in | | | | worms emerging from the coral, the waters |
| fact along the whole coastline stretching 160km | | | | come to life at night. |
| down to Gibraltar has great diving opportunities. | | | | SRI LANKA has fantastic diving opportunities with |
| La Costa Tropical is one of the most popular dive | | | | many shipwrecks to explore; Cargo Wreck is the |
| sites in Spain home to beautiful Moonfish, Scorpion | | | | most popular teaming with hundreds of fish and |
| fish and even dolphins. Allowing you to see this | | | | cleaner shrimps. The wreck is mostly intact and |
| fascinating underwater world up close, the | | | | the size of the propeller makes you realise the |
| protected bays make it great for the advanced | | | | enormity of this wreck. Schools of Snappers and |
| diver or beginners, and even for snorkelling. | | | | Lion Fish rush past you on their daily mission |
| MALDIVES Where better to immerse yourself in | | | | hardly noticing you, amazing! |
| warm, transparent waters than in the Indian | | | | Just a short flight from the UK combined with |
| Ocean. Reethi Beach is one of the best and the | | | | some of the world's best diving and top class |
| House Reef is teaming with Bat Fish and Eagle | | | | hotels, holidays to Marsa Alam are a must! My |
| Rays, the Maldives is home to many spectacular | | | | favourite of all has to be Marsa Alam. |
| dive sites. The diving here is for the more | | | | |