The Best Coral Reefs in the World Originally published 22 August 2011

We take a look at the best coral reefs around the world, for sheer number of species as well as colour We take a look at the best coral reefs around the world, for sheer number of species as well as colour We take a look at the best coral reefs around the world, for sheer number of species as well as colour We take a look at the best coral reefs around the world, for sheer number of species as well as colour

and quality of coral. If you love diving or snorkelling be inspired by our list beland quality of coral. If you love diving or snorkelling be inspired by our list beland quality of coral. If you love diving or snorkelling be inspired by our list beland quality of coral. If you love diving or snorkelling be inspired by our list below.ow.ow.ow.

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

1. Great Barrier Reef, Australia

The largest coral reef on the planet, the Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven natural wonders of the

world. Listed as a world heritage site in 1981, the marine park stretches 1800 miles along the

Queensland coast and is the only living thing on earth visible from space. It has the world's largest

collection of corals, coral sponges, molluscs, rays, dolphins, 1500 species of tropical fish, more than

200 types of bird, around 20 types of reptiles including sea turtles and giant clams over 120 years old.

The reef is best visited in the dry months (June - October) when the weather is cool and the water

much clearer.

To plan a holiday to Australia phone our specialists on 01993 83880001993 83880001993 83880001993 838800 or visit the Australia section of

our website.

The Palancar Reef, Mexico

2. The Palancar Reef, San Miguel de Cozumel, Mexico

Palancar is located off the southwest side of the island of Cozumel, part of the Arrecifes de Cozumel

National Park in Mexico. The site is more of a garden than a reef and very popular with scuba divers.

The colours are mesmerising and exotic species include crabs, lobster, sting rays, barracuda, Angel

fish, nurse sharks, Parrotfish, sea turtles and moray eels. It really is the Garden of Eden underwater,

with March and August being the best months for diving.

To plan a holiday to Mexico phone our specialists on 01993 83867001993 83867001993 83867001993 838670 or visit the Mexico section of our

website.

Moyo Island, Indonesia

3. Raja Ampats, Indonesia

Located in the West Papua province off the coast of New Guinea, the Raja Ampats reefs have a

staggering amount of hard coral with 600 species of hard coral and 1200 varieties of fish. The reefs

are in pristine condition and with little exploration you can still find corals in the same way they were

formed. According to Conservation International marine surveys suggest that the marine life diversity

in the Raja Ampat area is the highest recorded on earth. Part of the coral triangle, the Raja Ampat

islands are remote and relatively undisturbed by humans and diving is ideal all year round.

To plan a holiday to Indonesia phone our specialists on 01993 83811001993 83811001993 83811001993 838110 or visit the Indonesia section of

our website.

Beautiful coral, Fiji

4. Grand Central Station and Chimneys, Fiji

Also called the soft coral capital of the world, the Namina Marine Reserve has it all, from mangroves

and grass sea beds, to vertical walls where sea fans, sponges and crinoids are dominant. It is home to

more than 1000 invertebrates, 400 discovered corals and 445 marine plants that have been

documented. The reserve is also a migratory place for cetaceans like bottlenose dolphins, minke

whales, pilot whales, sperm whales and many endangered turtle species. The best time to dive in Fiji is

during the dry season between May and October.

To plan a holiday to Fiji phone our specialists on 01993 83882501993 83882501993 83882501993 838825or visit the Fiji section of our website.

Great Blue Hole, Belize

5. Belize Barrier Reef, Belize

The second largest barrier reef system in the world, the Belize barrier reef extends 185 miles off the

coast of Belize. There are huge varieties of corals and marine life with over 300 different species of

fish and 65 different species of coral, with new ones discovered every year. Larger marine species

include turtles and manatees. The reef is most famous for the Great Blue Hole, at 124 metres deep it's

a very popular dive site for nurse sharks, black tip sharks, groupers and hammerheads. The best time

for diving is between April and June.

To plan a holiday to Belize phone our specialists on 01993 83869001993 83869001993 83869001993 838690 or visit the Belize section of our

website.

Whale Shark, Papua New Guinea

6. Magic Passage and Planet Rock, Papua New Guinea

Located in the coral triangle this area is a global epicentre of marine species diversity and is one of the

top priorities for marine conservation. Sea turtles, whale sharks and mantas feed, breed and migrate in

these rich and sheltered waters. The changing currents attract huge predators including barracuda and

white tip reef sharks as well as sweetlips, trevallies, huge sea fans and colourful soft coral.

Unfortunately the marine life is now at risk from unsustainable fishing, pollution and the effects of

climate change. If you do plan to dive the best time is during the dry season from May to October.

To plan a tailor made holiday to Papua New Guinea phone our specialists on 01993 83810001993 83810001993 83810001993 838100 or visit

the Papua New Guinea section of our website.

Dolphins, Andaman Sea

7. Andaman Sea Reefs, India

The biodiversity of marine life in the Andaman Sea reefs is amongst the most varied in the world.

Crocodiles, turtles and Dugongs (sea Cows) are just some examples of the wildlife in the region. Two

sections of the sea reefs around the Andaman Islands are protected as Marine National Parks and

scuba diving and snorkelling are popular. Cinque Island and Corbyn's Beach are Andaman hot spots,

with 200 coral species and more than 500 fish species recorded. The reefs and islands are also

important feeding and breeding grounds for endangered turtles. The best months for diving are

between October and May.

To plan a holiday to India phone our specialists on 01993 83833001993 83833001993 83833001993 838330or visit the India section of our

website.

Turtle in the Seychelles

8. Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles

The world's second largest coral atoll is in the Aldabra group of islands in the Indian ocean that form

part of the Seychelles. Uninhabited and extremely isolated, Aldabra is virtually untouched by humans

and has been designated a world heritage site. The distinctive island fauna includes the Aldabra Giant

Tortoise, giant land crabs, hammerhead sharks, manta rays, barracuda and turtles. The best times to

dive are March to April and September to October.

To plan a holiday to the Seychelles phone us on 01993 83851301993 83851301993 83851301993 838513 or visit the Seychelles section of our

website.

9. Diving the SS Yongala, Queensland, Australia

Located in the world heritage listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, the SS Yongala is said to be the

best dive and wreck site in the world. Home to flying manta rays, eagle rays, jacks, wrasse, barracuda,

turtles, bull sharks, octopuses and sea snakes. The boat sank during a cyclone in 1911, with the loss

of everyone onboard, creating one of Australia's most intriguing maritime mysteries and she lay

undiscovered for more than half a century. Diving is ideal all year round, with conditions varying

slightly between summer and winter.

To plan a tailor made holiday to Australia phone our specialists on 01993 838810 or visit the Australia

section on our website.

El Nido, Philippines

10. Tubbataha Reef, Philippines

Hundreds of species of coral and fish live amongst this World Heritage Site in the Sulu Sea, including

sea turtles, sharks and manta rays. Diving at Tubbataha is extremely popular because of the unique

and fragile underwater ecosystem. However, conservation is a huge issue at Tubbataha because of the

recent decline in the world's coral species. Diving at Tubbataha is only possible between March and

June because conditions are too rough during the rest of the year.

• o Malin_eri

• 2 years ago � �

Would highly recommend diving around Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan, these islands are just off the eastern coast of Bali, Indonesia. The diving here is known not only for its beautiful coral and diversity among smaller fish but also for the frequent visits of Manta rays and the odd looking Mola Molas!Another great tip is to check out the U.S.S Liberty wreck! Head to the small town of Tulamben, situated on the northeastern coast of Bali, and swim about 50-100 meters out and there you have it!

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The world's best diving destinations: Unforgettable coral reefs, WWII ship wrecks and swimming with sharks

24th Nov 2012 7:18pm | By Helen Elfer

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Sinister wrecks, rainbow-coloured reefs, sociable s harks, luminous sea life and a host of natural wonders can be explored in flippers

All you can hear is the sound of your own slow breathing. Lurid yellow, orange and pink fish flash by, like tiny electric bolts.

Your flippers gently brush against the tips of swaying tropical plants and with each metre you swim deeper, there’s another underwater scene, each one more mesmerising than the last. Welcome to the world of scuba diving.

Whether you’re totally hooked on discovering rare marine life, into photographing surreal coral formations, or are planning your very first dive and just don’t want to get chewed up by a shark, we’ve got the perfect diving destination for you here.

From Mexican coral reefs to Second World War shipwrecks in Egypt, to the cutest collection of tropical baby fish you'll ever see in Mozambique, these are the kind of underwater adventures that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

Best for: Wreck diving There’s something about the idea of exploring decades-old shipwrecks that captures the imagination.

Perhaps it’s the eerie serenity when once the wreck must have been a scene of chaos – or maybe we’ve watched Titanic too often.

The SS Thistlegorm, near Egypt’s popular dive resort Sharm el Sheikh, is one of the world’s most famous wreck diving sites.

The British Merchant Navy ship was heading from Glasgow to Alexandria in 1941, bringing supplies to the Allied Forces stationed there, when it was sunk by the Germans near Ras Muhammad in the Red Sea.

The ship was carrying everything from rifles to jeeps and wellies, all of which now sit at the bottom of the ocean, including the ship itself, complete with the hole where the bomb exploded.

Divers can explore around and inside the silty wreck, using torches to illuminate the rusty artillery and armed vehicles.

Venturing inside a wreck can require extra training, so check what qualifications you need before you book.

Visibility : Up to 30m ssthistlegorm.com

Best for: Sharks It’s a brave (or barmy) diver that goes in search of sharks – did you not watch Jaws as a kid?

But if you’re one of these adrenaline junkies, and your idea of a great diving trip involves coming face to face with the toothy grin of one of nature’s most bloodthirsty species, then the place to do it is the southern Bahamas.

You won’t find many tour operators eager to take groups swimming with man-eating beasts, but if that’s really what you want, Divequest runs trips here where there are occasional sightings of deadly bull sharks.

Thrill seekers, be careful what you do with this information.

Otherwise, head to Elephant Head Rock in Thailand, where the kinds of sharks you’ll find – black tip, white tip and leopards – aren’t dangerous to humans, but are still exhilarating to swim near, if a little intimidating.

As well as the sharks, you’ll also be able to see blue-ringed angelfish, triggerfish and bicolour parrotfish. Those who choose to descend further will be rewarded with glimpses of snapper and yellow goatfish, too.

Visibility: 20-40m thailand-divers.com

Best for: Coral reefs Even the most “been there, seen that” divers still get a little misty-eyed when anyone mentions Palancar Reef.

It’s off the southwest side of the island of Cozumel, part of the Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park, in Mexico.

It has four of the most spectacular coral reefs in the world, as well as being home to home to sea turtles, rays, nurse sharks, barracudas, moray eels, lobsters, crabs and a kaleidoscope of colourful fish.

The Palancar Caves are the most famous because of their huge brain corals and swim-through tunnels.

Palancar Horseshoe is an alternative formation of huge corals, or you can venture to Palancar Bricks, which gets its name from the red bricks that were dropped into the area by a capsized barge in the Fifties.

The coral and sponges here are captivating and there’s a chance you’ll also get to see some turtles as well as stingrays.

This area is an excellent place for first-time divers to dip their toes in the water, so to speak.

Palancar Gardens is a shallow diving spot with mellow currents, and is so pretty it’s been nicknamed the ‘underwater Garden of Eden’.

You’ll see rock buttresses covered with sponges, hydrocoral and gorgonians, as well as tropical fish such as queen angels and, if you’re really lucky, giant sea turtles.

It’s also an excellent place to practice your underwater photography – the diving itself is quite straightforward, the water is clear and the colours and shapes to be seen are nothing short of inspirational.

Visibility : 30-50m buceopalancar.com

Best for: Marine life Sipadan Island, off Malaysia, tops the list of practically every ‘best dives’ list ever compiled for many reasons.

The incredible 3000 species of fish, not to mention the eye-popping walls of living coral, are just two of them.

But however you choose to spend your time underwater, just make sure you fit in a dive to Turtle Patch, which is located in the southeast corner of the island, just to the northeast of South Point.

Green and hawksbill turtles mate and nest here, and a turtle tomb lies underneath the column of the island.

This submerged limestone cave contains a labyrinth of tunnels and chambers that contain the skeletons of poor turtles that got lost and died before finding the surface.

A large number of giant turtles come to the patch to rest on the sandy bottom or feed on the sponges.

They’re so accustomed to seeing divers, that they’re not in the slightest bit fazed by their presence, meaning it’s possible to get very close without disturbing them.

Experienced divers recommend the best way of taking in the Turtle Patch is to go first thing in the morning, and let yourself be swept along by the current, which will take you through shallows at a steady pace as you take in the scenery.

While you’re looking out for turtles, don’t forget to also admire the rest of the underwater sights, including staghorn coral stands, spotted sweetlips and pufferfish.

Lionfish and moray eels are also common here and if you’re lucky you could get to see a swirling tornado-like formation of barracudas.

Visibility: 10-20m sipadan.com

Best for: Tropical fish If you’ve been harbouring fantasies about your own Finding Nemo moment, go to Clownfish Reef in Mozambique.

Because the reef is sheltered and so shallow, at a maximum of 11m, it’s become a nursery for baby fish, so as well as the cute orange and black clownfish, there are little emperor angelfish, tiny lionfish, baby octopus, small scorpionfish and many other miniature tropical critters.

Further south on Mozambique’s east coast is Manta Reef, where you’ll find giant manta rays up to 6m wide.

Schools of fish swim about here and you’ll be able to goggle at colours and patterns you couldn’t even dream up.

Yellow snapper, barracuda, bigeyes, fusiliers, bright blue, redtooth triggerfish, tiny goldies and fairy basslets are just some of the species you can admire here.

Visibility: 15-30m visitmozambique.net

Best for: Caves Another dive sight for daredevils, the menacingly named Great Blue Hole, is a submarine sinkhole 300m wide and 124m deep.

Formed during the last ice age, it’s made up of karst limestone formations which, over the years, have evolved into ledges that give way to a dark chasm.

Only advanced divers will be able to tackle these waters, but inside are multi-colored stalactites and stalagmites, submerged caves and all sorts of mysterious marine life lurking in the dark blue shadows.

Watch out for giant groupers, nurse sharks and Caribbean reef sharks swimming in this natural phenomenon

Visibility : 15-30m travelbelize.org

Best for: Volcanoes

The remote island of Pulau Weh, off Indonesia’s Sumatra, is seriously off the beaten track, but if you make the trip you’ll find practically everything on your must-see diving ticklist – sharks, coral, tropical fish and wrecks.

It also offers a rare sight on top of all of that: the very active underwater volcano.

At the relatively shallow depth of 9m, hot gases steam out of fumaroles from the sea floor and you can swim safely through the sea of bubbles.

A dive to see these hot springs is often done in conjunction with a visit to Bu Hila, a well-preserved wrecked tug boat at about 15m deep.

The other selling point of Pulau Weh is that its waters attract sunfish, manta rays and, the largest of all, the whale shark.

There have also been a few sightings of the extremely elusive megamouth shark – as terrifying-looking as they are rare, these weigh up to a tonne and grow up to 5m.

They swim around with their big rubbery mouths wide open. In other words, if you do see one, stay out of its way.

Visibility : 30-40m pulauwehresort.com

Best of the rest: Padi Courses

Caught the diving bug? You’ll need to invest in a PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) course, which range from beginners to specialist training. Vietnam Rainbow Divers do a great value PADI Scuba Diver (entry level) course in Nha Trang, which includes half a day of theory, a pool trial and two off-boat dives the next day. Price : £158.50pp divevietnam.com Hawaii The next level is an Advanced Open Water Course, which gives you experience in deeper dives and navigation techniques. Island Divers Hawaii, in Oahu, offer this course with 2-3 days of boat diving, including wreck diving and night diving. Price : £250pp oahuscubadiving.com Egypt If you want to get a professional qualification, take the PADI Divemaster. It takes between two and four weeks, and you’ll need to have completed 40 dives. Camel Dive Club offer an internship, giving you experience in tutoring others. Price : £410pp cameldive.com

UK shark dives

You don’t have to go somewhere exotic to dive; save yourself the airfare and try one of these shark-infested waters closer to home instead. Blue Planet Aquarium, Cheshire You’re guaranteed up-close-and-personal encounters with all manner of toothy creatures at Cheshire’s Blue Planet Aquarium. This centre has the largest collection of sharks in Europe, including sand tigers, nurse, zebra, guitar and lemon sharks. The aquarium offers different experiences for PADI-qualified divers and first-timers. Price : From £130pp blueplanetaquarium.com Deep Sea World, Fife

Introduce yourself to an endangered local species, the angel shark, at Fife’s Deep Sea World.

The angel shark is a flat shark species which used to be found lurking around the UK’s sea beds in deep, muddy waters, but was declared locally extinct in the North Sea in 2006.

You can’t dive with these, but you can get in the tank with sand tiger sharks, conger eels, thornback rays and a stingray.

Price : From £145pp deepseaworld.com Cage Diving, Cornwall The surfers might not be too happy to hear this, but there are lots of predatory basking sharks off the coast of Cornwall. They grow to a whopping 12m-long and have those horrible gaping mouths, but if you’re

brave enough to want to visit them you can do so in a purpose-built steel shark cage with Atlantic Diver. Book early, as there aren’t many tour operators certified to run this trip, so places fill up months in advance. Price : From £95pp atlanticdiver.co.uk

Top five world's best scuba diving holidays

25th Mar 2012 12:00pm | By Heather Riske

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Here's our pick of the world's best scuba diving ho lidays.

1 Fernando de Noronha, Brazil This archipelago of 21 volcanic islands and islets is a tranquil, off-the-beaten-path dive spot lying 200 miles off the coast of Brazil. Calm waters, a rich variety of marine life and a host of well-preserved shipwrecks, including the Brazilian Navy Ipiranga Corvette V17, make it one of the best places to scuba in South America – so it was an easy choice for our top spot. Once underwater, divers enjoy crystal-clear waters with visibility of up to an impressive 45 metres, perfect for spotting dolphins, turtles, stingrays and coloured tropical fish.

The island chain makes up part of the mid-Atlantic ridge, an underwater mountain range stretching 15,000km through the Atlantic Ocean. Formerly a volcanic cone, its base lies 756 metres below the surface, so you’ll get to explore fascinating volcanic rock, caverns and coral formations.

As both Brazil’s first marine park and a Unesco World Heritage Site, more than 70 per cent of the island is protected. This includes tourist favourite Dolphins Bay, the world’s oldest, largest school of the mammals and a breeding ground for the acrobatic spinner dolphin (we kid you not). Nearby Projeto Tamar (tamar.org.br), a Brazilian environmental organisation, is worth checking out. Get involved, as the conservation centre is a good spot to witness cute, newly hatched hawksbill and green turtles take their first trip into the ocean.

And if you’re looking for a few more activities above the surface, you can go horse riding, dune buggying and surfing on the island chain, earning Fernando de Noronha the title “Hawaii of Brazil.”

What’s more, you, thankfully, won’t have to fight with hordes of other tourists for a relaxing dive trip – the secluded island promotes “sustainable tourism”, and only allows 420 visitors at a time. You’ll be able to enjoy its incredible marine life and natural wonders in peace.

The best time to visit is in the low season between April and November, when accommodation is cheaper. fernando-de-noronha.org

2 Great Blue Hole, Belize Jacques Cousteau put this place on the map in 1971, when he took his famous Calypso ship here, declaring it one of the world’s best diving sites.

Today, divers continue to flock to the karst-eroded sinkhole, formed when the ceiling of an underground cave collapsed. It now boasts a collection of intricate limestone stalactites and wall formations. Book a dive package with Aqua Scuba Centre from £126.

aquascubabelize.com

3 Red Sea, Egypt At the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula in the Red Sea lies the Ras Mohammed National Park, full of rich coral reefs, underwater caves and thousands of species of fish.

Sweeping desert landscapes dotted with gazelles surround this diver’s paradise. The waters, home to the SS Thistlegorm wreckage, are believed to be one of the few remaining sewage-free dive spots. Packages from £92 with Divers International.

diversintl.com

4 Andaman Sea, Thailand The Surin and Similan islands make up a chain of 14 beautiful uninhabited islets in the Andaman Sea, making them Thailand’s best spot for diving.

The remote areas are famed for virtually untouched reefs and exceptional visibility, as well as a host of colourful fish, mantas and turtles. Nearby Richelieu Rock is a favourite with the more experienced diver for its purple corals and visiting whale sharks. Introductory courses start at about £33 with Crystal Dive (crystaldive.com).

5 Molokini Crater, Hawaii Just a short boat ride away from tourist hotspot Maui lies this uninhabited islet, formed along the rim of an ancient, partially submerged volcanic crater.

It’s ideal for divers of all skill levels – the crescent moon shape protects beginners against powerful currents, while the more experienced can head to the back of the crater, which sinks to an ear-popping 350ft. Expect to spot eels, mantas and dolphins, as well as one of Hawaii’s most pristine hard coral reefs. Packages from £107 with Lahaina Divers.

lahainadivers.com

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