10 diving destinations with more than just diving
When choosing a diving destination, it is of course often about the marine life. But what makes a trip really special is when you can combine the diving with impressive nature or fascinating culture on land. In this blog you will find 10 diving destinations that have more to offer than just diving.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a country with immense nature – and at least as many contrasts. You will find active volcanoes, mysterious cloud forests and tropical beaches where the jungle reaches the coast. This variety makes the country perfect for travelers who want to combine diving with nature and adventure. After a day of diving on the Pacific coast, for example, you can go hiking in the Monteverde cloud forest or visit hot springs at Arenal volcano. Extra fun is that you can easily make your own road trip here. The distances are great, so having a car is almost a necessity. But the roads are good and quiet, so you can drive yourself just fine here.
Jordan
Jordan is a destination that combines diving with an impressive dose of culture and nature. In Aqaba, you will dive among colorful coral reefs and artificial wrecks in the Red Sea – a surprisingly beautiful and accessible diving area. But the country has much more to offer. Relax floating in the Dead Sea, discover ancient history in places that play an important role in Christianity, spend a night under the stars in the Wadi Rum desert and walk through the rose-red city of Petra, one of the new wonders of the world.
Sri Lanka & Maldives
Sri Lanka and the Maldives together form an ideal travel combination for those who want to alternate diving with culture and nature. In Sri Lanka you will discover ancient temples, green tea plantations, wildlife parks and a rich history. After the round trip, you fly in a short time to the Maldives, where you can relax between white beaches and turquoise water. There it’s all about diving: colorful reefs, manta rays and maybe even whale sharks. A trip that perfectly balances adventure, relaxation and impressive underwater world.
Komodo, Indonesia
Komodo is one of Indonesia’s most spectacular diving destinations, known for its strong currents, rich marine life and chances of seeing manta rays. But the area is also impressive above water. Komodo National Park consists of rugged islands with savanna-like landscapes and volcanic hills. Here live the famous Komodo dragons – the largest lizards in the world. A hike on Rinca or Komodo Island offers a completely different adventure than underwater. This destination combines world-class diving with pure, unspoiled nature.
Galapagos, Ecuador
The Galápagos Islands is a destination on the list of many divers. Because of their remote location and different currents, you have a chance of seeing lots of pelagic life and different types of sharks. It even happens that orcas pass by during your dive! It is also unique above water. Literally, because due to its remote location, there are plants and animals here that are found nowhere else in the world. There are volcanic craters, vast lava fields and beaches full of sea lions.
If you choose to island hop, each diving day can be complemented by walks along beautiful bays, snorkeling in tranquil lagoons or spotting giant tortoises in their natural habitat.
Belize
Belize is a destination where diving and nature combine perfectly. Underwater you will find the world-famous Belize Barrier Reef, colorful coral gardens, shipwrecks and an abundance of tropical marine life. Above water lies a dense rainforest full of biodiversity. The jungle is home to sloths, toucans, jaguars and countless reptiles and amphibians. Here you can hike along rivers, visit waterfalls or canoe through mangroves. Belize thus offers an ideal combination of adventure under and above water.
Tanzania
There are actually quite a few options to shape your trip in Tanzania. For example, you can choose to dive at Pemba, Mafia Island or Zanzibar. Each island has its own unique underwater world: Pemba is known for its impressive coral reefs and strong currents, Mafia Island offers chances of whale sharks and manta rays, and Zanzibar combines diving with beautiful sandy beaches and a rich cultural background. Personally, we would definitely choose Pemba or Mafia, because there you have the greatest chance of seeing great marine life.
And as you might suspect: after diving, you won’t have to get bored here. After all, Tanzania offers fantastic safari opportunities. From the islands you can easily explore the mainland and come face to face with elephants, lions, giraffes and many other wild animals in the famous parks such as the Serengeti.
Madagascar
Madagascar is a vast island that you should really give your time to explore. The distances between the different national parks are great, so traveling takes some time, but it is absolutely worth it. The island is known for its unique flora and fauna: think lemurs, baobab trees and colorful bird species you won’t find anywhere else in the world.
Diving can be done from islets like Nosy Be, where you will be welcomed by white sandbanks and crystal clear, blue waters. Underwater you’ll find wonderful biodiversity: coral reefs, tropical fish and maybe even sea turtles or reef sharks. In the right season, you also have the chance to spot humpback whales and whale sharks.
South Africa
In South Africa you can also combine diving with a safari excellently. Underwater, Aliwal Shoal offers an unforgettable experience: here reef sharks, nurse sharks and sometimes even tiger sharks swim among colorful corals and wrecks. Or go during the Sardine Run, a spectacular annual migration of millions of sardines along the coast of South Africa. It is one of the most impressive underwater shows in the world, where, in addition to sardines, you may encounter dolphins, sharks and even whales chasing their meal.
But the adventure doesn’t stop underwater. After diving, you can head out into the wilderness for a safari and come face to face with lions, elephants, rhinos and giraffes. Prefer some more sun and sea? Then a visit to the beautiful coast of Mozambique is a perfect addition to your trip. Here, too, you can take a few more dives.
Bali, Indonesia
Actually, this applies to all of Indonesia: underwater it is a diver’s paradise, but it is also beautiful above water. The country has a rich culture, colorful temples and lively markets that create a unique atmosphere. Each island has its own character, landscape and traditions, from the rice terraces and volcanoes of Bali to the pristine nature and remote islands of other regions. Indonesia is therefore a destination you will want to return to again and again, with ever new dive sites and cultural discoveries waiting to be explored.
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