Are you ready to explore the world below your feet? There are some great underwater adventures out there. Read on to learn about the top ones in the world.
Do you have a bucket list full of unique adventures? Your friends and family probably awe at your amazing travels, asking you how you even come up with such great trips.
But as any traveler knows, your bucket list is never complete. There’s always room to expand on it as you discover new sites and activities.
Of course, this isn’t limited to dry land. There are tons of unique underwater adventures that need to make their way onto your bucket list immediately.
Do you want to know what they are? Keep reading to discover the 10 best underwater adventures in the world.
1. Visit the Underwater Museum, Mexico
If you’re an avid traveler, you’ve probably explored at least one coral reef in your lifetime. It doesn’t matter if you scuba dived or snorkeled, seeing those gorgeous colors and wild fish is a breathtaking experience.
But when too many tourists visit natural coral reefs, they begin to suffer. Swimmers sometimes accidentally kick reefs or wear sunscreen that is poisonous to marine life.
When this problem arose in Cancun, Mexico, a creative alternative was employed to save the reef. The underwater museum in Cancun features over 500 sculptures and is only located 28 feet underwater, making it very accessible for both snorkelers and divers.
Each sculpture was based on a real person living in Puerto Morelos, a town about 30 minutes outside of Cancun, making this a great cultural attraction.
The best part is that the museum helps preserve natural coral reefs by distracting tourists away from them. Plus, the statues make great supports for a new coral reef to start growing.
2. Cage Dive in Shark Alley, South Africa
Do you like to engage in the thrilling side of travel? Of course, skydiving and base jumping have their merits, but what can be more adrenaline-pumping than coming face to face with a great white shark?
Shark Alley in South Africa is home to a large population of great white sharks. The locals have capitalized on this by offering cage diving tours.
But just because the tourism industry is involved, doesn’t mean the animals are suffering. There are several eco-friendly companies that give tourists an underwater adventure of a lifetime without harming the local sharks.
When you sign up for this unique swimming with the sharks tour, you’ll be lowered into a specially-designed cage that sits in the ocean. Many people see between 4 and 8 sharks in one tour, some of which have grown to be 20 feet!
After you get your fill of ocean thrills, plan an African safari to enjoy your time on land, too.
3. Swim with Whale Sharks in Quintana Roo, Mexico
If you’d like to get up close and personal with large marine life but want to avoid all the sharp teeth, then head to Mexico for your next vacation!
In Quintana Roo, Mexico, swimming with the sharks means swimming with whale sharks. These gentle beasts can reach up to 41,000 pounds but aren’t threatening to divers. Many are even playful, giving you a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
But you’ll have to plan your trip carefully. The whale sharks don’t stick around all year, so you’ll have to visit between June and September for this adventure.
4. Explore the SS Yongala Shipwreck, Australia
Are you obsessed with the Titanic? The world famous “unsinkable” ship has been laying at the bottom of the Atlantic for over 100 years but is still sparking interest in exploring sunken ships. While you can visit the Titanic in 2019, it’ll cost you a pretty penny-$105,129 to be exact.
For those who don’t have an extra hundred grand to spend, an affordable (but still jaw-dropping) alternative awaits you in Australia.
The SS Yongala sunk just one year before the Titanic on March 23rd, 1911. At 361 feet, the SS Yongala is one of the largest intact shipwrecks. When many countries are purposefully sinking old ships to attract tourists and help coral grow, you’ll get the chance to explore a real accidental shipwreck.
5. Explore Yonaguni, Japan
Are you fascinated with the mysteries behind Stonehenge and the Easter Island Moi? What if we told you there were mysterious formations under the water too?
Off the coast of Yonaguni, a small Japanese island, lay the ruins of a pyramid along with pillars, walls, and platforms. What is really strange is that experts can’t seem to agree on one theory.
Some believe these sunken structures are from an ancient city which has since sunk due to an earthquake or tsunami. Others believe they aren’t man-made at all, but rather, they are natural structures.
And still, there’s a group who believes aliens are the answer. In fact, there’s a whole episode of Ancient Aliens devoted to uncovering the secret of these ruins.
6. Go Back in Time at Shicheng Underwater City, China
Does the idea of exploring an underwater city excite you? You’ll get all the thrill without the alien conspiracies at Shicheng in China.
Located in the Zhenjiang province, Shichen was a real city that was built in 1368. It stayed inhabited until 1959, so you can witness ancient architecture from the Ming and Qing dynasties along with some modern buildings.
So what happened to this once bustling city, you ask? Well, as it turns out, Shichen was purposefully flooded in order to construct a lake with a dam and hydroelectric station. Almost 300,000 people had to wave goodbye to their homes, some of which had families that lived in Shicheng for centuries.
The Chinese government rediscovered it in 2001 and found that the water kept it well-preserved. You’ll need to take some scuba lessons and head to China for this, but it’s one of the most unique underwater adventures you’ll find.
7. Scuba Dive at the Great Barrier Reef, Australia
No underwater bucket list would be complete without the Great Barrier Reef. This is the largest coral reef in the world, and UNESCO World Heritage Site, and home to many different species of marine life.
Not only is it gorgeous, but it’s easy to access as well. Tons of companies host daily tours to see the reef for both snorkelers and scuba divers.
There’s so much to see, you’ll want to get the widest mask you can possibly find so you don’t miss a thing. Luckily, there’s a full face snorkel you can buy that will give you the best views of the Great Barrier Reef.
8. Take a Submarine Ride, Florida
If you aren’t a strong swimmer or have health concerns that limit your time in the water, you may think you can’t experience an underwater adventure. But, don’t worry-Florida has the perfect adventure for you!
Florida has some of the most gorgeous beaches in the United States. The clear water makes for excellent snorkeling and scuba diving conditions. But if you want to try something different, consider going on a submarine ride.
You can see all the beauty the ocean has to offer from the comfort of a submarine, so you don’t have to know how to swim to enjoy the world that lies under the waves.
Don’t forget to stay in one of the wonderful Miami hotels along the beach to relax in between adventures.
9. Explore Orda Cave, Russia
Who says you need to be by the beach to enjoy underwater adventures? Orda Cave is located almost completely smack dab in the middle of Russia, with no beach in sight.
This gypsum crystal cave is one of the longest caves in the world and a large portion of it is underwater. You’ll get to witness gorgeous cathedral-like galleries and passageways as you explore to your heart’s content.
The water is crystal clear and offers 50-yard visibility, so you won’t have a problem seeing all the beauty within. However, it’s also pretty cold, with temperatures only reaching a high of 40F.
10. Mail a Postcard at the Underwater Post Office, Vanuatu
“Vanuatu…where the heck is that?” Vanuatu is an Oceanic nation made up of about 80 islands and is located between Australia’s east coast and Fiji.
It offers many of the same activities for ocean-lovers, like snorkeling, scuba diving, and charting a boat, and is a unique alternative to Fiji and other tourist-dense countries.
There is one underwater adventure that makes Vanuatu stand out. It’s home to the world’s only underwater post office. You can purchase a waterproof postcard and mail it to your friends and family back home to give them a sneak peek into your awesome vacation.
The best part is that it’s only about 9 feet under the surface, so you don’t need any special snorkel equipment to get there.
The Best Underwater Adventures Around the World
If you’re searching for your next unique and wild adventure, look no further! Just follow our guide to the best underwater adventures around the world and start booking your next trip.
Do you need more inspiration? Check out this post for more epic vacation ideas.