12 incredible remote dive and snorkel locations to add to your travel list

While the Great Barrier Reef is renowned as a premier diving spot, this Australian reef system has been significantly impacted by climate change. Though some areas are showing signs of recovery, numerous other stunning dive sites worldwide offer fantastic alternatives.

Moreover, diving allows for easy social distancing—you're already wearing a mask—so dive and snorkel vacations might become increasingly popular as travel resumes. Here are some top remote dive and snorkel locations to include on your bucket list.

1. Belize

This Central American gem is a top travel destination, known for its rugged rainforests, tranquil islands, pristine beaches, ancient Mayan ruins, and, of course, breathtaking diving and snorkeling. What truly sets Belize's underwater realm apart is its commitment to conservation.

Belize has taken a bold step by banning offshore drilling to safeguard its reefs, making it one of the first developing nations to adopt such a decisive policy against oil extraction. While the legendary Blue Hole is a must-see, it can be challenging to access. Alternative dive spots like Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Shark Alley, and Half Moon Caye are fantastic options, especially in spring and early summer when visibility is at its best. Here, you can expect to encounter nurse sharks, stingrays, hawksbill turtles, manatees, and even whale sharks.

2. Egypt

With warm waters year-round and stunning reefs, the Red Sea in Egypt is teeming with marine life and intriguing shipwrecks. Look for the elusive dugong, as well as sea turtles and stingrays in the lagoons near Marsa Alam. You might also spot whitetip or hammerhead sharks in nearby reefs like Daedalus.

Explore famous shipwrecks like the SS Thistlegorm near Sharm El Sheikh or the Giannis D, located north of Hurghada. Interestingly, some of Egypt's most magnificent ruins can be found underwater—not in the Red Sea, but in the Mediterranean. Though the waters here are murkier, you can discover ancient Egyptian palaces faintly inscribed with hieroglyphics off the coast of Alexandria. Swim among sunken pillars, sphinxes, and other relics in one of the region's most renowned dive sites, Cleopatra's Underwater City.

3. French Polynesia

The crystal-clear waters surrounding French Polynesia's islands offer a paradise for divers and snorkelers. In Rangiroa's Tiputa Pass, visibility can exceed 200 feet, where you may encounter grey or hammerhead sharks, dolphins, manta rays, and even whales during the late summer and early autumn migrations. Snorkeling through the Pass is also a thrilling option.

The Fakarava Atoll, recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, features a narrow pass where divers might witness a spectacular "wall of sharks." This event, usually occurring around the full moon in July, draws hundreds of grey reef sharks feasting on spawning grouper.

4. Indonesia

With around 17,000 islands (6,000 of which are inhabited), it's no wonder that Indonesia is famed for its diving. However, consider bypassing Bali to explore other areas. At the Gili Islands, snorkelers can easily spot giant sea turtles just a few feet from the shore.

Alternatively, the Raja Ampat islands are known for their sustainable dive operators, with reefs that boast the highest marine biodiversity on the planet. For a unique experience, dive in Lembeh, dubbed "The Twilight Zone" and the "Critter Capital," where the black muck diving in the Lembeh Strait reveals some incredibly bizarre sea creatures.

5. Madagascar

The diving season in this African nation typically spans from June to September. If fortune smiles upon you, you might witness humpback whales migrating from Antarctica to breed in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.

Some of Madagascar's top diving spots are located on its islands. Nosy Be, home to the Lokobe Strict Reserve, is known for leopard sharks, manta rays, giant lobsters, and whale sharks. Nosy Boraha, or Île Sainte-Marie, is renowned for humpback whale sightings, as well as glimpses of pirates at the island's famous cemetery. Its reefs are conveniently close to shore, making it a fantastic destination for snorkelers as well.

6. Brazil

For a distinctive Brazilian underwater adventure, you can rappel down a 232-foot wall into the Abyss Anhumas, a freshwater lake teeming with various fish species and mystical underwater stone formations reminiscent of Stonehenge.

For a more classic diving experience, the stunning island archipelago and protected reserve of Fernando de Noronha boasts over 20 dive sites with warm waters and exceptional visibility. It's home to a large population of spinner dolphins and various shark species. Advanced divers can explore the wreck of the underwater Corvette V17 warship.

7. Philippines

With over 7,000 islands, the Philippines offers an abundance of stunning dive sites. Advanced divers should venture to Ticao Island in Masbate Province to explore the Manta Bowl, a vibrant underwater region filled with mantas. From December to May, you might also spot whale sharks as they migrate to feast on the plentiful plankton during this period.

Another essential destination is Tubbataha Reefs National Park, a protected marine sanctuary nestled in the Coral Triangle, home to more than 1,200 marine species. Keep an eye out for various whale and shark species across the park's dive sites, along with hundreds of fish species and nesting sea turtles.

8. Cuba

While many travelers flock to Cuba for the lively atmosphere of Havana or the stunning white-sand beaches of Varadero, few realize that its crystal-clear waters are teeming with remarkable marine life. The country's reefs have remained largely untouched, thanks to limited tourism.

From the iconic 'Notre Dame' coral near Cienfuegos, resembling the famous French cathedral, to the sea turtles found along Isla de Juventud's pirate coast, Cuba's underwater realm is rich and inviting for daring divers. In the northern waters of Cayo Coco, you might encounter pink flamingos and whale sharks. The Bay of Pigs is known for its shipwrecks, and although Playa Santa Lucia is an eight-hour drive from Havana, the journey may reward you with sightings of bull sharks.

9. Hawaii

For those seeking a true adventure, blackwater diving offers the ultimate Hawaiian underwater experience. Venture out on a boat late at night into the deep ocean off Kona, where you’ll be connected to the boat by a line and can explore the depths to witness glowing pelagic fish.

During the day, both snorkelers and divers can explore the Molokini Wall, a vast volcanic crater bustling with fish and whitetip reef sharks. Hawaii also boasts numerous shipwrecks; advanced divers and aviation enthusiasts should not miss the chance to dive at the Corsair aircraft wreck off Oahu, now home to octopuses, moray eels, frogfish, garden eels, and lionfish.

10. Iceland

While Iceland may not be the warm, tropical paradise like the Caribbean or Southeast Asia, it offers unique underwater adventures—such as diving through geothermal chimneys or exploring hydrogen sulfide bubbles.

Iceland is home to one of the world's most extraordinary dive sites: the Silfra fissure. This crack between tectonic plates is the only place globally where you can dive or snorkel directly between two continents. The country also boasts various freshwater diving and snorkeling opportunities. Snorkelers often wear dry suits to stay warm and dry, although spots like the Litlaá River feature pleasantly warm waters due to volcanic heat rising from the depths.

11. Bonaire

Choosing from the many Caribbean islands known for their stunning diving and snorkeling can be tough, but Bonaire, a municipality of the Netherlands, stands out with 100% of its waters protected and 20% of its land as well. Positioned outside Hurricane Alley, the island avoids most major tropical storms, resulting in calmer waters and better visibility compared to other Caribbean spots.

Diving and snorkeling opportunities on the island cater to all skill levels, with 1,000 Steps being one of the premier locations. Although there are only 67 steps to descend, once you enter the water, keep an eye out for turtles and a variety of marine life. More seasoned divers should explore the east and north coasts, where stronger currents offer a better chance of encountering eagle rays and sharks.

12. Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

With 13 major islands and numerous smaller islets, the Galápagos is among the most remote and sought-after destinations for divers. The cold waters, strong currents, and limited visibility make these islands more suitable for experienced divers, but the chance to swim alongside hammerhead sharks, sea lions, or yellow-bellied sea snakes is a thrilling reward for those who dare to face the conditions.

Divers in the Galápagos won't just find hammerhead sharks. In fact, there are a total of 28 shark species to look for, along with stingrays, turtles, seahorses, and black coral.

Bottom line

Regardless of whether you're an ultra-advanced diver, a novice snorkeler, or somewhere in between, these remarkable dive and snorkel locations deserve a spot on your bucket list.

For more thrilling bucket list ideas, be sure to check out the articles below:

• 7 hidden gems to include on your bucket list
• 11 must-do flights for aviation enthusiasts
• 11 opulent hotels in Europe to add to your bucket list
• Reasons to include New Zealand in your travel plans
• The top points and miles bucket list adventures in the US