Little did I know that this lust for searching in the depths of our seas and oceans would be one of the main reasons I visit a place today. I'm now a qualified scuba instructor and have learnt each part of my course in a different part of the world and dived over 300 times, so it was about time I put together a few of my favourite spots; maybe it will influence your next destination like it does mine.
1. Manta Point Nusa Penida
Guaranteed Manta Rays at this pinnacle underwater meeting point. Check out my video on our Instagram. This was the first time I encountered these gentle giants and it’s a dive I will never forget.
You can also tag on Crystal Bay, a busy dive spot but you have a chance of seeing the Sun Fish rising from the deep.
2. Isla Previdencia, Colombia
This is where I did my Divemaster and I spent a month on the amazing island off the coast of Guatemala (but actually, it's part of Colombia).
I can safely say that I saw Grey Reef Sharks every day, Vis was 30m plus and we had all the dive sites to ourselves. Perfect Diving. Perfect Location
– take me back!
3. Scuba Junkie, Pulau, Malaysia
www.scuba-junkie.com
An institution in Malaysia rather than a dive site and a must-go if you are diving alone and want the full, ‘Dive, Eat, Repeat’ experience.
You have World-Class Macro diving (the tiny stuff) and you can try to grab a permit to neighbouring Sipadan – probably the best diving island in the world.
4. Kona, Hawaii
An unusual diving experience on the Big Island of Hawaii. You head out at night, sink 5 meters down and the boats shine bright lights to attract plankton to the area which then attracts the main event. Eight metre manta rays flipping in front of you for as long as your air can last. I don’t think I have ever made so much noise underwater – it was unreal.
5. Tulum, Mexico
If you are looking to push your limit then the pull of cavern diving in Mexico's famous sink holes, or cenotes as they are locally known, is a strong one! If you can brave a cave over your head then you will be treated to underwater cathedrals of stalactites and stalagmites.
You will feel like you are floating in space and you will question whether you are still in the water, it's that clear.
6. Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines
I don’t know where this dive site is – you are gonna have to find this one yourself. I was on a boat tour looking for dolphins and my boat driver pulled up to an island and said – do you wanna go for a dive?
I obviously obliged and had the most incredible wall dive, I couldn’t see where the wall ended and the coral and rock formation was nothing I had ever seen.
Let me know if you find it.