The most unusual scuba diving sites in the world offer a totally unique experience. You’ll find everything from human-shaped sculptures to mysterious rock formations that have baffled divers for years.
One of the most unusual scuba dive sites is found in the Yonaguni Monument off the coast of Japan. Here you can see a rocky structure that looks like a pyramid. It has no explanation, which is why it attracts so many tourists and scuba divers.
- Richelieu Rock
Richelieu Rock, also known as Hin Plo Naam in Thai, is a horseshoe-shaped rock that sits in the Andaman Sea about 20km from the Surin Islands and 40km from Koh Tachai. It is a popular dive site and is often included in liveaboard itineraries as it is a world-class location for diving with whale sharks.
The rich nutrient-rich waters from several directions around Richelieu Rock attract plankton blooms which feeds the many different types of marine life. This makes the dive site very attractive for the various types of fish and other sea creatures that visit it every day for food, to breed, or just hang out.
It’s a great place to see whale sharks, though sightings are very rare and occur about 10% of the time. Diving with these gentle giants is a very special experience and you should try to see one as you can.
There are many other things to see at Richelieu Rock such as porcelain crabs, tiger tail sea horses, robust ghost pipefish and mantis shrimps, frogfish, leaf fish, nudibranchs and more. The variety of critters that can be seen at this site make it one of the most interesting and fun dive sites in Thailand.
Most dive liveaboards include Richelieu Rock in their itineraries and will usually dive three or four times during the day there. However, you should be sure to check the currents as the site is not sheltered and changing currents can be strong.
The best way to dive Richelieu Rock is to take part in a liveaboard dive tour that takes you to the Similan and Surin Islands and includes this site on your itinerary. Alternatively, you can take a day trip from Phuket or Khao Lak and spend the day diving at Richelieu Rock and the other amazing sites in the area.
- Darwin’s Arch
The Galapagos Islands, located 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean, are known for their unique flora and fauna. The archipelago is home to many endemic species that have not been seen anywhere else in the world, making it an incredibly popular diving destination.
One of the most popular scuba diving sites in the area is Darwin’s Arch, an iconic rock structure that is a must-see for any visitor to the islands. The 141-foot-high rock formation is located less than a mile away from Darwin Island, which was named after English naturalist Charles Darwin, who studied the islands’ wildlife when he was researching evolution.
While the top of the arch has collapsed, two freestanding stone pillars remain, according to the Ecuador Ministry of Environment and Water. It’s unclear what caused the collapse, but Ecuadorian officials are blaming it on erosion.
This site was a favorite spot for divers to see whale sharks and other unique marine life, such as sea turtles, manta rays and dolphins. It’s also a prime spot for observing large schools of Hammerhead Sharks and other pelagic fish.
Researchers discovered that the area was also home to four pregnant whale sharks, which they tracked with acoustic tags. They also noted that the arch was a frequent stop for other species of sharks, including the largest ones on the planet.
The arch’s collapse is a major loss for the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is home to many of the unique plants and animals that inspired Darwin’s theory of evolution. It’s also a major blow for travel enthusiasts, locals and environmentalists alike.
- Cocos Island
Located 530 km southwest of Costa Rica’s mainland, Cocos Island is one of the world’s top diving destinations. It is known for its rich coral reef, volcanic tunnels, caves, and deep waters that are home to a breathtaking array of species.
Divers can visit the pristine underwater ecosystems of Cocos Island National Park to observe schools of scalloped hammerhead sharks and white tip reef sharks, and encounter whale sharks and dolphins. The area is also home to many endemic fish and other marine life that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
The island is a protected national park that promotes research, environmental education, and recreational use of the area. It is the largest ocean protected area in Costa Rica. The National Geographic Explorer in Residence, Enric Sala, and Explorer at Large Sylvia Earle visited the park as part of a Pristine Seas expedition to document the ecosystems there.
This unique area is also a hotspot for marine biodiversity and one of the best places in the world to view a variety of migratory seabirds, including Brown Booby, Red-footed Booby, Great Frigatebird, and White Tern. It is also home to a number of endemic land birds, including the Cocos Cuckoo, Flycatcher, and Finch.
It is also home to a number of plant species that have evolved over time and are found nowhere else in the world. These include 235 species of vascular plants and 362 insects, as well as two endemic lizard species.
The scuba dive sites are challenging and a trip to Cocos Island is recommended only for experienced divers who can handle the steep drop offs. It is not a one-day adventure for the beginner, but if you are willing to put in the work and follow your diving guides, the experience will be life changing.
- Adventurecenter Rummu
If you’re looking for a unique scuba diving experience, the Rummu quarry in Estonia may be worth your time. This former prison has become a popular lake and cliff diving spot, with sunken ruins that attract divers and Instagrammers.
The site isn’t suitable for beginners, as there’s barbed wire, old mining equipment, and winding passages that could be dangerous to dive through. It’s best to visit with a reputable diving school and get your training before heading here.
You can also explore the eerie underwater city by snorkeling or stand up paddleboarding. For around 35EUR, you can rent a snorkeling set that includes flippers and a mask, which is a great way to see the ruins without risking any injuries.
Another option is to try jet surfing, which is a popular watersport in Estonia. For 50EUR, you can ride a motorized surfboard that can reach speeds of up to 56km/h.
During summer, this place transforms into an adventure center where you can participate in different activities such as snorkeling, stand up paddleboarding, and jetsurfing. It’s an exciting way to enjoy the crystal clear lake waters and the sunken ruins of the prison.
In addition to scuba diving, you can also enjoy other water activities like kayaking and fat biking in the nearby area. The site also organizes illuminated raft sailing and other adventure excursions.
The site is a unique combination of scuba diving and adventure, making it a must-see for travelers in Estonia. While it’s not suitable for beginners, it’s definitely an eerie experience that should be experienced by those who have the time and money to do it. You should always book your trip through a reputable diving school, and be sure to wear a life jacket at all times.
- Yonaguni
The most remote of all the Okinawan islands, Yonaguni is a must-see for scuba divers. You can dive with hammerhead sharks, explore megalithic structures or learn about the distinctive crafts that have developed on the island.
The island’s main draw is its enigmatic underwater stone structures, which seem carved out of solid rock at precise angles. Known as the Yonaguni Monument, these submerged ruins are a mystery that has made many scuba divers itch to explore.
Its sandstone and mudstone formations are cleft at sharp angles, with other features like arches and steps, waist-high passageways and conical borings in the rocks. The sandstone is believed to date back to 20 million years ago and was formed by a combination of tectonic activity, erosion and other natural processes.
But there is still much debate over the site’s origins. One theory is that the monument is the remains of a lost city, which sank during an earthquake some 2,000 years ago.
However, a second theory is that the monument is a natural occurrence and formed as a result of tectonic movement. Masaaki Kimura, a marine geologist at the University of Ryukyus in Japan, believes this is the case and has been studying it for more than 15 years.
He’s also convinced that the monument is a result of a combination of tectonic movements and other natural processes. It’s no surprise, then, that he and other scientists have spent so many hours under the water examining it.
In 1986, a local diver named Kihachiro Aratake accidentally strayed outside the designated safety zone and stumbled upon the monument. He explored the platform and was awed by its size. He encircled it repeatedly to take pictures before returning to shore.