10 of the world's best learn-to-dive destinations

10 of the world's best learn-to-dive destinations

Longing for getting your jump ticket? With a mix of charming conditions and legitimate plunge outfits, we've limited the top spots to get ensured – from the Caribbean to the Maldives, and wherever in the middle 

Gili Trawangan, Gili Islands, Indonesia 

The jumping: Indonesia flaunts an oceanic Babylon – the warm, clear waters around Gili Trawangan (off Lombok) are home to in excess of 3500 marine species including reef sharks, turtles, dwarf seahorses and brilliant corals. 

Why learn here: rivalry between for the most part European-run plunge administrators (like Manta Dive and Blue Marlin), holds course charges under tight restraints on this casual little island, which is likewise incredible for swimming. 

At the point when to go: Gili Trawangan plunging is all year, however numerous voyagers maintain a strategic distance from the November to April blustery season. 

Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia 

The jumping: simply 2.5km seaward, Julian Rocks is a standout amongst Australia's best plunge destinations. Like a small scale Galapagos, the blending of tropical flows and cooler waters around this volcanic feign draws in an abundance of marine life including turtles, beams, wobbegong sharks and more than 1000 fish species. 

Why learn here: the water just gets colder south of Byron, and this hip surf town is more available to spending explorers than the Great Barrier Reef. Both Byron Bay Dive Center and Sundive offer aggressive course rates. 

At the point when to go: plunging is all year, with summer drawing panther sharks and manta beams. Cooler winter waters draw imperiled dark medical attendant sharks, and humpback whales are normally located from May to September 

Ko Tao, Thailand 

The plunging: immaculate by the 2004 wave, Ko Tao is likewise one of only a handful couple of spots on earth where it's conceivable to spot whale sharks (March to April) alongside tropical fish, reef sharks, beams and barracuda during your jump course. 

Why learn here: not at all like neighboring gathering island Ko Pha-Ngan, loosened up Ko Tao is tied in with jumping; quiet, shallow destinations like Japanese Gardens are ideal for anxious fledglings. Look at visit plunge offices including Ban's and Scuba Junction before joining. 

At the point when to go: plunging is all year, with July to September offering the best perceivability. A few outfits close during the November to December blustery season. 

Dahab, Red Sea, Egypt 

The plunging: with dazzling coral natural surroundings truly ventures from the shoreline, loose Dahab offers some spectacular shore jumping and, for cutting edge jumpers, there's likewise a blue opening. 

Why learn here: Dahab feels less clamorous than Egypt's principle plunge focus Sharm el-Sheik, 90km south, however there's as yet a not too bad the travel industry foundation with a lot of jump outfits – Poseidon and Big Blue come suggested. Reinforced by an all year perceivability of 30m, the Red Sea is perfect for fledglings. 

At the point when to go: plunging is all year, however most voyagers think that its progressively agreeable to maintain a strategic distance from the horrendous warmth from May to September 

Caye Caulker, Belize 

The jumping: predominated distinctly by Australia's Great Barrier Reef, the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System lies not exactly a mile from Caye Caulker. Its innumerable plunge locales house everything from fragile ocean fans to glorious coral greenhouses, yet Belize's notorious Great Blue Hole, came to on multi day trip from Caye Caulker, is best left to cutting edge jumpers. 

Why learn here: course expenses at this ideal, relaxed Caribbean island are among the most astounding in Central America, yet the jumping here is by a long shot the best. Enquire at Frenchies and Belize Diving Services. 

At the point when to go: jumping is all year, with conditions close flawless around May. During the blustery season from December to April, oceans can be uneven. 

Utila, Bay Islands, Honduras 

The jumping: hiker asylum Utila appreciates access toward the southern tip of the dazzling Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System. Over-angling has affected marine life thickness around Utila, yet new jumpers could never take note. 

Why learn here: while the jumping is apparently better at neighboring Roatan, Utila courses are exceptional esteem – join with Underwater Vision (utilascubadiving.com) or Utila Dive Center. On Roatan, Ocean Connections (sea connections.com) merits a look. 

At the point when to go: plunging is all year, yet it merits visiting between March to April or September to December for an opportunity to spot whale sharks 

Santa Clause Cruz, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador 

The plunging: situated at the assembly of three sea flows, this supernatural archipelago offers a genuinely one of a kind jumping background. There's not a great deal of coral, however the (neighborly) hammerhead sharks, ocean lions, turtles, marine iguanas, beams and such should keep you engaged. 

Why learn here: with its solid flows and crisp water, Galapagos plunging can be testing. In any case, trustworthy plunge outfits like Scuba Iguana and Macarron's Scuba (macarronscubadiver.com.ec) in Puerto Ayora on primary island Santa Cruz have their courses in the calmest spots. Newly affirmed, you can shark spot at cutting edge destinations like Gordon Rocks. 

At the point when to go: plunging is by and large all year, however January to May offers the best climate for those intending to voyage in the district. 

Port Vila, Efaté, Vanuatu 

The plunging: flaunting effectively available wrecks alongside splendid coral reefs, Vila gives the ideal warm-dependent upon those planning to handle the SS President Coolidge, one of the world's top wreck jumps, over on Santo Island when ensured. 

Why learn here: ideal for wannabe jumpers with time imperatives, Vila outfits, including Nautilus (nautilus.com.vu) and Big Blue pack untamed water courses into more than two days (instead of three or four). Also, resort-style lodgings, most with their own jump outfits, proliferate. 

At the point when to go: jumping is all year, with guest numbers expanding from April to October when the water is especially quiet and clear 

The Visayas, Philippines 

The plunging: situated at the focal point of the world's 'coral triangle', the Philippines are considered to house the most extravagant centralization of marine life on the planet, with 5000 types of shellfishes, snails and mollusks alone. 

Why learn here: encompassed by coral reefs, the Visayas (a focal Philippine island gathering) are superbly set up for jumpers. On Negros Island, rich Atmosphere Resort (atmosphereresorts.com) drives jumps to the wonderful Apo reef, while those looking for something more Survivor-style (and the opportunity to spot thresher sharks) should make for Malapascua Island. Attempt Evolution (evolution.com.ph) on Malapascua. With stunning shorelines and simple jump site get to, Boracay Island is additionally well known. Attempt Free Willy Diving (freewillydiving.com) on Boracay. 

At the point when to go: plunging is all year, yet the November to June dry season offers the hottest water and best perceivability. 

North Male Atoll, Maldives 

The jumping: the best investigated district of the Maldives, North Male Atoll is filled with splendid plunge destinations. Coral stays solid in spite of across the board fading, yet rich tropical marine life is the expensive, floated by warm water and extraordinary perceivability. Famous locales incorporate Banana Reef, Kuda Haa and Manta Point. 

Why learn here: as most hotels offer great plunge courses, picking one will probably be dictated by your settlement spending plan. With the greatest plunge focus in the locale, Kurudu Resort (kuredu.com) is a decent decision, while those looking for isolation may want to go to sleep at Robinson Crusoe-style Gili Lankanfushi which is banded together with Ocean Paradise Divers (oceanparadise.com.mv). 

At the point when to go: all year plunging is conceivable, however the best conditions win from November to April, when oceans are quiet and sea flows pull in manta beams 

Know before you go: pre-jump course agenda 

PADI or SSI are the world's two principle plunging certifiers, perceived internationally. 

Do your exploration – it's critical to guarantee your educator is lawfully affirmed and their plunge apparatus is adequate. Additionally check where the nearest decompression chamber is situated if there should be an occurrence of crises. 

It's prescribed you don't fly for in any event 24 hours following a plunge to avert decompression affliction. 

Check if your favored jump outfit offers an e-learning part of the course you can finish before your visit, to free up additionally plunging time. 

Strike a deal – numerous outfits offer free or limited settlement in the event that you plunge with them. 

This article was first distributed in May 2013 and refreshed in December 2014