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UPDATED 20th October, 2010

So you’ve decided that you want to learn to dive but you want to do it somewhere more exciting than your local reservoir or some cold and muddy lake. Great idea. Many people are taking holidays to far-flung places and getting their scuba diving certifications. It’s an exciting way to have an underwater adventure, enjoy some topside attractions and get away from it all. So here are four super destinations for a learn-to-dive holiday. Enjoy!

Great Barrier Reef – Australia

We do know… It’s Australia where travelling’s fun and English is the language of the locals.  It’s easy to get around as the Great Barrier Reef region caters to large hoards of backpackers.  

Dives… You can do a land-based course or a liveaboard trip to complete your certification. There is a large choice of dive schools and shops. A four-day Open Water Course in Cairns goes for between $300 and $450 US and a combined land/classroom and liveaboard courses start at $430. If you have some time, continue your training, do the advanced course and dive the Yongala wreck in Townsville few hours south or do a liveaboard dive trip and venture out into the outer reefs and Coral Sea.

Other than diving… There’s plenty to do outside of diving, with many great attractions for both the independent traveller and those who like organised tours. Before or after your course, take a tour of the Daintree, Cape Tribulation and many of the surrounding areas. You can base yourself in towns and cities dotted throughout Queensland. Cairns is the gateway with many dive operators and cheaper accommodation.

Koh Tao, Thailand

We do know… Surprises – what you’ll find as after all, this is a Thai island (one of those places where many a visitor stays on and on). It’s economical; you can find accommodation from as little as $6 US per night and food and transport are also affordable.

Dives… Open Water Courses are priced at around $300 US per person. Many dive resorts and schools offer free or discount stays as part of a course package so shop around. After completing your OW, take the advanced course and/or dive Chumphon. You might see a shark gliding in the currents of the reef where fish of all size and shape congregate.

Other than diving… Lots of fun if you like lively evenings on the beach drinking into the night. Koh Tao is a small island, easy to get around on motorbike or on foot. For party enthusiasts, make KT a stop on the Full Moon party trail.

(See our article Learn to Dive in Koh Tao )

Dahab, Egypt

We do know… Dahab is in the Sinai Peninsula with a fascinating background. It’s a mix of ancient history, recent political strife and the geography. A former Bedouin fishing village, Dahab still maintains a laid back and old feel.

Dives… Great underwater formations and abundant coral can be found in Dahab. Many shore dives are close by so you rarely have to travel far. Open Water Courses are priced from $330 US and upwards. If you want to dive more following your OW certification, take further courses or just venture further out in the region. You’ll have the option of seeing more of the Red Sea and dive the HMS Thistlegorm wreck or see Ras Mohamad, a national marine park, with incredibly rich ocean life.

Other than diving… On land, you can chill out looking out at the sea with the desert in the background. Dahab is a spectacular backdrop the Red Sea. Visit the Bedouin villages, rest in town and smoke a shish pipe. If you want to venture out a bit further, put some time aside to see Mount Sinai – or even hike up it for a view of a brilliant sunrise. Alternatively, extend your stay beyond the Open Water Course. Do some yoga – as Dahab is a yoga hotspot – and get into the lifestyle.

Fiji

We do know… Located in the South Pacific, Fiji is an utterly gorgeous place in a hot and lush tropical setting. Whether you want to sun at the beach, take in the view from the highlands or go jungle-trekking, you’ll find it here.

Dives… Made up of over 300 islands, there is an abundance of dives in Fiji. The Astrolabe Reef can be accessed from the island of Kadavu where you can see many Manta Rays on a good day. Taveuni is considered one of the top places in the world to see soft corals. If you want to see sharks and rays, Beqa Lagoon – on Beqa Island off Southern Viti Levu – will provide adventurous dives with big fish galore.

Other than diving… Fiji is can’t be beat if you like sand and sun. Beautiful beaches aplenty, you can take in the rays or go snorkelling in one of the secluded lagoons and bays. When you need a land break, explore the forests and take a dip in one of the many waterfalls or visit a kava ceremony and try the foul-tasting hallucinogenic drink.

Happy diving!

To all would-be divers, have a great adventure. It’ll be a blast AND you’ll have a useful new certification to take on all your future holidays.

If you’re already certified, tell us where you learned to dive or where you’re planning your next dive vacation.

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