Six of the World's Most Extraordinary Places to Dive

From the "soft coral capital" of Fiji to the world's largest artificial reef in Florida, explore the top six exhilarating underwater experiences for divers in 2026.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 11, 2026, 11:13 AM EDT

Source: BBC News

1. Fiji: The Soft Coral Capital

Fiji's waters contain more than three-quarters of the world's hard and soft coral species.

The Highlight: The Great White Wall, where luminous white corals "bloom" at 65ft (19.8m) during slack tide.

New for 2026: Sau Bay Resort, Fiji's first PADI Eco Center, has launched blackwater diving in the Somosomo Strait, where divers use a lit down-line to attract glowing nocturnal invertebrates.

2. Baja California Sur, Mexico: The Underwater Superhighway

A premier destination for seasonal marine migrations, where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific.