Summer is coming and with it, the need to go to the beach, swim or practice water sports. Adrenaline is the driving force behind this exciting hobby. For the water sports fanatics, we have rounded up 5 of the best locations to practice snorkelling, diving, swimming or surfing.
1. The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system that contains over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands. Located in the north-east coast of Australia, the Coral Reef is the only organic collective that can be seen from the Earth’s orbit. It has been declared a World Heritage site in 1981, also being rightfully considered one of the wonders of the natural world. The idyllic islands, sights and coral cays cover over 300,000 square kilometres. The abundant wildlife is probably the best reason to visit this amazing natural wonder: it is house to more than 1500 species of fish, 4000 types of mollusc and more than 200 species of bird life.
2.Located in the Sulu Sea, Palawan, the Philippines, the Tubbataha Reef Marine Park is a true marine sanctuary made up of two atolls. The reef lays on extinct underwater volcanoes, having an amazing pristine coral reefs set on a 100-m perpendicular wall. Apart from several lagoons and two spectacular coral islands, Tubbataha offers one of the best diving experience worldwide. It is an opportunity to explore the habitats of many fish colonies or see the endangered hawksbill sea turtles. Apart from the extensive marine wildlife, the Tubbataha Reef is also a bird sanctuary, home to tens of thousands of birds during their annual migrations.
3. Located near the town of Bouillante in Guadeloupe, the Jacques Cousteau Underwater Reserve offers the opportunity to snorkel and explore the vivid coral and marine wildlife or retreat on a beautiful black sand beach. The marine preserve encompasses several dive sites off the coast of Guadeloupe. Around the the area you can enjoy the National Park of Guadeloupe or the Botanical Gardens, packed with hiking trails, waterfalls and lush vegetation. Keep in mind that it is forbidden to take a piece of coral or bother a sea turtle.
4. The largest raised coral atoll on earth, Aldabra is comprised of four coral islands that surround the shallow lagoon. The atoll is locatyed in the Indian Ocean, and belongs to the Seychelles. Protected from man’s influence, Aldabra is a major wildlife refuge, being home to 152,000 giant tortoises - the world’s largest population of this reptile. The tortoises weigh a quarter of a ton and can often live pass 100 years. Due to the fragile flora and fauna, the atoll receives around 1000+ visitors a year. Aldabra is recognized as an endemic bird area and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982.
5. Named one of the Seven Underwater Wonders of the World, the Galapagos Islands are one of the best scuba-diving destinations you can come across. The main dive hotspots are Wolf Island and Darwin Island, two eroded volcanos located on a volcanic ridge. The islands are inhabited by sea birds and are home to diverse marine species, being seldomly visited, except by scientists and scuba divers. They are famous for the “Vampire” finch, a species of the sharp-beaked ground finch that pecks at nesting boobies, drinking their blood. Also, Darwin Island is the only one in the archipelago where the sooty tern breeds. All things connsidered, the two attractions in the Galapagos Islands are one of the hottest diving hotspots in the world.
credited to hotelclub.com and flickr users: michael_mcdonough, billadler, pietro_boreinsteino, mikebond, mtchm, patson, brolly99
The Galapagos Islands are the most incredible living museum of evolutionary changes, with a huge variety of exotic species (birds, land animals, plants) and landscapes not seen anywhere else. Great place for snorkeling, diving and hiking.