scuba diving destinations

The Philippines is the gateway to the Coral Triangle, the world’s center of marine biodiversity. The country’s 7,107 islands are a diverse mixture of Asian, European and American cultures. El Nido in Palawan is a marine reserve park that is very popular among divers and snorkelers. Also in the province of Palawan is Coron Bay, the wreck-diving capital of the Philippines.

Few divers make the 4.5-hour trek from Cancún to Mahahual, as the village’s remote location deters some, but for those who do, the underwater payoff is pristine diving. Beloved by divers, much of the Costa Maya interior is blanketed by a thick tangle of mangroves. This critical habitat serves as a small, tropical nursery for marine life, and all these creatures eventually find their way to the region’s offshore reefs.

Spend a week at your very own luxury private Caribbean island paradise. Turneffe Island Resort is located 30 miles off the Belizean coast on Turneffe Atoll, which is part of the 200-mile Belizean barrier reef, the longest reef system in the western hemisphere. The resort has 21 luxury, mahogany and teakwood rooms with private baths, indoor and outdoor showers. All rooms have screened-in porches that offer breathtaking views. Upgrade to a Private Villa nestled between coconut palm trees for added privacy.