When looking for a diving spot to explore, remember that you don’t always have to stick to the tropics. If you’ve had your dose of colourful corals and rainbow-hued tropical fish, take a look and consider some of the unusual diving spots listed below. From underwater statues to volcanoes, there are plenty of unusual sights that’ll mesmerise you on your next diving trip.

 Antarctica’s McMurdo Sound

Image by John Weller

For an out-of-this-world diving experience, head to McMurdo Sound in Antarctica. It’s the world’s southernmost body of water that can be navigated, making it the perfect spot for extreme divers. Dive into the icy water and get up close with the eerie landscapes of cliffs, valleys, and hills covered in the ocean’s blue tones. Despite the extreme temperatures, a lot of marine life thrives in these waters. Cactus sponges, sea urchins, and starfish dot the ocean floor with bright yellow and green colours. Don’t be surprised if you see an Emperor Penguin in the distance, hunting down crustaceans and other favourite snacks.

 Iceland’s Silfra Fissure at the Thingvellir National Park

Image by www.dive.is/dive-sites/silfra

Located at Iceland’s Thingvellir National Park, the Silfra fissure is the meeting point of the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. The water is so clear it’s possible to lose your sense of depth and experience a bit of vertigo. The crystal clear water comes from a glacier and is filtered by porous lava rocks, making it very pure and safe to drink. If you want the bragging rights that come with swimming between two continental plates, the Silfra fissure should be on your bucket list. Don’t forget to explore all the diving sections such as the Silfra lagoon and Silfra Hall.

Indonesia’s Banua Wuhu

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Banua Wuhu is an active, underwater volcano located at the Mahangetan Island. Don’t worry about hot lava spewing out because this volcano releases bubbles instead. However, be careful not to touch these bubbles because they’re basically boiling pockets of sulphur gas escaping from the earth’s crust. If you listen carefully, you can sometimes hear the volcano’s roar. Once you go lower down and onto the volcano’s rocks, you’ll see that a number of marine animals are living and thriving despite the extreme environment. Black tip reef sharks, barrel sponges, and neon fusiliers add colour to this mysterious yet mesmerising landscape.

 Japan’s Yonaguni Monument

Image by www.insidejapantours.com

If you’re a highly experienced diver and a history buff, this diving spot should be your next travel destination. This underwater monument is composed of huge steps, giant platforms, and stone pillars that were likely part of an ancient temple. A life-changing experience for many tourists, this diving spot’s majestic ruins will make you want to re-evaluate your life’s meaning. Once you’ve stopped staring in awe at the monument’s unbelievable size and beauty, you may notice schools of hammerhead sharks, which are common during the winter months.

 Mexico’s Museum of Underwater Modern Art

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A masterpiece of scuba diver and British artist Jason deCaires Taylor, the Museum of Underwater Modern Art is located under the waters of Cancun. More than 403 sculptures take on an interestingly eerie vibe as the colours change underwater because of the different light patterns. Each sculpture has a name and depicts objects or a person in mundane poses. Because they’re made with cement that promotes coral growth, many of them are covered with colourful marine life.

When planning a diving trip to any of these destinations, make sure you’re physically and mentally fit since some of these diving spots are located at some of the most extreme places. From icy temperatures to vertigo-inducing depths, you need to have the right equipment and experience to enjoy these amazing underwater gems. Some of these places are quite far to travel to, so you also need to carefully plan your transportation budget. To help you lessen expenses, look for an open-air airport parking that offers 24/7 security and reliable customer service. This way, you’ll have more money for any diving fees and equipment hire.