Whether you are a trained deep-sea diver or a recreational snorkeler, these destinations offer outstanding aquatic experiences for your next vacation.
The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui in Thailand features a unique Swim Reef populated by injured fish rescued by local fishermen. Alongside recovering fish, the reef is home to cat sharks, sea cucumbers and sea anemones. A dedicated Swim Reef Specialist leads guests through hands-on encounters—showing how to hold sea cucumbers safely, feeding marine life, and guiding a supervised 30-minute swim reef experience that’s suitable for snorkelers and novice divers.
Pumulani Beach Lodge, run by Robin Pope Safaris on the hills above Lake Malawi, is celebrated for some of the world’s best freshwater diving. Lake Malawi’s deep waters, once called the “lake of the stars” by explorer David Livingstone, hide submerged boat wrecks and dramatic rock canyons. The lodge arranges a wide range of activities, including night dives, waterskiing, sailing, kayaking and relaxed sunset cruises aboard a traditional, hand-built dhow.
A seven-night Galapagos cruise with Quasar Expeditions lets you explore this unique archipelago aboard one of two renovated yachts: the M/V Evolution or the M/Y Grace. The Grace carries an intriguing past—it was once a wedding gift from Aristotle Onassis to Prince Rainier and Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco. In Galapagos waters you can encounter distinctive species such as rainbow basslets, red-lipped batfish, bloody frogfish, Pacific seahorses and Galapagos clingfish, and you may also spot large pelagics like schools of barracuda, bonito, eagle rays and hammerhead sharks.