While we love famous dive vacation destinations, we also relish the opportunity to dive in some strange, out of the way places. If you never thought about diving deep into a flooded missile silo, experiencing an exhilarating bubble massage, or visiting an underwater cemetery, you might be surprised to discover that all these experiences are available, along with some other unique underwater adventures that we know you'll enjoy just as much as we did. Here are ten weird dive sites we love - try just one, or try them all!
Underwater Great Wall of China in China
The 8,850 kilometer Great Wall of China, built between 220 and 206 BC under Qin Shi Huang, China's first Emperor, has been enhanced and rebuilt over the centuries, but few of the millions who visit it annually know that it is in fact partially submerged.
In 1981, the Chinese government created a reservoir in Tian Jin, flooding a section of great wall which runs through a particularly peaceful area surrounded by mountains. Now, the wall can be seen at depths between 5 and 35 meters. After a boat ride lasting about 40 minutes, you'll arrive at the dive site, where one of the supports for the wall breaks the surface. There are two thermoclines, with a warm layer of algae-ridden water on top; though visibility near the surface is poor, it opens up quite a bit below 15 meters, and is much better in winter than it is in summer.
You'll find a few swimthroughs and tunnels here, including one which is actually a gateway to an ancient tower, along with a number of physical characteristics similar to those found on the Great Wall topside - probably the most interesting thing about this section of the wall is that it is part of the original - and it is completely deserted, with the exception of you and your dive buddies.
Between the Continental Plates in Iceland
Iceland has some incredible dive sites; one of the most amazing is the Silfra Rift at Thingvellir Lake, where the American and Eurasian continents meet. Here, you actually dive in a huge crack between continental plates, which continue to drift apart at a rate of about two centimeters annually.
Here, the water is ice cold - and incredibly ancient. You'll be diving in melted glacial water which has traveled underground to the lake; it is amazingly clear, with visibility over 100 meters. Other divers appear to be flying through midair, and the feeling of flying is so marked here, that you will forget that you're a little chilly despite the fact you're wearing a drysuit. The rock formations are massive and incredible, as are the sides of the tectonic plates; in some places the underwater structures are mirrored by the surface so you feel as though you are diving in a huge, rocky tunnel. As you make your way along the rift, you'll be humbled and amazed at the power of nature. Maximum depth is just 18 meters; this is an experience even newer divers can enjoy.
Hot Springs of Champagne Reef in Dominica
At Champagne Reef, along Dominica's western shore, volcanic gases bubble up. Some bubbles are cool to the touch; in other areas, volcanic vents are closer to the reef and bubbles are warm. Champagne Reef can be accessed from shore, and thanks to the nutrient rich waters, it is teeming with life. Watch for seahorses and frogfish, little blue tangs, squid, and flying gurnards. The site is fantastic for night diving, and is calm and shallow enough for snorkeling. No wonder this is Dominica’s top dive site!
Ice Diving in the White Sea in Russia
Diving Russia's White Sea is not for the faint of heart, particularly in winter when three feet of ice cover the sea, and when outdoor temperatures drop to lower than -20 Fahrenheit! Often, accumulated snow covers the ice, so in addition to being cold, your dive will be dark. So, why is a cold, dark dive one of our favorites? Partly because of the adventure required to get to the dive site; and partly because of the surprises waiting below the ice! Though it's freezing cold, life goes on. At Anemone Rock, a huge boulder the size of a three story building, frilled anemones, colorful nudibranchs, and beautiful tunicates create an oasis; wolf fish and arctic sculpins hide in cracks and crevices. A kelp forest awaits at Small Cross Island, and at Biofilter Bay, currents sculpt amazing shapes in the ice. Once warming up topside, you might even witness the Aurora Borealis - a phenomenon which is as unforgettable as this weird, wonderful ice diving experience itself is.
Thermal Cave Diving in Hungary
Just outside Budapest, the planet's largest known underwater geothermal cave system awaits. Though the system is huge, less than five miles of passageways have been explored and mapped since hardhat divers first explored in 1908. Today, we know that some of the tunnels descend to as far as 820 feet below the earth's surface. The cave system is situated along a fault line and was once part of an active volcano. Conditions change frequently, and while some areas are too silty for safe diving, others offer crystal clear water. All groups planning to dive the Molnar Janos Cave system need local guides with up to date knowledge!
Though Lake Heviz and the Molnar Janos cave system are estimated to be about 22,000 years old, they are quite young in comparison to the planet itself. The water you'll be diving in is also ancient - scientists estimate that it takes about 10,000 years to make its way into the cave, with waters emerging from as far as 8,000 feet below the earth's surface. The water quickly makes its way out of the caves and out of Lake Heviz, completely replenishing itself about every 86 hours. While dedicated cave divers enjoy this incredible underground system, novices can stick to the warm waters of Lake Heviz, and even non-divers will enjoy taking a swim in this warm, thermal lake. Be sure to take a look at the central crater, which is asymmetrical and reaches a maximum depth of about 38 meters.
World’s Largest Brain Coral in Tobago
Tobago offers a fantastic selection of reef and drift dives; it is not surprising then, that the world's largest known brain coral formation is located here. Located just off Tobago's northeast coast near Kelleston Drain, this brain coral specimen is approximately 4 meters high and nearly 6 meters across. Brain coral (Colpaphylia) looks like a single organism, but is actually comprised of millions of tiny animals packed tightly together. As with other corals, this one should not be touched!
In addition to this brain coral, Kelleston Drain features a magnificent reef where you'll find moray eels, loads of tropical fish, Manta Rays, and even sleepy looking nurse sharks, who like the shelter the big brain coral formation offers. Maximum depth is 30 meters, with plenty to see at depths as shallow as about 10 meters.
Underwater Volcano in Mahengetang, Indonesia
Located between Siau Island and Sangihe Island, Mahengetang features the only underwater volcano in water shallow enough for recreational diving. Banua Wuhu rises up from the sea floor about 400 meters below to nearly brush the surface; this shoal, which features two distinct cones has a minimum depth of just 5 meters at low tide, and 8 to 10 meters at high tide; a nearby pinnacle with sheer walls breaks the surface. Not surprisingly, this site is a fantastic oasis for marine life; here, in just a single square kilometer, marine biologists have discovered a dense array of corals and fish that represent many common throughout the Caribbean. Equally incredible is the site's geology, with massive rocks covered in sulfur, and with vents that release hot gases and bubbles. You can easily tell which vents release superheated water, as the rocks close by are devoid of coral, and as fish avoid the area.
Despite its shallow depths, this site is one which is not suitable for novices, as strong currents prevail. Massive shoals of jacks and sergeant majors swarm the area, along with humphead parrotfish and many other tropical species; watch for turtles and sharks, as well.
Mount Gambier in Australia
Most divers visiting Australia know they want to see the Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo Reef, and some come expressly for cave diving. Southern Australia's Mount Gambier is one site to add to your bucket list; here, an ancient landscape holds many surprises, including the fabled Blue Lake and more than 200 others, along with a number of underground waterways and sinkholes boasting gin clear water. To dive most of these sites, with the exception of Ewens Pond, you need to get a Cave Divers Association of Australia (CDAA) permit by presenting your cave diving credentials.
Though there are not many organisms living in these bodies of water, there are stromatolites, which contain fossil records dating back to millions of years ago, and believed to have been some of the first life forms on the planet; what is most incredible here is the geology, with towering rocks and tunnels, little channels to swim through, and even interconnected bodies of water that can be explored on a single dive. So, when you're ready for a break from reef diving, give Mount Gambier a try. You'll be glad you did.
Valhalla Nuclear Missile Silo in Texas
While there are a number of impressive indoor diving pools around the world, there's only one abandoned missile silo you can dive in; coincidentally, this is also the world's largest indoor deep diving facility. Privately owned by the Family Scuba Center of Midland, Valhalla Nuclear Missile Silo is located just outside Abilene, Texas. Of course, it contains no radioactive material, as it was decommissioned decades ago; still, the idea of diving deep into an old missile silo is a fairly frightening one.
Valhalla Missile Silo is 38 meters deep and contains almost two million gallons of clear water. It once housed an 82 foot long nuclear warhead tipped Atlas missile; today, the owners conduct a number of diver certification courses inside, including night, rescue, rebreather, and mixed gas specialties. Valhalla is also a deep dive and an altitude dive, as it is located at 2,420 feet above sea level. This unusual site welcomes freedivers too. Before traveling to Texas, be sure to contact Family Scuba for reservations, as the site is capable of accommodating only a handful of divers at a time. Air and some rental equipment is available. Not many people can claim to have dived a missile silo - this is definitely one for your logbook!
Underwater Cemetery at Neptune Memorial Reef in Florida
If your idea of a submerged cemetery includes spooky looking gravestones and maybe a sunken angel or two, think again! Florida's Neptune Memorial Reef is beautiful - and it gives new meaning to the term "buried at sea." With gates to swim through and pathways to explore, it is actually an artificial reef and a memorial, all at once; it covers about 600,000 square feet (about 16 acres) and is the first of its kind. Also known as the Atlantis Memorial Reef, the site is an underwater mausoleum designated for the repose of cremated remains. It is about 3.25 miles off Key Biscayne, and offers maximum depth at about 45 feet. Ultimately, the Neptune Society plans to offer enough space for 125,000 individual memorials - the site is constantly growing.
The site replicates the lost city of Atlantis; the many sculptures you'll see when you visit have been carefully molded of cement mixed with individual cremains - these lovely sculptures offer a unique option to the popular activity of spreading ashes at sea, and they create homes for marine life, too. Bathed in light and teeming with schooling grunts, snappers, and other fish, the site is a great place to view spotted eagle rays and even the occasional reef shark - all while pondering eternity. If you're considering green burial, this is a great option - if you'd rather not think about death right now, this is a fantastic site where living things thrive. Weird? Definitely! Wonderful? Absolutely!
We hope you like these unusual dive sites as much as we do. Of course, many other weird places to dive are available all around the world - sunken cities, old chalk mines, and other sites nearly made our list of favorites. So, give these sites a try - you'll definitely find they are worth the effort it takes to visit.