Top 5 Places to Dive Before You Die

When I first became a certified scuba diver, I had put together a list of scuba diving destinations that I wanted to dive before I die. As I’ve been trying to organize all of my scuba files, I came across the list. As I looked over it, I quickly realized that I have dove some of those sites. So I have revised my list. Below is the old list and the new one. Please feel free to post the dive locations you wish to dive before you die.

The Old List

1. Hawaii – I’ve always loved Hawaii. Growing up in a small town in Iowa, I thought the closest I’d get to Hawaii would be pictures in magazines and shows on TV. In May of 2003, my wife and I were married on the island of Maui. Of course, I was certified by then and got to do a few dives on Molokini crater and a shore dive on Airport Beach.
2. Bonaire – To this day, this diving location has eluded me. Many of my friends have dove Bonaire while I’ve been stuck sitting at home in the snow.
3. Great Barrier Reef – Here is another location that I have yet to visit.
4. Pacific Northwest – I’ve seen many cool pictures of cold water coral, six gill sharks, and giant squid from the PNW. As this location is closer than Australia and Bonaire, it is more likely that I’ll visit this location. Especially since I’ve made some great on-line friends who live there and have offered up their couch, scooters, tanks, etc to me if I come visit.
5. Grand Cayman – I’ve seen this location listed in many diving magazines and really enjoyed the pictures. In 2004, my good friend Kevin and I took a six day trip to exclusively dive Grand Cayman. To this day, it is one of the best trips of my life.

The New List

1. Bonaire – This location has moved to the top of my list. Listening to my friends who have been there, I’m more excited about going some day.
2. North Carolina – The more I have dove locally, the more I’ve grown to love shipwreck diving. Not only does North Carolina offer great shipwreck diving, but big animal diving. There are some great shark diving to be had there. In July 2010, I’ll be able to cross this destination off my list.
3. Pacific Northwest – As my list of friends from PNW grows, so does my excitement to dive this area. With airfare’s being cheap and the multiple offers of a free couch, I just may make it there in the next year or two.
4. Great Lakes – When I say the Great Lakes, I mean all of them. To date, I’ve only dove Lakes Michigan and Huron. I still have three more to go before I can cross this off my list.
5. Bermuda – As my love for shipwrecks grows, this destination is calling me. The warm water combined with many different types of shipwrecks has put this destination on my top five list.

So there’s my list of top five destinations I want to dive before I die. What are your top five?

Dive Safe,
Duane
Precision Diving