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6 of the World’s Best Cold Water Dive Sites

6 of the World’s Best Cold Water Dive Sites

Written by Leisure Pro Staff
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Published on May 14, 2015

Not all of the best diving is in warm tropical waters — many of the most beautiful and adventurous dives are far from the equator. These six world’s best cold water dive sites are scattered all across the globe, proudly showcasing clear water, wrecks, and incredible rare marine animals.

1. Antarctic Peninsula

This place is a mecca for experienced cold water divers during the austral summer. You can dive along icebergs, ice floes, and swim beside leopard seals while they hunt penguins.

2. Green Lake

This fantastic spot is in Styria, Austria. It’s a small mountain that sees many divers in the summer. In early summer, snowmelt raises the water level from eight to nearly 40 feet. This crystal clear water actually floods the surrounding park along the banks, allowing divers the rare opportunity to swim the walking paths complete with park benches and footbridges.

3. Isla Guadalupe

This spot has easy access from Southern California, visibility better than 100 feet, and one of the world’s largest near shore populations of great whites! It’s considered the most diver-friendly whiteshark destination in the world. Cage diving is very popular here.

4. Kingscote Jetty

This place is off Kangaroo Island in South Australia. The rare endemic leafy sea dragons are often spotted here.

5. Kronprinz Wilhelm

Scotland isn’t the first place most people think of for great dives, but Kronprinz is a prized dive in a remote location renowned for its incredibly preserved wrecks. Kronprinz Wilhelm is one of three 600-foot-long German battleships that found its final resting place in Scotland’s hallowed Scapa Flow. The ship’s famous, and massive, 12-inch guns remain intact, partially buried.

6. Northern Arch

Northern Arch is off Poor Knights Islands, Northland, New Zealand. Big-fish action is the main attraction in New Zealand’s world-renowned Poor Knights Islands. The underwater topography at the offshore archipelago is a reflection of the stunning sight of New Zealand’s topside. Among the massive, open-ocean exposed caves and rock formations, divers at Northern Arch can see huge shoals of kingfish, blue mao mao and demoiselles. Sometimes accompanied by masses of short-tailed stingrays that collect here in the summertime.

Leisure Pro Staff

Leisure Pro Staff

Marketing Director for LeisurePro