9 Unique Underwater Experiences You'll Never Forget

Dive to experience some of the most unique underwater adventures – think helmet diving, dining in a glass undersea restaurant and even getting married underwater! These experiences across the globe not only give you unique insight to the wider world, but they also let you see the environment from an entirely new lens. You’ll see wildlife that you normally wouldn’t have the chance to witness, and the underwater adventure will transport you to some of the most beautiful sights in the world. Enjoy these underwater experiences for an incredibly unique adventure:

Cave Dive in the Cenotes of Mexico

Cenotes are natural sinkholes created where a cave ceiling has collapsed and these underwater caves and caverns are a magnet for divers. Some of the magical cenotes are the large Cenote Angelita, Cenote Dos Ojos – home to the deepest cave passage in Quintana Roo and Temple of Doom (holes in the roof give off a skull-like appearence), among others.

But remember, cenote diving is an extreme sport. You’ll be heavily equipped with scuba gear to help you dive deeper into coastal waters, as the underwater regions become darker and more of a challenge. It takes more diving experience to ensure you explore stunning underwater caves in a safe way. And, whether you’re staying in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, or Tulum, you can easily find cenotes for your adventure in Mexico.

Cenote Ik Kil. Photo: Vicente Villamón via Flickr

It’s recommended that you have a lot of experience in this activity before you cave dive. So, if you seem interested in this activity, start training as soon as possible or, if you can, try to take some lessons first. Enjoy the rush of this underwater adventure when you’re ready!

Photo via Pixabay

Try an Underwater Volcano Dive in Indonesia

Underwater volcano diving is also a very unique experience. It’s estimated that there are currently 5,000 active underwater volcanoes around the world! This activity is adored by adventure and travel lovers alike who are addicted to the adrenaline rush. In some underwater volcanoes, despite the eruptions, these sites are hot-spots for ocean critters.

Head to the Togian Islands to explore Una Una Volcano in Indonesia for an unforgettable adventure. The reef is full of beautiful fish due to the island’s remote location, and the current is gentle enough for even beginners to experience the dive to its fullest extent.

Una Una Volcano Dive Spot. Photo: tomfreakz via Flickr

Dive to an Underwater Museum in Grenada

Museo Atlantico is the first underwater contemporary art museum in Europe and the Atlantic Ocean by artist Jason deCaires Taylore. Museo Atlantico in Lanzarote, Spain has 300 submerged works spread over 12 underwater installations placed at around 14 meters deep, which will turn into artificial reefs over time, supporting the rich marine life. This museum, as its mission is to promote education, seeks to preserve and protect the marine and natural environments of the ocean as integral parts of our world in the present day.

The Lost Correspondent exhibit in Grenada. Photo: Jason deCaires Taylor

The museum installation includes a 100 ton, 30 meter-long wall, an underwater botanical sculpture garden that showcases local flora and fauna, and a colossal formation of over 200 life size-human figures in a gyre. This travel site is perfect for divers, photographers, travelers, and nature lovers in general. Travel to Grenada to experience this incredible underwater adventure!

Photo: Jason deCaires Taylor

Eat at the Ithaa Undersea Restaurant in the Maldives

The Ithaa Undersea Restaurant in the Maldives is a once-in-a-lifetime underwater experience. Ithaa, which actually means mother-of-pearl, is an underwater restaurant that’s five meters below sea level at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. What makes a restaurant a hit other than its delicious dishes? The atmosphere! Imagine dining in an all-glass undersea restaurant, as you take in 360-degree panoramic views of the water and the marine life above you.

Ithaa Undersea Restaurant Interior. Photo: Alexey Potov via Wikimedia Commons

You can sip cocktails and eat some of the most exquisite cuisine in the world while gazing at a large array of sea life swim, dart, and dance before your eyes. I guarantee that there will never be a dull moment at the Ithaa Undersea Restaurants in the Maldives! Travel here to find out for yourself!

Surrounded by Underwater Wildlife. Photo: Ed Ralph via Flickr

Take a Dip in Jellyfish Lake in Palau

Found on an uninhabited rock island off the coast of Koror in Palau, the beautiful Jellyfish Lake is one of 70 saltwater lakes on the South Pacific archipelago that were once connected to the ocean, but are now cut off, this isolation making for ideal conditions for a jellyfish invasion. This is a unique underwater adventure you’ll remember for a lifetime!

Swimming with the Jellies. Photo: amanderson2 via Flickr

If you ever wanted to swim with schools of jellyfish, you should make your way to Jellyfish Lake, which is also known as Eil Malk Lake. Golden jellyfish completely pack the lake. While the jellyfish do have stingers, they’re too small to be felt by humans, so swimming in the lake is safe and permitted. Snorkeling in Jellyfish Lake is also a popular travel adventure.

Jellyfish Lake in Palau- Photo by Kashif Pathan-CC via Flickr

Dive in Blue Corner in Palau – but watch out for the sharks!

If you’re looking for a thrilling underwater adventure, look no further! Blue Corner in Indonesia’s Palau is a world famous dive site, but it’s not for the faint of heart. This travel destination is considered one of the most action-packed scuba dive sites in the world and has been known to have 13 different species of sharks circling around.

Blue Corner School of Fish. Photo: Tetsuji Sakakibara via Flickr

Plus, currents can change in any given moment, and they can move in any direction (up, down, or even sideways). So, please take caution while diving . At 55 feet deep, you’ll be able to see stunning underwater wildlife: butterfly fish, anthias, and the humphead wrasse. Travel to Blue Corner in Palau for the ultimate underwater adventure.

Blue Corner, Looking Up. Photo: Tetsuji Sakakibara via Flickr

Get Married Underwater in Trang, Thailand

While you might have considered having a destination wedding in your future, have you ever thought of getting married underwater? Although it may sound outrageous, it’s definitely a possibility! Trang Underwater Weddings in Thailand specifically welcomes couples from around the world to come and exchange their vows through this unique experience.

Just Married. Photo: Crosa via Flickr

The three-day event features Thai traditional wedding ceremonies including marriage registration, a parade, and many other events, all which take place underwater! Afterwards, the newlyweds are escorted to their honeymoon suites. Travel to Trang, Thailand to get hitched in stunning waters!

Getting Married Underwater. Photo: HappyTrips

Snorkel in Antarctica, brrr…

While going snorkeling in warm island waters with colorful coral reefs and beautiful marine life is the perfect travel adventure, have you ever considered snorkeling into the icy waters of Antarctica, surrounded by penguins, seals, and whales? Essentially, you dive into waters with a temperature of 0°C to -5.5°C; because of this, your time spent underwater is limited to only 30-45 minutes.

Of course you’ll need to be dressed in protective dry suits, as well as specially designed hoods, fins, masks, and snorkels in order to safely snorkel under the sea. In this short time, you’ll be able to navigate through crystal clear, polar waters, watch penguins and sea lions in their natural environment, and explore the beauty of icebergs from beneath the surface!

Photo: Lewispugh via Wikimedia Commons

Helmet Dive in Hawaii

Imagine getting the opportunity to walk underwater and come face-to-face with a school of fish, or better yet with a shark! This experience of a lifetime is possible with an adventure like helmet diving! Luckily, participants don’t need to be experienced swimmers or divers. All you need to do is wear an astronaut-style helmet, and you’re ready to explore the ocean floor. You can experience this adventure in many parts of the world, but one of the favorite travel spots is Hawaii!