SCUBA diving is an extremely popular sport, enjoyed by many who are looking for some adventure in their lives. There is something about being surrounded by the calm, (sometimes) warmth and quiet of the gentle waters that usually offer a relaxing escape to the crazy world at the surface. However, for some, the steady, shallow waters are just not enough. Dive enthusiasts will do anything for their next shot of adrenaline and shallow dives just don’t cut it. There is nothing more exciting than being in places that other divers won’t visit due to the harsh currents, narrow spaces and deepest depths. Here are the most exhilarating, challenging and most of all dangerous dive sites in the world. These dive sites are not for the faint-hearted!
Here are the Top 10 Most Dangerous Dive Sites in The World
- Egypt’s Blue Hole, Dahab, and Sinai, Egypt
Probably the most dangerous dive site in the world is located in Egypt. Known to most as the ‘Diver’s Cemetery’ this unbelievable attraction is known for ‘the arch’ which is a passageway to open waters, located approximately 56m below the surface. The recommended depth for any scuba diver is 30m. When a diver gets that deep, nitrogen narcosis begins to set in which can alter the diver’s judgment, rendering them unable to make fast and good decisions. Nitrogen narcosis can cause disorientation and even a loss of consciousness. Unfortunately for some, this increase of nitrogen bubbles within the bloodstream can mean that the diver can miss the opening of ‘the arch’ and continue descending to their death. Approximately 150 divers have lost their lives at this location, over the past 15 years. - Blue Hole, Lighthouse Reef, Belize
Known as one for the bucket list, the blue sinkhole is identifiable by its contrasting blue colors, showing the deepest, darkest blue alongside the lighter, shallower colors. The blue hole measures nearly 305m across and 124m down into the earth. Divers come from far and wide to experience this wonder. Descending the first 30m mostly consist of sheer walls on all sides, once you pass this, the walls turn to stalactite formations made of limestone. If you are an inexperienced diver, this sheer drop off can be extremely disorientating, causing them to descend at an even faster rate. - The Shaft Sinkhole, Mount Gambier, Australia
This incredible dive site is full of cave diving. The shaft sinkhole might just be the most dangerous cave dive on the planet. At the beginning of this dive, the diver must take off their equipment in order to get through a manhole which is just too small to accommodate both them and their equipment. Once their equipment is passed through to them, they can begin their dive through a series of extremely dark and dangerous caves. Low air consumption is essential for this dive as divers can get lost or simply do not save enough air for the journey back to the surface. Unfortunately, many divers have lost their lives due to this reason. - Cenote Esqueleto, The Temple of Doom, Tulum, Mexico
Aptly known by its nickname, ‘The Temple of Doom,’ the Cenote Esqueleto located in Mexico can be dangerous from the very onset. Once the divers have jumped in, they are advised to stay within the sunlit areas as it can get extremely dark in places. The combination of dark passageways and intricate tunnels can cause divers to become disorientated and lost. Getting lost is the main reason for many of the deaths at this dive site. Divers lose their way and run out of air, rendering them helpless. - Coco’s Island, Costa Rica
Coco’s island is one of the most remote dive sites in the world. Located approximately 340 miles off the Pacific Coast of the country, it usually takes over 35 hours to reach this prime location by boat. However, what makes this destination even more dangerous is the sheer amount of sharks found in the waters around this dive site. The usual marine life found in this area includes; white top reef sharks, giant manta rays, hammerhead sharks, dolphins and sea turtles. - Samaesan Hole, Samaesan Bay, Thailand
This incredible hole penetrates deep into the earth at around 85m deep. With its incredibly strong currents, if you are not well prepared for this dive, then it can take some divers severely off course. In addition to these strong currents, a surprising site are the unexploded bombs. The Samaesian hole is a former military dumping ground, providing a unique but dangerous experience for any diver. - Jacob’s Well, Wimberley Texas
Jacob’s Well is located in the southwest of Austin Texas and merely seems like an average swimming hole. However, once you get below the surface, a whole different world opens up. Jacob’s Well consists of chambers of caves, the first two a suitable for most divers however, once you approach the third chamber, the dive begins to get a little harder. Not only does this chamber consists of winding narrow pathways, but the cave is also full of gravel and silt, which can be detrimental to the diver. Once these small particles get disturbed, it can become very difficult to see causing divers to become disorientated, panic and therefore use up their air at a much faster rate than usual. Over 8 people have tragically lost their lives in these dark and dangerous chambers. - Eagle’s Nest Sinkhole, Weeki Wachee, Florida
Located in the western area of Weeki Wachee, this dangerous dive site is around 315m deep which can make it hard for even the most skilled of divers. The deeper you go, the more likely nitrogen narcosis will set in causing disorientating. Once the diver becomes disorientated, this can prevent them from checking their depth gauge as well as their air consumption, meaning that they could run out of air and not surface in time. This location has claimed the lives of many divers, who enjoy pushing the limits. - German U Boat, New Jersey
This incredible world war II relic, discovered in 1991, is located approximately 73m below the surface, which is reaching extremely dangerous depths for any diver. 3 members of the dive group who discovered the U-869 tragically died whilst returning to the site soon after it was found. The mixture of the cold water and the dangerously strong currents can prove perilous for most divers out there. - Devil’s Caves, Ginnie Springs Florida
The Devil’s Caves is a popular dive site for many and is located approximately 35 miles off the northwest of Gainsville, Florida. The temperature at this incredible cave dive site is warm all year round. The Devils caves consist of a network of caves systems named, ‘Little Devil’, ‘Devil’s Eye’ and ‘Devil’s Ear’. These caves happen to be the most dangerous sites in the whole springs. At the opening of the ‘Devil’s Ear’ you find a vortex which is certain to move your equipment around.
Have you got dived any of these dive sites? Are they really that dangerous? Let us know in the comments below.
Brought To You By
This guide is brought to you by Suunto. We recommend that you use a Suunto Dive Computer when diving one of these dive sites. Suunto is the world’s leading dive computer designer and manufacturer providing diving instruments for recreational, technical and freediving. You can find out more at Suunto.com.