#Pristine edge underwater plus#

The volcano Mount Mazama collapsed after a huge eruption, and according Theįollowing are some of the most pristine bodies of water in the world.ġ,943ft-deep Crater Lake, located in Oregon, was formed 7,700 years ago when Weather incidents to volcanic activity) and the living organisms in and aroundĬlear waters do exist throughout the world, if you know where to look. Impacts on the quality and clarity of a body of waterĬan come from its source, its depth, the sun, natural phenomena (ranging from Quality and water clarity are important technical considerations forĮnvironmental scientists. But which bodies of water are truly the cleanest and the clearest? Where in the world do breath-taking aesthetics reflect the science of “pristine”? Jellyfish Lake is another spellbinding dive, through clouds of pulsating, stingless jellyfish.Travel writers often describe beautiful places as having “pristine”, “pure”, “crystal clear” waters. Top sites include Blue Corner and Peleliu Express, where face mask-ripping currents draw squadrons of grey reef sharks, dogtooth and yellowfin tuna, great trevallies – and even oceanic whitetips and marlins if you’re lucky. Palau, MicronesiaĬonsistently rated among the top three dive spots in the world, Palau has classic wall diving, Second World War wrecks and big fish action to take your breath away. For fans of manta rays, one of the world’s most impressive undersea sights is the gathering of mantas in Baa Atoll in the northwest, or Gaafu and Laamu atolls in the south – watching them follow each other mouth to tail in majestic, graceful circles of some mysterious underwater dance is a life-affirming experience.

Luxury resort diving is on offer at dozens of islands, or you can cruise by boat between the atolls. This Indian Ocean atoll archipelago’s reefs suffered from the 1998 El Niño event, but they have recovered well. It can be explored from shore-based resorts or on liveaboards, which meander through the island maze, seeking out dive encounters with everything from whale sharks and wobbegongs (carpet sharks) to multicoloured nudibranchs and cloud-like shoals of dainty damselfish.

Part of the Coral Triangle, this region contains the richest marine biodiversity in the world. This picturesque ecosystem – both above and below the water – comprises scores of small bays and islands off the far northwestern tip of New Guinea. Diving the Eastern Fields provides the chance to see numerous pelagics, including plenty of sharks, as well as gardens of enormous sea fans. The Ribbon Reefs, in particular Cod Hole, are renowned, while Osprey Reef and the Eastern Fields are remote, pristine attractions for liveaboards. Known as one of the great natural wonders of the world, the planet’s longest reef still has what it takes to excite – though to see it at its best, head for the northern areas of the Coral Sea.

#Pristine edge underwater plus#

You never know what you’re going to see here, from whale sharks to marlins, turtles to dolphins plus there are more than 600 species of fish living among the 360 different species of coral that colonise the reef. Water clarity is superb because it’s 150 kilometres away from the nearest large island and surrounded by deep water – the only way to get there is on a liveaboard boat. It has been named a Unesco World Heritage site for its relatively untouched underwater landscape. The Philippines’ premier dive destination is a set of submarine pinnacles and atolls in the middle of the Sulu Sea between Palawan and Mindanao.