Whatever you’ll see when you dive into the underwater world! Extraordinary coral reefs, colorful fish and even entire underwater cities… In order to look at the most unusual and fascinating things under water, you need to know where exactly to go for them.
Museum “Alley of Leaders”, Crimea
Who would have thought that in order to go to a museum, you need to put on a mask, fins, special equipment and descend to the seabed. On the Tarkhankut Peninsula in Crimea there is just such an amazing museum telling about famous people of the Soviet Union and beyond. It was founded in 1992 by diver Vladimir Borumensky, who brought several busts of Soviet leaders and lowered them to the bottom. Now the museum has more than 50 exhibits: busts of Lenin, Marx, and Engels are located among the reefs. There you can also meet literary classics like Sergei Yesenin, as well as the first cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. There are also various world landmarks in miniature, for example, the Eiffel Tower or the Tower Bridge. In addition to exhibits created by man, you can also look at natural ones: bizarre rocks, ornate labyrinths and their marine inhabitants.
Atlantic Museum, Canary Islands
Another underwater museum, only slightly larger, recently opened off the coast of the Spanish island of Lanzarote, Las Coloradas Bay. This local attraction is designed not only to attract as many tourists as possible, but to draw their attention to serious global problems, such as the environmental and migration crisis. For example, a boat with people sitting thoughtfully in it refers to the tragedy that happened off the coast of Italy, when African refugees died trying to escape tyranny in their country.
The creator of the sculptures, Briton Jason Taylor, in many of his works refers to famous works of art, as well as to recent events taking place in the world. Part of the exhibition was already opened in February 2016, and the entire museum will be opened in early 2017.
Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
One of the most famous cave diving sites doesn’t look like anything special. However, a whole world of all kinds of caves and labyrinths awaits you underwater. Here are the largest stalactites in the world, and during a dive you can see the extraordinary optical effect created by the reflection of light in salt water. This place is also shrouded in mystical secrets. The Mayan Indians believed that underground gods lived in local caves, and the dark windows of cenotes led to the afterlife. Both beginner and more experienced divers can dive here. The water temperature is about +28 degrees all year round. It is worth diving with an experienced instructor, since there are thousands of caves around, and many of them still remain unexplored.
Marlborough Sound, New Zealand
Lovers of mystery and adventure will definitely want to visit this interesting place. Thirty years ago, the huge Soviet cruise ship Mikhail Lermontov sank off the coast of New Zealand, and to this day lies at the bottom of the bay. One person died during the disaster, so lovers of mysticism talk about a ghost living on the ship. In addition, in those places there is a legend about a diver who did not return, who was never found, so it is believed that his soul also remained on the ship. Due to strong underwater currents, only experienced divers are allowed to dive on the ghost ship.
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Some of the most beautiful and exotic views during diving open up here. This place is famous for its ancient underwater volcano, which is simply teeming with different types of living creatures. Here you can see huge coral reefs, impressive turtles swimming leisurely next to the diver, schools of rainbow fish and white sharks, electric stingrays and even penguins. This archipelago is on the UNESCO World Heritage List due to its beauty and richness of flora and fauna. Underwater currents are also strong here, so diving on the islands is mainly suitable for professionals. In addition, the water temperature leaves much to be desired; it is usually quite cold here. However, this does not stop thousands of travelers who want to see the wonders of underwater nature with their own eyes.
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