“I’d like to be under the sea…”—The Beatles (1969)  

If you’re into sights that really make a splash, then you’ve come to the right place. If you ever tire of touring the continents, have no fear, there’s much to see under the sea, see? So dive right in and soak up the world’s most amazing underwater sights. 

World’s Most Amazing Underwater Sights

1.  Underwater Sculpture Park, Grenada

This is the world’s first underwater park. Founded by English artist Jason deCaires Taylor, it opened back in May 2006. You will find it beneath the waves just two miles from the capital city St. George’s, in the beautiful Molinere Beauséjour Marine Protected Area. There are 75 still life and human sculptures including a popular ring of children holding hands and the famous “Lost Correspondent” sitting contemplatively behind his typewriter.

2.  Museum of Underwater Art, Australia

The MOUA is Taylor’s most recent project. This underwater museum is located on Australia’s famous Great Barrier Reef. To visit this place you will need to take a two-hour boat ride from the coast of Queensland.  

Taylor created it to publicize the danger the reef is presently facing. The sculptures are made from stainless steel and a special cement to specifically encourage the growth of new coral. Divers and snorkelers can now visit this collection of undersea exhibits.

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3.  Christ of the Abyss, Italy

This is the original underwater Jesus statue although a few copies can be found elsewhere. It is located off the western coast of Italy, not far from San Fruttuoso. Currently coral-encrusted, this statue is 2.4 meters high and rests 17 meters under the sea. It was sculpted by Guido Galletti and commissioned by the Italian scuba diver Duilio Marcante in 1954. It was meant to honor fellow scuba diver Dario Gonzatti who died while diving in 1947.

4.  Aqaba Underwater Military Museum, Jordan

This collection of military equipment is situated off the coast of Aqaba in the Red Sea. Between 15 and 28 meters underwater you will discover a helicopter, a troop carrier, and tanks arranged in battle formation. It opened to snorkelers and scuba divers in July 2019. The team that arranged everything was careful not to disturb the local marine life and removed all hazardous materials prior to sinking everything.

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5.  The Great Blue Hole, Belize

Encircled by an atoll, this big, cylindrical sinkhole just 60 miles off Belize’s coast, is said to blink like an enormous eye from beneath the waves. It is 122 meters deep and 304 meters wide. Thus, it is one of the largest submarine sinkholes in the world. Famous explorer Jacques Cousteau made it famous when he filmed it back in the 1970s. Today it is an official UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

6.  Florida Keys Shipwreck Trail, USA

This 120-mile-long trail runs from Key Largo to Key West. It’s highlighted by wrecks of military ships and even ancient Spanish galleons. The most recent wreck is the purposely sunk 524-foot-long USS Vandenberg, a missile tracker, huge radar dishes and an art gallery. The oldest one is the San Pedro, which was once part of a Spanish treasure fleet in 1733.

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7.  Cape Tarkhankut’s Underwater Museum, Ukraine

Following the fall of the Soviet Union, scuba diver Vladimir Borumensky gathered the unwanted statues of various Communist leaders and sunk them into the water at Cape Tarkhankut. He named this subaquatic line-up of busts of such historic USSR figures as Lenin, Marx, and Stalin, the “Alley of Leaders.” Others were added over time and today over 50 sculptures can be found there including sculptures of the Eiffel Tower and London’s famous Tower Bridge.

8.  Dos Ojos, Mexico

The Riviera Maya features a number of cenotes. Dos Ojos, “Two Eyes”, referencing the double entrance of the cave, is a favored cenote located between Tulum and Playa del Carmen. Here the crystal-clear water allows snorkelers to study the various fish and rock formations found here. Scuba divers can actually explore the numerous dark tunnels that lead off of this cenote’s main pool.

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9.  USAT Liberty, Bali

You will find this ship in the calm, shallow water about 40 meters off Bali’s northeastern coast. The Liberty is a former supply ship that was torpedoed by the Japanese during World War II. It was originally stranded on the beach but a volcanic eruption in 1963 moved it back into the water. Since then, it has been cloaked in coral and a vast variety of sea creatures now live there.

10.  Underwater Post Office, Vanuatu

Veteran visitors give Vanuatu’s underwater post office their stamp of approval. It is the first and only underwater post office and can be found off the coast in the popular Hideaway Island Marine Sanctuary less than 3 meters under the sea. You can scuba dive or snorkel down to this fantastic fiberglass postal booth and send a unique waterproof postcard to any place on the planet.

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11.  The Shipwreck of the Sweepstakes, Canada

There are over 6,000 shipwrecks in the famous Great Lakes. Perhaps the most interesting one though can be found in Lake Huron in Ontario, Canada. The Sweepstakes is a remarkably preserved schooner that sank back in 1885. If you’re into scuba diving or snorkeling then climb aboard a glass-bottomed boat to see the sight of this vast ship resting just beneath the surface of the water.

12.  Orda Cave, Russia

Located in central Russia, Orda Cave spans an area of three miles. Thus it is not only Russia’s longest cave but it is also the world’s longest cave made of gypsum. The white gypsum here gives the cave’s interior a dazzling glow that makes it look almost like an underwater cathedral. The gypsum also filters the water and promotes visibility. It also structurally shifts which makes the cave look slightly different as time passes.

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13.  The Hilma Hooker, Bonaire

The cargo ship Hilma Hooker is a real stand-out. It sank in 1975, was rescued, then was eventually used to smuggle drugs. Indeed, it had been discovered hauling a hefty load of high-quality marijuana. The owners were put on trial and while the case was never resolved, the 72-meter Dutch freighter was intentionally sunk in 1984. It is now populated by tubular sponges and frequently visited by angelfish, barracuda, and parrotfish.

14.  Piccaninnie Ponds, Australia

You don’t have to be a scuba diver to visit these ponds. The limestone surrounding the location filters the water and provides visitors with surprising visibility of up to 40 meters so snorkelers can also see a lot. The shallow area leads to The Chasm, where you can snorkel over a 35-meter, algae-coated canyon. If you wish to see the underwater cavern known as the Cathedral, however, you’ll need scuba equipment.

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15.  Underwater Suites at Atlantis, Dubai

If you’re ever in Dubai, book an Underwater Suite at Atlantis The Palm Dubai. It’s famous for its aquarium, water park, and underwater suites. Here in one of these suites, you can wake to a world of swooping, stunning stingrays, psychedelic schools of fish, and lurking sharks, all while safely ensconced behind thick large windows.    

16.  Ginnie Springs, USA

The clarity of the water here at this freshwater diving site situated on the famous Santa Fe River, in High Springs, Florida, makes it a very popular place. Diving highlights here include the large cavern called The Ballroom. Here sunlight makes the turquoise water sparkle. There’s also the more challenging Devil’s Springs, which leads to a labyrinth of caves that features over 30,000 feet of passages.  

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17.  Shark Reef And The Yolanda, Egypt

Visit the Ras Mohammed National Park. It is here, at the southern end of the Sinai Peninsula, that you can enjoy some exceptional diving in the Red Sea. Shark Reef is full of reef fish, rays, and sharks. Nearby is the wreck of the cargo ship christened Yolanda. When it was grounded in 1980, it was carrying ceramics. Here you’ll find numerous old bathtubs and toilets dotting the seabed.

18.  Neptune Memorial Reef, USA

You will find this distinctive underwater cemetery off Florida’s Key Biscayne approximately 40 feet underwater. Everything here is reminiscent of Atlantis. This cemetery even includes an entrance guarded by great lions. It is ever-expanding. Where it once included only 850 “placements”–cremated remains combined with concrete then sculpted into various marine shapes– the owners intend to cover all 16 undersea acres in order to make it the world’s largest man-made reef.

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19.  Yonaguni Monument, Japan

The Yonaguni Monument, or Yonaguni “Iskei” stones, are quite mysterious. Discovered in 1987 just off the lonely isle of Yonaguni, this prehistoric structure 25 meters under the sea features massive rock slabs somehow carved into a pyramid-like shape. Some say it’s the result of tectonic activity. Others believe the site is what remains of an ancient Japanese Atlantis, sunk by an earthquake nearly 2,000 years ago.

20.  Silfra Fissure, Iceland

Here scuba divers can swim between Eurasia and North America. This continental fissure in Thingvellir National Park is the result of an earthquake in 1789. The blend of glacial meltwater and underground spring water allows for visibility of 100 meters.

This chasm continues to widen by two centimeters annually. The shifting ground creates new tunnels too. You can take four to six-hour tours out of Reykjavik.

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21.  RMS Titanic, The Atlantic Ocean

This is the most famous shipwreck in the world. It has been two miles under the ocean since 1912. In 2018, scuba divers explored it for reportedly “the first time in 15 years. A company known as OceanGate is taking a minimum number of crew and guests on scientific expeditions of the salt-corroded ship. Bacteria have also been deteriorating the vessel.  

22.  Huvafen Fushi Spa, Maldives

Here in the luxurious Huvafen Fushi resort, you will find the world’s first spa to feature subaquatic treatment rooms. In one of two different rooms, you can enjoy their trademark treatment complete with sea-mineral-enriched products. Relax while taking in the incredible views of the stunning ocean depths surrounding you. See the manta rays and rainbow-colored fish as they swim around you.

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23.  Green Lake, Austria

Other than its hiking trails, Green Lake is not all that special in the winter. But if you visit in the late spring and early summer, the snow from the various surrounding mountains melts and floods the little lake creating a one-of-a-kind 12-meter deep underwater park spanning an area of more than 13,000 square meters. You can see benches, bridges, footpaths, and even trees through the crystal-clear water.  

24.  The Grotto, Canada

Located in Tobermory, Ontario, Canada’s scuba-diving capital, The Grotto offers something for snorkelers as well. Nestled at the edge of Indian Head Cove in popular Bruce Peninsula National Park, it is a seaside cave complete with a deep pool of clear turquoise water. Scuba divers can also explore even further via two entrances into the sunken cavern submerged beneath six meters of water. You need to hike to get there, but it’s worth it.

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25.  Chuuk Lagoon, Micronesia

Once known as Truk Lagoon, this is one of the best World World II wreck dive sites in the world. In February of 1944, this Japanese Navy stronghold was bombed to bits. The remains currently rest on the ocean floor. There are more than 50 ships and roughly 260 aircraft making up this ghostly, coral-encrusted ghostly collection. They are now visited by iridescent fish and prowling reef sharks.

26.  Coron Bay, Philippines

Here off the coast of Palawan island, are the best-preserved World War II wrecks in the world. Coron Bay was once a site of an American bombing campaign against the Japanese. Today, six trashed wartime vessels can be found there on the seafloor. Perhaps the most well-known wreck is the 168-meter-long oil tanker Okikawa Maru or the heavily-armed vessel Akitsushima, which even had a seaplane-launching crane.

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27.  Parco Archaeologico Sommerso di Baia, Italy

The ruins of this submerged city are not far from popular Pompeii. It is named Baia. It includes chiseled statues, intricate frescoes, and mosaiced floors. The key sites are said to be Portus Julius and Villa Protiro. Unfortunately, this city was sunk by bradyseism – a “gradual lowering and raising” of the ground. Then again, this could mean that someday the city may well rise again. 

28.  Shicheng, China

Also known as the “Atlantis of the East”, Shicheng is a submerged city located 40 meters beneath Qiandao Lake in the province of Zhejiang. In 1959 it was purposely flooded to make way for a hydroelectric station and dam. For decades it was ignored.  

In 2001 the city was “rediscovered” and exploration began. The 1300-year-old city is well-preserved and provides visitors with a glimpse of China’s past. It includes stonework dragons, lions, phoenixes, and five separate gates.  

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29.  Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, Maldives

Opened in 2005, this undersea eatery at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island offers the opportunity to see their fish and eat ‘em too. It is the first all-glass underwater restaurant in the world and is nestled in coral gardens five meters under the sea. All 14 guests get a great ocean view and a sophisticated six-course dinner too. (Try to avoid making eye contact with the fish outside as you may be dining on their friends or relatives.)

30.  HMS Southwold, Malta

Marsaskala in the archipelago of Malta is said to be one of the best scuba diving sites in the world. One of the big draws here is the 85-meter-long Second World War vessel, HMS Southwold. In 1942 it hit a mine. Today, you need a special permit from Heritage Malta to dive to this shipwreck and its colorful coral.

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31.  The Underwater Museum, France

Jason deCaires Taylor’s new museum is between the famous city of Cannes and the Île Sainte-Marguerite. This undersea museum is the result of more than four years of work. It features half a dozen pH-neutral, 10-ton sculptures of Cannes residents including a local fisherman and a number of schoolchildren. Designed specifically for snorkelers, admission is free. 

32.  Deep Dive Dubai, UAE

Deep Dive Dubai is the deepest swimming pool on Earth. It contains 14 million liters of water and is 60 meters deep. Guests are offered a number of different scuba diving and free-diving experiences at all ability levels. It comes complete with its own “sunken city” that includes an apartment, an arcade, a garage, and a streetscape. Mood lighting here is courtesy of filtering technology originally developed by NASA.

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33.  The Wit, Belize

Travel to the Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve. The Wit is Belize’s largest planned wreck dive and artificial reef enhancement is located right off the coast just one mile away from the Blackbird Caye Dive Resort. The Wit is a 114-meter concrete ship. The purpose of the project is to increase local biodiversity and draw scuba divers away from more fragile local natural habitats.

34.  Museo Subacuático de Arte, Mexico

This underwater sculpture gallery began in 2009 with the works of the well-known sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor. This one, located in the water off the coast of Cancún, is highlighted by 500 of his life-sized sculptures. Like the others, they were created with materials meant to promote and not harm marine life. The coral-covered figures include an abandoned automobile, a slouching man, and huddling people.

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The phrase “underwater city” might make you think about Atlantis from the movie “Aquaman.” Plato even alluded to the fictional island many years ago. Ah, but there are actually places in the real world where you will find more than an octopus’s garden. Rest assured there are real-life underwater cities as well. Here we present but seven stunning travel destinations if you would like to explore undersea cities and villages.

1. Shi Cheng, China

Shi Cheng is an ancient city now under Lake Qiandao. This ancient metropolis, founded roughly 1300 years ago, currently lies between 26 and 40 meters (85+ and 131+ feet) beneath the water.

The valley where the city was located was intentionally flooded back in 1959. The government did so in order to build a hydroelectric power plant and an artificial lake. The power station no longer produces energy but is a top tourist stop. The peaks of the submerged mountains look like groups of islets thus this place is nicknamed the Lake of the Thousand Islands.

The water temperature averages between 50 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit and thus the underwater city remains in remarkable condition. You can see its gateway and buildings carved with various mythological creatures. The weather is always acceptable but the very best time to visit this Qing dynasty city is in the fall when it is sunny, dry, and colorful.

2. Kalyazin, Russia

If you’re rushin’ to Russia here is another special spot to add to your potential itinerary. Oh, what’s even better is you do not necessarily need to be a scuba diver to explore the Kalyazin ruins either. The city’s cathedral belfry towers high over the water.

Once significant as an important commercial center, it began to lose its importance following a revolution in 1917. Decades passed and it became all but insignificant. Thus in 1940 the powers that be decided to relocate the locals to higher ground and sink most of the city in order to construct the Úglich reservoir.

3. Sant Romà de Sau, Spain

San Romà de Sau is a little village in Catalonia’s Osona region. It is totally submerged by the water of the Sau dam. This place once had a bridge, homes, and even a nice Romanesque church.

The best time to visit is when the reservoir is not filled to capacity. It is then that you can see the church’s bell tower emerging from out of the water. Mind you, if you get there during a drought you can visit the ruins of the entire village because there is no water there at all.

4. Mediano, Spain

The underwater village of Mediano can be found in Huesca, Spain. In 1969 the village was intentionally flooded in order to build a reservoir. The news media did not report it when it happened but the reservoir was opened with warning the locals.

When the area began to flood, the residents had to flee their homes taking little more than only what they could carry. All but one building disappeared as the water level rose. The bell tower of Mediano’s church–which dates back to the 1600s– remained above the maximum water level. If you visit today you will be able to see a few of the buildings rising slightly above the water’s surface.

5. Port Royal, Jamaica

Port Royal is one of the country’s oldest areas. Thus, it is considered by its citizens to be a significant part of its overall heritage. Unfortunately, for history buffs, part of it is actually under the water.

Port Royal was the official seat of the British government in Jamaica during the 1600s. It was once a popular place for outlaws and pirates and acquired titles such as the “Sodom of the New World” and the “wickedest city on earth.” In 1692 the city was submerged by a tsunami.

The underwater city is not in the best condition that it could be due to the fact that it simply has not been maintained all that well. Nevertheless, according to the official Visit Jamaica website the water around Port Royal is reported to be “an archaeological gold mine, full of pieces of history that tell stories of the early days of the English occupation.”

6.  The Lost Villages of Ontario, Canada

A total of 10 different towns make up the famous “Lost Villages” of Ontario, Canada. They were all once municipalities of Osnabruck and Cornwall in Ontario. In 1958 the construction of a new waterway both of those areas was submerged.

Visitors can see buildings and sidewalks from some places above the water’s surface. Canada dedicated a museum to these submerged towns to keep their history alive. One of the museum’s more memorable exhibits includes a few of the structures that were relocated from the towns that were submerged. Great care has been taken to restore them to their pre-flood condition.

7. Pavlopetri, Greece

Pavlopetri is perhaps the oldest underwater city in the world. It is ensconced off the southern coast of Lakonia. The city was flooded approximately 5,000 years ago. It was not discovered until some time in 1967. Ever since then it has been a highly valuable archaeological site.

According to sources at the BBC, Jon Henderson of the United Kingdom’s University of Nottingham commented on this place following some more recent discoveries back in 2009. He told reporters:

“It is a unique discovery in the sense that we have found on the seabed an almost complete city, with streets, buildings, gardens, tombs and what looks like a religious complex.” The sunken city of Pavlopetri is one of the sites travelers can visit along the different “water ruins” routes offered in the general Peloponnese area.

So there you have it, dear travelers. Not all underwater cities are fictional. Not all underwater cities require visitors to be a scuba diver (although it does generally help). Do you know of any underwater city that is open to all visitors that we may have missed? If so, let us know in the comments section!

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