10 Excellent International Scuba Diving Destinations

The American interior and outer coasts are ripe with great scuba diving sites and can be easily accessed by any qualified diver with a little money for gas or a plane ticket. But for some, Florida's east coast or the lakes of Minnesota are just not enough to quench their aquatic thirst. If you are looking for a new experience and are willing to jump a few traveling hurdles, you should check out these ten unbeatable diver-friendly destinations.

Vanuatu
An enormously popular diving destination in the South Pacific and home to some of the most diverse marine life on earth. Be sure not to miss one of the world's biggest and most accessible wrecks (SS President Coolidge) as well as the world's first underwater post office.

Cayman Islands
One of the most popular diving destinations for Americans consisting of three islands (Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman). This small country is located in the heart of the Caribbean and is a regular stop for cruise ships throughout the year. The tourist traffic tends to keep the most popular dive spots pretty crowded, but there is enough clear water for everyone to enjoy if you look hard enough. Check out Don Foster's dive center if you are looking for a great place to start.

Bahamas
Like the Caymans, the Bahamas tend to be pretty crowded when it comes to diving. Busy or not, this place does provide all levels of divers with an opportunity to see some exotic marine life without breaking the bank. Check out Stuart Cove's dive center in Nassau if you are looking for a good place to start planning.

Belize
A bit more off the beaten path than the Caymans and Bahamas, Belize offers the adventurous soul with world-class reef diving opportunities. The temperature is great all year around and the crowds are likely to be less dense than other Caribbean destinations.

Cost Rica
Not far from Belize is the small Central American nation of Costa Rica. This country borders both the Caribbean and Pacific and offers a wide array of popular places to take a dive. Be sure to check out the Pacific coast side if you want to get the most out of your Costa Rican adventure, as divers have been known to regularly catch up-close sightings of some sizable barracuda.

The next five destinations are pretty far off the beaten path but well worth the trip if you are looking for some unspoiled spots to enjoy a scuba vacation.

Maldives
The Maldives have top shelf dive spots all over the island chain and offer those willing to explore with great chances to see Manta Ray and colorful reefs. Check out Banana Reef if you want to be overwhelmed with beautiful underwater scenery.

Saudi Arabia
Diving in the desert? Believe it or not, Saudi Arabia offers some great wreck diving in the Red Sea. While a lot of people tend to frequent Egypt, Saudi Arabia is much less crowded and offers a very similar diving experience.

Papua New Guinea
While PNG doesn't have the most well developed tourist industry, they do offer those willing to venture out with some of the most species diversity you can possibly see in one place.

Mozambique
While regularly frequented by South Africans, the American diving community is still fairly unexposed to this East African nation's marine beauty. Mozambique's south coast offers the best experience; be prepared to see whale sharks and some high quality reefs.

Cambodia
If you dive Cambodia you are likely to be the only person you know of who has done so. This country has a ton of potential, as dive sites are still being discovered to this day. You still have the chance to be part of something big by diving some literally unexplored sites off Cambodia's coast. Check out Scuba Nation located in Phnom Penh; they are the top dive center in the country.