Now that I’ve been Advanced Open Water certified for about a year now, I’m always thinking about new places to explore the underwater world.

My have been spoiled in my first few scuba diving experiences. First, I went on a LiveAboard in the Red Sea, seeing some of the most beautiful reefs and wrecks in the world. Then, I went to South Africa with my university where I experienced wonderful reefs, baited shark dives and more! This summer, I will be scuba diving in Thailand on a LiveAboard to the Phi Phi Islands based out of Phuket and another trip in the Gulf of Thailand (either based out of Ko Pha Ngan, Ko Samui or Ko Tao).

Here are some other scuba diving adventures I would love to have in the future:

Something local: Although I’m in a landlocked state, I don’t have to go far to experience great scuba diving. Sites relatively close to me include the Gulf of California, Channel Islands and La Jolla Cove.

Silfra: Formed by diverging tectonic plates, this dive spot in Iceland is known for its incredible visibility and geological marvel. Although, I think I’ll need to take a dry suit course, first!

Photo credit: Extreme Iceland

Great Barrier Reef: Because, well, duh.

Hawai’i: My family used to go to Maui quite often and that is where I had my first scuba diving crash course. I would love to return as a more independent diver and experience all the sites I have been to from the surface while snorkeling.

Sardine run: From May through July, billions of sardines spawn at the bottom of the African continent and move northward along the east coast of South Africa, attracting all sorts of predators from sea birds to whale for this feeding frenzy. When I went on my university course to South Africa in April, we were too early for the season, but I would love to return to Sodwana Bay and the Reefteach dive resort for this spectacle someday.

Photo credit: Jason Heller

Mayan Rivera: A very broad range, but I would like to explore as much as I can of one of the most critically acclaimed dive sites in the world including Cancun, Cozumel, Belize barrier reef and the Great Blue Hole. Maybe for my 2020 big trip…

Banda Sea: I tried to be more specific with this one, but I would love to go anywhere in the Coral Triangle: home to the most marine biodiversity on the planet. I recently read a blog post on a Banda Sea LiveAboard and it looks so beautiful and luxurious.

Helping hand: Finally, as an animal lover and conservationist, I would like to do some dives specifically to help the environment, collect data and learn more about what can be done. I would love to find an organization such as Seasearch in the U.S. to participate in once I have more dives under my belt.

Photo credit: The Blonde Abroad

Have you been scuba diving? Where would you want to go?