It’s not by accident that it’s called The Blue Planet. The possibilities for spending leisure time in and around water delight not just sailors and powerboat skippers but also divers. They find their destinations anywhere from Norway to the South Seas.
To underwater enthusiasts the whole world is their oyster. This is also evidenced by the over 400 manufacturers and dealers as well as diving stations from all five continents featured in Halls 11 and 12 of boot Düsseldorf 2025.
Sounds like people are “spoilt for choice”? Yes, it does – which is why there will be initial information for the upcoming diving trips at boot from 18 to 26 January plus personal tips from experienced dive masters and diving tourism providers. For an overview of all exhibitors in the diving halls click here:
https://www.boot.com/en/Exhibitors_Products/All_Exhibitors_Products
There are basically two categories of divers: Neptune’s disciples who only fancy diving in warm water and the others who not only consider tropical destinations but also those requiring semi or complete drysuits for diving – as is the case in the far north.
Off to the Polar Seas
Humpback whales and orcas are probably the most impressive creatures to be observed in waters around the Arctic Circle. Such an experience can best be realised as part of a diving cruise. November and January offer optimal conditions but go hand in hand with icy water temperatures. Drysuits are therefore a “must”.
The city of Tromsø north of the Arctic Circle is an ideal point of departure for such a multi-day cruise to the North Norwegian fjords. Since divers wearing full equipment would be too clumsy to quickly enter the water to see the whales and get back into the inflatable for a speedy location change, they snorkel in drysuits instead. Vision underwater is not always ideal because of the krill but these organisms are also the reason for the presence of the whales – consequently they don’t do any harm. Close encounters with humpback whales and orcas leave lasting impressions.
(Ice) diving in the mountains
Dry diving with scuba tanks is possible in any type of cool water body. A special experience is ice diving in Alpine lakes. This option, however, is reserved to advanced aquanauts for safety reasons. VSDST – the Association of German Sports Diver – requires amongst others a licence and a 3-digit number of completed dives, for example. Ice diving presupposes perfect handling of cold-water diving equipment as well as scrupulous preparation. One of the safety measures is a line secured to the harness with the other end connected to the surface and monitored by an attendant. Ice diving beginners should embark on this adventure at a diving station that is associated with a recognised training organization.
There are many diving schools in the entire Alpine region that offer ice diving in their portfolio. A real ice-diving paradise is the Austrian Weißensee, the highest of the swimming lakes in Carinthia at 930 m above sea level. In winter it provides the biggest prepared and constantly frozen natural ice surface in Europe and is therefore predestined for ice diving. The ice regularly “grows” to 40cm thick and over. The water under the ice is crystal clear and boasts incredible visibility of up to 30 metres as suspended particles sink to the bottom because of the closed ice cover. The sun shining through the ice cover is refracted by the ice producing fascinating light effects in the clear water. With some luck even mirror ice forms and divers can observe people skating or walking on the ice.
Fancy something a bit warmer?
The Mediterranean is diverse – including its water temperatures. The season starts around Easter. Those who don’t like to sweat in their wetsuits are then perfectly catered to by the sea between Croatia in the east, Spain in the West, Portofino near Genoa in the North and Malta in the South.
Semi drysuit or wetsuit – here opinions differ – but what fans of Europe’s very own sea can agree on is that diving into its waters is always worth it.
It doesn’t have to be great depths – even shallow zones are often buzzing with life. Extensive seaweed pastures are the optimal “nursery” for numerous sea creatures. With few exceptions you will find lush colonies of red and yellow fan corals growing almost everywhere in the Med and sometimes even exquisite red corals.
Along the Croatian Adriatic coast many islands have developed into diving hotspots. Restricted areas for decades today serve as prime examples of an intact Mediterranean underwater world. This, however, also applies to Italian, French, Spanish, Turkish, Greek or Maltese marine parks.
Diving insiders are aware that the marine protection and diving areas of the Balearic Islands away from the party zones can also hold their own. Add to this that these waters are known as paradise for grouper fish.
The latter also holds true for the Lavezzi (rock) islands between Corsica and Sardinia, which lie scarcely 20 km away from their French neighbour. The area, which is not that easily accessible, is still rated as largely unspoilt and an insider tip by aquanauts. But beware: the underwater world off both islands is addictive. Good to know: here most holidaymakers stay ashore.
The underwater regions along the north coast of Sardinia stretching from the island of Tavolara in the East to Alghero in the West are therefore not highly frequented – although plenty of different sea creatures from barracuda shoals to colourful sea snails can be spotted in the reefs of the strait between Corsica and Sardinia. Lavishly growing colourful fan corals add colour to these reefs.
The Turkish and Greek diving regions in the south-eastern Med have long since outgrown “sleeping beauty” status – they are also popular destinations. Around many Greek Islands divers will find plenty of old shipwrecks to explore.
Those enthusiastic about spectacular rock landscapes underwater, will love Malta. Just 30 minutes by ferry, the neighbouring island of Gozo boasts this scenery almost along its entire coastline. Those seeking their first experiences with grottos and caves will find easy-to-dive sites such as the famous Blue Dome or the Cathedral Cave there. These are both spacious and daylight from their entries and exits is visible almost everywhere. Shipwreck fans will also get their money’s worth and in any case Malta’s diving grounds are brimming with fish.
East of Africa
Also rich in fish is the Portuguese island of Madeira in the Eastern Atlantic. Large fish are the order of the (diving) day here. In the marine reserve Garajau giant groupers are at home and accustomed to divers. Even encounters with monk seals are possible though subject to a little luck. In addition, the grounds are known for manta encounters among snorkelers and divers.
Located approximately 500 kilometres further south and some 100 kilometres off the South coast of Morocco are the seven Canary Islands. When diving sports became increasingly popular from the late 60s, they quickly developed into Europe’s first destination for divers that was quickly accessible by plane. To this day the islands’ underwater world has lost none of its charm. Be it sea snails, sardine shoals, large sting rays or angel sharks: there is no diving here without those little personal underwater adventures. And there are diving stations on each island.
A Caribbean feel
… of course, develops best in the Caribbean – counting among the pioneers of diving tourism for the US market. The Bahamas, housing the world’s third biggest reef and home to sharks, rays, barracudas, and innumerable colourful coral fish, were among the first destinations there. Today, diving stations complying with international standards can be found on many islands including Cuba and Martinique. Grenada is still considered an insider’s tip while Bonaire and Curacao are particularly popular with divers. In the Dominican Republic you can dive in freshwater caves reminiscent of the Mexican “Cenotes”.
Corals and more in the Red Sea
The diving region with tropical coral reefs located closest to Europe is the Gulf of Aqaba in the Red Sea. Located in its western arm is the Egyptian peninsula with its diving meccas Sharm el Sheikh and Dahab while opposite in its north-eastern arm is the diving ground of Jordan’s harbour town Aqaba. Needless to say, the “usual suspects” can also be seen in the Gulf of Aqaba: ranging from bannerfish and other coral fish, silvery shining barracudas, moray eels and lionfish to large rays and occasionally even sharks.
Egypt’s other Red Sea diving region stretches from El Gouna near Hurghada to Hamata near the southern border of the country. Safaga, El Quseir, Marsa Alam and Port Ghalib enjoy a good reputation among many diving holidaymakers. Dives from the shore and boat are offered here daily.
Off to the South: the Indian Ocean
This point on the compass generally stands for many things. For divers, however, destinations in the Indian Ocean immediately spring to mind.
When diving finally became popular as a leisure activity, the Maldives were the first long-distance destination for European disciples of Neptune to encounter multi-faceted, exotic sealife. These diving grounds have not lost any of their appeal to this day. Unlike in the pioneering days of diving, these island resorts have long complied with international standards.
If diving is to be the No. 1 activity during holidays, a reef right in front of your island is ideal. Divers are spoilt for choice when it comes to finding the right island to suit their expectations: from the Haa Alifu Atoll in the North to the larger island Gan below the equator atolls line up here boasting countless diving grounds.
Size is relative, and this is something proven by Mauritius far south of the equator. Boasting greater landmass than any other of the Maldives, it is still only half the size of Mallorca – but the perfect place for divers also keen on onshore adventures. Located in the North is the Grand Baie, a varied diving ground where newbies feel just as much at home as old hands do. The capital Port Louis houses the postal museum with the legendary Blue Mauritius postage stamp. Untouched nature can be found in several national reserves. In the tropical forest near Chamarel the world’s unique phenomenon of 7-coloured earth can be seen: a giant, colourful geological formation formed by volcanic activity. More colour can only be encountered in the reefs when diving with shoals of fish, little wrecks, scorpionfish, large moray eels and sea turtles.
Thailand: diving in the Andaman Sea
At the eastern rim of the Indian Ocean diving destinations can predominantly be found in Southern Thailand. Located west of the Andaman Sea, Khao Lak is the best point of departure for day trips and diving cruises to the reefs of the Similan Islands lying some 60 km offshore. In the eastern Gulf of Thailand international diving stations are located on the islands of Phuket and Koh Lanta. This diving destination is not only known for its opulent coral growth but also for its underwater fauna. Living between the corals are ghost fish, sand eels and clown crabs; those liking it big can look forward to plenty of fish shoals as well as leopard sharks, mantas and whale sharks.
Between east and west: Indo-Pacific
The Philippine Sea is a tributary of the Pacific Ocean. Like in the island kingdom of Indonesia, the possibilities offered by diving holidays here are incredibly diverse. The large Philippine islands Mindoro, Negros, Cebu and Bohol are famous for their extensive underwater worlds. But even smaller ones such as Malapascua Island offer diving adventures guaranteed. The diversity of sea creatures is indescribable across the whole Philippines.
The Indonesian island of Bali with its many international diving stations is also considered a diving hotspot but has to compete with no less attractive regions such as the Moluccas. Located east of these is the Raja Ampat Archipelago boasting record-breaking underwater biodiversity. A multi-day cruise guarantees fun galore.
Diving in the Pacific: see you on the other side
Halfway around the globe lies the vast Pacific Ocean. In the west of this gigantic expanse of water, the Micronesian island states of Palau and Yap could almost be overlooked. Luckily, these two of the 14 small states in this region referred to as Oceania, are a household name among divers. They are definitely among the most remote diving destinations in the world.
Palau’s main island as well as over 350 mostly small, tropically green and uninhabited islands lie in this giant lagoon. It is surrounded by coral reefs that attract all sorts of marine life. Diving stations meeting international standards take their guests to the best places on day trips or diving cruises.
18 kilometres long, Yap island is located at the edge of the Mariana Trench, the deepest point in the ocean. This diving area is particularly well known for its manta ray population. The giant rays come to the cleaner fish stations in the lagoon almost every day where divers can see them up close. Far from the nearest piece of land, Yap’s reefs, with their extensive, intact hard coral growth, are home to many species of gilled and finned creatures that can be found in the Western Pacific.
No dive in the Pacific Ocean would be complete without mentioning the Fiji Islands and French Polynesia with its main island Tahiti. Far away from Europe these destinations score points with sophisticated tourism offers onshore as well as lush coral growth, large fish and shoals galore as their “ambassadors”.
First-hand reports, images and films will be presented at the Dive Center of boot Düsseldorf next to the large Diving Tower in Hall 12. Here diving enthusiasts will never cease to be amazed. For an overview of the varied and exciting programme go to:
https://www.boot.com/en/Visit/boot_Themed_Areas/Diving/Diving
The world’s biggest yachting and water sports trade fair
With over 200,000 visitors from more than 100 countries and over 1,500 exhibitors on 220,000 square metres in Halls 1 to 17, boot Düsseldorf from 18 to 26 January 2025 will be the world’s biggest yachting and water sports trade fair. Both yachts people and powerboat enthusiasts will find a comprehensive line-up of entry-level boats, dinghies, super boats or luxury yachts here. boot also features all facets and the corresponding equipment for the popular watersports of diving, surfing, kitesurfing, stand-up paddling, skimboarding or canoeing. Attractive stage programmes featuring the stars of the scene, current trends and a high-calibre mix of workshops and join-in activities both for leisure sportspeople and experts make this trade fair unique the world over. But boot 2025 will also focus on maritime protection and innovative, sustainable technologies. In cooperation with the European Boating Industry (EBI) the blue innovation dock will provide a unique dialogue format with experts from the political, business, technological and media spheres in Hall 10.
