Underwater Tourism Likely to Gain Popularity in Near Future

If you are a traveller who likes to explore the world, you should consider exploring the emergent trend of underwater tourism. The marine world, covering nearly 70 percent of our earth, is surely fascinating for all adventurous travellers.

Situated off the north-eastern cost of Australia, the Great Barrier Reef also known as the world’s largest coral formation is a famous as a spectacular sight offering with diving opportunities with multi-coloured corals.

As an increasing number of travellers are becoming interested in underwater tourism, new restaurants and hotels are being built to serve people. In March 2019, the world’s largest underwater restaurant — ‘Under’ was started to serve 35 to 40 guests each night. Through a 36- x 13-foot panoramic window in the dining room, you can enjoy gazing at the marine life.

The world’s largest underwater hotel — the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island that was opened in 2018 is also famous among many travellers. The hotel offers an underwater Muraka suite and is also home to Ithaa, which is a five-star restaurant submerged below the sea. The massive bed, shower and bathtub give a panoramic view of the ocean.

The trend of underwater galleries has encouraged more people to come into close contact with marine sites. Situated in Australia’s Whitsunday Islands, Ngaro’s Underwater Sculpture Trail is a great initiative to attract people to the underwater world. With this addition into underwater tourism, people might develop a deeper consideration of the marine environment.

With the help of advanced equipment, you do not have to be a skilled diver or swimmer to enjoy a scuba-like adventure. At the Seawalker on Green Island in the Great Barrier Reef, you can submerge while wearing a large glass helmet. After wearing a protective suit, divers are lowered into the ocean floor where they can walk on the sand.

You could also tour along reefs of some of the world’s most interesting islands and coastal regions with the help of some submersible rides. You can choose between large submarines for a group of tourists or super-luxurious private subs. To enjoy the submarine experience, you could opt for the Deepflight that runs in the Four Seasons Resort in the Maldives. Its individual viewing domes are perfect to get a close view of the marine life. Despite being a must visit place, being priced at $1,500 per couple for an hour’s excursion, it is quite pricey for a commoner.

As stated by the Institutional Development & PR Manager of Les Roches — Patricia Rodiles Martinez, the hike in demand for underwater tourism will lead to a significant drop in the costs, thereby making it more accessible for all.

For the travellers who have an artistic streak in them, several underwater sculpture parks offer an amalgamation of art tourism and underwater tourism. At the Cancun Underwater Museum of Art in Mexico, you can witness nearly 500 life-size installations submerged underwater in the breath taking coasts of the Caribbean islands. After a delayed launch due to Covid-19, Australia’s first underwater museum — Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA) is now open to showcase installations by British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor.

While underwater tourism is gaining popularity among travellers, we should ensure henceforth that all new attractions are built keeping in mind the various environmental concerns. Clearly, there is a dire need to educate travellers and create awareness about the plight of the reefs and marine world.