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12 of the Most Beautiful Underwater Ocean Sights in the World

Updated on Jun. 11, 2025

With coral reefs and sinkholes, shipwrecks and submerged hotels, the sea is brimming with scenery that even landlubbers will appreciate. And these beautiful underwater ocean sights are worth a glance—or visit.

Underwater wonders

You don’t have to be a seasoned scuba diver to appreciate the majesty and mystery of the sea. Even those of us with feet firmly planted in the sand can admit: Earth’s oceans are something special. But nothing is quite as awe-inspiring as these beautiful underwater ocean sights, which reveal a hidden world beneath our own.

Below, we have highlighted some of the most beautiful underwater marvels you’ll ever see. Whether you’re a curious globe-trotter who wants to tick off iconic destinations or an armchair explorer, you’ll be surprised by the sights you can find below the surf.

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Wonderful and beautiful underwater world with corals and tropical fish.
Brian Kinney/Shutterstock

Great Barrier Reef

Where to find it: Australia

You can’t talk about the ocean without mentioning the Great Barrier Reef. This 1,429-mile ecosystem is the largest living thing on the planet. It’s so gigantic, you can see it from outer space! Just let that sink in for a second. Enormity aside, this natural wonder wows with its dazzling array of fish, mollusks, dolphins, sharks and turtles.

Statues underwater
Krofoto/Shutterstock

Museo Subacuático de Arte

Where to find it: Cancun, Mexico

An underwater museum actually exists: Museo Subacuático de Arte (MUSA) is truly a sight to behold. This subaqueous attraction features 500 life-size sculptures that are fixed to the ocean floor and constructed with materials that promote reef growth. And if you prefer not to get wet, you can view this incredible installation via a glass-bottomed boat.

Mandarinfish or Mandarin dragonet ( Synchiropus splendidus ) is close-up shot , it very small tropical fish vivid color , Sipadan island Borneo . Celebes sea, malaysia
22August/Shutterstock

Mandarinfish

Where to find it: Western Pacific

Small, brightly colored, unmistakably tropical—the mandarinfish captivates with its exotic beauty. This member of the dragonet family is native to the warm tides of the western Pacific (Indonesia, the Philippines, Australia and New Guinea). Its rainbow scales and graceful fins make it a favorite of saltwater aquarium hobbyists. Fun fact: Synchiropus splendidus is one of only two vertebrates to have a blue tint because of cellular pigment.

Anna segeren/shutterstock

SS Thistlegorm

Where to find it: Red Sea

The SS Thistlegorm was a 430-foot British merchant navy steamship built in 1940. A year later, while en route to deliver supplies to Allied troops, it was hit by German bombers and sank off the west coast of Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula in the Strait of Gubal. The wreck, along with its wealth of World War II weapons, vehicles and crates of munitions, makes for a fascinating underwater treasure trove for wreck divers.

School of Barracudas - Palau, Micronesia
Global_Pics/Getty Images

Blue Corner

Where to find it: Palau, Micronesia

For adrenaline junkies with a penchant for Neptunian pursuits, the Blue Corner in Palau is a must. Renowned for its unpredictable currents, sheer drops and biological diversity, this epic drift dive is not for newbies. You’ll need plenty of practice before taking this advanced plunge with grey reef sharks, eagle rays, black snapper, humphead wrasses and schools of barracuda.

Subsix
Courtesy Minorhotels.com

Subsix

Where to find it: Maldives

Ever dreamed of dining in the depths of the Indian Ocean? Such is the reality at Subsix in the Maldives. Submerged 20 feet (6 meters, hence the name) below sea level, it’s accessible only by speedboat. Guests can sip Champagne and savor gourmet fare while watching shoals of florid butterflyfish and moray eels swim past. And while you’re in the Maldives, see if you can explore its other scenic wonders, from its famous glowing beach and vibrant HP reef (a protected marine area), to Hanifaru Bay to witness the world’s largest gathering of manta rays.

Black-banded Sea Krait and Coral Reef in Indonesia
Velvetfish/Getty Images

Faint-banded sea snake

Where to find it: Eastern Indian and western Pacific oceans

Do frightening marine reptiles from the Paleozoic era still roam? Technically no, although their direct descendants are still pretty darn terrifying. There are over 60 species of sea snakes, many of which are spectacularly hued and poisonous. Hydrophis belcheri , known as the faint-banded sea snake, isn’t likely to bite unless threatened, but you should still give these snakes plenty of distance and respect because of their deadly venom. So where might you encounter them? They live in the warm temperatures of the eastern India and western Pacific oceans.

The Great Blue Hole in Belize
Globe Guide Media Inc/Shutterstock

Great Blue Hole

Where to find it: Belize

Belize is a mecca for snorkeling and scuba enthusiasts (not to mention one of the top vacation spots in Central America). Of all its abyssal attractions, none compare to the Great Blue Hole. Made famous by French explorer Jacques Cousteau, this massive 406-foot-deep marine cavern lures aquatic adventurers with its crystalline waters, stalactites and fascinating creatures, including the critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle.

Wooden Shipwreck
Andrew Jalbert/Shutterstock

Queen Anne’s Revenge

Where to find it: Beaufort, North Carolina

The lore of Blackbeard lives on, so it’s no wonder his flagship frigate continues to intrigue tourists. The notorious pirate seized Queen Anne’s Revenge in 1717 and captained the ship for a year before grounding it offshore of Beaufort. (British forces killed the pirate in the Pamlico Sound months later.) Excavation of the wreck began in 1996. Today, recovered artifacts—his treasure—are on display at the N.C. Maritime Museum.

Aerial view of Mauritius island panorama and famous Le Morne Brabant mountain, beautiful blue lagoon and underwater waterfall
Myroslava Bozhko/Shutterstock

Underwater Waterfall

Where to find it: Mauritius

An underwater waterfall in the middle of the ocean? Mauritius is home to a plethora of spellbinding natural sights—and this jaw-dropping optical illusion. In actuality, the dramatic cascade effect is the result of sand and silt deposits, though that hasn’t stopped millions of visitors from flocking to see the breathtaking waterfall each year. The best vantage point? A helicopter.

Blue shark swimming in the blue. Image was taken during a baited shark dive offshore, out past Western Cape in South Africa. .
wildestanimal/Shutterstock

Blue shark

Where to find it: Worldwide in temperate and tropical oceans

Looks can be deceiving. Take the blue shark, for example. Its big black eyes, slim body and indigo skin conjure images of adorable cartoons. Despite its cute appearance, this deep-sea dweller is not mild-mannered and has an insatiable appetite. How’s this for a fascinating yet scary shark fact: Prionace glauca gorges itself until it regurgitates to make more room for more food. Biting incidents pertaining to humans are rare, but you’re better off safe than sorry—give this predator respect and space.

via themantaresort.com

Underwater Room

Where to find it: Pemba Island, Tanzania

The Underwater Room at Manta resort, off Pemba Island, gives new meaning to the phrase, “sleeps with the fishes.” Anchored to the ocean floor, the three-story floating structure boasts a sun-splashed rooftop, sea-level lounge area and subaqueous snoozing quarters with 360-degree views of life beneath the surface. At night, you might even catch a glimpse of an octopus.

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