25+ Truly Amazing Places To Visit Before You Die!

chongmencias

Sep 12, 20199 min read

Updated: Sep 14, 2019

Studies show that travel can make you smarter and healthier. So now grab a sheet of paper and a pencil, ladies and gentlemen. (Or in more modern terms, create a new note on Evernote.) It’s time to create that bucket list you’ve been meaning to write up:

Item #1: Create a bucket list.

Item #2: Travel the world.

About that second item …You’re going to need a few target destinations to lead your adventure. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. When on a journey to travel the globe, make sure each of these 25 amazing places to visit before you die are on the itinerary.

1. The Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest collection of coral reefs in the world, spanning over 1,400 miles. It’s so large that it can be seen from space, and it’s among one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World. It is the place to go diving, offering a one-of-a-kind display of underwater life.

2. Salar De Uyuni, Bolivia

This massive salt flat–the largest in the world–spans a massive 4,086 square miles. Formed by several ancient lakes, this salt flat becomes so reflective in the rainy season that it’s used to calibrate satellites. It’s effectively the world’s largest mirror and a breathtaking sight.

3. The Great Wall of China, China

This massive, man-made wall stretches thousands of miles long. Not only does the marvelous structure leave many visitors scrambling to pick up their jaws knowing it was made by human hands, but it’s atop a mountain ridge that delivers awe-inspiring views of the area.

4. Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

This area is among one of the most beautiful in the world, with crystal clear waters, lush green scenery, and stunning waterfalls.

5. The Great Blue Hole, Belize

Off the coast of Belize, divers find a submarine sinkhole called The Great Blue Hole, where the water is 407 feet deep. It’s over 980 feet wide and can easily be seen from above.

6. Redwood National Park, California, USA

The combined Redwood National and State Parks span over 133,000 acres across California’s north coast. These parks are home to the tallest growing species on Earth, the redwood tree, which can grow to be well over 300 feet tall.

7. Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Bora Bora is the poster child of the iconic tropical paradise. This island sits 143 miles northwest of Papeete, in the South Pacific, and features the extraordinary turquoise waters, white sand beaches, and beautiful greenery you’d hope to find in the tropics–only it’s more fantastic than you can imagine.

8. Taj Mahal, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India

The Taj Mahal is a truly beautiful architectural feat. It’s a massive, white, marble-domed mausoleum constructed in the 1600s that attracts over three million visitors each year.

9. Pamukkale, Turkey

This area is home to natural hot springs that leave travelers in awe. Don’t end your journey without bathing in one of the remarkable natural tubs.

10. Venice, Italy

Venice is the perfect destination for travelers seeking a unique city experience. The canals that run through the city act as roadways, providing a unique transportation option while delivering a beautiful scene.

11. Trolltunga rock, Ringedalsvatnet lake, Norway

12. Cappadocia, Turkey

13. Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

14. Hallstatt, Austria

15. Baobabs, Madagascar

16. Havasu Falls, Grand Canyon, Arizona

17. Manarola, Cinque Terre, Italy

18. Bryce canyon national park, Utah

19. Canadian Rocky Mountains, Canada

20. Porto, Portugal

21. Tubbataha Reef, Philippines

Liveaboard Diving in Tubbataha Reef

Divers on a liveaboard to Tubbataha are in for some spectacular diving. Tubbataha National Park covers almost 100,000 hectares of pristine reef; it's therefore no surprise that it has been named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and has earned designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tubbataha sits in the middle of the Sulu Sea, east of Palawan, which is a last frontier of the Philippines in its own right. The atolls of this park lie 10 to 12 hours away from the nearest landmass by boat, which has saved them from the overexploitation plaguing most of the Philippines archipelago. North Atoll, South Atoll, and the smaller Jessie Beazley Reef to the northwest of the main atolls constitute the different areas of the park. Between them, they offer almost 20 different dive sites to explore. A Tubbataha liveaboard is literally the only way to visit the area. And with the low volume of boats and the high volume of marine life, a liveaboard in Tubbataha promises to be the trip of a lifetime.

The northern tip of North Atoll holds a couple great shark-watching locations. First off is Washing Machine, aptly named for its intense currents. At this dive site, a high diversity of shark species can be seen, such as whitetips, blacktips, and grey reef sharks. Next comes Shark Airport, a high-volume cleaning station whose size dwarfs all the other cleaning stations in the atolls. As you drift along the plateau at this dive site, be prepared for anything and everything to swim by. Schools of grey reef sharks and whitetip sharks may even be joined by silky sharks, guitar sharks or whale sharks. In general, the northern tip of North Atoll attracts a lot of life both on the sea floor and in the blue. Remember to look out for rays and turtles too!

The southern-southeastern tip of North Atoll offers a shipwreck dive site, Malayan Wreck, alongside an incredible wall with additional dive sites called Wall Street and Amos Rock. In this area, hammerhead sharks can often be seen, and grey reef sharks and whitetip sharks are consistently present. Adding even more pelagics to the mix, expect giant trevally, dogtooth tuna, a couple different barracuda species swimming in large schools, turtles, and manta rays if you're lucky. Amos Rock sports a pleasant abundance of corals hard and soft, and in this general area of North Atoll, eye-popping benthic life like colorful crinoids and insanely patterned nudibranchs or flatworms bring the seafloor to life to match the show in the open water.

In the south-southeast of North Atoll, additional reef life favorites include pygmy seahorses on huge gorgonian sea fans, African pompanos, and leaf scorpion fish. When the current picks up, larger reef species such as red snapper, giant grouper, and napoleon wrasse come out to play. Some of the other blue-water favorites include rainbow runners which sometimes flash by in seemingly endless schools, and Spanish mackerel, whose o-shaped gaping mouths make a bizarre sight as they hunt for prey. Near the surface is the best spot to see mantas and eagle rays, along with green turtles and hawksbill turtles.

The northern tip of South Atoll is another area where divers can be wowed by schools of hammerheads, particularly at the dive site Ko-ok. While you're waiting for these incredible sharks to emerge from the blue, you'll have an equally awesome time traversing the pristine coral plateau under schools of circling jacks. The north of South Atoll is known for reef fish, turtles, and large pelagics, including sharks and manta rays- in other words, the iconic Tubbataha experience. In the south of South Atoll, Delsan Wreck holds a cleaning station whose clientele includes large reef fish, sharks, and even an occasional tiger shark.

To the northwest of Tubbataha, Jessie Beazley reef will definitely be included on your Tubbataha liveaboard itinerary. Here again, hammerhead sharks are present. Grey reef sharks, silky sharks, and even whale sharks can also be seen. Pristine coral with a particularly impressive area of branching acropora corals puts the icing on the cake at this dive site. Note that the current on Jessie Beazley can be strong, so heed your dive guide while you're enjoying the marine life that the fast-moving water brings in.

Itinerary details

The length of liveaboard itineraries in Tubbataha can be 6, 7, or 11+ nights, with a budget ranging from 280 to 500 euros per night. Most itineraries spend the entire time among Tubbatahaís outstanding dive sites, but there are two liveaboard.com trips that combine Tubbataha with diving in other excellent locations. The first is a Seadoors trip which uses Cebu as the departure port and includes diving in Balicasag (Bohol), Apo island (Negros), and Calusa (Palawan) on its way to Tubbataha. The trip ends in Puerto Princesa. The second itinerary is a transit trip either from Batangas to Puerto Princesa or vice versa, run by the M/V Discovery Palawan. This itinerary goes to Apo Reef (Mindoro) and the Cuyo islands (Palawan). Liveaboards in Tubbataha range from the super luxurious S/Y Siren with its billowing sails to refurbished merchant vessels and dedicated M/V diving yachts- all enjoy different degrees of luxury, but consistently offer great diving amenities.

The experience level required by Tubbataha liveaboards is usually Open Water, with a range of zero to 40 logged dives. The exception is Solitude One, which requires a certification of Advanced Open Water and fifty logged dives. Note that while the Phililppines is not as infamous for fast-moving water as the Maldives or Indonesia, Tubbataha is as exposed as one can get. Its location in the middle of the sea will certainly subject it to some open water conditions in terms of waves and currents. However, inexperienced divers are well taken care of on all the boats. You will depend on your dive guide to advise you of any particular challenges or experience requirements at a given site.

Liveaboard departures

Puerto Princesa, Palawans capital city, is the departure location for most Tubbataha liveaboards. Flights to Puerto Princesa run regularly from both Manila and Cebu City on Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific. To get to Manila or Cebu City, direct flights are available from many Southeast Asian countries. International flights will usually transfer in the region before flying into the Philippines. For the one liveaboard itinerary starting in Cebu City, travelers will have an easy time flying from Manila to Cebu City or arriving in Cebu City on an international flight plan. For the liveaboard itinerary connecting to Batangas, travelers will fly into Manila and transfer to the Batangas port on a bus.

Visitors with some extra time in Puerto Princesa can take their pick from premier land and sea activities near the city, including island-hopping, jungle explorations, and Palawanís other World Heritage Site - the Puerto Princesa Underground River. Puerto Princesa is only a van-ride away from many dive sites with 100% coral cover in areas like Port Barton and famous El Nido. Entry-level divers in Palawan can enjoy these sites, many of which are shallow reef slopes in protected bays.

Best time to travel

The Tubbataha diving season is only from March through June. This is when the seas and skies are at their calmest. Therefore, expect all Tubbataha liveaboards to run their trips during these months.

The 40m, S/Y Philippines Siren is an excellent choice to cruise the waters of the Philippines. This luxurious liveaboard was designed by divers for divers to provide superior ease and comfort. Aboard Philippines Siren, scuba enthusiasts will enjoy exciting dive sites and lavish accommodations.

The Philippines Siren crew of 12 is on hand to ensure guest satisfaction for up to 16 divers. This intimate liveaboard offers ample space including 8 large cabins equipped with individual climate control, entertainment system and en suite bathrooms. The SY Philippines Siren also features an air-conditioned lounge with cocktail bar, sofas, 42 inch flat screen and movie network. Massage service is available daily. The decks feature a covered outdoor dining area where meals and refreshments will be served buffet style throughout the day and an upper level sun deck with cushioned loungers.

A massive shaded diving deck provides individual stations and personal storage lockers. Guests are also provided with an aluminum tank, weights, BCD, regulator, 3mm wetsuit, mask and fins free of charge. The main lounge offers a fully equipped camera and video station of professional quality. Philippines Siren schedules year round dive trips to Cebu, Dauin, Tubbataha, Apo reefs, Malapascua, Donsol, Coron Wrecks and Anilao.

Book now to experience a Philippines Siren liveaboard diving holiday.

22. Golden Gate, San Francisco, California

23. Lanikai beach, Hawaii

24. Champferersee lake, Switzerland

25. Slaters Bridge, Lake District

26. Old bridge, Bosnia and Herzegovina

27. Na Pali coast, Kauai, Hawaii

28. Winding road, Hunan province, China

29. Palm Jumeirah Island, Dubai

Absolutely wonderful, great service, door to door pick up, perfect!

I had booked this trip from England, for my family and I. Our travel guide was fantastic speaking English and German, very impressive! We had a small tour of only 7 people so we felt very special. The shuttle picks you up from your hotel and drops you back there, which is perfect and so convenient. You see SO much, more or less of everything in Dubai, in such a short space of time. If you are in Dubai for a few days, it is great. Everything is explained in so much detail and you learn so much about how fantastic Dubai really is. Fantastic service and a fantastic activity. Thank you so much!

Departing from the famous Dubai Marina, take an exciting day-time sightseeing tour with an English-speaking guide. Capture pictures and enjoy the ride around all Dubai's top spots. Drinking water and safety equipment provided.