Many unusual underwater attractions can be found on this Earth — and they’re not mermaids, giant sea monsters, or portals to another dimension.
Real, curious interests exist in the depths of the sea, sites that have scientists scratching their heads and snorkelers simply enjoying atypical subsea fascinations.
From Jellyfish Lake in Palau to Champagne Reef in Dominica, these unusual underwater attractions are incredibly compelling — and travelers can actually visit them. Don your snorkel mask and fins and visit these sites before they become nothing but an underwater myth.
6 most unusual underwater attractions you can visit
1. Jellyfish Lake, Palau
#DidYouKnow that in #Palau there is a #lake that is a block full of harmless #jellyfish? It's the #JellyfishLake. Would you like to #enjoy a bath there?#Incredible pic.twitter.com/jMrwxCKr85
— StoriesOf_Wonderland (@Of_Wonderland_) November 17, 2017
A small number of tourists visit the island of Palau in Micronesia each year. The big attraction is Jellyfish Lake, where jellyfish were allegedly trapped when it formed 1,200 years ago. These underwater creatures naturally lost their sting, being isolated and protected from predators like turtles, fish, and sharks.
Pack your swimming trunks. Visitors can swim in the lake with millions of mastiga jellyfish ranging – some as small as the size of a fingertip and others as large as the palm of your hand. It’s an incredibly surreal, awe-inspiring experience worth the long commute to Micronesia (from the United States mainland, the average travel time to Palau is 24 hours).
2. Road to Atlantis, Bimini, Bahamas
If the lost city of Atlantis is found, it will change our understanding of ancient history. http://t.co/UBMHdSjveH pic.twitter.com/cWiRu2xJBV
— The SETI Institute (@SETIInstitute) April 3, 2015
If you’re more of a history buff, head to Bimini, a small island in the Bahamas where American writer Ernest Hemingway boxed locals and wrote part of his novel, Island in the Stream, on the island, located 53 miles east of Miami.
Contrary to what some historians believe, the Fountain of Youth was not discovered in Florida. Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon discovered the fountain, rumored to exist within the woods of South Bimini. Wait, there’s more!
We are officially OPEN! We were so happy to welcome everyone back to Paradise this past weekend. It was great seeing those friendly faces! For those of you who didn’t make it – we’re looking forward to seeing you too!
PIC- @aileencwn pic.twitter.com/ZuXdPB9e85— Resorts World Bimini (@RWBimini) December 28, 2020
The real draw for tourists is Bimini Road, aka the Road to Atlantis. Renowned psychic Edgar Cayce predicted the road to the Lost City of Atlantis would be discovered in 1968, and sure enough, large limestone blocks were found on the ocean floor off the coast of the island. Locals and tourists believe the rocks served as the undersea road to the Lost City of Atlantis and were built in a similar formation as the Incan building techniques, while there are numerous skeptics who believe these are just rocks coincidentally assembled in the form of a road.
3. Bioluminescent Bay, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico's Bio Bay! RT @YahooTravel Discover these glowing bays & lagoons around the world http://t.co/cYUiWgKeNf pic.twitter.com/yUPZKygGxu
— Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 (@PuertoRicoPUR) October 28, 2014
Some of the most unusual underwater attractions, bioluminescent bays, are rare, but there are three in Puerto Rico: Mosquito Bay in Vieques, Laguna Grande in Fajardo, and La Parguera in Porta Del Sol. The bays are packed with millions of microorganisms called dinoflagellate — half-plant/half-animal species — that glow when they feel threatened or in danger.
Bio Bay Fajardo, Puerto Rico 💙 I will be sitting on this beach someday, no doubt pic.twitter.com/bJ6VA76EIT
— •letlivlivee• (@livyymariee) January 18, 2015
While swimming in these bays has been a pastime for tourists, the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources has mandated that tour operators do not allow swimming in the bays to preserve their current state. Satisfy your curiosity to see the magical neon glow and head to La Parguera.
4. Underwater Post Office, Vanatau
You’ve got mail! One catch: You have to dive underwater for it. This underwater post office can be found off of Mele, Vanuatu. It’s a fully functional post office, and to post your mail, you have to use waterproof postcards and stamps. A postcard from a faraway land, indeed. pic.twitter.com/4EkmdhiLpw
— Atlas Obscura (@atlasobscura) July 28, 2018
When traveling to Hideaway Island Marine Sanctuary in the island nation of Vanuatu – located in the South Pacific Ocean, visitors can snorkel, swim, cruise in a glass-bottom boat, or even send a postcard from underwater! The world’s first underwater post office is just 10 feet below the ocean’s surface, making it easy for swimmers and snorkelers to send waterproof postcards Instead of regular stamped ink, the post office has developed pre-paid postcards that are embossed when sent, and you definitely won’t worry about extremely long lines at this unique post office.
5. Champagne Reef, Dominica
Located in the Caribbean, Dominica in the Lesser Antilles of the Caribbean is known for Boiling Lake; the natural sulfur springs at Wotten Waven and Champagne Reef are located on the island’s coast.
Champagne Reef gets its name from the thousands of tiny bubbles that continuously emerge from vents in the ocean floor, spiraling upward like a glass of champagne. Thanks to the island’s geothermal activity, the warm gas emissions create an environment for interesting sea life, including seahorses and frogfish.
This natural phenomenon truly serves as an unusual underwater attraction and treat for both divers and snorkelers.
6. Great Blue Hole, Belize
#TheGreatBlueHole a large #submarine #sinkhole off the coast of #Belize. #TTravelExperts pic.twitter.com/WCEmgP4Avz
— Udaan (@TTravelExperts) September 9, 2014
Divers are attracted to many blue holes found around the world, including the Bahamas and Australia. Among the most unusual underwater attractions, The Great Blue Hole at the Lighthouse Reef Atoll in Belize is the most popular blue hole. It’s part of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System and it’s a UNESCO site.
#TheGreatBlueHole Yall didn't know about #Sinkholes in the ocean did you? #WelcomeToGeology pic.twitter.com/ZYvGMFr03q
— Jerm (@Jmoforob) February 26, 2013
Blue holes are circular, steep-walled depressions or large sinkholes in the middle of the ocean, which makes them amazing to look at. Blue holes were created in the Ice Ages when sea levels were lower, and slightly acidic rainwater dissolved the carbonate bedrock, forming the sinkholes we see today. It’s a fascinating underwater attraction, also also thrilling when observed from an aerial view.
