The World's Weird and Wonderful scuba diving destinations

When it comes to diving beneath the ocean's surface, many divers are happy to head to tropical holiday destinations such as the Caribbean or the Indian Ocean for warm crystal-clear waters and an abundance of marine life. However, some scuba divers are keen to head to more unique scuba diving spots such as a crack between two continents or to an underwater art museum.

Here are just some of the weirdest scuba diving destinations in the world:

Thingvellir National Park, Iceland

Scuba divers who are willing to brave the cold waters will have the chance to dive between two continents in Iceland. A crack between the two American and Eurasian continental plates allows divers to explore the pure crystal-clear waters which have originated from Iceland's Hofsjokull Mountain and have poured through layers of spongy lava rock into Thingvellir National Park. The water temperature is between 2 and 4 degrees Celsius and is so pure that it is safe enough to drink. Divers can explore three sections including Silfra Hall, the Cathedral and Silfra lagoon.

Underwater Art Museum in Cancun

Created by British sculptor and scuba diver, Jason deCaires Taylor, the Museum of Underwater Modern Art lies beneath the turquoise waters of Cancun in Mexico. The museum is home to 403 life-sized sculptures which have been individually cast and made using a special cement mix which encourages coral growth. The sculptures reflect Mayan people and symbolise the relationship between humans and nature and the museum is one of the largest artificial reef attractions in the world. Since its opening in 2009, the site has attracted thousands of visitors during scuba diving holidays.

"It's incredibly interesting working underwater," explained Mr deCaires Taylor. "The colours are different, the light patterns are very different, the atmosphere and mood is otherworldly. The piece takes on a very different tone underwater -- it has a lost feel to it and brings up all these questions that you wouldn't have on land."

Volcanic action in Indonesia

The submerged volcano of Banua Wuhu is located next to the island of Mahangetan in Indonesia that is part of the volcanic island chain of Sangihe. Situated less than five metres beneath the ocean's surface Banua Wuhu rises 400 metres up from the ocean bed. The volcano releases ribbons of silver bubbles (sulphur gas) which escape from inside the earth's crust.
Scuba divers can dive deep down past the barren rocks where they will discover coral reefs and an abundance of marine life, including barrel sponges, black tipped reef sharks and schools of neon fusiliers.

Mysterious ruins in Japan

The underwater ruins of Yonaguni are a mystery to mankind and some people even think that the archaeological site is the work of aliens. Submerged in the waters off the southern coast of Yonaguni Island, the underwater pyramid structure is an impressive site with stepped structures, smooth platforms, and right angles which look like they have been carved out of rock. Estimated to be between 5,000 and 8,000 years old, the origin of the ruins continues to puzzle people. Some believe that they are the ruins of a lost city, while others are convinced that it is a geological phenomenon.

The ruins lie in open waters with high waves and strong currents and the site is only suitable for advanced scuba divers.