After 3500 dives, Todd Thimios names world's best scuba diving spots

Rare ocean events inspire this scuba diving enthusiast to travel to the most far-flung corners of the world. Now he shares his picks for the world's top underwater destinations. 

Todd Thimios has been diving for 27 years and has completed 3500 dives all over the world. “I grew up diving the Great Barrier Reef, but got the itch to travel and dive the world at a young age when I heard stories of faraway places like Sipadan Island in Malaysia,” he says.

The private dive guide, commercial photographer and submersible pilot is also the author of new book, Ultimate Dive Sites.

“It’s usually a particular underwater event that I like to travel for, like fish spawning in their thousands, but ultimately it’s the people that make the trip special.

“It’s fantastic meeting local divers around the world and learning about their unique connection with the ocean.”

Scuba diver, photographer and author Todd Thimios.

Here, he shares his favourite underwater destinations around the world: 

Norway

I travelled to Norway for many years, trying to understand when and where the best place was to encounter orcas under water. They chase herring through the stunning landscape of fjords and there’s just this small window of opportunity to jump in with them while there’s still sunlight. It’s physically and emotionally draining. You’re shovelling snow out of your boat. But I’ve had a lifelong interest in orcas and I’m comfortable freediving in freezing temperatures.

Orca pod in Norway. Picture: Todd Thimios

Rock Islands, Palau

Palau is just incredible. The country has been safeguarded by government policies and citizens who are intent on keeping their natural environment pristine and you can see the rewards of their efforts. Everything is alive and thriving. Koror is a great base to head south into the stunning Rock Islands and the best time to go is during a spawning event.

Palau is a diving paradise. Picture: Todd Thimios

Galápagos Islands

Wolf and Darwin islands in the Galápagos are legendary for their schools of hammerheads and huge whale sharks. My preferred style of diving here is just sitting in one place and watching. So much action happens around you without even needing to move. My favourite whale shark picture that I’ve captured was a big, pregnant mama that drifted past. She was the size of a bus.

The Galapagos is a favourite location to encounter whale sharks. Picture: Todd Thimios

Vava’u Islands, Tonga

Tonga’s Vava’u islands offer a rare opportunity to swim with humpback whales in shallow water. There’s no scuba diving here, it’s just snorkelling, as the whales can be encountered near the surface. It’s fascinating to encounter the humpbacks’ behaviour – you can get up close with mothers and calves and male escorts, plus experience the excitement of heat runs and breaches. The relaxed and happy Tongan culture really takes this experience to the next level.

Swimming with humpback whales in Tonga. Picture: Todd Thimios

HIGHS AND LOWS

Lost at sea: My worst travel experience was drifting out to sea after a morning dive in Malaysia when I was a teenager. Our little group of three spent a whole day “lost at sea”. We were very fortunate to be rescued by local fishermen.

Seeing the light: My images of orcas in Norway with rays of light beaming through the ocean changed my life. It was the most surreal moment and they became my best-selling prints. But best of all, my now wife – a complete stranger – saw one on Instagram and contacted me. Now we have two baby girls.

Ultimate Dive Sites (Hardie Grant, $45) by Todd Thimios is out now.

Originally published as After 3500 dives, Todd Thimios names world's best scuba diving spots