Yoga has numerous health benefits for divers, including increased flexibility, muscle strength, improved breathing and good circulatory health. These can all contribute to better and safer diving with good buoyancy control. So, on your next dive vacation, throw a little yoga into the mix at these top yoga and diving resorts.
Dahab, Egypt
Dahab water visibility can reach 98 feet (30 m). The area offers warm water, a great year-round climate and a variety of colorful shore dives, ideal for novice divers. The infamous Blue Hole, nicknamed “the most dangerous dive site in the world,” is here as well. This one is obviously suited for only the most advanced divers.
Sunra Yoga offers dives in small groups and a unique “Yoga Diving” course, which takes a yogic approach to the sport. It’s suitable for divers, non-divers and those who want to overcome their fear of water.
Zanzibar, Tanzania
Tanzania offers abundant dive destinations, white-sand beaches and dive options ranging from shore dives through to liveaboards. Zanzibar’s coral reefs are home to over 400 species of fish. The area has a variety of dive sites, including vertical wall dives, drift dives and Mnemba Atoll, known for encounters with green turtles and common dolphins. Divine Diving offers a full array of dive courses and daily yoga classes.
Koh Tao, Thailand
Travelers in Southeast Asia know that the warm, clear waters of Koh Tao, or “Turtle Island,” in Thailand are a great place to learn to dive, and courses won’t break the bank. Dive sites are suitable for novices and experienced divers, and include pinnacles with colorful fish life, swim-throughs, Shark Island and the wreck of former U.S. Navy ship Sattakut. Visitors will find peaceful yoga studios tucked away from the dive centers with classes for all experience levels.
Ocean Sound Dive + Yoga is one of the best.
Bali, Indonesia
Vibrant corals and crystal-clear waters make Indonesia one of the world’s top scuba destinations. Bali is home to a variety of dive sites and the luxury yoga and diving Zen Resort Bali. This secluded beach resort has dive programs for non-certified divers that include the option to complete a full-face mask program. This option can be quite helpful for those who are uncomfortable with regular masks. All dive programs at this resort include diving, yoga and meditation to improve breathing techniques.
Koh Lipe, Thailand
Tiny Koh Lipe is on the border of Tarutao National Marine Park, and offers calm waters ideal for novice divers. With proximity to other islands, Koh Lipe offers an abundance of coral-reef dive sites for all diving levels. You’ll find more challenging dive conditions, with the possibility of seeing mantas and shark, at 8 Mile Rock, a pinnacle eight miles from land with a dive depth of 52 to 130 feet (16 to 40 m). Keirita’s Yoga & Diving offers Kho Phi Phi and Koh Lipe diving options and a luxurious, liveaboard yoga and diving/snorkeling retreat.
St. Lucia, Caribbean
With the opportunity to dive pinnacles and shipwrecks and explore the Soufriere Marine Park, St. Lucia is a popular dive destination in the Caribbean.
The BodyHoliday offers dive and wellness packages at a luxurious island resort. Visitors can also combine therapies and activities centered around exercise, good diet, restoration and relaxation. There’s daily yoga and Pilates, alongside spa treatments and personal training sessions.
