If big animals—think hammerheads and sunfish—rank high on your list of must-sees when you dive, look no further. These destinations practically guarantee the thrill you seek.

A desert may not seem like a dive destination, but Nevada's Lake Mead is a sprawling oasis that spans nearly 250 square miles. Below the surface is a world of discovery.

On a tiny Fijian isle, Matamanoa Island Resort invites divers to change pace and relax while discovering a world of riches—above and below the water's surface.

This amazing encounter with a tope shark and its prey happened in Azores, Portugal, roughly 900 miles west of mainland Europe.

Not far from Barcelona, the Costa Brava offers one of the Western Mediterranean's best diving destinations and many more incredible places to explore above and underwater.

Seemingly small changes can often yield significant results. See how this Zanzibari resort is making moves to improve the local reef system.

Although many divers opt for liveaboards in the Galapagos, travelers can also choose a land-based stay on Isla Santa Cruz, the most populous island. The local diving was spectacular and the land-based adventures equally so. Here is the best of both worlds, a feast for the eyes and the imagination.