Ice Diving: The Best Destinations In The World

​Diving offers a unique glimpse into an underwater world, and the real adrenalin seekers look to dive in icy waters, as you get to experience diverse marine life in a spectacular arena. Of course, you will need to gain some hands-on experience before making an ice dive booking, and when you have, here are some of the best places in the world to ice dive.

The Canadian Great Lakes

Antarctica

Summit Lake, Alaska, United States

​Another firm favourite of almost every experienced ice diver, and this lake freezes over as early as October and the ice remains until the following May. The waters are usually much clearer than most other ice dive sites, which is great if you are into underwater photography. For those non-divers, there are special bear-watching tours run by experienced guides. Imagine watching two huge male grizzlies eye each other up? They do fight for mating rights, and the guide ensures you don’t get too close, although you would have bear spray on your clip belt, just in case.
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Hokkaido, Japan

​You can really enjoy a hard core winter expedition that includes camping on iced lakes and some of the best ice diving there is! Sea eagles and seals can be seen in great numbers, and at the end of an ice diving day, you can relax in the hot spa waters, and January to March is the best time to experience ice diving in Japan.

East Greenland

​There are thousands of unexplored ice coves, and with a professional expedition, all divers get to experience the magic of diving around huge mountains of sheer ice walls that come straight out of the water. You would be briefed regarding safety and must always listen for that tell-tale crack that comes just before a ridge slides off the main berg. You are always tethered to your dive guide and he or she would use hand signals to communicate, which ensures you are safe.
 
Ice diving is obviously very dangerous and with the right instruction and guided diving, you too can experience the magic of the underwater ice world.