Underwater Inspiration for When You’re Stuck Topside

You know the struggle. There’s nothing you’d rather be doing than floating along the reef, mingling with schools of fish while you take in the picturesque seascape of the ocean floor. But when your 9-to-5 job calls and you’re stuck at the office, dreams of bluer waters must suffice. This curated list of underwater photos will help fuel your divers’ wanderlust when you’re stuck above the surface.

Located in the shallow waters of the Ceningan channel in Indonesia, these underwater Buddhas are a sight to behold. The fairly modern artistic venture is often mistaken for historic ruins, but its young origins don't negate what an unbelievable experience it is to swim among them.

Scattered in the Pacific Ocean surrounding the Republic of Palau, pieces of world history lie on the sandy bottom. Amongst them are multiple shipwrecks, as well as planes that were shot down and never recovered during the war.

Just off the northern coast of a small archipelago in Egypt, Claudia Reef boasts heavenly caverns that are easy to navigate and impossible not to marvel at. Shafts of light dot the grotto, and among the frequent visitors are sea turtles that munch on the soft coral that covers the reef.

With the Gulf of California on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other, Baja California Sur is teeming with underwater wildlife. Humpback and sperm whales, hammerhead and whale sharks, and a myriad of other species permeate the waters.

Of course, no list of inspiration would be complete without a snapshot of the Great Barrier Reef. It's legendary among divers for a reason — it is the world’s largest single coral reef ecosystem and is home to more than 1,500 fish, 134 species of sharks and rays, and six species of endangered sea turtles. This abundance of wildlife makes it iconic in the diving community.