Under the sea: underwater wonders

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It seems as though we can’t get enough of the underwater world at the moment. Whether you want to sleep with the fishes or have a submarine massage, travel beneath the waves or get a culture fix with sub-aquatic art, someone, somewhere can deliver just that. There are underwater hotels and homes under development in several locations and, opening this month in Istanbul, the world’s first submerged intercontinental subway. It is the perfect time, then, to check out underwater wonders around the world.

Marmaray tunnel Go To Turkey - Until recently, Istanbul residents and visitors have been getting from one side of the Bosphorus to the other via boat or bridge. Now, though, there’s a third option, thanks to the opening of the Marmaray tunnel. Due to be inaugurated tomorrow, 29 October (to coincide with the 90th anniversary of the founding of the republic), the new underwater tunnel is not only the world’s deepest immersed tube tunnel, with sections up to 60m below sea level, but will also carry the first underground train in the world to connect two continents.

Underwater Sculpture Park, Grenada Simon Rogerson - In 2006, the Caribbean island of Grenada became home to the world’s first underwater sculpture park, when the British eco-sculptor (and former scuba-diving instructor) Jason deCaires Taylor lowered a series of statues onto the seabed. The aim: to create a new artificial environment for marine life suffering from the after-effects of Hurricane Ivan. The effect? Surreal. In Vicissitudes, a ring of children holding hands face out into the ocean; in Lost Correspondent, a man sits at a desk tapping away on his typewriter; and in Grace Reef a group of prone female figures is sometimes visible, sometimes not, depending on the whims of the drifting sand around them.

Cancún Underwater Museum, Mexico Jason deCaires Taylor - Four years after creating the underwater sculpture park in Grenada, Jason deCaires Taylor was at it again, this time transforming the seabed off the shores of Cancún in Mexico. The Cancún Underwater Museum is now home to 500 of his life-sized statues, gradually (and fairly eerily) transforming as nature gets involved, adding drifting seaweed hair here and a coral carbuncle nose there. Not keen on diving several metres down to see them? A new visitors centre, which opened in September, houses replicas of 26 of the most popular sculptures.

Huvafen Fushi, Maldives Plenty of spas have overwater treatment rooms where you can look down at the fish below. At Huvafen Fushi in the Maldives they go one better: the resort’s Lime spa also has the world’s first underwater rooms. Decor-wise, think white and serene, with elegantly floaty fabrics and soft cushions, but nothing to distract from the cool blue views on the other side of the windows. Bliss out with a coconut oil massage, then chill out post-treatment, sipping a spa cocktail and grazing on island fruits while you watch the tropical fish flitting among the swaying corals outside.

Underwater Pumpkin Carving Contest, Florida Florida Keys Calendar - Crazy underwater events are clearly a Florida speciality. If you’ve ever felt that carving the annual Hallowe’en pumpkin somehow wasn’t quite challenging enough already, head for Key Largo and have a go at doing it in full sub-aqua gear instead. During the Underwater Pumpkin Carving Contest in October, competitors head 30ft below water in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, pull out their diving knives and set about carving their jack-o’-lanterns on the sea bed. The prize for the winners? Another diving trip, of course – but without pumpkins this time.

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Maldives Conrad Maldives - Many restaurants come with a sea view – but none to match the one you get at Ithaa. In this small but perfectly formed undersea eatery at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, you’re surrounded by clear glass on all sides, so as you’re tucking into your (delicious) meal, there’s nothing to interrupt the all-round views of fish, turtles and – cue major excitement! – rays swimming past. You may just have to quell the odd pang of guilt about tucking into grilled reef fish or lobster carpaccio within sight of their relatives. Not so much a meal as an experience – and a slightly mind-blowing one at that.

Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi Kempinski - Given its never-knowingly-understated reputation, it should come as no surprise to find that the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi doesn’t confine itself to providing guest facilities on land – it has ventured out into the warm, clear waters of the Arabian Gulf too. Just off the private sandy beach that stretches the length of the property, the hotel has created its own little underwater sculpture garden, where snorkellers can discover a whimsical collection of sunken mermaids, horses, pirates and more, complete with resident reef fish darting in and out.

Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai Atlantis The Palm - Book into the Underwater Suites (Neptune and Poseidon) at Atlantis, The Palm, in Dubai, and you could be forgiven for feeling slightly disoriented when you draw the curtains in the morning. Woah! Fish! In these aquatic-themed suites, floor-to-ceiling windows look out into the Ambassador Lagoon, an 11-million-litre underwater exhibit designed to recreate the mythical lost world of Atlantis. No, they don’t come cheap – but you do get unlimited access to the Lost Chambers Aquarium and Aquaventure Waterpark thrown in, along with a host of other goodies from dolphin encounters to daily head, neck and shoulder massages.