Dive into unexplored waters and check out amazing marine life under the guidance of travel experts

Our fascination with the ocean's depths has certainly inspired innovative creations throughout history - by the 1300s, the Persians invented the world's first goggles, thinly sliced and polished tortoise shells that enabled them to see underwater, while in the 16th century, divers used barrels as diving bells to keep them momentarily submerged.

Today, apparatus is the least of our concerns; the keenest divers are looking for exclusive and unique experiences in the big blue sea. These special spots aren't always easy to access, but therein lies the appeal.

For many divers, the ultimate goal is to have a truly unique experience - exploring an undiscovered spot. The term is thrown around loosely by companies marketing to tourists, but experts say that it can be possible to dip your flipper into unexplored waters. So thinks Daniel Magnan, the diving instructor at North Island (Wilderness Safaris) in the Seychelles. "Lots of places in the ocean are undiscovered, especially here where we are in the Seychelles on the Mahé Plateau. On GPS, the contour lines are not 100 per cent accurate, and only boats cruising around the area will be able to find perfect spots for diving," he explains. Upon these discoveries, Magnan and his team will return and plot these areas for future adventures.

The average depth near North Island is 18 to 35 metres and slopes to greater depths. "There is often a strong current here, making diving exclusively for the brave," he says. But the extraordinary dive is worth every effort - hard corals, such as the fast-growing staghorn coral (acropora cervicornis), various sharks, large shoals of fish such as blue-banded snappers and kingfish, and round ribbontail rays are aplenty. "Everything is possible here, and you can have the best dive of your life," he says. Guests staying at the private island can then have an unforgettable one-off experience whereupon they are taken to a completely new dive spot, at the whim of Magnan and his boat.

History buffs or divers wishing to stick a little closer to home may favour the east coast of Sri Lanka instead - waters that have been closed off for decades due to civil war and a tsunami. As such, the coast holds largely unexplored diving sites that are now being viewed for the first time in a few centuries. Much of the diving here is centred around wrecks - the world-class diving wreck MV Cordiality is just 10 minutes from the town of Pulmudai by boat, and the 1922 British Sergeant, a marine oasis leaning on its side, is just a 30-minute boat ride from Kayankerni. For true adventurers, there are still locations off the coast of Batticaloa that are truly unexplored.

Novelty is clearly a key draw for divers looking for the next big thrill. The sport has enjoyed immense popularity for years, but today's adventurers are looking for more than just pretty coral and camera-friendly fish - they need moments to remember.