Traversing the sea is nothing new to explorers, and it's also nothing new to the world of travel. However, it is becoming increasingly evident that underwater tourism is gaining in popularity and gaining quite the reputation with adventurous travelers. In fact, it's even being called the next big trend to hit the tourism circuit.

Modern advances in scuba diving as well as an increased interest in snorkeling and free diving has piqued the attention of many. Those wishing to see all exotic beauty the ocean holds are not required to be professionals anymore - they're simply required to pay attention, follow directions, and appreciate all they're about to see.

The Future Of Underwater Tourism

Snorkeling the reefs and swimming with sharks and exotic fish are only one aspect of underwater tourism. There's an entire world down there just waiting to be discovered (literally... we haven't even reached its deepest parts yet) and there's more to see than anyone could experience in one lifetime.

Not only does every ocean, bay, sea, and lake offer unique insight into an underwater ecosystem, but there are different means to experience these, as well. Snorkeling and scuba will always be two of the most popular underwater exploration methods, but submersibles are also popular at common tourist spots.

These eco-safe vehicles propel tourists underwater, allowing them to experience everything first-hand, without ever getting out and into the ocean. For those who would rather experience it without a submersible mini-sub, experiences such as Seawalker, on Green Island, Australia, allow tourists to submerge themselves in an airtight suit, complete with a glass helmet and an airflow tube, connected to an oxygen source above the water.

Related: 15 USA Cities That Will Be Underwater By 2050 (10 Already On The Ocean Floor)

Underwater Hotels And Experiences

Looking to really up the underwater game? The Maldives is well-known for its fully-submersed hotel, allowing guests to sleep, quite literally, underwater.

Norway recently opened an underwater restaurant as well, encouraging guests to dine with marine life as it swims by massive windows. Underwater museums and galleries are also coming to life, providing guests with a unique way to experience aquatic life as well as an intriguing underwater environment.

If an underwater post office exists and is fully-functioning, then there's no reason why an underwater museum isn't worth visiting! These experiences are unique to each person, becoming more and more popular for solo travelers as well as though in small groups.

Related: 20 Strange But Real Photos Taken Underwater

Understanding A Delicate Ecosystem And How To Explore It, Respectfully

The only downfall of explosive interest in underwater tourism is how it can negatively impact the ecosystem.

While it's a wonderful chance for tourists to learn and experience all the ocean has to offer, it can also be tough on marine life - such as coral reefs, which have seen destructive bleaching - and cause a major disturbance to delicate environments. In order to prevent this from happening even further, an education of sorts must be carried out to each and everyone who seeks out underwater tourism.

It's not enough to be respectful of one's surroundings, but one must also understand that what exists underwater follows a unique set of Mother Nature's rules; rules that land-dwellers don't always comprehend before taking that first dive.

Next: Diving With Sharks: Here Are The Best Places For The Ultimate Underwater Thrill