When many of us want to get away, we picture white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. Maybe we’ll go on a little snorkel or scuba dive trip. But how about really immersing? We mean heading underwater and, well, staying there. Let's dive into some of the coolest underwater worlds you can spend time in.

Photo Credit: Werner Bayer on Flickr

Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai

Check into the swanky Atlantis, The Palm and “sleep with the fishes” in one of their tricked-out underwater suites. With floor to ceiling windows, be mesmerized by the marine life of the Ambassador Lagoon, a 3-million-gallon aquarium that looks right in at you. Of course, sea-life doesn’t come cheap. The Neptune and Poseidon suites go for more than $5000 per night!

Photo Credit: 2il org on Flickr

Cancun Underwater Museum

One of the largest underwater museums on the planet, the Cancun Underwater Museum (MUSA - Museo Subacuático de Arte), is dedicated to conservation. An artificial reef that features a collection of more than 500 sculptures from artist Jason DeCaires Taylor, all the art rests on the ocean floor. The only way to see it is to plunge into the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean on a snorkeling or SCUBA tour.

Photo Credit: Manta Resort

The Underwater Room - The Manta Resort, Pemba Island, Zanzibar

Board a wooden boat from the mainland and head over to your own private island at the Manta Resort as you're gently rocked to sleep in a bedroom that feels like a fish tank underwater. When you're ready to come up for “air,” simply relax and sunbathe on the floating deck. The double room will run you $1500 per night, but it's all-inclusive with three meals a day, cocktails, and even a spa treatment.

Photo Credit: Stephen Masters on Flickr

Truk Lagoon, Micronesia

A bit tricky to get to, Truk Lagoon (a.k.a. Chuuk), is a wreck diver’s dream. Japan’s main base in the South Pacific during WWII, anchored were hundreds of battleships, aircraft carriers, cargo tanks, gunboats, and submarines – all of which were sunk thanks to an American air raid known as Operation Hailstone. The biggest ship graveyard in the world, coral and marine life abounds, but divers must be careful as the wrecks still stow their precious cargo -- torpedoes, mines, tanks and ammunition.

Photo Credit: Ed Rallph

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

Dine 16 feet under the sea to dine at the world’s only all-glass restaurant. Ultra exclusive Ithaa restaurant inside the posh Hotel Conrad Maldives Rangali has 180-degree panoramic views, just 14 seats, and floats among schools of tropical fish, shark, and stingrays. With an estimated lifespan of only 20 years, it's best to get here soon if you wish to experience the phenomenon.