Dive destinations
111 places to dive, from week-long regions to single dives worth the trip. The strip under each one shows the season, month by month.
Southeast Asia
Wakatobi
Indonesia
Best Mar–Dec
17 Open Water, 24 Advanced, 4 Experienced+
Puerto Galera
Philippines
Best Dec–May
9 Open Water, 16 Advanced, 11 Experienced+
Bali & Nusa Penida
Indonesia
Best Apr–Oct
10 Open Water, 15 Advanced, 3 Experienced+
Anilao
Philippines
Best Nov–Dec, Apr–May
13 Open Water, 6 Advanced, 3 Experienced+
Komodo
Indonesia
Best Apr–Oct
5 Open Water, 10 Advanced, 5 Experienced+
Malapascua
Philippines
Best Dec–May
9 Open Water, 9 Advanced, 2 Experienced+
Similan Islands & Khao Lak
Thailand
Best Feb–Apr
6 Open Water, 13 Advanced, 1 Experienced+
Coron
Philippines
Best Dec–Apr
4 Open Water, 12 Advanced, 3 Experienced+
Sipadan & Semporna
Malaysia
Best Apr–Oct
3 Open Water, 14 Advanced, 1 Experienced+
Lembeh Strait
Indonesia
Best Aug–Dec
1 Open Water, 15 Advanced, 1 Experienced+
Koh Tao
Thailand
Best Mar–May, Sep–Oct
10 Open Water, 6 Advanced
Phuket & Koh Lanta
Thailand
Best Nov–Apr
9 Open Water, 3 Advanced, 4 Experienced+
Dumaguete, Dauin & Apo Island
Philippines
Best Jan–May
5 Open Water, 7 Advanced, 3 Experienced+
Mactan (Cebu)
Philippines
Best Feb–May
5 Open Water, 5 Advanced, 5 Experienced+
Raja Ampat
Indonesia
Best Oct–Apr
2 Open Water, 10 Advanced, 1 Experienced+
Bohol & Panglao
Philippines
Best Jan–May
5 Open Water, 7 Advanced
Gili Islands
Indonesia
Best Apr–Oct
7 Open Water, 5 Advanced
Koh Samui & Koh Phangan
Thailand
Best Mar–Apr, Jun–Aug
10 Open Water, 2 Advanced
El Nido
Philippines
Best Nov–May
2 Open Water, 7 Advanced, 2 Experienced+
Southern Leyte (Sogod Bay)
Philippines
Best Apr–May, Oct
1 Open Water, 8 Advanced, 2 Experienced+
Phú Quốc
Vietnam
Best Nov–Apr
6 Open Water, 3 Advanced, 1 Experienced+
Subic Bay
Philippines
Best Jan–Jun
2 Open Water, 6 Advanced, 2 Experienced+
Moalboal
Philippines
Best Jan–May
5 Open Water, 4 Advanced
Romblon
Philippines
Diveable all year
3 Open Water, 4 Advanced, 2 Experienced+
Siquijor
Philippines
Best Feb–May
3 Open Water, 4 Advanced, 2 Experienced+
Tubbataha
Philippines
Best Mar–Jun
5 Advanced
Côn Đảo
Vietnam
Best Mar–May
2 Open Water, 3 Advanced, 2 Experienced+
Nha Trang
Vietnam
Best Apr–Aug
4 Open Water, 2 Advanced, 1 Experienced+
Pacific
Great Barrier Reef (Cairns & Port Douglas)
Australia
Best May–Aug
9 Open Water, 8 Advanced
Oahu
United States
Best May–Oct
2 Open Water, 13 Advanced, 1 Experienced+
Palau
Best Dec–Apr
2 Open Water, 5 Advanced, 5 Experienced+
Chuuk (Truk) Lagoon
Micronesia
Best Oct–Apr
6 Advanced, 5 Experienced+
Kona (Big Island)
United States
Good all year
8 Open Water, 3 Advanced
Maui
United States
Best Mar–Oct
6 Open Water, 4 Advanced
Taveuni & Rainbow Reef
Fiji
Best Apr–Oct
4 Advanced
Fakarava & Rangiroa
French Polynesia
Best Jun–Jul
5 Advanced, 4 Experienced+
Poor Knights Islands
New Zealand
Best Dec–Apr
3 Open Water, 2 Advanced, 4 Experienced+
Ningaloo Reef
Australia
Best Mar–Oct
2 Open Water, 3 Advanced
SS Yongala (Townsville)
Australia
Single dive · Best Jun–Sep
1 Advanced
Indian Ocean
Maldives
Best Dec–May
2 Open Water, 11 Advanced, 5 Experienced+
Aliwal Shoal & Protea Banks
South Africa
Best May–Nov
3 Open Water, 9 Advanced
Sri Lanka West & South (Colombo to Unawatuna)
Sri Lanka
Best Nov–Mar
5 Open Water, 4 Advanced, 3 Experienced+
Trincomalee & East Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Best Mar–Sep
7 Open Water, 3 Advanced, 2 Experienced+
Andaman Islands (Havelock & Neil)
India
Best Dec–Mar
4 Open Water, 4 Advanced, 3 Experienced+
Tofo
Mozambique
Best Apr–Nov
2 Open Water, 6 Advanced, 3 Experienced+
Netrani Island (Murudeshwar)
India
Best Dec–Feb
3 Open Water, 3 Advanced, 2 Experienced+
Sodwana Bay
South Africa
Best Apr–Sep
5 Open Water, 3 Advanced
Pondicherry
India
Best Feb–Apr, Oct–Nov
1 Open Water, 2 Advanced, 3 Experienced+
Boesmansgat
South Africa
Single dive · 1 dive site
1 Experienced+
Red Sea
Sharm El Sheikh & Ras Mohammed
Egypt
Best Sep–Nov
8 Open Water, 15 Advanced, 3 Experienced+
Dahab
Egypt
Best Sep–Dec, Mar–Jun
9 Open Water, 7 Advanced
Hurghada
Egypt
Best Apr–May, Oct–Nov
8 Open Water, 6 Advanced, 1 Experienced+
Marsa Alam & the Brothers
Egypt
Best Jun–Oct
8 Open Water, 3 Advanced, 2 Experienced+
Alexandria Eastern Harbour
Egypt
Single dive · 1 dive site
1 Open Water
Europe & Mediterranean
Malta, Gozo & Comino
Malta
Best Apr–Oct
6 Open Water, 20 Advanced, 13 Experienced+
Azores
Portugal
Best Jul–Oct
4 Open Water, 8 Advanced, 8 Experienced+
Crete
Greece
Best Jul–Sep
7 Open Water, 1 Advanced, 4 Experienced+
Finistère (Brest, Crozon & Glénan)
France
Best Jun–Sep
3 Open Water, 7 Advanced, 2 Experienced+
Mallorca
Spain
Good May–Oct
6 Open Water, 5 Advanced, 1 Experienced+
Narvik & Lofoten
Norway
Best Jul–Aug
4 Open Water, 3 Advanced, 5 Experienced+
Plymouth & South Cornwall
United Kingdom
Best Jul–Oct
4 Open Water, 7 Advanced, 1 Experienced+
Scapa Flow (Orkney)
United Kingdom
Best Jun–Sep
3 Open Water, 3 Advanced, 6 Experienced+
Farne Islands & St Abbs
United Kingdom
Best Aug–Oct
7 Open Water, 3 Advanced, 1 Experienced+
Gulen (Western Norway)
Norway
Diveable all year
3 Open Water, 3 Advanced, 5 Experienced+
Dorset (Portland & Swanage)
United Kingdom
Best May–Oct
6 Open Water, 3 Advanced, 1 Experienced+
Argyll Sea Lochs (Loch Fyne & Loch Long)
United Kingdom
Diveable all year
1 Open Water, 7 Advanced
Pembrokeshire & Skomer
United Kingdom
Best Jun–Sep
5 Open Water, 1 Advanced, 2 Experienced+
Stockholm Archipelago & Dalarö
Sweden
Best Sep–May
3 Open Water, 3 Advanced, 2 Experienced+
Lundy Island
United Kingdom
Best May–Sep
3 Open Water, 3 Advanced
Baia (Bay of Naples)
Italy
Single dive · Best Jun–Jul, Sep
1 Open Water
Eyjafjörður (Strýtan)
Iceland
Single dive · Diveable all year
1 Advanced
Hemmoor Chalk Lake
Germany
Single dive · Diveable all year
1 Advanced
Lago di Capo d'Acqua
Italy
Single dive · Diveable all year
1 Advanced
Lake Tignes
France
Single dive · 1 dive site
1 Advanced
Mediano Reservoir
Spain
Single dive · 1 dive site
1 Advanced
Plura Cave (Pluragrotta)
Norway
Single dive · Diveable all year
1 Experienced+
Portofino & San Fruttuoso
Italy
Single dive · Diveable all year
1 Open Water
Rummu Quarry
Estonia
Single dive · Best Jun–Aug
1 Open Water
Sundhäuser See
Germany
Single dive · Best Jun–Aug
1 Open Water
Verzasca River (Lavertezzo)
Switzerland
Single dive · Best Jul–Aug
1 Advanced
Orda Cave
Russia
Single dive · Best May–Sep
Americas
Bonaire
Best Dec–Jun
13 Open Water, 12 Advanced, 4 Experienced+
Riviera Maya & Cenotes
Mexico
Best Nov–Apr
11 Open Water, 10 Advanced, 3 Experienced+
Cozumel
Mexico
Best May–Aug
6 Open Water, 11 Advanced, 5 Experienced+
Bahamas
Best Jun–Mar
10 Open Water, 5 Advanced
Cayman Islands
Best Dec–Apr
10 Open Water, 7 Advanced
Roatán & Bay Islands
Honduras
Best Mar–Sep
2 Open Water, 10 Advanced, 2 Experienced+
Fernando de Noronha
Brazil
Best Mar–Jul, Oct
5 Open Water, 5 Advanced, 2 Experienced+
Florida Keys
United States
Best May–Aug
8 Open Water, 2 Advanced, 2 Experienced+
Tobermory (Fathom Five)
Canada
Best Jul–Aug
7 Open Water, 4 Advanced, 1 Experienced+
Cancún & Isla Mujeres
Mexico
Best Nov–Feb, Jun–Sep
5 Open Water, 4 Advanced, 2 Experienced+
Galápagos
Ecuador
Best Jun–Nov
1 Open Water, 8 Advanced, 2 Experienced+
Recife & Pernambuco Wrecks
Brazil
Best Dec–Mar
2 Open Water, 9 Advanced
Southeast Florida (Palm Beach to Miami)
United States
Best May–Sep
5 Open Water, 5 Advanced, 1 Experienced+
Cocos Island
Costa Rica
Best Jun–Nov
7 Advanced, 2 Experienced+
Curaçao
Best Jan–Sep
6 Open Water, 2 Advanced, 1 Experienced+
Utila
Honduras
Best Mar–May
6 Open Water, 3 Advanced
Belize
Best Mar–Jun
2 Open Water, 5 Advanced, 1 Experienced+
Grenada
Best Dec–May
2 Open Water, 3 Advanced, 3 Experienced+
Salish Sea (Vancouver, Victoria & Nanaimo)
Canada
Best Sep–May
3 Open Water, 3 Advanced, 1 Experienced+
Conception Bay & Bell Island (Newfoundland)
Canada
Best Jun–Sep
1 Open Water, 1 Advanced, 3 Experienced+
Abrolhos Marine Park
Brazil
Best Dec–Mar
1 Open Water, 2 Advanced, 1 Experienced+
Florida Springs
United States
Good all year
4 Advanced
Port Hardy & God's Pocket
Canada
Best Apr–May, Sep–Oct
2 Advanced, 2 Experienced+
Socorro (Revillagigedo)
Mexico
Best Nov–May
4 Advanced
Utah inland dives (Bonneville Seabase & Homestead Crater)
United States
Single dive · Diveable all year
2 Open Water, 1 Advanced
Bonne Terre Mine
United States
Single dive · Diveable all year
1 Advanced
By country
- Australia · 3 destinations
- Bahamas · 1 destination
- Belize · 1 destination
- Bonaire · 1 destination
- Brazil · 3 destinations
- Canada · 4 destinations
- Cayman Islands · 1 destination
- China · 1 destination
- Costa Rica · 1 destination
- Curaçao · 1 destination
- Ecuador · 1 destination
- Egypt · 5 destinations
- Estonia · 1 destination
- Fiji · 1 destination
- France · 2 destinations
- French Polynesia · 1 destination
- Germany · 2 destinations
- Greece · 1 destination
- Grenada · 1 destination
- Honduras · 2 destinations
- Iceland · 1 destination
- India · 3 destinations
- Indonesia · 6 destinations
- Italy · 3 destinations
- Japan · 2 destinations
- Kazakhstan · 1 destination
- Malaysia · 1 destination
- Maldives · 1 destination
- Malta · 1 destination
- Mexico · 4 destinations
- Micronesia · 1 destination
- Mozambique · 1 destination
- New Zealand · 1 destination
- Norway · 3 destinations
- Palau · 1 destination
- Philippines · 14 destinations
- Portugal · 1 destination
- Russia · 1 destination
- South Africa · 3 destinations
- Spain · 2 destinations
- Sri Lanka · 2 destinations
- Sweden · 1 destination
- Switzerland · 1 destination
- Thailand · 4 destinations
- United Kingdom · 7 destinations
- United States · 8 destinations
- Vietnam · 3 destinations
Photo credits
- Umkomaas river mouth and coast from the air, launch point for Aliwal Shoal, Noelmcdonogh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Coastline of Faial island, Azores, JopkeB, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Goat Cay, Exuma, Bahamas, DrGvago, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Broken Bay sea arch, Nusa Penida, Georgi Kovachev, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Aerial view of the Great Blue Hole, Belize, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- Boesmansgat dive site, South Africa, Andreshirley, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Panglao Island from the air, Patrickroque01, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Andrea II dive site, Bonaire, LASZLO ILYES from Cleveland, Ohio, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Bonne Terre Mine dive site, Missouri, Serge Melki from Indianapolis, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman, Coolcaesar, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Aerial view of a pass into Chuuk Lagoon, Flickr user Matt Kieffer, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Rocky islet off Cocos Island, Costa Rica, Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía del Gobierno de Costa Rica, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- Lagoons and karst cliffs of Coron Island, Nicko Melendres, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Beach on the east coast of Cozumel, Ricraider, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Desert mountains meeting the Red Sea at Dahab's Blue Hole, Petar Milošević, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Jetty over the lagoon at Rotoava, Fakarava, Frédéric Jacquot (deelight@poulet.org), CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
- Clear spring water at Ginnie Springs, Florida, (WT-de) Mistoffeles, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Kicker Rock (León Dormido) rising from the sea, Galápagos, Xxchangwoo0120xx, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Aerial view of the Great Barrier Reef, Ank Kumar, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Grand Anse Beach, Grenada, dpursoo, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Diver above a shark sculpture in Kreidesee Hemmoor, Dr. W. Strickling, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Giftun Island seen across the sea off Hurghada, user:vberger, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- Mango Bay, Koh Tao, ScorpioZZ, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Pink Beach on Padar Island, Komodo National Park, Devagonal, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Drowned spruce trunks rising from Lake Kaindy, Kazakhstan, Katariyakartikey, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Lake Tignes Ice Dive site, French Alps, Rundvald, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- Lembeh Island across the strait from Bitung, Sakurai Midori, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
- Beach and lagoon on Malapascua Island, Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Aerial view of Guraidhoo island and reef, Maldives, Luka Peternel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Cliffs of Dwejra Bay, Gozo, Felix König, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Elphinstone Reef dive site, Marsa Alam, Dereck Keats, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Green sea turtle on the reef at Moalboal, Iampjanz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Coast and reef at Ningaloo, Western Australia, W. Bulach, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Hanauma Bay, Oahu, ErgoSum88, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- Furuzamami Beach, Zamami Island, Kerama Islands, Hashi photo, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Aerial view of Palau's Rock Islands, Luka Peternel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Limestone cliffs and turquoise water at Koh Phi Phi, Luxure, CC BY 3.0 au, via Wikimedia Commons
- Archway Island, Poor Knights Islands, Pseudopanax at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- The Christ of the Abyss statue, San Fruttuoso, Lucianoro1, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Muelle harbour, Puerto Galera, Ralff Nestor Nacor, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Karst islands of Piaynemo in turquoise water, Raja Ampat, peter harris, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Entrance to the Dos Ojos cenote, Dag Lindgren, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- West Bay beach, Roatán, Westbrowncanada, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Hawksbill turtle on the reef at Ras Mohammed National Park, Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Granite boulders and clear water, Similan Islands, KOSIN SUKHUM, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Sipadan Island seen from the sea, Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Aerial view of an island in the Revillagigedo Archipelago, Presidencia de la República Mexicana, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Sodwana Bay beach with a humpback whale offshore, FinlayCox143, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Yongala dive site, Australia, Orin Optiglot, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Small island off the coast of Taveuni, Fiji, Mike's Birds from Riverside, CA, US, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Tofo beach, Mozambique, Erik Cleves Kristensen, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Sandbar and lagoon at Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, Ron Van Oers, CC BY-SA 3.0 igo, via Wikimedia Commons
- Beach in Wakatobi National Park, Jenny from Taipei, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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