Have you heard? PADI celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2026. This marks six decades of divers venturing into coral gardens, deep channels and the far-off stretches of ocean that once felt impossibly out of reach. The journey has carried millions underwater, defining how people explore the planet and building a global community with salt in its hair and adventure on its mind.
To honor the milestone, we’ve rounded up 60 diving destinations that continue to inspire divers around the world, year after year. You may have already visited many of them, but we’re confident there are at least a few new places that’ll make it onto your bucket list.
This list celebrates the places that continue to define underwater exploration across the world.
Let’s dive in.
Tropical Reefs
When you think of scuba diving, the first thing that comes to mind is probably tropical reefs. It’s little wonder a mix of warm waters, vibrant corals and exotic marine life pull new divers in the moment they strap on a BCD for the first time.
Even the most seasoned travelers return to these environments again and again, drawn back by the sheer color and constant movement that defines reef life. The scenery stretches across vast coral systems, sweeping barrier formations and underwater passages that feel built for exploration.
Truly, no single dive in these regions feels the same. Tropical reefs deliver generous biodiversity, gentle conditions and a calm sense of familiarity that suits every level of experience, from wide-eyed beginners to divers who have clocked up a lifetime underwater.
- Raja Ampat, Indonesia
- Komodo, Indonesia
- Bali, Indonesia
- Sipadan, Malaysia
- Puerto Morelos, Mexico
- Cebu, Philippines
- Apo Island, Philippines
- Palawan, Philippines
- Maldives
- Seychelles
- Fiji
- Vanuatu
Big-Animal Encounters
Sometimes the small stuff just doesn’t cut it. To really feel the enormity of the ocean, you’ve got to come face-to-face with its biggest inhabitants. Pelagic sightings often feel like a small dose of unpredictable magic. However, go to the right places, and you’ll find that these encounters are just part of everyday life.
From sharks and whales to manta rays and mobulas, there’s often a unique enchantment in locking eyes with the ocean’s largest players. If there’s anything to be said for bucket-list dives, you’ll likely find them in these giant-filled locations.
- Galápagos, Ecuador
- Cocos Island, Costa Rica
- Socorro Island, Mexico
- Jardines de la Reina, Cuba
- Hawai‘i, USA
- Aliwal Shoal, South Africa
- Protea Banks, South Africa
- Tonga
- Ningaloo Reef, Australia
- French Polynesia
- Malapascua, Philippines
- Tofo, Mozambique
Wreck Diving
Diving can teach us a lot about the world, and wreck diving is no exception.
They are pockets of history, preserved in the depths rather than frozen in time. Here, fish are often abundant and coral reclaims old structures, enveloping them into something new and ever-growing. Once forgotten vessels transform into vibrant ecosystems that contain both gripping stories and vibrant marine life.
For nature lovers and history buffs alike, wreck diving offers an insight into the way history settles, changes and becomes part of the ocean’s ongoing movement.
- Chuuk Lagoon, Micronesia
- Scapa Flow, Scotland
- SS Thistlegorm, Egypt
- Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands
- Gozo, Malta
- SS President Coolidge, Vanuatu
- Coron Bay, Philippines
- USAT Liberty, Indonesia
- Hilma Hooker, Bonaire
- Bermuda
- SS Yongala, Australia
- Canterbury Wreck, New Zealand
Cold Water Wonders
Whether you gravitate toward cold water naturally, or it just so happens to surround where you live, there are a myriad of reasons to take the plunge into chilly water. These include the chance of clear visibility, anemones that glow against muted tones and striking underwater terrain that contrasts wildly from its tropical water counterparts.
Wrap up warm enough, or take the PADI Specialty course to learn dry-suit diving, and you’ll be rewarded with marine life found only in icy waters and kelp forests that frame dramatic rock formations.
- Silfra, Iceland
- Polar Circle
- British Columbia, Canada
- Norway
- Monterey Bay, USA
- Sweden
- Tasmania, Australia
- Ireland
- Alaska, USA
- Faroe Islands
- The Arch, USA
- Hokkaido, Japan
Remote Frontiers
Some of the wildest diving you can do will make you work for it. This may mean multiple flights, long stretches at sea or even weeks on liveaboards, immersed in solitude. But those who endure these challenges will be rewarded with unspoiled territory that few get to discover.
In these destinations, wildlife patterns may unfold without interruption, offering a brief look into corners of the world that remain untouched by humans. Pristine coral patches shape the underwater topography while marine life drifts into strange, vivid forms that flourish in isolation.
These paths may involve considerable work, but the potential gain is worth the effort.
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- São Tomé and Príncipe
- British Indian Ocean Territory
- Kiribati
- Solomon Islands
- Andaman Islands, India
- Aqaba, Jordan
- Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Madagascar
- Reunion Island
- Marshall Islands
60 Years of Teaching the World To Dive
For 60 years, PADI has led the way in making scuba diving accessible, safe and inspiring for people around the world. That foundation, which is built on strong standards, community and care for the ocean, remains as firm as ever. Today, millions of certified PADI divers continue to carry that momentum forward.
With the next chapter just beginning, why not celebrate 60 years of teaching the world to dive by planning your next underwater adventure, and help shape what comes next?
