Changing seasons and animal migrations are factors that vastly impact the best time to scuba dive in most places. Being aware of these seasonal shifts often helps you turn up at the right time to enjoy great weather and unforgettable marine life, while also avoiding an off-season that potentially offers the exact opposite. But there are fantastic exceptions to this norm — places that boast good diving every month of the year. These dream destinations let you turn up at any time, any month of the year and expect a memorable time in the water. These are the best places to scuba dive year-round.
Whether you’re looking to go tomorrow or in six months time, we’re confident these destinations will deliver. Below you’ll find our top destinations with the best diving during any month of the year.
1. Cozumel, Mexico
With stellar visibility, pristine coral reefs and water temperatures that remain between 78-82ºF (25-28ºC) year-round, it’s easy to see why this tropical island paradise attracts new divers and keeps experienced ones coming back. Cozumel is particularly famous for its drift diving. Divers often just kick back and relax as the colorful underwater world passes by.
Cozumel’s waters are also filled with marine life. As well as all kinds of tropical fish, eagle rays, turtles and nurse sharks are frequent logbook entries. The splendid toadfish (Sanopus splendidus), in particular, draws plenty of attention from divers wanting to see something unique.
2. Bonaire
Located just north of Venezuela, Bonaire is worthy of its reputation as one of the world’s best diving playgrounds. And while there are boat-accessible dive sites, it’s the shore dives that really make this place so fun.
A lot of the best dive resorts in Bonaire have dive-able reefs just offshore. This means you’ll often be just a few minutes away from the underwater world. Plus, as the majority of these sites are protected from harsh conditions, Bonaire is a great place for new divers to get certified.
The waters surrounding Bonaire are also home to more than 470 fish species, with little seasonal variation, meaning dives are nearly always fish-filled. Other frequent sightings include common dolphins, loggerhead and hawksbill turtles, eagle rays and seahorses.
3. The Maldives
If you’re looking for a dive vacation filled with pristine white beaches, unbeatable luxury and colorful coral reefs, the Maldives should be calling to you.
Year-round, visitors to this low-lying, multi-island nation can enjoy bath-like water temperatures, usually ranging between 80°F/26°C and 86°F/30°C. The underwater landscape is made up of atoll lagoons, rock pinnacles, swim-throughs, caverns and overhangs, each covered with sponges, gorgonians and photo-worthy macro life.
While encounters are possible throughout the year, August through November is the time when you’re nearly guaranteed to spot manta rays and whale sharks in the water. White-tip reef sharks, eagle rays and common dolphins can also be seen on a regular basis throughout the year. And, December to April offers the best chance to catch a hammerhead shark passing by.
Additionally, because the best dives sites in The Maldives are spread out over its numerous atolls, it may be worth considering one of the area’s world-class liveaboards if you’re looking to dive everything on offer.
4. Marsa Alam, Egypt
At one time, Marsa Alam was little more than a quiet fishing village on Egypt‘s Red Sea coastline. Today, the area is home to a variety of resorts which offer some of the best diving in the world.
Numerous dive sites in the area, such as Dolphin House and Elphinstone Reef, have established themselves as go-to places to experience underwater encounters with marine life. On almost any dive trip to Marsa Alam, you might see dolphins, dugongs, oceanic white-tip sharks or hammerheads sharks.
Marsa Alam is also a great alternative destination for divers wanting something a little less busy than Egypt’s Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada. Visitors to the area can choose from a range of dive shops and resorts. Alternatively, it’s possible to explore the best dive sites in luxury aboard one of the Red Sea’s best liveaboards.
5. Hawaii, USA
It’s no secret that the USA‘s 50th state is filled with sandy beaches, pristine rainforest and volcanic island landscapes as far as the eye can see. But it may be fair to say that Hawaii‘s diving doesn’t quite carry the reputation it deserves.
With average water temperatures that range between 75 and 80°F (24 and 27°C), there’s never a bad time to don your gear and see what the underwater world has to offer.
Of course, Hawaii, or Kona especially, is known for its not-to-be-missed manta ray night dive. This world-famous dive gives you the chance to have these majestic creatures swooping, looping and back-flipping their way in and around you.
Humpback whales are another Hawaii highlight. They usually appear between December and March when they arrive to start their breeding and birthing period. In addition, Hawaii’s waters are home to white-tip reef sharks, eagle rays, whales sharks, dolphins and five of the seven species of sea turtle.
6. Bali, Indonesia
Bali may have a certain reputation for being filled with influencers and holiday-makers, but there is little doubt that there is more to this Indonesian paradise than meets the eye – especially for divers.
The nearly guaranteed opportunity to dive with manta rays is often enough for many divers to book their flights. But in reality, seasonal mola mola and sharks, some truly outstanding muck diving and a world-class wreck dive, all within a few hours’ travel of each other, ensure any dive vacation here is filled with memorable moments.
Tulamben, Amed, Candidasa, Padang Bai and Menjangan Island are just a few of Bali’s dive destinations worth visiting. In addition, Bali has plenty of dive shops and resorts ready to help get you into the water. Or, there are a number of liveaboards which navigate the area. These boats offer a range of different dive itineraries, including some which then travel on to Komodo National Park.
7. Sipadan, Malaysia
If giant schools of barracuda and jackfish and more sharks and turtles than you can count both sound like something you’d like to witness underwater, it’s time to add Sipadan, Malaysia to your scuba diving bucket list.
Sipadan is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. Dives can sometimes feel like someone is artificially forcing a stream of marine-based entertainment across your field of view. In addition to black-tip and white-tip reef sharks, turtles, jackfish, barracuda and a whole host of other large and small fish, the luckiest of divers may also get to see a hammerhead shark or a thresher shark passing by.
Visitors to Sipadan generally stay on the nearby island of Mabul, a worthwhile diving destination in itself. Here, it’s possible to enjoy sloped, coral-covered reefs, sheer walls and some truly world-class muck diving. If macro photography is your jam, Sipidan’s gateway may actually be your preferred port of call.
8. Palau
More than 80% of Palau’s waters fall under the category of marine protected area (MPA). This island nation is leading the way when it comes to protecting marine life and habitats. The benefits of this protection are evident in the quality of the diving.
More than 1400 species of fish and 500 species of coral call the waters around Palau home. This diversity leads to truly memorable diving. Blue holes, spectacular drop-offs, caverns, caves and channels further increase Palau’s underwater appeal. And that’s not to mention that pelagic favorites, including manta rays, whale sharks, eagle rays, turtles, reef sharks and even the occasional hammerhead, can always make an appearance.
Water temperatures around Palau usually sit within the 81 to 86°F (27 to 30°C) range. And visibility is strangely good for such nutrient-filled waters, reaching anywhere up to 50 meters (165 feet). Most visitors choose to stay in Koror, where many of the best dive resorts in Palau are located.
9. Belize
With the world’s second-largest barrier reef running parallel to its coastline, it’s not surprising that Belize features outstanding diving. In addition to the world-famous Blue Hole (which you can dive into), this central American nation boasts more than 400 islands and numerous dive sites filled with crystal-clear waters, colorful coral and diverse marine life to explore.
Between April and June, Belize becomes one of the best places in the world to see whale sharks. Meanwhile, October and November mark the grouper mating season. At this time, divers get the chance to see thousands of fish descend on the cayes to reproduce in a fascinating natural phenomenon. Beyond this, encounters with marine life in Belize are varied, ranging from manta rays and whitetip reef sharks to manatees and seahorses.
Moreover, Belize also boasts more than diving, with the best scuba diving resorts in Belize offering the ideal way to relax during your time out of the water.
10. The Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Few destinations offer the chance to see as much unique wildlife as the Galápagos. Both above and below the water, these legendary islands are home to some of the most bucket list-worthy experiences you will find. From diving alongside hammerhead sharks and marine iguanas to meeting a Galápagos giant tortoise, a trip to this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one you’re not going to forget.
Diving the Galápagos in any month is always worth it. But if you’re after calmer and warmer waters with better visibility and want to see manta rays and hammerhead sharks, shoot for December to June. However, if you’re hoping to be in the water with a whale shark, consider July to November. Other possible marine life encounters in the Galápagos Islands include blacktip and whitetip reef sharks, Galápagos sharks, tiger sharks, bull sharks, eagle rays, humpback whales, pilot whales, seals and dolphins. In short, your logbook may fill up surprisingly quickly.
Furthermore, while you can dive the Galápagos from land, it is also a great liveaboard destination as many of the best dive sites in the Galápagos are far away from each other. Top dive sites not to miss include Darwin’s Arch, Shark Bay and Gordon Rocks.
These Destinations Are Ready to Dive Right Now! Are You?
Now that you know these dive destinations are always waiting for you, the next decision you have to make is which one (or ones) you’re going to visit. Book your dive vacation below or get in touch with our experts at PADI Travel via chat, email or phone if you still have some questions.
