Love scuba diving but don’t love complicated travel or lengthy liveaboards? Here are 11 exciting ocean encounters that are close to a major airport or just a short hop away.
1. Hear Whales Sing in Hawai’i
Maui in Hawai’i hosts humpback whales from approximately December through February. You can often hear their haunting songs reverberating underwater during a dive and see them topside on the way to the dive site.
To make this ocean experience super simple for many divers, Maui (OGG) has a direct flight from more than a dozen major airports in the U.S. and Canada.
2. Swim With Whale Sharks
Swimming with massive (but harmless) whale sharks is a dream for many divers. There are more than a dozen places around the world where you can swim with whale sharks, but some are easier to reach than others. Here are a few of the more accessible options.
Australia
Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia is a hotspot for whale shark encounters. Tours operate primarily from March through June in Coral Bay and as late as August in Exmouth.
Fly into Perth (PER), then take a two-hour flight to Learmonth (LEA). From there, you can drive 25 minutes north to Exmouth or one hour and 10 minutes south to Coral Bay.
La Paz, México
Whale sharks visit the Pacific side of México starting in October or November and can be seen through February — sometimes as late as April. La Paz can be reached via direct flights from Los Angeles (LAX); the airport code is LAP.
You can also fly into Cabo San Lucas (SJD) and take a bus or private car to La Paz. The drive takes about two-and-a-half hours.
Yucatán Peninsula, México
The stretch of water between Isla Holbox and Isla Mujeres on the Caribbean side of México is one of the most consistent places to swim with whale sharks from mid-June to mid-September. Peak season is July through August.
Cancun (CUN) is the closest airport, but you can also fly into Isla Cozumel (CZM) and take a ferry over to the mainland.
3. Scuba Dive With Manta Rays in the Maldives
There are numerous direct flights to Male, Maldives (MLE) from major European cities including London, Paris and Frankfurt. Between May and November, manta rays gather at cleaning stations and plankton-rich lagoons throughout the country. Patient divers who wait calmly on the sidelines can witness feeding frenzies or even a mating dance.
4. Have an Ocean Encounter With (Really Big) Sharks in the Bahamas
If you want to scuba dive with sharks, look no further than the Bahamas. At Tiger Beach, you can get close to massive tiger sharks, while in Bimini, prepare to be circled by hammerheads.
Both dive sites can be easily accessed from Fort Lauderdale, Florida (FLL), Miami (MIA) or Nassau (NAS). There’s even a ferry that runs regularly from Florida to Bimini. However, shark sightings can be seasonal. Contact a local PADI Dive Shop for details.
5. Get Up Close & Personal With All the Small Things in the Philippines
About two hours south of Manila (MNL) is a must-dive destination for people who love macro critters — Anilao. Among its 75+ dive sites live a treasure trove of tiny creatures, including hairy frogfish, mimic and blue-ringed octopuses, Bobbit worms and mantis shrimp. You can also see whitetip and blacktip reef sharks, eagle rays and manta rays seasonally, from December to May.
6. Experience the Spectacular Sardine Run in South Africa
Another great place to scuba dive with sharks and other pelagics is South Africa, particularly Sodwana Bay, Protea Banks and Aliwal Shoal (one of Jacques Cousteau’s favorite diving destinations).
From Cape Town (CPT), take a two-hour flight to Durban (DUR). If you don’t want to go that far afield, Mako, blue and great white sharks can also be seen around Cape Town, depending on the time of year.
And, if you time your trip right, the area just west of Durban is center stage for the spectacular Sardine Run, which attracts dolphins, whales, sharks and underwater photographers. From May through June, the best place to go is Gqeberha (PLZ – formerly called Port Elizabeth) and East London (ELS). Later, between June and July, you’ll have to travel further north, to Port St. Johns and Mboyti.
7. Play With Sea Lions in the World’s Aquarium, the Sea of Cortez, México
The Sea of Cortez separates the Baja Peninsula from mainland México. It’s another one of Jacques Cousteau’s favorite places to scuba dive, a place he called “The World’s Aquarium.”
Divers can encounter dolphins, turtles, hammerheads, whale sharks (seasonally), playful sea lions and more than 900 fish species while scuba diving in the Sea of Cortez. From December to March, blue and humpback whales can be spotted from the dive boat.
8. Explore a Variety of Wrecks in Malta
With more than 50 dive sites, including 25+ wrecks, Malta has a lot to offer in a compact area. There are dozens of direct flights to Malta (MLA) from Europe and one from New York, USA. In addition to iconic wrecks like the Um El Faroud, HMS Maori and the P29, there are dives for all experience levels.
9. Enjoy Some of the Most Colorful Reefs in Fiji
Whether you’re looking for chill vibes or heart-pumping excitement, you’ll find both in Fiji. If you love gorgeous technicolor reefs, Fiji is for you. But it’s also a must-visit if you love sharks. At Beqa Lagoon, you can see bull, tiger, lemon, whitetips and other shark species.
Fiji’s main airport (NAN) has more than a dozen direct flights from airports in Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the west coast of North America.
10. Post Photos From an Underwater Museum in the Yucatán, México
As mentioned above, Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula is one of the best places in the world to swim with whale sharks, but there’s a whole lot more to explore in the Riviera Maya.
Swim through freshwater cenotes pierced by dramatic sunbeams or explore El Museo Subacuático de Arte (MUSA). The underwater museum features more than 500 sculptures designed to foster coral growth, including life-sized people and a VW Beetle.
11. Enjoy a Little Bit of Everything in Egypt
Most European countries have a direct flight to Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt (SSH), where divers can see different types of wrecks, thriving reefs and bucket-list pelagics. It’s the perfect place for divers looking for a little bit of everything without long transfers or remote travel.
What Are You Waiting For?
You’re just a few clicks away from a new adventure full of memorable ocean encounters. Pack your dive bag (if it isn’t already packed) and start exploring.
Need travel advice? Contact your local PADI Dive Shop or PADI Travel®.
