This list is for divers tired of overcrowded dive sites that have become so popular they’ve lost their magic. Yes, some dive spots are worth the hype, and you should 100% visit, like Ras Mohammed in Egypt, Baa Atoll in the Maldives, and Cozumel in Mexico. But, these are places you always see on the best dive destination lists.
If you’re chasing adventure, seeking untouched reefs, and want to explore the unexplored, then you’d better look for off-the-radar dive destinations.
Here are exclusive recommendations from 11 PADI staff members around the world who know what makes a good dive location stand out from the crowd. These off-the-radar dive sites are not on regular diving bucket lists, but we promise they’ll all be among your favorite logbook entries.
1. Silver Steps, Falmouth, United Kingdom
For the Unexpected
For Kieran Penfold, PADI EMEA Marketing Executive, his go-to dive site is in his hometown of Falmouth.
Admittedly, Falmouth is one of the best coastal towns in the UK for its family-friendly beaches, laidback vibe, and rich maritime history. So, it’s no surprise that among its beaches and coves, there are dive sites that go unnoticed, such as Silver Steps.
Silver Steps is a shore dive for both beginner and experienced divers with plenty of marine life, like spider crabs, wrasse, nursehounds, and sometimes even seals.
As Kieran told us, “One of my most memorable dives here was in December 2024. My buddy and I were only about five meters (15 feet) deep, checking out one of the small wrecks, when suddenly, his dive light started swinging wildly. Visibility wasn’t great, so I had no idea what was happening until he signaled for us to surface. When we got to the top, he told me a seal had nipped his fins and startled him.“
2. The Grotto in Saipan, North Mariana Islands
For the Remoteness
Not many people can say to have dived in the Mariana Islands. Located between the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and Hawaii, the Marianas are truly an off-the-radar dive destination.
PADI Americas Regional Manager April McCormick recently had the chance to dive here and had nothing but good things to say. Her favorite dive site was The Grotto. She expressed, “[It’s] a stunning limestone cavern teeming with marine life, including white-tip sharks, eagle rays, tuna, turtles, and barracuda. This underwater paradise offers something for everyone — whether you’re a snorkeler, recreational diver, or technical diver.”
3. God’s Pocket, British Columbia, Canada
For Cold-Water Perfection
Any good diver knows cold water dives can be just as good (if not better) than warm water dives. But, for some reason, these chillier sites often fly under the radar. God’s Pocket in Canada is such an example.
As Annie Olszewski, PADI Americas West Coast Regional Manager, passionately reported, “The walls drip with pink strawberry anemones. The Red Irish Lords think they’re sneaky (they’re not), and Giant Pacific Octopuses lurk like they’re up to something. And, the wolf eels! The currents keep everything alive, electric, brimming with nutrients, and impossible to resist. It’s exclusive, it’s raw, and it’ll ruin you for anywhere else.”
4. Maliangin Island, Malaysia
For the Peace and Quiet
Few people know Malaysia’s extensive dive sites as well as PADI Asia Pacific Regional Manager Mark Hedger.
Naturally, he’s delighted to share his recommendations for off-the-radar dive destinations. Topping his list is Maliangin Island. With only one dive center here, the Frogfish Resort Maliangin Sabah, you know the diving is uncrowded and unhurried. Maliangin Island is really as good as it gets with pristine waters and a healthy marine life.
In Mark’s words, “[It’s] a true hidden paradise! Getting there is an adventure, three to four hours by car from Kota Kinabalu, followed by a 90-minute ferry ride and a 20-minute speedboat trip. But once you arrive, you’ll be greeted by white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, breathtaking views of the Milky Way at night, and, of course, fantastic diving in a completely remote setting.“
5. Adelaide, South Australia
For the Giant Cuttlefish Migration
Everyone knows about the Great Barrier Reef, but one of PADI’s Regional Managers for Australia, Annie Halloran, recommends diving in Adelaide, South Australia, for an incredible marine encounter: the giant Australian cuttlefish migration.
Like clockwork, every year between May and July, these creatures congregate in large numbers to breed. Watching their mesmerizing color changes and mating tactics is a one-of-a-kind experience. This is the only place in the world where you can see their mating ritual.
As Annie noted, “Each year, [Adelaide] has an annual giant cuttlefish migration that takes place during the winter months – how epic! You can also find the elusive weedy and leafy sea dragons here.”
6. Sint Eustatius, Netherlands Antilles
For a Hidden Caribbean Gem
Finding your next dive destination is hard. Nobody knows this better than PADI Travel Account Manager, Beth Sanders.
But one of her favorite off-the-radar dive destinations is St. Eustatius.
Tucked between the more popular islands of St. Kitts and St. Maarten, this tiny Dutch island in the Caribbean is a mix of dive sites suitable for new divers and sites perfect for experienced photographers looking to add seahorses, frogfish, and humpback whales to their portfolio.
Beth explained, “[The island’s diving is highly varied], from Double Wreck, where you can find turtles asleep in barrel sponges and blennies in the gigantic anchors of the wreckage, through to colorful corals, sponges, and huge stingrays at Shallow Reef.
7. 8 Mile Rock and Stonehenge, Koh Lipe, Thailand
For Pelagics
For Scuba Travel Expert Penelope Shepherd, the best off-the-radar dive site is a tie between 8 Mile Rock and Stonehenge in the Andaman Sea.
Accessible from Koh Lipe, both are great for whale shark and manta ray sightings.
Because many divers visit other dive destinations to see these pelagics, 8 Mile Rock and Stonehenge are quieter dive sites full of excitement and life-changing moments. You may be able to see manta rays dancing in front of you and whale sharks gliding gracefully through the water on any dive. The experience is even better than it sounds.
This is arguably one of the best diving spots in Thailand that can be dived by divers of all levels.
8. Scoglio del Medico, Ustica, Italy
For Mediterranean Beauty
Italy’s regional manager, Fabio Figurella, recommends Scoglio del Medico on Ustica for a breathtaking underwater landscape. The dive site has something for divers of all levels, including dramatic drop-offs, caves, and rich marine biodiversity. “The interplay of light inside the caves and the blue water contrasts create an unforgettable experience,” declared Fabio.
He continued, “On one dive, I remember encountering a massive school of barracudas swirling in the current. It was like watching an underwater ballet. Ustica is often called the ‘black pearl’ of the Mediterranean, and Scoglio del Medico truly showcases why.”
9. Mikomoto Island, Japan
For Hammerheads
Shark diving is the epitome of adventure. And those in the know, like PADI Marketing Communications Specialist Sarah Morlock, understand how rare it is to dive with hammerheads. But she recommends one of the best off-the-radar dive destinations to see them in Mikomoto Island, Japan.
As she remarked, “These almost mythical creatures are ever graceful, but they are naturally shy and can be hard to find. Luckily, divers in Japan are treated to regular sightings of huge schools of hammerheads off Mikomoto Island, just a couple of hours outside of Tokyo. And the best part? Unlike many of the more remote areas where schools of hammerheads are found, this island is only 15-20 minutes from shore, allowing dive boats to go to the island and back to shore between every dive.”
10. Rubicon Wall, Tahoe, California, USA
For High-Altitude Divers
Ocean and sea dives always get all the credit for the best diving. But cast your eyes towards the mountains, and there are some epic high-altitude dive sites. Lake Tahoe in California has dozens of high-altitude dive sites along 72 miles (116 kilometers) of shoreline. Highlights include petrified trees and even well-preserved wrecks.
The Senior Editor for Scuba Diving® magazine, Ariella Simke, recommends diving Rubicon Wall for the dramatic granite formations, because, as she said, “I guarantee my fellow geology nerds will be impressed!”
But there’s more.
Ariella added, “The sheer vertical walls lead down to hundreds of feet of depth, and the crisp visibility makes for some eye-popping views. Looking down into the deep blue can have a dizzying effect – in the most intoxicating way! Crayfish occasionally peer out of the crevices in the rocks and shimmering schools of silvery fish ripple through the fresh water. I don’t get to do a lot of freshwater diving, so when I get the chance to dive Lake Tahoe, I like to get a little sip of water in between breaths on my reg. It’s probably not very sanitary, but it makes me happy!”
11. Tayrona National Park in Santa Marta, Colombia
For an Up-And-Coming Diving Destination
In recent years, Colombia has slowly gained in popularity and is no longer an off-the-radar dive destination. Still, there are plenty of off-the-radar dive sites scattered throughout the country.
PADI Divemaster and Merchandising Specialist, Mauricio Osorio, says the fishing village of Taganga in Santa Marta is the hidden doorway to good diving. His top three dive sites in the area are:
- Salidero at Isla Aguja – “If you’re up for a real underwater adventure, don’t miss El Salidero at Isla Aguja. This dive site, on the eastern side of the island, drops down to an exhilarating 40 meters (130 feet) and definitely isn’t for the faint of heart. The coral formations here are absolutely breathtaking, and if you’re lucky, you’ll find yourself face-to-face with sleek barracudas cruising by. It’s one of those dives that gets your heart racing — in the best way possible. It’s usually a drift dive since the site has a bit of a current, but it’s one of my favorite spots every time I return to Taganga. The brain corals there are huge!“
- Punta Chenge – “I don’t think I’ve seen Moray eels as big as the ones here at any other dive site in the Caribbean. This site holds a special place in my heart, because it’s one of the places where I learned how to dive with my dad. Eagle rays and hawksbill sea turtles are quite common in this area during June.”
- Guachakyta – “Accessible only by boat, the beach there is breathtaking, and the night dives are something out of this world. If you get lucky, you can get surrounded by a school of bioluminescent squid.“
Where Is Your Secret Dive Spot?
There’s beauty wherever you dive, but there’s something special about visiting hidden dive spots. Where’s yours? It’s okay, you don’t have to tell us. But keep this list to yourself, and for more inspiration, keep reading our members-only newsletter or visit PADI Travel to book your trip.
