Putting on a wetsuit can be a real hassle. In many years of teaching and diving, I have seen people use a wide variety of techniques to make it easier. Some wear plastic bags around their feet, while others don their wetsuits in the sea. I have even seen freedivers put baby shampoo inside their wetsuits to help them glide on. I think it’s safe to say that many divers would choose to scuba dive without a wetsuit whenever possible, just to save the trouble of putting one on. Plus, not wearing a wetsuit provides the fantastic freedom to dive in simply a bathing suit and a rashguard. It also means there is one less thing to rinse and maintain after a dive.
In this article, we visit the best diving locations where you can dive without a wetsuit, and we hope this will inspire you to plan a visit to dive in these warm, clear waters with abundant marine life.
1. Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands
Bonaire is a famous dive destination for many good reasons, one of which is its consistent water temperatures year-round. You can enjoy diving into the Caribbean island’s colorful reefs in the comfort of 78–86°F, or 25–30°C, water. This beautiful location is known for its shore diving and has more than 470 different fish species as well as world-famous shipwrecks that attract divers of all levels.
Why Choose Bonaire
- Marine Life: Abundant Caribbean species, including parrotfish, sea turtles, and eagle rays.
- Accessibility: Shore dives are the norm, making it easy to dive on your own schedule.
Best Time To Dive Bonaire
Sunny days with little rain characterize Bonaire’s dry season, which begins in April and continues until November. Due to its location outside of the hurricane zone, Bonaire provides year-round stability.
2. The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Along Australia‘s eastern coast runs the 1,400-mile (2250km) Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There is a lot to see for divers in the Great Barrier Reef, as there are 600 islands and 2,900 distinct dive sites! The water temperature changes between 75-86°F, or 24-30°C, making it an ideal wetsuit-free diving site for many divers.
Why Choose Great Barrier Reef
- Rich in Biodiversity: Hundreds of marine species call this place home, including 1,500 fish and 411 hard coral species.
- Visibility: The visibility can be up to 100 ft / 30m in some locations.
Best Time To Dive the Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef in tropical Queensland is a great place to scuba dive anytime. From June to November, visitors can see humpbacks, minke whales, and coral spawning.
3. The Red Sea, Egypt
The Red Sea is another famed diving destinations that deserves all the praise it receives. The breathtaking reefs, abundant shipwrecks and incredible marine life make Egypt’s Red Sea one of the best dive destinations in the world. Plus, it is possible to scuba dive without a wetsuit during the summer months due to water temperatures reaching 86°F, or 30°C, with the warmest months being May through October.
Why Choose the Red Sea:
- Unique Sites: The Red Sea is famous for its wreck dives, including the SS Thistlegorm.
- Excellent Visibility: It’s also perfect for underwater photography, with visibility often exceeding 100 ft / 30m.
Best Time To Dive in the Red Sea
The best time to dive without a wetsuit in Egypt is during the summer months, from May to October, although the diving season runs year-round. June to September is hammerhead shark season, while May to August is whale shark season in the Red Sea.
4. Maldives, Indian Ocean
With its picture-perfect white sand beaches and breathtaking underwater landscapes full of colorful marine life, the Maldives is the definition of luxury for many visitors. Thanks to the water’s constant temperature range of 80–86°F, or 27–30°C, it is possible to scuba dive without a wetsuit year-round.
Who Choose the Maldives:
- Resort Access: Many resorts provide easy access to world-class diving locations.
- Marine Life: Manta rays, whale sharks, and colorful coral reefs are just a few examples of the fantastic variety of marine life.
Best Time To Dive in the Maldives
August through November is ideal for seeing whale sharks and manta rays, while January through April has the clearest skies and warmest, driest weather.
5. Koh Tao, Thailand
Koh Tao is a small island in the Chumphon Archipelago off the coast of western Thailand and a popular spot for scuba divers of all levels. With an average water temperature of 82-86°F, or 28–30°C, divers can enjoy long reef dives without the worry of the end-of-dive chill.
Why Choose Koh Tao:
- Affordability: Reasonable prices for courses and dive trips.
- Rich Marine Life: Reef sharks, turtles, and vibrant coral reefs are just a few of the things you’ll see diving in Koh Tao.
Best Time To Dive in Koh Tao
Scuba diving on Koh Tao is at its finest from April through September, when visibility is highest and marine life encounters are most common. With 300 days of sunshine, Koh Tao is also a fantastic beach holiday destination for the entire family.
6. Hawaii, USA
Warm waters ranging from 74–80°F, or 23–27°C, year-round, make Hawaii a suitable destination for wetsuit-free exploration. The distinctive underwater ecosystems and the island’s volcanic origins add to the attraction of this famous travel destination. Plus, protected marine ecosystems are home to a wide variety of animals, including migratory humpback whales.
Why to Choose Hawaii:
- Volcanic Landscapes: Unique underwater topography and lava tubes.
- Abundant Marine Life: Manta rays and sharks are common sightings. Plus, dolphins and humpback whales can be encountered on boat rides to and from the dive sites during the migration season.
Best Time To Dive Hawaii
The warmest month in Hawaii is September, and it’s ideal for scuba diving without a wetsuit. Winter may call for a 3mm or 5mm wetsuit, while a 1mm rash vest would be sufficient for most of the summer.
There are so many excellent dive destinations where you can scuba dive without a wetsuit. Leave that cumbersome piece of neoprene at home and jump into these warm waters full of marine life.
Ready for your next diving adventure? Book your trip to one of these fantastic destinations with PADI Travel!
