Whether you’ve got kids of your own or simply want some peace and quiet, sometimes we all need an escape to one of the best adults-only dive resorts! There’s no shame in saying some holidays are best-enjoyed kid-free, especially when it comes to diving.
The only decision to make is: where to go? We’ve done the research for you on some of the best adults-only dive resorts you can book right away. From top-notch luxury at a beachfront Maldivian water villa to enjoying Fijian cooking courses in a luxe ocean-view resort.
The Reef 28 – Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico ($$)
Fully Adults Only
As a fully adults-only all-inclusive resort, The Reef 28 offers complete tranquillity for those looking to venture into Playa del Carmen’s Caribbean Sea. A rooftop bar with an infinity pool, two restaurants and three other bars offer multinational cuisine to suit all tastes. For the ultimate in relaxation, The Reef 28 provides an aromatherapy and pillow menu in all 120 rooms, free wifi, and free transport to the nearby partner dive center where you’ll be well taken care of. Recent guest Robert O. told us, “The dive team was fun to go out with and we would definitely make this trip again. We were so very well taken care of by the whole crew here and I would recommend it to anyone wanting to visit Playa Del Carmen.”
Excellent visibility, year-round warm waters (approximately 25 degrees Celsius / 77 degrees Fahrenheit) and miles of coral gardens make the Yucatan Peninsula a year-round dive destination. Shark, ray and turtle sightings are common here, plus nearby jungle cenotes create mystical dive adventures
Best time to visit for ideal weather: May to September
Best time to dive for sharks and rays: June to March
Thomais Boutique Hotel – Ionian Islands, Greece ($$)
Fully Adults Only
Situated on the Greek Island of Lefkada, just 170 meters (558 feet) from the beautiful Episkopos Beach, Thomais Boutique Hotel is a picturesque escape – both above and below the surface. The four-star boutique hotel has an onsite pool, a rooftop restaurant and just 14 rooms, providing a peaceful vibe. A nearby PADI Five Star Dive Center is just a short scooter ride away and offers training on a private beach or in the onsite pool. Guests can also take advantage of resort-arranged transfers to and from the airport.
The Ionian Islands are known for exceptionally clear and deep waters, with visibility exceeding 30 meters (100 feet)! Underwater landscapes include caves, rock formations, and lively reefs.
Best time to visit for diving: May to October
Best time to visit for large marine life sightings: June to August
Hurawalhi Dive Resort – The Maldives ($$$$)
Adults-Only Areas
Designed by the renowned architect Yuji Yamazaki, Hurawalhi Dive Resort houses the world’s largest all-glass underwater restaurant, which puts it at the top of many Maldives bucket lists. On its own private island, the resort features a variety of villas surrounded by pristine blue lagoon waters. Furthermore, the waters around Huwawalhi Dive Resort are home to thriving reefs, tons of colorful marine life, and 60+ surrounding dive sites. This is one of the best places in the world for diving with manta rays and whale sharks. As Robin H., a recent guest at the resort, wrote in a review, “Resort is great – great service and great food. Diving great – lots of sharks – which was what we wanted most.”
Also, the island is a short, 50-minute flight from Malé. And, for those who want to learn more about the underwater environment or get involved with local conservation, there’s also a resident marine biologist onsite at the Hurawalhi Manta Trust Marine Biology Center.
Best time to visit the Maldives: November to April
Best time to visit the Maldives for manta rays and whale sharks: August to November
Occidental Grand Papagayo – Costa Rica ($$)
Adults-Only Areas
For a five-star, all-inclusive Costa Rican experience, plus a five-star dive center just a short ride away, the Occidental Grand Papagayo should be your top pick. Above all, the Occidental Grand Papagayo is a truly calm resort, free of party vibes (if that’s what you’re looking to avoid). It even boasts a tranquil private beach and two swimming pools. And, as recent guest Mary K., states, “The staff at the resort [are] very nice and accommodating.”
Over 20 dive sites are yours to explore in the local waters, including the famous Bat and Catalina Islands! You’ll spot a vast amount of marine life in the surrounding Gulf of Papagayo; think turtles, moray eels, pygmy seahorses, and rays with calm seas and little wind. The area is also visited by a range of pelagics in the summer season, including bull sharks.
Best time to visit Costa Rica: December to April
Best time to dive in Costa Rica for larger marine life: May to November
Matamanoa Island – Fiji ($$$)
Fully Adults Only
Matamanoa Island is a deluxe resort with a luscious variety of romantic onsite activities, making it an ideal honeymoon getaway. After diving with a variety of sharks, you can indulge in a coconut foot soak, then watch the stars come out over the South Pacific from your private villa. Furthermore, the resort is surrounded by more than 30 world-class dive sites, and the house reef, a marine protected area, boasts spectacular hard coral and a myriad of colorful marine critters.
Best time to visit Fiji: July to September
Best time to visit Fiji for crystal clear visibility: April to October
Secrets Aura Cozumel – Cozumel, Mexico ($$)
Adults-Only Areas
Secrets Aura Cozumel is all about swim-up rooms, all-inclusive dining, and stunning, large marine life. It also boasts a sublime beachfront setting with its own jetty to take you to nearby dive sites. Common marine life sightings here include sharks, turtles, stingrays and tropical reef fish. And during the winter months, eagle rays grace many of the area’s dive sites. Plus, the onsite, five-star dive center has a four-to-one student-to-instructor ratio, so you’ll avoid mass groups during courses. Aside from diving, Secrets Aura Cozumel hosts daily activities and nightlife events onsite. There is also wait service available at the pool and beach, as well as 24-hour room service!
Best time to visit Cozumel: March to June
Best time to visit Cozumel for eagle ray sightings: November to March
Naboo Resort – Roatan, Honduras ($)
Adults-Only Areas
Naboo Resort‘s location could not be any better in West Bay on Roatán. 80 dive sites (yes, you read that correctly) on the surrounding Mesoamerican Reef are within a 15-minute drive from the resort by boat, and during the right season, you might even see a whale shark on any given dive. Furthermore, the onsite, PADI Five Star Dive Center has a multilingual staff and its own boat, which helps avoid any waiting times on commercial dive boats. Michael S., a recent PADI Travel guest at the resort, remarked, “As for the attached dive shop, it was an excellent-run operation. The dive staff was friendly and knowledgeable, and everything was on time.”
Naboo is a family-owned resort with just 18 modern rooms. It’s certainly a peaceful escape, ideal for those looking for awesome diving and few crowds. Last but not least, the entire resort is shielded from the busy surrounding beach by a soothing, tropical garden.
Best time to visit Roatan: December to May
Best time to visit Roatan for whale shark sightings: February to April
Ready for Your Adults-Only Escape?
If you’re intrigued and ready to jump on your flight to Roatán, Cozumel or even the Maldives, get in touch with PADI Travel. Our team of dedicated Scuba Travel Experts is on hand 24/7 to help answer your questions and find the right diving holiday for you.
