Advertisement

PADI.COM Travel Blog Shop Courses Conservation Club

 

The 15 Best
Scuba Diving
Destinations in
the World

Danielle Schofield
23 September, 2023

With hundreds of countries and varying

divers’ interests, shortlisting the world’s best
scuba diving destinations is certainly pretty
tough.

That said, some destinations have universal

appeal because of their all-round combination
and diversity of marine life, topography,
weather, conditions, and even topside
activities. They cater to beginners and
technical divers, reef and wreck divers, shore
and boat divers—and everyone in between!
For that reason, these destinations almost
always feature on divers’ wish lists.

So, keep reading to discover 15 of the best

scuba diving destinations in the world—
and why you’ll want to make each one your
next vacation.

Table of Contents
When to Visit
Indonesia
Belize
Red Sea, Egypt
Bahamas
Maldives
Palau
Australia
Mexico
Philippines
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
UK and Ireland
Hawaii, USA
South Africa
Thailand
Malaysia
Specialist Interests

When to Visit the

Best Scuba Diving
Destinations
While plenty of the following top scuba diving
destinations guarantee incredible year-round
diving, others are more popular at specific
times of the year. This is because weather
conditions and marine life sightings can
vary according to the changing seasons.
Learn more about the best diving by month.

Diving Incredible Indone…

Indonesia
From Raja Ampat to Komodo, Indonesia is
celebrated for its unspoiled, diverse habitats
filled with at least 3,000 marine species, from
pygmy seahorses to dugongs and dolphins.
Macro photographers flock to Lembeh Strait
to seek the weird wonderpus and frogfish.
The Gili Islands are the world’s “turtle capital”,
while in Bali you’ll find Mola mola and the
world-renowned USAT Liberty shipwreck.
Spanning over 17,000 islands, Indonesia is
bound to fulfill every interest—no wonder
it’s on every list of the best places to go scuba
diving!

20 Reasons to Dive Indonesia

Explore North Sulawesi, Indonesia’s
Hidden Gem
The Best Liveaboards in Indonesia

VIEW ALL LIVEABOARDS IN

INDONESIA

Belize
Belize’s iconic Blue Hole was one of Jacques
Cousteau’s favorite dive spots and is surely
one of the most famous scuba diving
locations. The UNESCO site is a 125m/410ft-
deep sinkhole that can even be seen from
space. In addition to flourishing marine
protected areas along the world’s second-
largest barrier reef, Belize is one of the best
places in the world to dive with whale sharks.

Five Great Dive Sites in Belize That Aren’t

the Blue Hole
The Best Time of Year to Dive in Belize
How to Plan Your Belize Whale Shark
Adventure

VIEW ALL LIVEABOARDS IN BELIZE

Seek Adventure in Egypt

Red Sea, Egypt

Egypt’s warm, clear waters shelter over 1,500
colorful coral and fish species amid
dramatic reefs and walls. Dive resorts and
liveaboards o!er easy access to many of the
Red Sea’s top dive sites, such as Ras
Mohammed’s towering pinnacles, Dahab’s
sunny shore dives, and the legendary SS
Thistlegorm. Further south, Marsa Alam, The
Brothers, and the “Deep South” are all revered
for unforgettable pelagic encounters.

Meanwhile, other great scuba diving

destinations in and around the Red Sea
include:

Israel: Where the Red Sea meets the

Mediterranean
Djibouti: A nursery for juvenile whale
sharks
Jordan: Home of the underwater
military museum

VIEW ALL LIVEABOARDS IN THE

RED SEA

Scuba Diving in the Bah…

Bahamas
An array of gentle shore dives, shallow
wrecks, and teems of vibrant life make the
Bahamas a paradise for learners. On the
other hand, advanced adventures come in
equal measure with deep walls, drop-o!s,
blue holes, and drift dives. However, what
really sets this Caribbean destination apart as
one of the best places to scuba dive is the
ease of shark diving for every level of diver
at hotspots such as Tiger Beach and Bimini.

The Best Liveaboards in the Bahamas

Diving Double Time: Bahamas Island
Hopping
25 Reasons To Dive The Bahamas

VIEW ALL LIVEABOARDS IN THE

BAHAMAS

Maldives
With nearly 1,200 islands, the Maldives has no
shortage of idyllic beaches and turquoise
waters to suit all abilities and budgets.
Tranquil lagoons and kaleidoscopic pinnacles
(thilas) will mesmerize beginners, while fast
drift dives through channels (kandus) will
entice adrenaline seekers. Above all, this is
one of the best scuba diving destinations
for mantas and other megafauna.

The Best Maldives Atolls for Scuba

Diving
The 8 Best Scuba Diving Resorts in the
Maldives
The Best Liveaboards in the Maldives

VIEW ALL LIVEABOARDS IN THE

MALDIVES

Palau
Around 80% of Palau’s waters are protected,
so it’s unsurprising that its pristine reefs
promise some of the best scuba diving in the
world. Indeed, divers say they’ve never seen
so many sharks at Palau’s top dive sites such
as Blue Corner and Ulong Channel, while
German Channel’s cleaning station attracts
dozens of mantas. Meanwhile, for something
di!erent, try blackwater photography, selfies
in a WWII aircraft cockpit, or snorkeling at
Jellyfish Lake.

The 7 Best Dive Sites in Palau for Drift

Diving, Wrecks & Marine Life
Epic Spawning Events, WWII Wrecks and
More in Palau
The Best Liveaboards in Palau

VIEW ALL LIVEABOARDS IN PALAU

Scuba Diving in Australia

Australia
With some of the world’s greatest reef and
wreck diving and thousands of marine species
to discover, the Great Barrier Reef is
especially well known as one of the best
places for scuba diving. But Australia’s
adventures don’t stop there. On the west
coast, Ningaloo Reef is another whale shark
hotspot, while kelp forests in the cooler
southern regions are home to playful sea
lions, breeding cuttlefish, and enchanting
leafy seadragons.

Unique Must-See Australian Underwater

Experiences
Six Best Places for Scuba Diving in
Australia
Where to Dive in Western Australia

VIEW ALL LIVEABOARDS IN

AUSTRALIA

Scuba Diving Ancient M…

Mexico
Boasting two contrasting coastlines,
Mexico is undoubtedly one of the world’s best
scuba diving destinations. Firstly, venture east
for stunning Caribbean reefs along the
Yucatan Peninsula and Cozumel, an ethereal
network of cenotes, and even an underwater
art museum. Then, on the Pacific side, you’ll
find thrilling drift dives, mantas, and
migrating humpbacks at Socorro Island, while
La Paz’s kelp forests are a playground for
divers and sea lions alike.

Must-Dive Sites in Mexico

Must-Dive Cenotes for Open Water
Divers
The Best Scuba Diving in Mexico

VIEW ALL DIVE RESORTS IN

MEXICO

Diving the Amazing Phil…

Philippines
The Philippines is synonymous with out-of-
this-world marine life experiences. Beyond
Tubbataha’s abundant reefs, there are
thresher sharks in Malapascua, dugongs in
Palawan, and whale sharks in Donsol, as well
as phenomenal sardine bait balls in Moalboal.
For rarer critters, Anilao is undeniably a macro
mecca with frogfish, ghost pipefish, blue-ring
octopuses, bobtail squid, and hundreds of
nudibranchs. Then, if you’ve had your fauna
fix, head to Coron Bay’s wrecks to rediscover
WWII history.

5 Types of Diving You Can Do in the

Philippines
Where to Dive in the Philippines –
Liveaboard Or Land-Based
Philippines Diving Calendar: A Month-
by-Month Guide

VIEW ALL DIVE RESORTS IN THE

PHILIPPINES

Galapagos Islands,
Ecuador
A staple of most divers’ bucket lists, the
Galapagos’ remote and unique ecosystem
is nurtured by strong currents that rush
across the volcanic seascape. Here you’ll
meet schooling hammerheads, molas, and
mantas, alongside several endemic species,
such as marine iguanas, Galapagos penguins,
and red-lipped batfish. Although sought-after
sites like Darwin and Wolf Island are reserved
for experienced divers, there are still plenty of
sheltered coves where beginners can behold
this wonderland.

Top 12 Best Dive Sites in the Galapagos

The Best Liveaboards in the Galapagos
The Galapagos Islands: The Greatest
Show on Earth

VIEW ALL LIVEABOARDS IN THE

GALAPAGOS

Scuba Diving in the UK

UK and Ireland
The UK and Ireland are often overlooked
when considering destinations with the best
scuba diving, but these bountiful, cold
waters might surprise you. Alongside
thousands of shipwrecks (including world-
class Scapa Flow), the medley of marine life is
equally impressive, from tiny tompots to
dolphins, whales, and giant basking sharks—
not to mention frolicsome, fin-nibbling seals!

5 Top Dive Sites in the UK

Ireland’s Luckiest Dive Sites
Scuba Diving Highlights in Scotland

VIEW ALL DIVE CENTERS IN THE UK

VIEW ALL DIVE CENTERS IN

IRELAND

Scuba Diving in Hawaii

Hawaii, USA
Hawaii’s lush, volcanic islands are marked by
high-rising cli!s, lava tubes, sea caves,
craters, coral reefs, and even wrecks—many
easily reached during some of the best
shore diving in the world. As well as whale
migrations, look out for turtles,
hammerheads, Hawaiian monk seals, and the
dazzling dragon moray eel. Plus, you certainly
won’t want to miss out on a magical manta
night dive in Kona.

Planning to visit Hawaii? Please sign The

Pledge To Our Keiki—a commitment to help
protect and preserve the islands for future
generations.

The 8 Top Dive Sites in Hawaii

7 Top Dive Sites Around Hawaii’s Big
Island
Scuba Diving in Hawaii: Paradise on
Earth

VIEW ALL DIVE CENTERS IN HAWAII

South Africa
South Africa’s acclaimed safari appeal extends
from land into the sea, with tropical reefs and
turtles in the northeast as well as giant kelp
forests and seal encounters at southerly Cape
Point. Cold water and strong currents
attract countless shark species, such as
ragged-tooth, sevengill, and leviathan great
whites. However, South Africa’s headline is the
Sardine Run—where thousands of predators
hunt sardines during one of nature’s most
spectacular migrations.

10 Reasons to Dive South Africa

Diving in Sodwana, South Africa
The Southern Tip of Africa: A Pelagic
Paradise

VIEW ALL DIVE RESORTS IN SOUTH

AFRICA

Diving Tropical Thailand…

Thailand
Thailand’s eastern islands, such as Koh Tao
and Koh Samui, are known for relaxed vibes
and beginner-friendly sites. They also have a
plethora of creatures, from seahorses and
nudibranchs to turtles and whale sharks. In
the west, Phuket and Krabi are gateways to
fringing reefs where you’ll find leopard sharks
in numbers, while liveaboards sail north to
the exceptional diversity and megafauna of
the Similan Islands and Richelieu Rock.

A Local’s Guide to Diving in Thailand

A Brief Guide to Diving the Amazing
Islands of Thailand
Thailand: What is the Best Time to Go
Diving?

VIEW ALL LIVEABOARDS IN

THAILAND

Seek Adventure in Mala…

Malaysia
Malaysia’s calm waters lay claim to some of
the planet’s best-preserved reefs—from
Perhentian Island’s shallow-yet-prolific coral
gardens to Borneo’s sea fan forests.
Specialties are well catered for, too; deep
divers will delight in Layang Layang’s walls,
while Mabul is a macro haven. However,
Malaysia’s crown jewel is Sipadan, where you’ll
find turtle after turtle and one of the best dive
sites in the world.

Top 10 Dive Sites in Malaysia

Scuba Diving in Malaysia – Borneo
World-Class Dive Sites in Sipadan

VIEW ALL DIVE RESORTS IN

MALAYSIA

The Best Scuba

Diving Destinations
for Specialist
Interests
Although the above destinations were picked
for their wide-reaching magnetism, many
others rank just as highly for specific
interests. For example, ice divers will be lured
to Iceland and Antarctica’s colder climates,
while wreck fanatics are drawn to Truk 
Lagoon and Malta. Similarly, Costa Rica’s
Cocos Island deserves a special mention for