Beneath the ocean’s surface lies a breathtaking realm of colorful coral cities, shimmering caverns and mysterious shipwrecks waiting to be explored. While snorkeling offers a quick peek at this hidden world, scuba diving opens the door to truly unforgettable underwater experiences. Ready to explore? This guide highlights the best places to scuba dive around the globe, helping you plan an extraordinary adventure beneath the waves.
The prime scuba season runs from October to April, making it the perfect time to chase sunshine and discovery. Always prioritize safety by choosing trusted dive centres and certified dive masters.
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1. Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Raja Ampat in Indonesia is widely regarded as one of the best places to scuba dive in the world, thanks to its location in the Coral Triangle—the richest marine ecosystem on Earth, with thousands of fish and coral species thriving in crystal-clear waters.
At iconic dive sites like Cape Kri, renowned for a world-record count of fish species in a single dive, divers encounter vibrant coral gardens, reef sharks, majestic manta rays and schools of pelagic fish at every turn.
Whether you’re shooting macro life or drifting with big creatures, each descent offers unforgettable encounters. With outstanding dive resorts such as Misool Eco Resort and other expert-recommended bases nearby, Raja Ampat remains a top choice for adventurous divers seeking the best places to scuba dive on the planet.
2. Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, Philippines
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is widely regarded as one of the best places to scuba dive, offering a pristine and remote underwater experience in the Philippines. Accessible only by liveaboard from Palawan, divers stay overnight in the Sulu Sea while exploring vast coral walls across more than 100,000 hectares of protected atolls. Best time to go is from March to June, when seas are calm and visibility is at its peak.
Things to see include over 600 species of tropical fish, vibrant soft corals, reef sharks, manta rays, sea turtles, and occasional whale sharks. Best for advanced and confident divers, due to strong currents and night dives, Tubbataha consistently ranks among the best places to scuba dive worldwide for biodiversity and conservation-led tourism.
3. Similan Islands, Thailand
Similan Islands are considered among the best places to scuba dive in Thailand, especially for winter sun seekers. Easily reached on a day trip from Phuket, the islands are open from October to May, offering excellent visibility and calm conditions. Best time to go is during this season to spot whale sharks.
Things to see include moray eels, octopuses, fan corals, lionfish, and vibrant reef life at sites like Richelieu Rock and Elephant Head Rock. Best for intermediate divers and confident beginners, with optional liveaboards for more advanced exploration, the Similans remain one of the best places to scuba dive in Southeast Asia.
4. Red Sea, Egypt
Red Sea is widely recognised as one of the best places to scuba dive, combining coral gardens, iconic wrecks and prolific shark encounters. Best time to go is year-round, with peak conditions and warm water around 28°C from June to September. Things to see include over 1,000 fish species, hammerhead sharks, barracuda, dolphins, and legendary sites like the SS Thistlegorm and the Blue Hole. Best for experienced, technical and wreck divers seeking adventure, the Red Sea remains one of the best places to scuba dive globally for skill-building and biodiversity.
5. Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Great Barrier Reef is one of the world’s most iconic dive destinations, ideal for reef hopping and liveaboard adventures. Best time to go is from June to October, when visibility and sea conditions are at their best. Things to see include clownfish in vibrant anemones, turtles, manta rays, reef sharks, Maori wrasse, potato cod, and migrating whales.
With more than 3,000 reef systems and 1,600 fish species, highlights range from the famous SS Yongala to beginner-friendly Agincourt Reef and the coral cliffs of the Whitsundays. Best for all experience levels, from first-time divers to seasoned liveaboard enthusiasts.
6. Okinawa, Japan
Okinawa offers a unique scuba diving experience, blending history, geology and rare marine life. Best time to go is from mid-July to early September, when conditions are calmer and visibility is strong before peak typhoon season.
Things to see include rare blue coral, manta rays, sea turtles, WWII shipwrecks such as the USS Emmons, dramatic cave systems like Satan’s Palace, and the mysterious ruins of Yonaguni Monument, often patrolled by hammerhead sharks.
Best for experienced and technical divers, Okinawa rewards confident explorers seeking challenging dives with exceptional underwater scenery and historical intrigue.
7. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Galapagos Islands offer one of the most extraordinary scuba diving experiences on the planet, defined by raw nature and unmatched biodiversity. Located 560 miles off Ecuador’s coast, these protected islands deliver cold-water, current-driven dives best suited to confident, advanced divers.
Best time to go is year-round, with December to May bringing warmer water and manta rays, while June to November is prime for whale sharks and hammerhead schools. Things to see include vast schools of scalloped hammerheads at Wolf and Darwin Islands, marine iguanas, turtles, mantas, mola mola at Punta Vicente Roca, and countless endemic species within this UNESCO-listed marine reserve.
Best for experienced divers seeking challenging conditions, liveaboard adventures, and rare wildlife encounters found nowhere else on Earth.
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