Top 10 Best Scuba Diving Spots Across the Globe

News: If you’re a seasoned diver who relishes exploring the depths, you’re probably always on the lookout for fresh underwater marvels. The ocean is vast, filled with wonders, and here are the finest ten scuba diving locations worldwide!

10. Cenote Dos Ojos, Tulum, Mexico

Starting our list is Cenote Dos Ojos, among the finest cenotes in Tulum, Mexico. Its crystal-clear blue waters, basking in sunlight, offer divers stunning visibility of up to 100 meters. Housing an array of fish and marine life, it’s a premier spot for underwater escapades. Keep in mind, there’s an entry fee to swim in the cenote!
Opening hours: 8 am – 5 pm
Entrance fee: around 200 Mexican pesos (approximately USD 11.82)
Location: Two Eyes Cenote, 77774 Q.R., Mexico
Best time to dive: All year round (maintains a comfortable, stable temperature)

9. Port Saint Johns, South Africa

South Africa is renowned for its sardine runs during winter. While the exact spot for this phenomenon isn’t fixed, your best chance to witness it is near the village of Port St. Johns! Join a diving tour led by experts to increase your chances. The spectacle includes not just sardines but also marine predators making appearances.
Location: Waters near Port Saint Johns
Best time to dive: Mid-June to end of July (South African winter)

8. SS Thistlegorm, Red Sea, Egypt

A must-visit for wreck enthusiasts and history buffs, the SS Thistlegorm in the Red Sea offers a unique glimpse into wartime history and underwater treasures. Among its cargo lie wartime artifacts like jeeps, motorbikes, boots, and ammunition. The wreck also hosts abundant soft corals and intriguing macro life, making it a must-see for wreck diving enthusiasts.
Location: North of the Red Sea in the Strait of Gubal
Best time to dive: March to May and September to November

7. Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, Philippines

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in the Philippines is a protected area accessible only by Tubbataha liveaboards. It’s arguably the most biodiverse scuba diving destination in the Philippines, home to diverse marine life like sea turtles, manta rays, and various shark species. A vibrant display of multi-colored reef fish, lobsters, stingrays, and turtles greets divers at every turn!
Entrance fee: 5,000 pesos (USD 87.94)
Location: Cagayancillo, Palawan, Philippines
Best time to dive: March to June (calmer waters)

6. Lembeh Strait, Indonesia

For Muck Diving enthusiasts, Lembeh Strait in Indonesia is a must on your bucket list! Recognized as the world’s prime muck diving site, it’s teeming with peculiar tiny creatures, known as ‘muck critters’. Encounter species like hairy frogfish, juvenile barramundi cods, harlequin shrimps, and more! Photography enthusiasts should carry an underwater camera with a macro lens for unique shots.
Location: North Sulawesi, Indonesia
Best time to dive: All year round, particularly from September to October

5. Manta Ray Night Dive, Kona, Hawaii

Considered one of the most enchanting dives, the Manta Ray Night Dive in Kona, Hawaii welcomes enormous yet gentle manta rays feeding gracefully under the glow of underwater torches. Witness these majestic marine creatures swimming around you in graceful arcs. Given their elusiveness, experiencing this at least once is a must!
Location: Honokohau Harbor
Best time to dive: All year round, avoiding winter and the rainy season

4. Darwin Island, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

Among the famed Galapagos Islands, Darwin Island stands out as a prime location for encountering large and rare marine life. Swim among hammerhead sharks, playful sea lions, and perhaps even spot the incredibly rare marine iguana underwater.
Location: Darwin Island
Best time to dive: All year round (Whale shark season in June to November and Manta season in December to May, slightly warmer)

3. Raja Ampat, Indonesia

Raja Ampat in Indonesia is a biodiversity hotspot and among the world’s top dive sites. These remote islands house 75% of the world’s coral species and an astonishing variety of marine life, making every dive a discovery. From large schools of fish to manta rays, reef sharks, wobbegong sharks, pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs, crustaceans, and pristine coral reefs, it’s a marine paradise!
Location: Raja Ampat Islands
Best time to dive: October to April

2. Jellyfish Lake, Eil Malk Island, Palau

Jellyfish Lake in Palau offers a mesmerizing spectacle. Even before entering the waters, millions of jellyfish can be seen floating, their golden hues illuminating the water. Protected and isolated, these jellyfish have lost their sting due to the absence of predators. To safeguard their population, either apply reef-safe sunscreen or avoid it altogether before swimming here.
Location: Marine Lake on Eil Malk Island, Palau

1. Silfra Fissure, Iceland

Claiming the top spot is Silfra Fissure in Iceland, a sought-after destination for diving enthusiasts aiming to explore unique spots worldwide. Diving between two continents in the clearest waters on Earth, between tectonic plates, offers visibility up to 100 meters. A geological marvel, connecting the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates simultaneously, it’s truly awe-inspiring!
Location: Thingvellir National Park
Best time to dive: All year round, particularly during summer in July and August