Keen to plan your next scuba dive trip? Researching where to go? There are hundreds of incredible locations around the world but some are rated much better than others.
Some dive destinations are long time favourites and are absolutely incredible whilst others you might have not even heard about before.
Check out our list of the top places to scuba diving and get inspired to plan your next break today. We have attempted to put the countries in order starting with what we consider to be the best.
Top 10 Countries to Dive in the World
Our guide to the best 10 destinations around the world to dive might be open to debate, as it really is tough to select just 10 countries from hundreds. But we think have got is right.
1. Indonesia
Ask most seasoned divers where their favourite destinations are and we guarantee Indonesia is near the top.
Indonesia is made up of more than 13,000 islands and home to one of the most biodoverse and rich ecosystem in the world. There are so many reefs, wrecks and the chance to see manta rays, whale sharks and jellyfish.
Indonesia is located in The Coral Triangle, a marine area located in the western Pacific Ocean. It includes the waters of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste and Solomon Islands.
This country has a staggering number of pristine coral reefs and the region has six of the world’s seven marine turtle species and more than 2000 species of reef fish.
Some of the best diving sites in Indonesia include:
• USAT Liberty, Bali
• Ambon Bay, Maluku
• Alor, East Nusa Tenggara
• Banda Sea, Maluku
• Bali
• Derawan Islands, Borneo
• Komodo, East Nusa Tenggara
• Lembeh, North Sulawesi
• Manado & Bunaken, North Sulawesi
• Raja Ampat Area, West Papua
• Wakatobi, South East Sulawesi
2. Micronesia
Most people probably couldn’t located Micronesia on a map, but if you are passionate about diving and want to experience, this is probably the number one dive destination in the world. Micronesia is made up of 4 island states: Pohnpei, Kosrae, Chuuk and Yap, and is located remotely in the western Pacific Ocean.
Micronesia is quite untouched compared to other worldwide countries due to the remote location and the waters, reefs and wildlife are incredible. There are so many wrecks here teeming with marine life, you can see white tip reef sharks, manta rays, humphead parrot fish, barracuda, eagle rays and hawksbill turtles.
The country is also really spectacular with temples, ruins and some of the most stunning white sandy beaches in the world.
Top rated dive sites in Micronesia include:
• Blue Corner Wall, Palau
• Ulong Channel, Palau
• Jake Seaplane, Palau
• Blue Hole, Guam
• SMS Cormoran/Tokai Maru, Guam
• Mi’il Channel, Yap
• Yap Caverns, Yap
• Fujikawa Maru, Chuuk
• Hiroshi Point, Kosrae
3. Malaysia
Like Indonesia, Malaysia is also located in spectacular Coral Triangle and there are so many amazing dive locations.
Malaysia is separated into two main islands, peninsular Malaysia and Sabah province (Malaysian Borneo) which has some of the best diving spots in the world.
These are the top dive sites in Malaysia:
• Barracuda Point, (Sipadan Island), Mabul Island and Kapalai Island
• Lankayan Island
• Redang Island
• Tenggol Island
• Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park
• Tioman Island
• Perhentian Island
• Layang-Layang Island
• Pulau Satang & Kuching
• Pulau Kapas and Lang Tengah Island
4. Australia
Australia is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and it is also one of the most impressive for diving.
Some locations need little introuduction like The Great Barrier Reef, this is the world’s longest reef covering an area of 350,000 square kilometres. The area has is teeming with tropical animals and coral.
Diving at the Great Barrier Reef can be one of the most special experiences of your life and its advised to go as soon as possible, as climate change is having a disastrous effect on the health of the reef.
There are more amazing dive spots located all around Australia with wrecks, reefs, caves and remote islands home to so many species.
The best dive sites located in Australia include:
Queensland
• The Great Barrier Reef
• SS Yongala Wreck
• Wolf Rock
Western Australia
• Ningaloo Reef
• Rowley Shoals
Australia’s Indian Ocean Territories
• Christmas Island
• Cocos (Keeling) Islands
South Australia
• Port Lincoln
• Fleurieu Peninsula
New South Wales
• Shelly Beach
• North and South Solitary Islands
• Lord Howe Island
• Fish Rock Cave
Victoria
• Portsea Pier
• Port Phillip Bay
Tasmania
• Bicheno
• Eagle Hawk Neck
Northern Territory
• Vernon Islands Blue Holes
5. Egypt
Egypt is a popular tourist destination with ancient history, the incredible pyramids and Nile.
The Egyptian Red Sea is spectacular and there are some amazing places to go diving here. Packages are also very affordable compared to some destinations.
The best dive sites in Egypt include:
• Thistlegorm Wreck
• Shark and Yolanda Reef
• Abu Nuhas Reef
• Dahab Blue Hole
• The Brothers
• Elphinstone Reef
• Marsa Alam Dolphin House
• Fury Shoals
• Abu Dabbab
• Rosalie Moller Wreck
• Daedalus Reef
• Ras Mohammed
• Dunraven Wreck
• Kingston Wreck
6. Philippines
The Philippines is one of the most beautiful countries in the world with so many amazing dive destinations. Palawan, Cebu, Boracay, Puerta Galera and Malapascua.
Malapascua is highly recommended, this small island located just off the shores of Cebu has lots of dive centres based here and there are dive sites for all levels and abilities.
Like Indonesia and Malaysia, thePhilippines also located in the Coral Triangle.
The top rated dive sites in the Philippines include:
• Amos Rock – Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
• Coconut – Apo Island
• Monad Shoal – Malapascua
• Canyons – Puerto Galera
• Manit Muck – Anilao
• Apo 29 – Apo Reef Natural Park
• Manta Bowl – Ticao Pass, Donsol
• Okikawa Maru – Coron Bay, Palawan
• Yapak – Boracay
• Divers’ Heaven – Balicasag
7. Belize
Belize is a small country located in Central America with a beautiful coast and some of the most famous places to dive in the world. The undoubted highlight is the stunning Great Blue Hole.
Belize’s best dive spots include:
• The Great Blue Hole
• Half Moon Caye
• Ambergris Caye
• Turneffe Atoll
• Hol Chan Marine Reserve
• Placencia
8. Thailand
Thailand is one of the most popular countries to learn to dive, especially in the southern islands which are home to hundreds of dive schools.
The Similan Islands, an archipelago in the Andaman Sea off the coast of, and part of, Phang Nga Province in southern Thailand is the undoubted best location to dive but there are also other amazing places to base yourself.
The south of Thailand has so many wrecks, beautiful soft corals, fish, leopard sharks, manta rays, whale sharks and more.
The best places to go diving in Thailand include:
• Koh Tao
• Koh Phi Phi
• Koh Lipe
• Surin Islands
• Similan Islands
• Phuket
• Pattaya
• Koh Samui
9. Honduras
Although Honduras doesn’t have the allure of some of it’s neighbours in the Caribbean, it is one of the best dive destinations in the world and also one of the more affordable too.
You can find world class dive resorts here in places like. Roatan, Utila and Guanaja in the Bay Islands.
Top rated dive sites around Honduras include:
• The Canyons
• Black Hills
• Mary’s Place
• Texas
• Hole in the Wall
• El Aguila Wreck
• Blue Channel
• Coco Sea Mount
• Eels Garden
• Half Moon Bay Wall
• Overheat
• Connie’s Dream
• Enchanted Forest
• Toon Town
10. South Africa
South Africa’s is a beautiful country with a stunning coastline. There are so many amazing places to visit in South Africa and this country has long been a favourite for divers.
Off the southern coast there are lots of top rated dive sites, you can even go cage diving with great white sharks! This is something you need to do once in your life if you are an adventure seeker.
Popular areas of the country to dive include the Eastern Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal which have warm waters, sharks and colourful corals.
Here are some of the most popular dive sites in South Africa:
• Aliwal Shoal
• The ‘Sardine Run’, Protea Banks
• Avalanche Reef, Haerlem Wreck
Best of the Rest
These countries didn’t quite make our exclusive top 10 list, but are still among the best locations on the planet to go diving.
11. Hawaii, USA
So many Americans travel all around the world to go diving, yet there is Flordia and Hawaii right on the door step. Well, Hawaii it is a remote archipelagos but it is close compared to many global destinations and Hawaii is such an underrated place to dive.
The islands are stunning and all around there are reefs and wildlife with the potential to see mantas, seals, fish and turtles. If you plan a visit between December to May there is a good chance to see humpback whales and whale sharks.
Hawaii is also home the largest marine reserve in the United States and one of the best dive sites in the world – Manta Ray, Kailua Kona.
12. Galapagos Islands
The Galápagos Islands is a volcanic archipelago located in the Pacific Ocean and is one of the most untouched destinations in the world due to it’s remote location, around 1,000km off the coast of Ecuador.
Charles Darwin visited the islands in 1835, and his observation of Galápagos’ species later inspired his theory of evolution. The Galapagos is definitely off the beaten track and not the cheapest dive destinations on our list, but visit for an underwater world like no other.
13. Mexico
Mexico is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and there are lots of highly rated dive schools located in places like Cozumel, Cancún, Playa del Carmen and Cabo San Lucas.
Mexico offers divers an unforgettable experience with lots of marine life, sharks, corals, underwater caves and tunnels.
These places are regarded as Mexico’s best dive spots:
• Socorro
• Cozumel
• Riviera Maya Cenotes
• Isla Mujeres
• Isla Guadalupe
• Northern Sea of Cortez
• La Paz
• Cabo San Lucas & Cabo Pulmo
• Chinchorro Banks
14. Fiji
Looking for an exotic destination with a warm climate, great beaches and friendly people? Choose Fiji.
This country has more than 390 coral species and is a dream destination for divers. There are so many fish species, wall dives, swim-throughs, caverns, canyons and the chance to see bull sharks, wahoo and manta or whale sharks.
The best dive sites in Fiji include:
• Beqa Lagoon
• Yasawa Islands
• Somosomo Strait
• Kadavu Island
• Bligh Waters
15. The Bahamas
The Bahamas has long been one of the most popular dive destinations in the world due to the opportunity to get close to tiger sharks, great hammerheads, bull sharks and oceanic whitetips which migrate here during winter. Diving in The Bahamas is an unforgettable experience.
These dive sites are some of the best in The Bahamas:
• Lost Blue Hole, New Providence
• Runway Wall, Nassau, New Providence
• The Towers, Nassau, New Providence
• Shark Rodeo, New Providence
• James Bond Wrecks, New Providence
• Victory Reef, Bimini Island
• Cathedral, Bimini Island
• The Crater, Andros
•v AM Ocean Wall Dive, Andros
• Columbus Point, Cat Island
• Tiger Beach, Grand Bahama
• Jeep Reef, Exumas
16. Maldives
The Maldives is one of the most luxurious destinations in the world famous for it’s beaches, atolls, islands and crystal blue lagoons. When diving here you can see some of the best reefs for diving anywhere in the world.
Although you might think this country is out of reach financially, there are lots of affordable resorts offering diving so you don’t need to spend a fortune to visit the Malives to experience the highlights. Or if money isn’t an issue check out these incredible Maldives hotels – a lot of which have on-site dive schools.
17. Bonaire
Bonaire is one of the Caribbean’s most popular scuba destination and after visiting you will realise why.
Although a lot of people haven’t heard of Bonaire, this island has ideal water temperatures and amazing visibility which make it attractive to divers.
Bonaire has beautiful coral reefs, shipwrecks and also dive sites are protected from currents. There are options for beginners and advanced levels, and you can choose between boat and shore diving.
18. Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a beautiful countries in the world and their government have taken a very proactive approach to conservation and nature restoration.
This is now one of the most up and coming dive destinations in Central America and the world and there are so many amazing places you can either learn to dive or book a excursion.
You could also combine experiences and go climb a volcano, go zip lining or surf – Costa Rica really is one of the best adventure destinations.
The top rated dive sites in Costa Rica include:
• Cocos Island
• Catalina Islands
• Bat Islands
• Tortuga Islands
• Cano Island
• Tamarindo
• Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
19. French Polynesia
French Polynesia is one of the most exotic travel destinations in the world and is made up of more than 100 islands. There are some of the clearest waters in the world here and the turquoise lagoons are some of the most special in the world.
You could stay in exotic Tahiti or treat yourself to a luxury resort in Bora Bora and go diving to see the beautiful fish and corals. In places like Moorea you can dive with reef sharks and lemon sharks.
20. Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea is an off the beaten track destination and not the easiest country to visit but for those adventurous to visit, you will be rewarded with some of the best scuba diving locations in the world.
You can dive Papua New Guinea year-round and there are amazing wildlife, World War II wrecks and walls. Papua New Guinea also has 45,000 sq km of coral reefs!
Dive sites in Papua New Guinea you just have to visit include:
• Witu Islands
• Bradford Shoals, Kimbe Bay
• Suzie’s Bommie, Port Moresby
• Albatross Passage, Lissenung
• Emma South, Kimbe Bay
• Dinah’s Beach at Milne Bay
• Der Yang Wreck, Lissenung
• Mulloway Reef
• Black Jack Wreck at Tufi
Other Countries
Some other destinations which didn’t quite make our list but deserve a mention include Sri Lanka, Malta, Kenya, Iceland, Malta, Spain, Japan, New Zealand and the UK.
