Top 100 Dive Destinations As Voted by Divers

Ask enough divers where the world’s best diving is and patterns emerge. While personal favourites vary, certain destinations are mentioned again and again for their marine life, conditions, access, and sheer emotional impact. Drawn from long-term diver consensus across travel patterns, repeat visitation, and community discussion, these are the places that consistently earn a spot on divers’ bucket lists.

Raja Ampat
Often cited as the most biodiverse marine ecosystem on the planet, Raja Ampat delivers explosive reef life, healthy corals, and consistent encounters that leave even experienced divers in awe.

Sipadan
Famous for its vertical walls, Sipadan packs turtles, barracuda tornadoes, and reef sharks into every dive, creating constant underwater motion.

Palau
High-energy current diving, spawning events, and large shark populations combine to make Palau one of the most dynamic dive destinations anywhere.

Galápagos
Demanding conditions reward skilled divers with schooling hammerheads, whale sharks, and a sense of true wild isolation.

Maldives
From manta cleaning stations to whale sharks cruising shallow reefs, the Maldives offers reliable big-animal encounters across warm, clear atolls.

Komodo National Park
Strong currents fuel dense marine life, dramatic reef structures, and some of Indonesia’s most exhilarating dives.

Cocos Island
Remote and demanding, Cocos Island is revered for vast schools of hammerheads moving through deep blue water.

Socorro Islands
Known for intimate manta interactions, Socorro delivers unforgettable encounters far offshore in open ocean conditions.

Chuuk Lagoon
A submerged World War II museum, Chuuk Lagoon blends history, wreck penetration, and marine life in warm tropical water.

Red Sea North
Iconic wrecks, colourful reefs, and excellent visibility make this one of the world’s most accessible world-class regions.

Red Sea South
Remote reefs and stronger currents bring oceanic sharks and a sense of exploration rarely found elsewhere.

Tubbataha Reefs
Seasonal access and isolation preserve pristine coral systems and exceptional fish biomass.

Fakarava
Shark-filled passes come alive during spawning seasons, delivering one of the most intense reef spectacles on Earth.

South Ari Atoll
Renowned for year-round whale shark sightings, this area keeps divers returning dive after dive.

Bunaken
Sheer walls, turtles, and calm conditions make Bunaken a favourite for relaxed yet visually stunning dives.

Lembeh Strait
Globally unmatched for macro life, Lembeh redefines what divers expect to find on black sand slopes.

Anilao
Critter-rich reefs and easy access have made Anilao a macro photography powerhouse.

Alor
Cold currents fuel nutrient-rich waters, supporting rare species and dramatic reef health.

Banda Sea
Remote, historic, and seasonal, Banda blends hammerhead encounters with pristine coral systems.

Rangiroa
Fast-flowing passes deliver dolphins, sharks, and thrilling drift dives.

Kimbe Bay
Volcanic formations shelter one of the most diverse reef systems in the Pacific.

Milne Bay
A rare blend of macro and wide-angle diving set against Papua New Guinea’s untouched coastline.

Solomon Islands
Low diver numbers, WWII wrecks, and vibrant reefs define this quietly spectacular destination.

Poor Knights Islands
Temperate waters surprise divers with caves, arches, and dense fish life.

Ningaloo Reef
Shallow-water whale shark encounters set Ningaloo apart from other major reef systems.

Aliwal Shoal
Seasonal shark action delivers adrenaline-fuelled diving off South Africa’s coast.

Mozambique Coast
Manta rays and whale sharks migrate through nutrient-rich waters along this vast shoreline.

Fernando de Noronha
Strict protection supports dolphins, sharks, and thriving reef ecosystems.

Yap
Consistent manta ray encounters define Yap’s reputation among experienced divers.

New Caledonia
A massive barrier reef system supports healthy shark populations and clear water diving.

Tonga
Rare, respectful humpback whale encounters make Tonga truly unique.

Vanuatu
The SS President Coolidge remains one of the world’s most iconic wreck dives.

Cayman Islands
Exceptional visibility and vertical walls keep the Caymans consistently popular.

Bahamas
Clear water and controlled shark encounters define much of the region’s appeal.

Belize Barrier Reef
Wall dives and the mystique of the Blue Hole anchor Belize’s diving reputation.

Curaçao
Calm conditions and colourful reefs make Curaçao ideal for relaxed exploration.

Bonaire
The benchmark for shore diving, Bonaire rewards independence and repeat dives.

Roatan
Healthy walls and easy logistics attract divers of all experience levels.

Utila
Affordable diving and whale shark encounters keep Utila firmly on diver radars.

Cozumel
Fast drift dives along dramatic reefs make Cozumel endlessly addictive.

Isla Mujeres
Seasonal whale shark aggregations transform this area into a global hotspot.

Catalina Islands, Costa Rica
Giant mantas and pelagic life dominate during peak seasons.

Azores
Seamount diving delivers sharks, rays, and open-ocean encounters in the Atlantic.

Madeira
Offshore pinnacles attract pelagic species in clear, temperate water.

El Hierro
Strong conservation and volcanic terrain support rich marine biodiversity.

Seychelles
Granite formations blend with coral reefs and big marine life.

Gili Islands
Easy conditions and turtle encounters make these islands endlessly popular.

Tulamben
The Liberty wreck offers one of the world’s most accessible major wreck dives.

Moalboal
Sardine runs provide constant action just metres from shore.

Apo Island
Community-led protection has restored thriving reef ecosystems.

Dauin
Macro specialists flock to Dauin’s black sand slopes.

Bangka Island
Mixing currents create rich coral growth and diverse fish life.

Taveuni
Strong currents fuel Fiji’s most vibrant soft coral gardens.

Fiji’s Bligh Water
Colour, scale, and biodiversity define these legendary reefs.

Andaman Islands
Remote and lightly dived, the reefs remain in excellent condition.

Niʻihau
Advanced dives reward visitors with monk seals and pristine visibility.

Saba
Strict marine protection preserves dramatic volcanic seascapes.

Malta
Clear water and historic wrecks offer excellent Mediterranean diving.

Sardinia
Caves and walls combine with striking underwater topography.

Tenerife
Volcanic reefs host turtles, rays, and seasonal pelagic visitors.

Gran Canaria
Year-round Atlantic diving with varied underwater terrain.

Koh Tao
One of the world’s most popular places to learn to dive.

Koh Lanta
Seasonal manta encounters attract experienced divers.

Pemba Island
Quiet reefs and strong marine life reward those seeking solitude.

Rurutu
Seasonal humpback whale encounters create unforgettable experiences.

Silfra
Surreal freshwater visibility between tectonic plates defines this unique dive.

Catalina Island, California
Towering kelp forests create dramatic temperate diving.

Yonaguni
Mysterious underwater formations continue to intrigue visiting divers.

Saudi Red Sea
Vast, largely unexplored reefs promise future legend status.

Sudan Red Sea
Remote and pristine, recalling the Red Sea as it once was.

Musandam, Oman
Dramatic fjords hide rich marine life beneath the surface.

Providencia
Caribbean diving far removed from mass tourism.

Palawan
Clear water and diverse reefs define this Philippine standout.

Wakatobi
Pristine reefs and meticulous conservation deliver consistent quality.

Nusa Penida
Cold upwellings bring mola mola and mantas into range.

Menjangan Island
Calm walls and excellent visibility suit relaxed exploration.

Derawan Islands
Jellyfish lakes and healthy reefs create a distinctive experience.

Maratua
Strong currents and big fish reward adventurous divers.

Kakaban
Unique ecosystems make this one of Indonesia’s most unusual dive sites.

With platforms like liveaboard.com, Hotels.com, Expedia and Viator, it has never been easier to start planning your next worldwide scuba diving adventure.