News & TipsBest Diving Destinations by Season: Where to Dive Each Month of the Year?
Looking for the best diving destinations around the world, month by month? Whether you’re planning a liveaboard trip, chasing manta rays, or diving with whale sharks, timing is everything. Water conditions, marine life migrations, and visibility can vary drastically depending on the season.
At Diving Seasons, we’ve curated a month-by-month dive calendar based on firsthand experiences and expert insight to help you discover the best time and place for your next underwater adventure.
January – Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
January is prime time for hammerhead sharks, manta rays, and occasional whale sharks. With nutrient-rich currents and cooler waters, Galapagos diving is thrilling and best suited for advanced divers looking for unforgettable encounters.
February – Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Dry season means excellent visibility and warm, calm waters. Expect vibrant coral gardens, pygmy seahorses, reef sharks, and endless biodiversity. A dream location for both scuba divers and snorkelers.
March – Maldives (Ari Atoll)
Stable weather and ocean conditions make March ideal for diving with manta rays and whale sharks. Liveaboards often focus on the best atolls for pelagic sightings and coral reefs teeming with life.
April – Philippines (Apo Reef and Tubbataha)
Tubbataha Reef opens this month for a short but spectacular season. Accessible only by liveaboard, this UNESCO World Heritage Site offers pristine coral walls, sharks, rays, and schools of fish in crystal-clear waters.
May – Palau
Experience perfect visibility and coral-spawning events. Dive iconic sites like Blue Corner and German Channel, known for big fish action including Napoleon wrasse, sharks, and mantas.
June – Red Sea (Egypt)
Ideal for warm waters and calm seas. Northern Red Sea sites are great for beginners, while advanced divers can explore the famous Brothers, Daedalus, and Elphinstone reefs on southern liveaboards.
July – Cocos Island, Costa Rica
A true adventure for experienced divers. July brings aggregations of hammerhead sharks and pelagic species. Deep dives and strong currents make Cocos a bucket-list destination.
August – Komodo, Indonesia
Peak diving conditions in Komodo: flat seas, amazing visibility, and rich biodiversity. Dive with manta rays, reef sharks, and sea turtles, and explore unique sites like Batu Bolong and Manta Alley. Perfect for drift dive lovers.
September – Baja California, Mexico
Bahia de los Angeles hosts whale sharks, while the Sea of Cortez teems with marlins, sea lions, and dolphins. This is one of the top months to experience Baja’s marine magic.
October – Sipadan, Malaysia
October offers calm conditions and thriving marine life. Famous for barracuda tornadoes, sea turtles, and healthy coral reefs, Sipadan is limited to 120 divers per day—plan early!
November – Socorro, Mexico
The season kicks off in Revillagigedo, known for giant oceanic mantas, playful dolphins, and shark interactions. Accessible only via liveaboard, Socorro is ideal for pelagic diving lovers.
December – Similan and Surin Islands, Thailand
Start of the diving season in the Andaman Sea. Clear visibility, rich marine life, and stunning underwater topography make these islands an excellent year-end destination. Great for all levels of divers.
Planning your dive trips by season ensures you get the best conditions and experiences. Whether you’re after manta migrations or coral reefs in peak bloom, Diving Seasons is here to guide your journey.
📩 Contact us to start planning your perfect dive adventure today.
