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Best places for diving holidays
Check out our round-up of all the best places to go for diving holidays. We’ve got all sorts covered, from Egypt to exotic destinations like the Maldives.
There’s a long list of destinations to choose from for a scuba diving holiday, so we’ve rounded up some of the world’s best diving spots to help make it easier to plan your trip. We’ve got everything covered, from coral reefs in Egypt, to shipwrecks in Barbados and cenotes in Mexico. So, sit back, relax, and start making your dream scuba diving getaway a reality.
Once you’ve had a read, check out all the info on diving holidays.
Hurghada, Egypt
The Red Sea is well known in the diving world, and Hurghada hosts some of its best spots. There are more than 1,000 species of fish to spot in Egypt, and a diving holiday to Hurghada will help you to tick off the lion’s share. Shipwreck dives are popular here – the line-up includes the Giannis D, which sunk in 1983. Dive here and you can expect to see huge schools of glass fish, scorpionfish and batfish – you’ll soon see how the latter got their name when you spot them. If you’d rather dive around a coral reef, the El Fanous Reef is one to keep in mind – it’s one of the most popular spots for spotting dolphins.
Get more info on holidays to Hurghada.
Get more info on holidays to Hurghada.
Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
The water quality tends to be a little better over in Sharm El Sheikh, another of Egypt’s top diving areas. There are more than 30 dive sites to explore here, but if you’re only planning to take a couple of dives while you’re away, the Ras Mohammed National Park should be on your radar. Dive in the water here and you might spot hammerhead sharks, whitetip reef sharks and barracuda. Oh, and there’s a shipwreck to explore, too. The Yolanda sunk here in 1980 with lots of cargo onboard, including bathtubs and BMWs. Coral has clung to the wreck – and the cargo – and it’s now home to blue-spotted stingrays, scorpions and stone fish.
Find out more about holidays to Sharm El Sheikh.
Find out more about holidays to Sharm El Sheikh.
Sal, Cape Verde
Cape Verde’s fairly new to the diving holiday game, but it’s fast becoming one of the world’s most popular diving sites. The island of Sal is the place to go for diving getaways, with two huge sites to choose from. On the southern tip of the island, there’s a string of reefs with swim-through caverns and a pair of shipwrecks. Dive here and expect to see schools of colourful tropical fish and potentially a turtle or two. The other main diving site is on the island’s northwest coast, where you can dive around huge limestone caves. Large holes have formed in the cave walls, allowing you to swim in and spot sharks, stingrays and crabs.
Find out more about holidays to Sal.
Find out more about holidays to Sal.
Khao Lak, Thailand
Khao Lak is famous for its scenery, and it’s safe to say things look just as good above the water as they do under it. Similan Islands Marine Park is the number-one place for diving in Khao Lak for good reason. Dive here and you could spot mantas, whale sharks and schools of barracudas and snappers. Important info incoming… the park is only open from mid-October to mid-May each year, so make sure you plan your getaway around this time. If you’re planning a diving holiday outside of these dates, it’s best to head to Phuket where you can scuba dive year-round.
Take a closer to look at holidays to Khao Lak.
Take a closer to look at holidays to Khao Lak.
Bali, Indonesia
Sticking with the theme of Asia, it’s off to Bali next. You can dive here all year round, but the best time to see manta rays is from April to May, and if you’re looking to spot oceanic sunfish, plan your trip between August and October. Blue Lagoon Beach is one of the best places to head for diving trips. It’s pitched on the island’s east coast, around an hour-and-a-half drive from Seminyak, or an hour from Ubud. The good news? Most diving schools will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel when you book a diving trip. Dives here give you the chance to spot pufferfish, turtles and moray eels. Plus, there are different dives suited to beginners and experienced divers, so you’re welcome to dive here whatever your skill level.
Get all the info on Bali holidays.
Get all the info on Bali holidays.
Maldives, Indian Ocean
The Maldives is one of the world’s best diving holiday destinations and no wonder – the Indian Ocean’s warm waters are home to whale sharks, manta rays and moray eels. As well as all the big names, you can spot small rainbow-patterned fish, cobalt-blue snappers and yellow angelfish. The best bit? Thanks to the clear waters, you can see as far as 50 metres. If you’re a first-time diver, most of the big hotels in the Maldives have a scuba diving school, with trips offered from your doorstep.
Find out more about holidays to the Maldives.
Find out more about holidays to the Maldives.
Barbados
If you fancy a diving holiday to the Caribbean, Barbados has got your back. It’s known as the ‘Shipwreck Capital of the Caribbean’, and it’s down to the number of wrecks that have sunk in the sea surrounding the island. On the southwest coast, the Carlisle Bay Marine Park has six shipwrecks less than 200 metres from the shoreline. The deepest of the bunch is only 17 metres below the surface, so it’s perfect for your first dive. If you’re more experienced, take a look at the shipwreck in the Folkestone Marine Park. The ship was sunk on purpose to create an artificial coral reef. It’s more than 300 foot long, so you’ll probably want to spend a couple of dives here to make sure you’ve seen everything it has to offer. Experienced divers can dive through the upper deck cabins and expect to see swarms of mackerel and barracuda.
Find out more about holidays to Barbados.
Find out more about holidays to Barbados.
Curacao
Curacao’s another top contender for a Caribbean diving holiday. The Curacao Marine Park is the place you need to know about here – it covers more than 20 kilometres of coastline along the island’s southeast coast and includes over 14 scuba diving and snorkelling sites. Your options include Barracuda Point, which hosts a coral garden with barracuda – no surprises there – parrotfish and sea turtles. If you’re not new to the water, then a dive at Kathy’s Paradise could be on the cards. There’s a gentle underwater current here, which will allow you to cover the site without much effort from your flippers. Get your camera ready for angelfish, parrotfish and moray eels.
Get all the info on holidays to Curacao.
Get all the info on holidays to Curacao.
Mexico
Last but not least, it’s Mexico. Diving holidays here are a little different, as dives mainly take place in the cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula. Most are within easy driving distance of Playa del Carmen and Tulum, so look for hotels here if you plan on doing a couple of dives during your trip. Small fish can often be spotted swimming in most cenotes, but the stars of the show here are the huge stalactites that grow in columns from the cave floor. The Dos Ojos Cenote is the area’s most popular diving site, where you can pause your dive around the caves and tunnels for a breather in a bat cave.
Find out more about holidays to Mexico.
Find out more about holidays to Mexico.
Got your flippers at the ready?
Browse our holiday deals.
Or, check out why Egypt is number one for diving holidays, the best golfing holidays in Europe and the best holiday experiences for thrill seekers.
Pssst. Head to the Discover homepage for our latest articles.
Author: Karl Taylor
Last updated: 28.06.2024
Browse our holiday deals.
Or, check out why Egypt is number one for diving holidays, the best golfing holidays in Europe and the best holiday experiences for thrill seekers.
Pssst. Head to the Discover homepage for our latest articles.
Author: Karl Taylor
Last updated: 28.06.2024