Hawaii is a real paradise on earth.  This exotic corner of the planet, located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, attracts tourists from all over the world.  Some of them come here for scuba diving, which in Hawaii is just amazing because of the huge number of scenic atolls, beautiful volcanic landscape, frozen lava flows, basalt boulders, mysterious caves and famous volcanic pipes.  Traveling to these distant shores can be the most exciting adventure in life.

Top Diving Sites in Hawaii

Scuba diving around the islands of the Hawaiian Archipelago is always superb.  However, a number of sites are seasonal.  What can be a very quiet place in summer, becomes a surf spot for world competitions during the winter months.  Winds also have a significant impact on dive site conditions, as they are protected by the island on one side but not on the other.

1. Kailua Kona – Hawaii

Source: Hawaii’s Best Diving – Scuba Diving Kona | Premium 2 Tank Long Range

Sometimes referred to as only Kailua or Kona, is located on the island called Hawaii, also called the Big Island.  The temperature is mostly dry and sunny.  There are a dozen diving sites nearby, and each one would easily deserve a place on a list of the best scuba diving sites in Hawaii.  That said, it is the Blackwater site that offers the ultimate and unique experience!  This is a shallow dive, about 60 feet, but it should be done at night.  You will discover that the ocean is not black at all at night…. thanks to all the little bio-luminescent creatures that will reveal themselves to you quietly.

2. Golden Arches – Hawaii

Source: Kona diving: skull rock, suck em up, golden arches

This is another dive site on the Big Island, and this one allows you to observe arches made of volcanic lava.  These are several passages to be used and around which there are several schools of fish, and often even dolphins.  In addition to this site, you will find many others along the Kona coast.

3. The Cathedrals – Lanai

Source: Diving The Cathedrals – Lanai, Hawaii

There are two diving sites, Cathedral 1 and 2.  The depth of these sites varies between 15 and 65 feet.  Apart from the ridges and lava tubes that form the sites, you will find an impressive drop-off to explore.  The main attraction of the sites remains the lava tubes.  The roofs have collapsed, leaving an open passage on the top, through which light enters and thus makes play of light on the walls.  This is where the names of the sites come from, which resembles a cathedral ceiling, and the light that passes through a stained glass windows.

4. Molokini Wall – Maui

Source: Molokini Crater back wall dives, Maui

It is actually a crater, in a protected area, located about 40 minutes by boat from Maui.  Several sites are located around this crater, including the Molokini Wall, which is a world famous drop-off site and a drift dive site for certified divers only.  The wall descends to a depth of about 280 feet.  As for the marine current, it is generally mild, allowing a pleasant drift dive.  Sharks are common, especially grey reef sharks, as well as black and white tip sharks.  You can also meet Manta rays, turtles, dolphins and many schools of fish.

5. Black Rock

Source: Black Rock – Best Shore Dives Maui, Hawaii

This site is very close to Maui, and is very popular with tourists.  The colour and vertical surface are breathtaking.  The site is considered to be in the top 5 most beautiful shore dives in the United States, as well as one of the best snorkeling sites.

6. Kauai

Source: Kauai Southshore Scuba – Sheraton Caverns (HD)

The greenest island, which is also called the “Garden Island”.  The most interesting and popular dive sites are located here.  Be sure to visit Cannons, Tunnels and Ke’e Lagoon.  Of particular interest to divers is the Tunnels Reef dive site, consisting of intricate labyrinths of volcanic tunnels.  Dives are possible around the clock.

7. Maui

Source: SCUBA Adventure with Lahaina Divers- Maui, Hawaii

In order to appreciate the beauty of the local nature, it is recommended to go to the western part of the island of Maui, which was chosen by the huge sea turtles, the true long-livers of these hospitable shores.

Molokini Crater, which you get to by boat, will delight divers with the main attraction – black coral.   In the local waters you can also meet hammerhead sharks.  The depth of the Molokini crater reaches approximately 130 feet.

8. Oahu

Source: The best dive sites of Oahu, Hawaii

Scuba diving here will be memorable for many reasons.  Divers can dive directly from the shore; in the winter, the western and southern coasts are more suitable for this, and in the north – dive during the summer.  Of significant interest for divers who have visited this unique island are sunken ships, of which there are many.

Aeroplane is a sunken passenger plane that has found eternal peace in the western part of the island of Oahu. The aeroplane crashed in the 80s and has since rested next to a picturesque coral reef at a depth of 10 feet.

Also there is a Corsair plane wreck which is an American warplane that crashed in 1946 and rests at a depth of 90 feet.  At present, it has a colony of eels on board.

9. MV Mahi

Source: Scuba Diving the Mahi shipwreck and Mākaha Caverns, Oahu, Hawaii

MV Mahi is a man-made reef, formed from the remains of a 197 feet tanker.  Not far from the MV Mahi is a 164 feet dry cargo ship.  Divers can get inside the tanker and get acquainted with its fearful inhabitants.

10. Paliea – Oahu

Source: Scuba Diving in Oahu

In addition to sunken ships and airplanes, you should visit the Sea Cave, an underwater cave near Paliea, located in the eastern part of the island of Oahu at a depth of 66 feet.  No less interesting for divers is the underwater cliff Paliea Point, inhabited by amazing inhabitants and often visited by a giant whale shark.

When is it better to go

The climate in this latitude is marine, tropical.  A small amount of precipitation in Hawaii is possible between early May and October, when the islands are affected by tropical cyclones.  The rains at this time are not long, and sunny days still prevail.  The water temperature in the ocean does not fall below 72° Fahrenheit in winter and stays around 82° Fahrenheit in summer.  This means that diving in the Hawaiian Islands is possible at any time of the year.

Hawaii Diving Season

The main attractions that primarily attract divers are sheer walls, coral reefs, under sea lava flows.  The local fauna is also of great interest: stingrays, white-footed sharks , turtles, eagles, crabs, octopus, eels, as well as many species of coral fish that are found here in large numbers.

Hawaii Diving Conditions

The best diving season in Hawaii is in the summer, although diving can be done year.  In addition to scuba diving, tourists can enjoy many other water activities , as well as the magnificent local beaches and various entertainment facilities.  On the islands, you can easily rent the necessary equipment for scuba diving, there are over 50 diving operations, and in almost every hotel there is a diving operation.

Diving conditions

Although Hawaii is a tropical destination, the depth of the sea does not allow surface water to heat up as much as you might think. All the same, the average water temperature varies around 74°F-80°F during the year.

That said, deep water has its good side as it also provides excellent visibility.  The visibility is rarely under 30 feet, and at several sites, it exceeds 100 feet.

 

Did you know that scuba diving is the closest thing to flying?  The immense freedom you experience as you scuba dive is out of this world.  Once you get into the water, you become a part of the marine world and you experience the peace and calm that only exists in the water (No traffic noise, phone calls nor talking just the sound of marine life).  If that is not soothing, what is?  One of the best places to scuba dive is Iceland.  Below are ten of the best sites to scuba dive in Iceland.

1. Silfra Rift

Located between America and Eurasia continents, Silfra Rift is a freshwater rift considered to have the clearest water in the entire world.  The rift is made of sand; lave rock and algae making it beautiful. Not only is this scuba dive beautiful, but it is also easy to access and interesting.

The dive has a visibility of more than 300 feet and divers and snorkelers get to experience the feeling of being between two continents at the same time.  Furthermore, there are certain places in the rift where the snorkelers and divers get to touch the two continents at the same time.

2. Gullfoss & Geysir

Located about 72 miles from the capital of Iceland, Gullfoss is an amazing waterfall that is considered to be one of the most beautiful nature sites in Iceland and the most beautiful waterfall in the entire world.  Its name translates to “Golden Waterfall” in Icelandic and the name fits it perfectly because on a sunny day, Gullfoss creates a mist that covers the whole area in shinning golden veil once the mist comes into contact with the sun.

Geysir consists of many boiling hot pots and two active geysirs.  Between the two geysirs, Strokkur is the more active one with eruptions every 4 to 6 minutes.  A visit to this amazing location not only gives you the chance to dive in the beautiful waterfall, you also get to experience nature at its finest.

3. Garður

Besides the beautiful marine garden and forest, Garður also features beautiful stretches of sandy patches.  Garður is located at the south of Reykjavik.

4. Strýtan

Recognized as the only place in the entire world where man can reach geothermal chimneys, Strýtan is located in Northern Iceland in the middle of the Eyjafjörður.  While here, divers get to feel the hot water welling out of Strýtan as they experience the amazing flora and fauna that have managed to thrive in such special circumstances.  However, it is worth noting that this place is ideal for physically fit advanced divers who are able to control their buoyancy to avoid coming into contact with anything.

5. Kleifarvatn

Diving into the Kleifarvatn Lake gives you the chance to experience the bubbling hot water springs found deep in the lake.  The lake might be remote looking but do not let that fool you because it has amazing landscape surrounding it.

With a depth of about 295 feet, the stunning Lake Kleifarvatn is among the deepest lakes in Iceland and is located about 18 miles from Reykjavi­k.

6. Bjarnagjá

If you are having a hard time deciding whether to dive into freshwater or the ocean, Bjarnagjá lava ravine is where you need to go.  Located near Grindavik town, the freshwater in Bjarnagjá is mixed with ocean water that enters it from the end of the fissure giving this 59 feet lava ravine an amazing mix of both fresh and salty water.

This amazing site is also close to the beautiful and famous Blue Lagoon, which you can visit once you get to Bjarnagjá site.

7. Nesgjá

Considered the Silfra of the north, Nesgjá is a stunning freshwater fissue with clear water that can only be found in Iceland.  This beautiful dive site gives you the chance to experience water in its purest form.  Its lagoon is also huge and if you have the best quality dive mask, you get to enjoy the highest level of visibility that can go beyond 300 feet.  If you are lucky, you can see a type of salmonide known as arctic charr, in the fissue.

8. Westfjords

Known for numerous steep fjord cliffs and stunning beaches, the Westfjords is an area that leads to the clearest ocean water in Iceland.  The number of dive sites in this area is countless giving you the chance to pick your favorite dive spot.

Besides the many dive sites, the area also consists of several wrecks and old artifacts.  In addition, you get to explore the rich marine life such as monkfish, dolphins and whales.

9. El Grillo

If you love history and exploring wrecks, then you will definitely fall in love with this dive site. The El Gillo is a British oil tanker wreck that is approximately 492 feet long with a weight exceeding 7000 tons.

Located in the Seyðisfjörður in the fjord, the British tanker was sunk by the German fighter planes in 1944.  However, for you to dive here, you need to be an advanced open water diver certified by Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) or another recognized organization.

10. Gullkistuvik

Located in Reykjavik, Gullkistuvik is considered the gold treasure of box bay and that is exactly what it means in Icelandic.

Surrounded by large rocks and a beautiful beach, the Gullkistuvik bay may be shallow but you can reach depths of up to 49 to 55 feet.  Once you reach under surface, you experience the beautiful kelp forest and the marine life found in between the boulders and rocks. H owever, be sure to stay inside the bay once the currents on the outside become strong but if you trust yourself, you can dive against it.

Conclusion

So there you have it, ten of the best scuba dive sites in Iceland.  If you have not visited any of the above sites yet, you definitely need to make it a priority.  The thrill and experience you are going to get is totally out of this world.

 

Every scuba diving enthusiast dreams of scuba diving Iceland.  This is because Iceland offers an extremely unique diving experience.  Apart from the conducive conditions and the spectacular sites, it is only Iceland, where you can get the rare chance of diving in between the Eurasian and the North American tectonic plates.  In short, this equals to scuba diving in a site where two continents were initially connected.  This particular idiosyncratic diving spot that is found in Iceland is known as Silfra.

Iceland boasts having diving sites with the clearest water in the world.  This is the kind of visibility that allows you as a diver to have a crystal clear view of what the ocean has to offer. The best thing is that you are not limited to one diving site.  Besides Silfra, there is Gullfoss and Geysir, Strýtan, Garður, Kleifavartan, Davíðsgjá, among others.

However, you might be wondering when is the best time to scuba dive in Iceland.  As much as that question lacks a clear-cut answer, this article will attempt to answer it in the best way possible.

So, what is the best time to Scuba dive in Iceland?

Every diver feels confident to dive in certain conditions or sites.  While some don’t like diving in extremely cold weather conditions, there are those who are comfortable in such conditions.

With that being said, there is no ideal time to dive in Iceland. In fact, divers go to scuba dive in Iceland all year round.  Visibility and water conditions don’t have significant variation throughout the year.

However, winters are likely to challenge some divers, not unless you are the kind of a diver who doesn’t mind cold water.

Nevertheless, your aptness to reach your preferred diving site, as well as your ability to dive, may be hampered by the weather.

But what are you targeting?  Is your objective to experience a midnight or daylight dive?  Well, if you are looking for the midnight sun dive, the ideal month of the year would be June.  This is a dive that is done right before the sun comes up.

If you don’t have a specific goal and just want to enjoy for scuba diving Iceland, the conditions are favorable from April to October.  Usually, you will find that a majority of divers and snorkelers come to dive in Silfra during the summer.  In case you like a diving experience that involves a lot of people, summer is the perfect season for you.  The common diving temperatures in Iceland range from 35-37 F.

While optimal conditions prevail between April and October, this may not apply to all the diving sites for scuba diving Iceland.  Fortunately, dive operators are conversant with each and every site. It is, therefore, important to ask them about the conditions you are likely to expect on a particular site.  In addition, they can recommend the best diving sites that may coincide with your interests.

Normally, if you want to go for scuba diving Iceland, you are advised to carry with you some warm clothes that you can put on, right after diving.  The recommended diving gear is a dry suit.  Also, some diving sites may require you to be of a certain height, posses a drysuit certification and have the relevant diving certification.  However, the diving gear shouldn’t be a matter of concern as most diving operators provide you with one.

Iceland is undoubtedly one of the best destinations for scuba divers in the world.  Firstly, regardless of the time or the site you choose to dive, you will undoubtedly have a great experience.  With the immense visibility, you are guaranteed of the best view of everything, including the plants as well as the sea creatures.  It also allows you to take high-quality underwater photos.

Secondly, there are a variety of diving sites.  This allows you to have an all-round diving experience.

Finally, you can choose to dive into one of the most coveted diving sites in the world (that’s Silfra). In fact, it’s been said that the tectonic plates that you will be diving in between still drift to an estimated distance of one-eighth of an inch (1/8″) each year.  Isn’t that awesome?

India is one of the countries with the longest coastline offering some of the best diving spots.  In particular, it is an excellent destination for scuba diving boat cruises to explore inaccessible reefs on day trips.

Best time for a Scuba diving in India

India offers a wide range of diving options, and it can be performed throughout the year.  With a water temperature averaging 68°F, the peak of the diving season is between April and June.  The months of June to November are considered the rainy season, but divers can still dive because it rarely rains every day.  Oddly enough, when Monsoon’s occur,  the monsoon generally have no impact on the visibility of dive sites!

The scuba diving season is similar to that which prevails throughout the mid longitude areas, all year round!   However, India being located on the northern equator, there are some variations between the seasons and depending on the location in the huge country.

In the southern portion of the country, the water temperature is generally 83°F in summer and 76°F in winter.  It is during the winter months that diving conditions are the best in the south of the country.

Better times to go to India

You may be wondering what is the best time to visit India?  The period from October to March is considered the best time to visit India.  December and January are the months when tourist numbers are at their peak, so if you want to avoid hordes of tourists and enjoy pleasant temperatures, October / November or February / March is the best time to come and see us!

When does the monsoon season start

Fewer tourists, fabulous discounts, a beautiful countryside, but a lot of rain.  The monsoon season in India begins in June and continues until September.  At this time, you can admire beautiful landscapes with exceptional light, lush green hills but showers can be torrential.  Visiting India during the monsoon season is a unique experience.

The regions of Kerala and Goa experience heavy rains during this period, which makes visits and outings difficult.  The only advantage of coming to these regions during the monsoon season is that you can get very attractive prices on accommodation (Discounts up to 50%).

The northern regions are drier, so it is quite possible to visit these regions at any time of year.   The north typically doesn’t have a high season, so hotels offer reduced prices and monuments are less frequented by tourists. The temperatures are pleasant as it is cooler.

When does summer start in India

It is wise to ask yourself what is the best time to come to India because it can be very hot there, unless you are in mountainous areas.  From the end of March to the beginning of the monsoons in mid-June or late June, temperatures can reach 113°F to 122°F in Delhi, Agra and Rajasthan.  In the south, Goa and Kerala fresh breezes are pleasant early in the morning, but during the day it is very hot and humid.  Beware of sunburn on the beach!  On the other hand, it is the ideal time to visit the Himalayas or the northeastern part of India.

The high tourist season in India is between November and February.  If you are planning your holiday during this period, it is best to book at several months in advance to get the best choice of hotels and train bookingst.

Scuba diving India review

Visibility is best on the remote islands of Lakshadvipa and in the Andaman Archipelago, where it varies in the range of 30 – 150 feet.  Off the coast of Goa, visibility is usually 15 – 40 feet. Pondicherry’s dive sites has visibility of 15 to 70 feet.

The average water temperature is 80°F-82° Fahrenheit in the Andaman Islands, Goa and Lakshadweep. The waters of Pondicherry usually warm up to 79°-86° Fahrenheit.

The whole of southern India lies in the tropics, so it’s hot here all year round.  In the Andaman Islands, the best season lasts from November to April.  Monsoons often interfere with diving in June and July.  Diving off the coast of Goa is better from October to May.  From May to November, there are ideal conditions for diving off the coast of Lakshadweep.  In Pondicherry, the high diving season lasts from January to June and then from September to November, although diving is possible all year round.

 

Israel may be a great tourist spot to visit for both cultural and historical reasons, but it’s rich in natural treasures worth visiting as well, particularly those found at sea.  With its great collection of coral reefs, marine wildlife and wreckages you can explore, scuba diving Israel is certainly an experience you won’t soon forget.

But there’s more to enjoying Israel’s diving spots than simply visiting the country and picking out the ones with the best reviews.  You’ll also have to consider when the best time is to go scuba diving Israel, and for that, you’ll need to look into the season, the location, and even which wildlife are available in any particular part of the year.

The locales

Israel is flanked by two different bodies of water: the Mediterranean to the east and the Red Sea to the south in the Gulf of Aqaba.  This means that the country has two very different diving scenes to choose from, each with their own types of wildlife and unique scenery you can enjoy when scuba diving Israel.  A huge majority of Israel’s population lives on the Mediterranean side, making it a bit crowded during the tourist seasons between June to September.

Eilat to the south on the other hand is generally quieter, with the diving high season in July and August, and with September and October being the off season for diving, making things even less crowded and quieter for scuba diving Israel.  Visiting the dive spots in Eilat on September and October generally gives you the least crowded conditions without forcing you to endure the colder winter months between November and January.

The climate

The temperature in Israel also varies greatly depending on where you are.  The cities on the Mediterranean, such as Tel Aviv, typically has a cooler climate, with long and hot summers punctuated by cold, rainy winters.  The southern area, particularly in Eilat, have a more arid climate, where it gets very hot and dry during summer, with short, cooler winters with little rainfall.

Water temperature also varies greatly between the two locations, with Mediterranean waters ranging from 63°F in winter to 83°F in summer.  It’s slightly hotter in the Red sea, with temperatures varying going anywhere between 68°F and 86°F.

Because rainfall is generally heavier during winter, the waters are also less calm, making it the least optimal time for scuba diving Israel, with the heaviest rainfall in the months of November to February.  Visibility will also take a huge hit because of this.

The warmest months for visiting the dive spots are between April and October, with the temperatures peaking at July and August, at about 83°F.  While it’s best to visit Israel during the start and the end of the diving high season when it’s least crowded and the visibility is at its best, you’ll have to check with your diving operator if the conditions are right for scuba diving Israel, as the conditions will vary greatly.

The Wildlife

One of the biggest attractions when you’re out scuba diving Israel is the marine wildlife.  Because you have access to two different bodies of water in Israel, the types of animals you get to see will also vary greatly.  The Red Sea generally has animals all-year round, most of them you wouldn’t be able to find elsewhere, such as lionfish, rays, different species of eels and sea turtles.  Sea turtles in particular can be seen here between February and October, with the highest chances of encountering them between March and June.

The Mediterranean on the other hand, has its own set of unique creatures, and generally has a higher variety of them.  The coral formations on this side of Israel are usually home to smaller fish species, though the waters here can also be home to much larger wildlife as well, including dolphins, sharks and whale sharks.  The wildlife here mostly congregates in the reefs for most of the year, with barracudas, clownfish, parrotfish, frogfish, groupers, octopus and seahorses being the most commons species.

The common dolphin is easily seen most of the year between February and October, even during winter months when the water is at its coldest.  Whale sharks will also make an appearance here, though very rarely.  They tend to migrate to this area between March and August, with a higher chance of seeing them in May and June.