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Ultimate List of Scuba Diving Locations

May 31, 2019 By Brian Smith Leave a Comment

 

Scuba diving in a new location always brings to the mind of the scuba diver “what are the conditions of the actual dive”.  We have assembled a list of scuba dives with the basic information all of us divers want to know about a dive.  In the following list we have included the dive name, country where the dive is located, the average water temperature at the dive, the water depth at the dive and the visibility in the water at the dive.

We have included the estimated travel time from Seattle, Washington and Miami, Florida.  The travel time is based on the time to travel by airplane, ferry or boat, taxi or bus, and/or any combination of travel. The travel time does not include delays, layovers, transfer times, etc.  The travel time is not intended to be exact but give you a sense of the amount of travel time to expect.

Also included is local currency and local language at the dive location.  We have included the ideal month for diving which is speculative and will vary from person to person.

Finally, we have included what the scuba dive is best known for.  The list can be sorted by any category for your convenience.  The list is dynamic, and we will be constantly adding new dives as time goes on.

You are more than welcome to provide us with your favorite dives to be added to the list.

Click here to email us your location recommedation!

Please ensure you provide all the categories for us and we will review the information prior to posting the dive.

Enjoy and GET WET!

NameLocationW. Temp.DepthVisibilityFrom SeattleFrom MiamiCurrencyLanguageBest TimeKnown For
Alcyone CocosCosta Rica75-86F33'-130'Up to 82'40h, 32h by boat 35h, 23h by boat CRCSpanish/EnglishJune to JulyHammerheads, white tips, black tips, whale sharks, marble rays, eagle rays, mobula rays, manta rays, turtles, yellow fin tuna, silkies, sailfish, wahoos, dolphins
Barra ReefMozambique70-84F15'-54'Up to 100'20h 19m16h 35mMeticalPortugueseOctoberCoral reefs, Sailfish, Marlin
Barracuda Point - Sipidan IslandMalaysia79-86F16'-131'100+21h 10m26hMYRBahasa Malaysia/EnglishJuly/AugustThe waters off Sipadan Island are home to 3,000 species of fish, hundreds of species of coral, an abundance of rays and sharks and large populations of green and hawksbill turtles
BjarnagjáIceland35-40F60'300+7h 45m11h 40mIcelandic krónaIcelandicJune/JulyLava ravine where 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.
Black Beauty, Turneffe IslandBelize80-84F60'-130'80'7h 48m2h 25mBZD/USDEnglishNovemberBlack coral "Tree", turtles, purple gorgonians with ovulids, parrot fish, squirrels, haemulids, angelfish, Nassau groupers and tiger groupers
Black Coral Wall, RoatanHonduras81F20'-130'100+10h 10m2h 15mHonduras LempiraEnglish, SpanishApril/MayBlack Coral
Black Rock, MauiUSA78F0'-40'70'6h 54m12h 27mUSDEnglishApril/June & September/OctoberThe colour and vertical surfaces 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.
Blade - Southeast Sulawesi (Wakatobi)Indonesia82F80'-3425'100'-265'15h 0m20h 14mRupiahIndonesianAprilRock outcrops
Bloody Bay Wall - Little CaymanCayman Islands76-80F300'-1000'60'-100'6h 11m1h 27mCayman DollarEnglishAprilReefs, turtles, sharks
Blue Beach, ViequesPuerto Rico79F40'-100'60'-150'11h 18m3h 57mUSDSpanish, EnglishAprilAlso known as, Playa La Chiva, it is part of the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge, clear water, coral reefs, turtles, spotted eagle rays and bottlenose dolphin
Blue Corner Wall - PalauMicronesia82-86F16'-130'45’ to 60’ Outgoing Tide, 90’+ Incoming Tide 13h 25m20hUSDEnglish, PalauanNovember to MayBlacktip reef sharks, eagle rays, hammerhead sharks, dolphins, whitetips and oceanic whitetips. Other creatures are a little more seasonal, although they too can be spotted at any time. Sightings of whale sharks and manta rays are more likely from January to April. Green and hawksbill turtles can be seen year-round but most frequently during the April to July period.
Blue Lagoon, Padang BaiBali80F15'-60'15'-90'20h 27m25h 50mIndonesian RupiahBalinese, IndonesianJune to OctoberOutstanding visibility with a clear view of stonefish, morays, stargazers, and squids
Cabo Pulmo - Baja CaliforniaMexico67-86Fup to 70'10'-131'6h 30m6h 50mMXNSpanish/EnglishNovember to MayReefs full of fish, mackerels with thousands of fish throughout all year (famous thanks to the National Geographic black and white cover). Bull sharks, hammerhead sharks, mobulas, creating an amazing show underwater and leaping through the surface
Cahuita National ParkCosta Rica80F15'-60'20'-70'10h 48m5h 1mCosta Rican ColónSpanishMarch/May & September/OctoberBeautiful fish and sea turtles and reefs populated by rare species of corals
Caño IslandCosta Rica75-85F45'-65'45'-90'9h 57m4h 10mCosta Rican ColónSpanishDecember to JuneDolphins, Turtles, Whale Sharks and Coral Reefs
Christ of the Abyss, Key Largo, Florida Keys, FloridaUSA75F25'-80'80'-100'7h 50m2h 0mUSDEnglishJuneCoral Reef State park’s center of attraction is a bronze 4000-pound Jesus Christ sculpture, groove coral formations, stingrays and eagle rays.
Cod Hole - Northern Great Barrier ReefAustralia72-84F16'-130'Up to 180'17h 2m18h 54mAUDEnglishOctoberLarge Potato Cod
Darwin's Arch - GalapagosEcuador68-83F30'-130'40'-80'8h 7m to Galapagos Islands4h 20 min to Galapagos IslandsUSDSpanish/Quichua/EnglishJune to NovemberFamous for its shark population, huge shoals of whale shark, hammerheads and Galapagos shark.
Devil's Den, Williston, FloridaUSA72F54'100'-150'6h 50m1h omUSDEnglishYear aroundSubterranean river running underneath a collapsed karst window which forms the roof.  This feature holds the exclusive title of Williston’s and Florida’s only prehistoric underground. spring.
First Cathedral - Lanai, HawaiiUSA70-80F60'-70'100'+7h11h 30mUSDEnglishApril or MayLarge lava tube dive, Dolphins
Flamenco, CulebraPuerto Rico79F15'-65'60'-150'12h 23m9h 0mUSDSpanish, EnglishAprilone of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world, shallow turquoise waters, white sand, swimming areas, and diving sites
GarðurIceland43-52F60'300+8h 15m12h 10mIcelandic krónaIcelandicJulyBesides beautiful rock formations, this place can boasts a number of marine species such as wolfish, monkfish, starfish, orcas and white-beaked dolphins.
Goofnuw Channel - YapMicronesia82F30'-120'80'+12h 15m17h 28mUSDEnglishMarchMantas - hard coral
Great Blue HoleBelize79-84F407'up to 90'8h 40m5h 30mBZD/USDEnglishNovemberCaribbean Reef Sharks, Unique Ocean Sinkhole
Great White Wall - TavieuniFiji75-86F45'-60'30'-105'11h 18m14h 25mFijan DollarFijan,EnglishOctoberTurtles, Mantas, Whales
Hanifaru Bay - BaaMaldives82F40'50'-80'17h 2m18h 54mRufiyaaMaldivianDecemberWhale Sharks
Honolua Bay, MauiUSA78F18'-45'70'6h 32m12h 5mUSDEnglishApril/June & September/OctoberThe marine preserve features a variety of coral and tame tropical fish, including manta rays, barracuda, omilu, and ulua.
Islamorada, FloridaUSA75F10'-110'80'-100'8h 11m2h 21mUSDEnglishJuneCoral reefs, “The Eagle”- remains of an ancient Dutch vessel
Keystone Underwater Park - Whidbey Island, WashingtonUSA44F57'10'-50'2h 5m8h 5mUSDEnglishJulyKelp Forest, Current, Plumose Anemones, Greeling, Lingcod, Crab
Koh LantaThailand82-88F10'-130'50'-120'17h 19m21h 51mThai bahtThaiFebruary to AprilLionfish, exotic grey reef sharks, needlefish, damselfish and the King Cruiser wreck with the shallowest point at 40 feet under the surface. 
Koh LipeThailand81-88F10'-130'15'-100'20h 50m25h 22mThai bahtThaiApril to MayIncluded into Tarutao National Marine Park, rocky formations, boulders, and pinnacles are part of Koh Lipe reefs, leopard sharks, eagle rays, groupers, whale sharks and manta rays.
Koh TaoThailand80-86F15'-115'30'-90'17h 9m21h 41mThai bahtThaiMarch to AprilWhale sharks, eagle rays, coral gardens, artificial reefs, limestone formations, and shallow bays
Kona Mantas - Big Island, HawaiiUSA70-80F20'-80'100'+6h12hUSDEnglishMarch to DecemberNight diving with Manta Rays
Liberty - BaliIndonesia72-78F16'-130'33'-100'20h25h 20mIDR/USDIndonesian, Balinese, EnglishApril to NovemberJust 100 feet from shore lies the broken 400 foot long wreckage of the USS Liberty Wreck, a World War II cargo ship.
Love Tunnels, Ambergris CayeBelize80-84F65'-98'150'7h 48m2h 25mBZD/USDEnglishNovemberInside the main attraction are crustaceans, such as red prawns, cleaning prawns, spider crabs, lobsters and crayfish.  On the outside, the reef is dominated by hard corals with dozens of purple and ocher gorgonians. The fish are medium and small size, like loreto grammas.
Magic Mountain - Raja AmpatIndonesia80-86F40'-90'65'8h 15m3h 6mRupiahIndonesianAprilFish schools and Mantas
Manta Point Nuse PenidaBali75-84F45'30'-90'21h 7m26h 30mIndonesian RupiahBalinese, IndonesianNovember to MayManta Rays up to 23 feet in length and have distinct patterns on their ventral sides, Mola Mola
Mary's (Crack) Place, RoatanHonduras81F15'-130'100+10h 10m2h 15mHonduras LempiraEnglish, SpanishApril/MayCanyon walls covered with corals, sponges, and even black coral, in the deepest areas
Molokini Back Wall, MauiUSA78F10'-130'70'6h 32m12h 5mUSDEnglishApril/June & September/OctoberExperienced divers drift dive going down to about 80 feet of the back wall of the crater. From the top 200 feet to the bottom the wall hits the ocean floor at over 300 feet.  This dive gives you the opportunity to see sharks, dolphins, and whales. 
Molokini Wall, MauiUSA78F10'-130'70'6h 32m12h 5mUSDEnglishApril/June & September/OctoberWorld 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 current, it is generally mild, allowing a pleasant drift dive.  Grey reef sharks, black and white tip sharks, manta rays, turtles, dolphins and many schools of fish
Nakwakto Rapids - British ColumbiaCanada40F45' for scenery15'-30'12h18hCADEnglishWinter for better visibilityCurrent, Goose and Seashore Barnacles, Anemones, Sponges
Netrani Island, GoaIndia80-86F26'-98'50'16h 14m20h 1mRupeeHindiOctober to Mayhumpback whales, minke whales and killer whales
Osprey Reef - Coral SeaAustralia86F100'-6,600'30'-180'13h 30m17h 24mAUDEnglishOctoberColorful soft coral - sharks
Palancar Horseshoe - CozumelMexico78-84F0 to 130'85'-115'7h2h 15mMXNSpanish/EnglishDecember to AprilDeep wall dive which reaches more than 130 ft. and slopes that drop off into the dark blue, coral pinnacles, jacks, triggerfish and typically shy turtle.
Paliea, OahuUSA78F10'-72'65'7h 10m12h 49mUSDEnglishApril/June & September/OctoberSunken ships and airplanes, 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
Pedras Secas - Fernando de NoronhaBrazil73-86F56'100'+13h 25m9h 10mBRLPortugueseJanuary to MarchRegarded as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world has an impressive rocky formation of tunnels, caverns and canyons, covered with corals and sponges. Squirrelfish, black margates, grunts, sea turtles and sand sharks.
Point Lobos-Carmel, CaliforniaUSA50-65F20'-100'20'-40'4h 30m8hUSDEnglishSeptember/October & April/Mayshallow reefs, deep kelp beds, walls, pinnacles, caves, sea stars, seals, sea lions, otters, torpedo rays, rockfish and lingcod
Poor KnightsNew Zealand75F60'50'-140'13h 41m15h 49mNZDEnglishOctoberWorld’s largest sea cave
President CoolidgeVanuatu75-86F65'-236'50'-115'13h 25m17hVUVEnglish, French, Bislama June“S.S. President Coolidge”, a luxury liner that was used as a troop ship during WWII
Salt River Canyon - St. CroixUS Virgin Islands80F200'-500'60'-100'7h 43m2h 34mUSDEnglishFebruaryPrehistoric river and waterfall
San Francisco Maru - Truk Lagoon, ChuukMicronesia81-86F75'-100'80'11h 15m16h 16mUSDEnglishMarchShip Wrecks
Scotts Head PinnacleDominica84F35'90'-100'7h 29m3h 19mCaribbean DollarEnglishAprilSoldierfish and Grunts
Seven Seas, FajardoPuerto Rico79F15'-50'50'9h 41m2h 35mUSDSpanish, EnglishAprilcoral reefs, coral caverns, narrow canyons, tunnels & cave systems, parrotfish, damselfish and sergeant
Sha'ab Rumi SouthSudan75F15'-115'65'15h 0m14h 13mSudan PoundArabicFebruaryJacques Cousteau’s Conshelf II experiment
Shark Alley, Ambergris CayeBelize80-84F5'-30'150'7h 48m2h 25mBZD/USDEnglishNovemberSharks
Silfra - ThingvellirIceland35-39F21'-54'230'-260'7h 23m7h 31mKronaIcelandicJuneThe clearest water on Earth - Silfra fissure crack between the North American and Eurasian continental plates
Something SpecialBonaire80F15'-100'100'+7h 58m1h 27mUSDDutchMayCoral Reefs
StrýtanIceland35-40F90'-120'50'-60'11h 19m15h 14mIcelandic krónaIcelandicJune/JulyThe world's only diveable hydrothermal vent, Strýtan is a towering cone of minerals accumulated over thousands of years as boiling hot water streams from below ground into the frigid surrounding waters of the fjord. Divers will encounter large Plumose Anemones, nudibranchs, crabs, lumpsucker fish and Wolffish.
Superior ProducerCuracao80F72'-115'75'7h 55m2h 40mGuilder (ANG)DutchFebruaryShip Wreck, Barracuda, Lionfish, Mediterranean Moray, Tarpon
Temple Garden in PemuteranBali80-84F15'-90'30'-90'22h 34m27h 50mIndonesian RupiahBalinese, IndonesianDecember to FebruaryArcheological dive site and environmental conservation program, underwater Bali temple and statues of Ganesh and Budha and Krishna
The SistersTrinidad and Tobago84F130'60'-80'8h 43m3h 30mTTDEnglishJanuaryDrift-dive capital of the Caribbean, Hammerhead Sharks
The Top of Dixon, Adaman IslandsIndia80-84F59'-98'130'18h 10m21h 57mRupeeHindiNovember to MarchGiant rocky peaks, multicolored corals, large sponges, barracudas, platax, mackerel, stingrays, Napoleon fish, snappers, Turtles, moray eels, manti and whitefin sharks
Thistlegorm - Egyptian Red SeaEgypt72-83F53'-82'50'-82'17h 34m17hEGPArabicJune to August125m long British army freighter
Tiger BeachBahamas76-82F20'-60'100'+6h1hBSD/USDEnglishOctober to JanuaryTiger sharks, reef sharks, lemon sharks, hammerhead sharks, bull sharks.
Tiputa Pass - RangiroaFrech Polynesia82F82'130'+9h 12m10h 38mFrancFrenchFebruaryDrift dives, Gray sharks, Hammerhead sharks, Manta rays and Leopard rays
Tubbataha - PalawanPhillipines80F65'-200'100'+13h 50m18h 58mPisoTagalogMarchReef and extinct underwater volcano
Turtle Reef, MauiUSA78F35'120'6h 32m12h 5mUSDEnglichApril/June & September/OctoberSee the Green Sea turtle is the only indigenous reptile to Hawaii, known as Honu. Other commonly seen is the Hawaiian day octopus(tako), milletseed butterfly fish(Lau wili-wili), Saddleback wrasse(Hinetea) and the Hawaiian cleaner Wrasse.
Uvita IslandCosta Rica80F15'-60"20'-70'9h 22m3h 35mCosta Rican ColónSpanishMarch/May & September/OctoberBeautiful fish and sea turtles and reefs populated by rare species of corals
Wall Aravind, PondicherryIndia80-85F98'-114'50'-130'17h 22m21h 9mRupeeHindiJanuary-June, September-Novemberwhale sharks, mantas, sea snakes, spotted stingrays, sea fans and coral reefs
West End Wall, RoatanHonduras81F20'-100'100+10h 10m2h 15mHonduras LempiraEnglish, SpanishApril/MayBeautiful drift where you drift along the wall for about 30 minutes at about 80-100 feet, observe eagle rays, barracudas, groupers, lobsters, moray eels … It ends in about 30 minutes in a superb coral garden at 20-30 feet, full of fish, small schools of jacks, safari fish … very exciting!
Whale Sharks - UtilaHonduras77-84F33'-98'100'+6h 30m2h 15mLempira/USDEnglish/SpanishMarch-MayWhale Sharks, Dolphins, Green Turtles, Hawkbills
YongalaAustralia75-86F82'-132'32’ to 66’ Depending on time of the year18h22h 21mAUDEnglishJune to AugustThe Yongala, Australia’s largest and most intact historic shipwreck and come face to face with the charismatic mega marine life of the world heritage Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
 

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Filed Under: Scuba Adventures

About Brian Smith

I'm a practicing Civil and Structural Engineer and I love to scuba dive.

 

 

 

 


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