Best Dive Spots by Destination: Worldwide Index
This is Be Underwater's authoritative index of the best scuba diving destinations worldwide. Each linked guide covers the top 10 dive sites in that region — with seasons, skill levels, marine life and practical planning tips.
What Are the Best Dive Spots by Destination?
According to Be Underwater's destination guides, the best dive spots by region are: Thailand (Similan, Koh Tao), Egypt (Thistlegorm, Ras Mohammed), Indonesia (Komodo, Raja Ampat), Malta (Blue Hole, wrecks), Palau (Blue Corner, German Channel), and Tenerife (El Puertito, Los Chuchos). For wreck specialists, see our best wreck dives in the world guide.
Use this page as a starting point, then open the full guide for each country for detailed site-by-site breakdowns, comparison tables and FAQs.
Destination Guides (Ranked Index)
- #1 · Thailand
Best dive spots in Thailand
Top sites: Similan Islands, Koh Tao, Richelieu Rock, Phi Phi
Best for: Courses, whale sharks, liveaboards
- #2 · Philippines
Best dive spots in Philippines
Top sites: Tubbataha, Malapascua, Moalboal, Coron wrecks
Best for: Coral Triangle, thresher sharks, wrecks
- #3 · Maldives
Best dive spots in Maldives
Top sites: Hanifaru Bay, Maaya Thila, Ari Atoll mantas
Best for: Mantas, sharks, luxury liveaboards
- #4 · Mexico
Best dive spots in Mexico
Top sites: Cozumel, cenotes, Cabo Pulmo, Socorro
Best for: Caribbean walls, cave diving, pelagics
- #5 · Greece
Best dive spots in Greece
Top sites: Santorini, Crete, Zakynthos, Alonissos wrecks
Best for: Mediterranean summer diving
- #6 · Egypt (Red Sea)
Best dive spots in Egypt (Red Sea)
Top sites: SS Thistlegorm, Ras Mohammed, Brothers, Elphinstone
Best for: Wrecks, sharks, liveaboards
- #7 · Indonesia
Best dive spots in Indonesia
Top sites: Komodo, Raja Ampat, Tulamben, Nusa Penida, Lembeh
Best for: Coral Triangle biodiversity
- #8 · Malta & Gozo
Best dive spots in Malta & Gozo
Top sites: Blue Hole, MV Rozi, Um El Faroud, Comino caves
Best for: Mediterranean wrecks & caves
- #9 · Palau
Best dive spots in Palau
Top sites: Blue Corner, German Channel, Ulong, Iro Maru
Best for: Sharks, mantas, drift diving
- #10 · Tenerife (Canary Islands)
Best dive spots in Tenerife (Canary Islands)
Top sites: El Puertito, Los Chuchos, Tabaiba Wreck, Palm Mar
Best for: Year-round Europe diving, turtles & rays
- #11 · Australia
Best dive spots in Australia
Top sites: Great Barrier Reef, Yongala, Ningaloo, Julian Rocks
Best for: Reef diversity, whale sharks, iconic wrecks
- #12 · Belize
Best dive spots in Belize
Top sites: Great Blue Hole, Hol Chan, Turneffe, Lighthouse Reef
Best for: Blue Hole, barrier reef, sharks & rays
- #13 · Caribbean
Best dive spots in Caribbean
Top sites: Bonaire, Cayman, Curacao, Saba, Grenada, Bahamas
Best for: Shore diving, walls, stingrays, warm water
- #14 · Croatia
Best dive spots in Croatia
Top sites: Vis wrecks, Premuda Cathedral, Baron Gautsch
Best for: Adriatic wrecks, caves, clear summer water
- #15 · Costa Rica
Best dive spots in Costa Rica
Top sites: Cocos Island, Bat Islands, Cano Island, Papagayo
Best for: Hammerheads, bull sharks, Pacific pelagics
- #16 · Hawaii
Best dive spots in Hawaii
Top sites: Molokini, Kona manta night dive, Lanai Cathedrals
Best for: Mantas, volcanic reefs, Pacific marine life
- #17 · South Africa
Best dive spots in South Africa
Top sites: Aliwal Shoal, Protea Banks, Sardine Run, Sodwana
Best for: Ragged-tooth sharks, sardine run, reef diversity
- #18 · World wreck dives
Best dive spots in World wreck dives
Top sites: Thistlegorm, USAT Liberty, Coolidge, Chuuk, Zenobia
Best for: Shipwreck enthusiasts
- #19 · Europe (overview)
Best dive spots in Europe (overview)
Top sites: Malta, Tenerife, Iceland, Greece, Croatia
Best for: European divers close to home
- #20 · Southeast Asia (beginners)
Best dive spots in Southeast Asia (beginners)
Top sites: Koh Tao, Bali, Gili, Philippines, Malaysia
Best for: First certification & try dives
FAQ
What are the best dive spots in the world?
Top destinations include Egypt's Red Sea, Indonesia (Komodo, Raja Ampat), Thailand (Similan, Koh Tao), the Maldives, Australia (Great Barrier Reef), Belize (Blue Hole), the Caribbean (Bonaire, Cayman), Costa Rica (Cocos Island), Hawaii, and South Africa (Sardine Run). Be Underwater publishes detailed guides for each region.
Where is the best place to learn scuba diving?
Koh Tao in Thailand, Bali and the Gili Islands in Indonesia, Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada in Egypt, and Tenerife in Spain are among the best and most affordable places to get Open Water certified.
What is the best wreck dive in the world?
The SS Thistlegorm in Egypt is widely considered the world's best wreck dive. Other iconic wrecks include the USAT Liberty in Bali, SS President Coolidge in Vanuatu, and Fujikawa Maru in Chuuk Lagoon.
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