When to dive
Diving in April
Ranked by our documented month ratings: water, visibility and what each place is actually like in April.
99 destinations carry verified figures for April.
Satellite: NASA Blue Marble
Prime Excellent Good · every dot links to its destination guide.
Destinations without verified monthly data are listed separately rather than guessed at. Every rating below comes from documented seasons. The full table, grouped by region and sortable, is at the foot of the page.
April · 38
Prime this month
The month at its best: the trips people fly across the world for. Water this month: 19–31 °C / 66–88 °F.
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Bonaire
Bonaire
Riviera Maya & the Cenotes
Mexico · Sun climbs; light beams strengthen.
Cozumel
Mexico · Warm, flat seas and long sightlines.
Sharm El Sheikh & Ras Mohammed
Egypt · Classic conditions at Tiran and Ras Mohammed.
Sipadan & Mabul
Malaysia · Start of the prime window; turtle and shark action reliable.
Ningaloo Reef
Australia · Whale-shark season in full swing
Kona, Hawaiʻi
United States · Calming seas, quieter boats.
Tubbataha Reefs
Philippines · Prime weeks: settled seas and the longest sight lines of the year.
Marsa Alam & the Deep South
Egypt · Warm, clear, and still uncrowded.
Koh Tao
Thailand · Warmest water of the year; peak sighting season.
Belize Barrier Reef
Belize · Whale-shark full moons; calm and clear.
Grand Cayman
Cayman Islands · Flat seas; water warming.
Socorro & the Revillagigedos
Mexico
Roatán
Honduras · Settled seas; visibility strong.
Malapascua
Philippines · Often the best all-around month of the year.
Dahab
Egypt · Mild water and long calm mornings.
Anilao
Philippines · Warm and settled; Holy Week crowds spike briefly.
Hurghada & El Gouna
Egypt · Calming seas open up the outer wrecks.
Utila
Honduras · Prime month; sightings most frequent.
Curaçao
Curaçao
Maui & Molokini
United States · Calm season begins.
Nassau & New Providence
The Bahamas
Grenada
Grenada
British Virgin Islands
British Virgin Islands
Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia
Dominica
Dominica
Aqaba
Jordan · Mild water, calm sea, Petra weather.
Wakatobi
Indonesia · Excellent month; glassy seas are common.
Dumaguete, Dauin & Apo Island
Philippines · Warm, clear, and settled; a peak month.
Mauritius
Mauritius · Calm, warm, clear: a favorite month.
Jardines de la Reina
Cuba · Warm and calm; end of high season.
Moalboal
Philippines · Hot season begins; expect Holy Week crowds.
Poor Knights Islands
New Zealand · Often the best all-round month
Turks and Caicos
Turks and Caicos Islands
Seychelles
Seychelles · Calm window; warmest, clearest diving.
Sodwana Bay
South Africa · Autumn clarity; calm mornings.
Little Cayman
Cayman Islands · Calm, clear, reliable wall access.
Port Sudan & Sanganeb
Sudan · Warm, settled, and superb.
April · 39
Excellent right now
Reliably very good diving this month. Water this month: 2–30 °C / 36–86 °F.
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Komodo
Indonesia · Dry season starts; good conditions park-wide before the south roughens.
Bali & Nusa Penida
Indonesia · Dry season begins; reliable diving across the island.
Palau
Palau · Transition month; conditions usually still settled.
Galápagos Islands
Ecuador
North & South Malé Atolls
Maldives · Warmest water; transition weather begins late month.
Raja Ampat
Indonesia · Tail of the calm season; conditions usually still very good.
Tiger Beach & Grand Bahama
The Bahamas
Florida Keys
United States · Seas settle; water warming.
Brothers, Daedalus & St John's
Egypt · Reliable crossings resume.
Lembeh Strait
Indonesia · Warm, calm water and consistent sightings.
Similan Islands & Richelieu Rock
Thailand · Plankton blooms feed mantas; visibility trades down.
Cocos Island
Costa Rica
Coron
Philippines · Hot season; Holy Week fills boats.
Silfra & Iceland
Iceland
Isla Mujeres & Cancún
Mexico · Seas flatten; water warming.
Rangiroa
French Polynesia · Settled autumn conditions.
Fakarava
French Polynesia · Transition month.
Chuuk (Truk) Lagoon
Federated States of Micronesia · Transition; still generally reliable.
Taveuni & Rainbow Reef
Fiji · Drying out; conditions improving.
Ari Atoll
Maldives · Warmest water; late-month transition squalls.
Yap
Federated States of Micronesia · Season tapering; still reliable mantas.
Tofo Beach
Mozambique · Settling weather; comfortable diving.
Oʻahu
United States · Transition; north swell fading.
Okinawa & the Kerama Islands
Japan · Warming water and pre-rain calm
Beqa Lagoon & Pacific Harbour
Fiji · Improving weather and clarity.
Bunaken & Manado
Indonesia · Dry season underway; reliable wall diving resumes park-wide.
Banda Sea & Ambon
Indonesia · Reliable inter-monsoon diving across the route.
Espiritu Santo
Vanuatu · Transition; conditions settling.
Scapa Flow
United Kingdom · Season opens; good clarity before the plankton bloom peaks.
Daymaniyat Islands
Oman · Warming fast; blooms possible.
Fernando de Noronha
Brazil · Swell fades; rainy but diveable and calm.
Aliwal Shoal & Umkomaas
South Africa · Autumn clarity improves.
Mergui Archipelago
Myanmar · Warming water; last full month of trips.
South Australia
Australia · Stable conditions on both gulfs
Green Island
Taiwan · Calm season begins
Nosy Be
Madagascar · Drying; calm seas return.
Alor
Indonesia · Settled conditions; strait sites come back into rotation.
Coiba
Panama
Musandam Peninsula
Oman · Warm, with fish activity high.
April · 15
Good, with trade-offs
Solid diving this month. Read each note before you book. Water this month: 8–30 °C / 46–86 °F.
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Cairns & the Ribbon Reefs
Australia · Trade winds return; seas can be lumpy
Malta & Gozo
Malta
Baa Atoll & Hanifaru Bay
Maldives · Transition; monsoon build-up late month.
Sea of Cortez & Cabo Pulmo
Mexico · Mobula aggregations begin building.
Coral Sea & Osprey Reef
Australia · Trades build; allow schedule flexibility
Bermuda
Bermuda · Season starts; thick exposure protection needed.
Larnaca & the Zenobia
Cyprus
British Columbia
Canada · Spring bloom begins to green the water.
Canary Islands
Spain
Costa Rica Pacific Coast
Costa Rica · Winds ease; water begins to warm.
Townsville & the Yongala
Australia · Trades begin; pick your weather window
Izu Peninsula
Japan · Plankton-rich green water, busy life
Madeira
Portugal
Yonaguni
Japan · The Monument in gentler conditions
Medes Islands
Spain
Wildlife calendar
In the water in April
Species with documented seasonal or resident sightings this month, each with one place that reliably has them.
Blacktip Reef Shark
e.g. Similan Islands & Richelieu Rock
Blue-Spotted Ribbontail Ray
e.g. Similan Islands & Richelieu Rock
Bumphead Parrotfish
e.g. Tubbataha Reefs
California Sea Lion
e.g. Sea of Cortez & Cabo Pulmo
Dogtooth Tuna
e.g. Tubbataha Reefs
Grey Reef Shark
e.g. Tubbataha Reefs
Hawksbill Turtle
e.g. Tubbataha Reefs
Humpback Whale
e.g. Socorro & the Revillagigedos
Lemon Shark
e.g. Tiger Beach & Grand Bahama
Leopard (Zebra) Shark
e.g. Similan Islands & Richelieu Rock
Mobula (Devil) Ray
e.g. Sea of Cortez & Cabo Pulmo
Oceanic Manta Ray
e.g. Raja Ampat
The full table
Every April figure, region by region
99 destinations · every figure documented · sort by any column, or jump to a region
Australia, New Zealand & East Asia 10Caribbean & Western Atlantic 19Europe, Atlantic & Mediterranean 9Indian Ocean & East Africa 12Pacific Islands & Micronesia 12Red Sea & Middle East 9Southeast Asia & Coral Triangle 18The Americas & Eastern Pacific 10
| Destination | Rating | Water | Visibility | What April is like there |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia, New Zealand & East Asia · 10 destinations | ||||
| Ningaloo ReefAustralia | 5/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 8–20 m | Whale-shark season in full swing |
| Poor Knights IslandsNew Zealand | 5/5 | 19–22 °C / 66–72 °F | 15–30 m | Often the best all-round month |
| Okinawa & the Kerama IslandsJapan | 4/5 | 22–24 °C / 72–75 °F | 20–35 m | Warming water and pre-rain calm |
| South AustraliaAustralia | 4/5 | 17–20 °C / 63–68 °F | 4–12 m | Stable conditions on both gulfs |
| Green IslandTaiwan | 4/5 | 24–26 °C / 75–79 °F | 20–40 m | Calm season begins |
| Cairns & the Ribbon ReefsAustralia | 3/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 15–30 m | Trade winds return; seas can be lumpy |
| Coral Sea & Osprey ReefAustralia | 3/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 25–50 m | Trades build; allow schedule flexibility |
| Townsville & the YongalaAustralia | 3/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 10–22 m | Trades begin; pick your weather window |
| Izu PeninsulaJapan | 3/5 | 15–17 °C / 59–63 °F | 5–15 m | Plankton-rich green water, busy life |
| YonaguniJapan | 3/5 | 23–25 °C / 73–77 °F | 20–40 m | The Monument in gentler conditions |
| Caribbean & Western Atlantic · 19 destinations | ||||
| BonaireBonaire | 5/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 20–30 m | |
| Riviera Maya & the CenotesMexico | 5/5 | 24–26 °C / 75–79 °F | 30–100 m | Sun climbs; light beams strengthen. |
| CozumelMexico | 5/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 20–40 m | Warm, flat seas and long sightlines. |
| Belize Barrier ReefBelize | 5/5 | 27–28 °C / 81–82 °F | 20–35 m | Whale-shark full moons; calm and clear. |
| Grand CaymanCayman Islands | 5/5 | 27–28 °C / 81–82 °F | 20–40 m | Flat seas; water warming. |
| RoatánHonduras | 5/5 | 27–28 °C / 81–82 °F | 20–30 m | Settled seas; visibility strong. |
| UtilaHonduras | 5/5 | 27–28 °C / 81–82 °F | 15–30 m | Prime month; sightings most frequent. |
| CuraçaoCuraçao | 5/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 18–30 m | |
| Nassau & New ProvidenceThe Bahamas | 5/5 | 25–27 °C / 77–81 °F | 20–40 m | |
| GrenadaGrenada | 5/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 15–30 m | |
| British Virgin IslandsBritish Virgin Islands | 5/5 | 26–27 °C / 79–81 °F | 18–30 m | |
| Saint LuciaSaint Lucia | 5/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 15–30 m | |
| DominicaDominica | 5/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 20–30 m | |
| Jardines de la ReinaCuba | 5/5 | 27–28 °C / 81–82 °F | 20–35 m | Warm and calm; end of high season. |
| Turks and CaicosTurks and Caicos Islands | 5/5 | 26–27 °C / 79–81 °F | 25–40 m | |
| Little CaymanCayman Islands | 5/5 | 27–28 °C / 81–82 °F | 25–40 m | Calm, clear, reliable wall access. |
| Tiger Beach & Grand BahamaThe Bahamas | 4/5 | 25–27 °C / 77–81 °F | 20–40 m | |
| Isla Mujeres & CancúnMexico | 4/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 15–30 m | Seas flatten; water warming. |
| BermudaBermuda | 3/5 | 18–20 °C / 64–68 °F | 25–45 m | Season starts; thick exposure protection needed. |
| Europe, Atlantic & Mediterranean · 9 destinations | ||||
| Silfra & IcelandIceland | 4/5 | 2–4 °C / 36–39 °F | 70–100 m | |
| Scapa FlowUnited Kingdom | 4/5 | 7–9 °C / 45–48 °F | 6–12 m | Season opens; good clarity before the plankton bloom peaks. |
| Malta & GozoMalta | 3/5 | 15–17 °C / 59–63 °F | 20–35 m | |
| Larnaca & the ZenobiaCyprus | 3/5 | 17–19 °C / 63–66 °F | 15–30 m | |
| Canary IslandsSpain | 3/5 | 18–20 °C / 64–68 °F | 15–25 m | |
| MadeiraPortugal | 3/5 | 17–19 °C / 63–66 °F | 12–25 m | |
| Medes IslandsSpain | 3/5 | 14–16 °C / 57–61 °F | 12–25 m | |
| The AzoresPortugal | 2/5 | 16–17 °C / 61–63 °F | 10–25 m | Season warms up late in the month for inshore sites. |
| Arctic NorwayNorway | 2/5 | 3–6 °C / 37–43 °F | 8–20 m | |
| Indian Ocean & East Africa · 12 destinations | ||||
| MauritiusMauritius | 5/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 15–30 m | Calm, warm, clear: a favorite month. |
| SeychellesSeychelles | 5/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 15–30 m | Calm window; warmest, clearest diving. |
| Sodwana BaySouth Africa | 5/5 | 24–27 °C / 75–81 °F | 12–30 m | Autumn clarity; calm mornings. |
| North & South Malé AtollsMaldives | 4/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 15–30 m | Warmest water; transition weather begins late month. |
| Ari AtollMaldives | 4/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 15–30 m | Warmest water; late-month transition squalls. |
| Tofo BeachMozambique | 4/5 | 25–28 °C / 77–82 °F | 10–25 m | Settling weather; comfortable diving. |
| Aliwal Shoal & UmkomaasSouth Africa | 4/5 | 23–26 °C / 73–79 °F | 10–25 m | Autumn clarity improves. |
| Nosy BeMadagascar | 4/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 10–20 m | Drying; calm seas return. |
| Baa Atoll & Hanifaru BayMaldives | 3/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 15–25 m | Transition; monsoon build-up late month. |
| Zanzibar & MnembaTanzania | 2/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 8–20 m | Long rains; many operators scale back. |
| The Sardine Run (Wild Coast)South Africa | 1/5 | 20–24 °C / 68–75 °F | 5–15 m | Pre-season; crews begin watching water temperatures. |
| Mafia IslandTanzania | 1/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 5–15 m | Long rains; most lodges and dive operations close. |
| Pacific Islands & Micronesia · 12 destinations | ||||
| Kona, HawaiʻiUnited States | 5/5 | 24–26 °C / 75–79 °F | 20–40 m | Calming seas, quieter boats. |
| Maui & MolokiniUnited States | 5/5 | 24–26 °C / 75–79 °F | 25–45 m | Calm season begins. |
| PalauPalau | 4/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 15–40 m | Transition month; conditions usually still settled. |
| RangiroaFrench Polynesia | 4/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 25–45 m | Settled autumn conditions. |
| FakaravaFrench Polynesia | 4/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 25–45 m | Transition month. |
| Chuuk (Truk) LagoonFederated States of Micronesia | 4/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 12–30 m | Transition; still generally reliable. |
| Taveuni & Rainbow ReefFiji | 4/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 12–30 m | Drying out; conditions improving. |
| YapFederated States of Micronesia | 4/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 10–30 m | Season tapering; still reliable mantas. |
| OʻahuUnited States | 4/5 | 24–26 °C / 75–79 °F | 15–30 m | Transition; north swell fading. |
| Beqa Lagoon & Pacific HarbourFiji | 4/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 10–25 m | Improving weather and clarity. |
| Espiritu SantoVanuatu | 4/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 12–28 m | Transition; conditions settling. |
| VavaʻuTonga | 2/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 15–30 m | Settling; still no whales. |
| Red Sea & Middle East · 9 destinations | ||||
| Sharm El Sheikh & Ras MohammedEgypt | 5/5 | 22–25 °C / 72–77 °F | 20–30 m | Classic conditions at Tiran and Ras Mohammed. |
| Marsa Alam & the Deep SouthEgypt | 5/5 | 24–26 °C / 75–79 °F | 20–30 m | Warm, clear, and still uncrowded. |
| DahabEgypt | 5/5 | 22–25 °C / 72–77 °F | 15–30 m | Mild water and long calm mornings. |
| Hurghada & El GounaEgypt | 5/5 | 22–25 °C / 72–77 °F | 15–30 m | Calming seas open up the outer wrecks. |
| AqabaJordan | 5/5 | 22–24 °C / 72–75 °F | 15–30 m | Mild water, calm sea, Petra weather. |
| Port Sudan & SanganebSudan | 5/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 15–40 m | Warm, settled, and superb. |
| Brothers, Daedalus & St John'sEgypt | 4/5 | 24–26 °C / 75–79 °F | 20–40 m | Reliable crossings resume. |
| Daymaniyat IslandsOman | 4/5 | 26–29 °C / 79–84 °F | 10–25 m | Warming fast; blooms possible. |
| Musandam PeninsulaOman | 4/5 | 25–28 °C / 77–82 °F | 10–20 m | Warm, with fish activity high. |
| Southeast Asia & Coral Triangle · 18 destinations | ||||
| Sipadan & MabulMalaysia | 5/5 | 27–30 °C / 81–86 °F | 15–35 m | Start of the prime window; turtle and shark action reliable. |
| Tubbataha ReefsPhilippines | 5/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 20–40 m | Prime weeks: settled seas and the longest sight lines of the year. |
| Koh TaoThailand | 5/5 | 29–31 °C / 84–88 °F | 15–25 m | Warmest water of the year; peak sighting season. |
| MalapascuaPhilippines | 5/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 15–25 m | Often the best all-around month of the year. |
| AnilaoPhilippines | 5/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 10–25 m | Warm and settled; Holy Week crowds spike briefly. |
| WakatobiIndonesia | 5/5 | 27–30 °C / 81–86 °F | 20–40 m | Excellent month; glassy seas are common. |
| Dumaguete, Dauin & Apo IslandPhilippines | 5/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 15–25 m | Warm, clear, and settled; a peak month. |
| MoalboalPhilippines | 5/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 10–30 m | Hot season begins; expect Holy Week crowds. |
| KomodoIndonesia | 4/5 | 24–28 °C / 75–82 °F | 10–25 m | Dry season starts; good conditions park-wide before the south roughens. |
| Bali & Nusa PenidaIndonesia | 4/5 | 26–29 °C / 79–84 °F | 10–25 m | Dry season begins; reliable diving across the island. |
| Raja AmpatIndonesia | 4/5 | 27–30 °C / 81–86 °F | 10–25 m | Tail of the calm season; conditions usually still very good. |
| Lembeh StraitIndonesia | 4/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 8–18 m | Warm, calm water and consistent sightings. |
| Similan Islands & Richelieu RockThailand | 4/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 12–30 m | Plankton blooms feed mantas; visibility trades down. |
| CoronPhilippines | 4/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 8–18 m | Hot season; Holy Week fills boats. |
| Bunaken & ManadoIndonesia | 4/5 | 27–30 °C / 81–86 °F | 15–30 m | Dry season underway; reliable wall diving resumes park-wide. |
| Banda Sea & AmbonIndonesia | 4/5 | 27–30 °C / 81–86 °F | 20–40 m | Reliable inter-monsoon diving across the route. |
| Mergui ArchipelagoMyanmar | 4/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 10–25 m | Warming water; last full month of trips. |
| AlorIndonesia | 4/5 | 24–28 °C / 75–82 °F | 15–25 m | Settled conditions; strait sites come back into rotation. |
| The Americas & Eastern Pacific · 10 destinations | ||||
| Socorro & the RevillagigedosMexico | 5/5 | 22–26 °C / 72–79 °F | 20–30 m | |
| Galápagos IslandsEcuador | 4/5 | 23–27 °C / 73–81 °F | 12–25 m | |
| Florida KeysUnited States | 4/5 | 24–26 °C / 75–79 °F | 12–25 m | Seas settle; water warming. |
| Cocos IslandCosta Rica | 4/5 | 26–29 °C / 79–84 °F | 18–30 m | |
| Fernando de NoronhaBrazil | 4/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 20–35 m | Swell fades; rainy but diveable and calm. |
| CoibaPanama | 4/5 | 22–28 °C / 72–82 °F | 12–25 m | |
| Sea of Cortez & Cabo PulmoMexico | 3/5 | 20–24 °C / 68–75 °F | 10–18 m | Mobula aggregations begin building. |
| British ColumbiaCanada | 3/5 | 8–11 °C / 46–52 °F | 8–18 m | Spring bloom begins to green the water. |
| Costa Rica Pacific CoastCosta Rica | 3/5 | 23–27 °C / 73–81 °F | 10–18 m | Winds ease; water begins to warm. |
| California Channel IslandsUnited States | 2/5 | 13–16 °C / 55–61 °F | 5–12 m | |
A dash means that figure is not yet verified for this month, not that it is zero.
Make it a trip
The planner crosses this month with your level and interests, and shows its reasons for every match.
Plan a April trip