Diving in August: Where the Ocean Is Good

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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.

August · 35

Prime this month

The month at its best: the trips people fly across the world for. Water this month: 2–31 °C / 36–88 °F.

5/5

August · 33

Excellent right now

Reliably very good diving this month. Water this month: 12–30 °C / 54–86 °F.

4/5

Cozumel

Mexico · Hot and humid; watch the tropics.

28–30 °C / 82–86 °F20–40 m visibility

4/5

Sharm El Sheikh & Ras Mohammed

Egypt · Warmest water; afternoon wind can chop the strait.

27–29 °C / 81–84 °F15–30 m visibility

4/5

Cairns & the Ribbon Reefs

Australia · Reliable visibility; strongest trade winds

23–25 °C / 73–77 °F15–30 m visibility

4/5

North & South Malé Atolls

Maldives · Peak manta season at Lankan; plankton-rich water.

27–29 °C / 81–84 °F10–20 m visibility

4/5

Rangiroa

French Polynesia · Coolest water of the year.

25–27 °C / 77–81 °F25–40 m visibility

4/5

Ari Atoll

Maldives · Manta activity strong; whale sharks unaffected.

27–29 °C / 81–84 °F10–20 m visibility

4/5

Dahab

Egypt · Warmest water of the year.

27–29 °C / 81–84 °F15–30 m visibility

4/5

Hurghada & El Gouna

Egypt · Warmest water; busy summer season.

27–29 °C / 81–84 °F15–30 m visibility

4/5

Belize Barrier Reef

Belize · Warm and quiet; tropical waves pass.

28–30 °C / 82–86 °F15–30 m visibility

4/5

Koh Tao

Thailand · Good visibility windows between showers.

28–30 °C / 82–86 °F10–20 m visibility

4/5

Grand Cayman

Cayman Islands · Warmest water; watch the tropics.

29–30 °C / 84–86 °F20–35 m visibility

4/5

Roatán

Honduras · Hot; tropical systems possible.

28–30 °C / 82–86 °F15–30 m visibility

4/5

Marsa Alam & the Deep South

Egypt · Warmest water; quiet season ashore.

28–30 °C / 82–86 °F15–30 m visibility

4/5

Brothers, Daedalus & St John's

Egypt · Warmest water; hammerheads taper.

28–30 °C / 82–86 °F20–40 m visibility

4/5

Fakarava

French Polynesia · Cool, clear, breezy.

25–27 °C / 77–81 °F25–40 m visibility

4/5

Ningaloo Reef

Australia · Humpback swims; mantas on the bommies

21–23 °C / 70–73 °F10–20 m visibility

4/5

Coral Sea & Osprey Reef

Australia · Trade-wind sea state decides comfort

24–26 °C / 75–79 °F25–50 m visibility

4/5

Mafia Island

Tanzania · Cool water and steady trade winds.

25–26 °C / 77–79 °F10–25 m visibility

4/5

Aqaba

Jordan · Warmest water of the year.

26–28 °C / 79–82 °F15–30 m visibility

4/5

California Channel Islands

United States · Warmest water of the year at Catalina.

17–21 °C / 63–70 °F12–20 m visibility

4/5

Little Cayman

Cayman Islands · Warmest water; tropical systems possible.

29–30 °C / 84–86 °F20–40 m visibility

4/5

Tofo Beach

Mozambique · Humpback peak; breaches on the boat rides.

22–25 °C / 72–77 °F10–25 m visibility

4/5

Sodwana Bay

South Africa · Windy spells between clean days.

21–24 °C / 70–75 °F10–25 m visibility

4/5

Yap

Federated States of Micronesia · Cleaning stations still working.

28–30 °C / 82–86 °F10–25 m visibility

4/5

Canary Islands

Spain

22–24 °C / 72–75 °F15–30 m visibility

4/5

Scapa Flow

United Kingdom

12–14 °C / 54–57 °F5–12 m visibility

4/5

Utila

Honduras · Second whale-shark window begins.

28–30 °C / 82–86 °F15–30 m visibility

4/5

Nosy Be

Madagascar · Whales and calm mornings; coolest water.

25–27 °C / 77–81 °F12–25 m visibility

4/5

South Australia

Australia · Late cuttlefish; hardy, rewarding diving

12–14 °C / 54–57 °F5–15 m visibility

4/5

Izu Peninsula

Japan · Warmest water; typhoon swell possible

24–27 °C / 75–81 °F5–15 m visibility

4/5

Green Island

Taiwan · Hot; storm swell possible

28–30 °C / 82–86 °F20–40 m visibility

4/5

Alor

Indonesia · Cool and lively; strong currents on the famous sites.

20–26 °C / 68–79 °F15–30 m visibility

4/5

Coiba

Panama

25–29 °C / 77–84 °F8–18 m visibility

August · 24

Good, with trade-offs

Solid diving this month. Read each note before you book. Water this month: 10–33 °C / 50–91 °F.

3/5

Palau

Palau · Southwest swell can limit outer corners.

27–30 °C / 81–86 °F12–30 m visibility

3/5

Anilao

Philippines · Wettest stretch; operators pick sites by the morning forecast.

27–29 °C / 81–84 °F8–18 m visibility

3/5

Coron

Philippines · Showers and the odd blow; flexible itineraries help.

28–30 °C / 82–86 °F5–12 m visibility

3/5

Malapascua

Philippines · Habagat pattern; site choice follows the forecast.

28–30 °C / 82–86 °F10–20 m visibility

3/5

Chuuk (Truk) Lagoon

Federated States of Micronesia · Wet; watch tropical-storm forecasts.

28–30 °C / 82–86 °F10–25 m visibility

3/5

Moalboal

Philippines · Rainy but rarely blown out for long.

28–30 °C / 82–86 °F8–20 m visibility

3/5

Dumaguete, Dauin & Apo Island

Philippines · Habagat wind days interrupt occasionally.

27–29 °C / 81–84 °F10–20 m visibility

3/5

British Virgin Islands

28–30 °C / 82–86 °F15–25 m visibility

3/5

Nassau & New Providence

The Bahamas

28–30 °C / 82–86 °F15–30 m visibility

3/5

Jardines de la Reina

Cuba · Very warm; storm risk climbs.

29–31 °C / 84–88 °F15–30 m visibility

3/5

Mauritius

Mauritius · Windy; humpbacks offshore.

22–25 °C / 72–77 °F10–20 m visibility

3/5

Turks and Caicos

Turks and Caicos Islands

28–30 °C / 82–86 °F20–30 m visibility

3/5

Poor Knights Islands

New Zealand · Coldest water

14–16 °C / 57–61 °F10–25 m visibility

3/5

Dominica

Dominica · Hurricane risk rises.

28–30 °C / 82–86 °F15–25 m visibility

3/5

British Columbia

Canada · Warmest surface water; life at maximum density.

12–16 °C / 54–61 °F6–15 m visibility

3/5

Daymaniyat Islands

Oman · Plankton builds: the big-animal prelude.

28–31 °C / 82–88 °F8–20 m visibility

3/5

Grenada

28–30 °C / 82–86 °F12–25 m visibility

3/5

Okinawa & the Kerama Islands

Japan · Typhoon season peak

28–30 °C / 82–86 °F15–35 m visibility

3/5

Saint Lucia

28–30 °C / 82–86 °F12–25 m visibility

3/5

Seychelles

Seychelles · Trade winds persist; plankton feeds the food chain.

25–27 °C / 77–81 °F10–20 m visibility

3/5

Arctic Norway

Norway

10–14 °C / 50–57 °F5–15 m visibility

3/5

Port Sudan & Sanganeb

Sudan · Manta gatherings at Mesharifa begin.

30–32 °C / 86–90 °F15–40 m visibility

3/5

Yonaguni

Japan · Hot and storm-prone

28–30 °C / 82–86 °F20–40 m visibility

3/5

Musandam Peninsula

Oman · Whale shark chances rise with the bloom.

30–33 °C / 86–91 °F8–18 m visibility

Wildlife calendar

In the water in August

Species with documented seasonal or resident sightings this month, each with one place that reliably has them.

Marine-life calendar →

Australian Giant Cuttlefish

e.g. South Australia

Blue Shark

e.g. The Azores

Bottlenose Dolphin

e.g. The Azores

Bull Shark

e.g. Costa Rica Pacific Coast

Atlantic Goliath Grouper

e.g. Florida Keys

Humpback Whale

e.g. Ningaloo Reef

Mobula (Devil) Ray

e.g. The Azores

Mola Mola (Ocean Sunfish)

e.g. Bali & Nusa Penida

Olive Ridley Turtle

e.g. Costa Rica Pacific Coast

Reef Manta Ray

e.g. Baa Atoll & Hanifaru Bay

Sand Tiger (Ragged-Tooth) Shark

e.g. Aliwal Shoal & Umkomaas

Scalloped Hammerhead

e.g. Galápagos Islands

Also in season (no monthly detail verified yet)

Their best-months list includes August, but we have not verified water, visibility or a rating for it, so they sit here rather than in the ranks above.

Bikini Atoll · Marshall Islands

The full table

Every August figure, region by region

99 destinations · every figure documented · sort by any column, or jump to a region

Sort by

Australia, New Zealand & East Asia 10 Caribbean & Western Atlantic 19 Europe, Atlantic & Mediterranean 9 Indian Ocean & East Africa 12 Pacific Islands & Micronesia 12 Red Sea & Middle East 9 Southeast Asia & Coral Triangle 18 The Americas & Eastern Pacific 10

Destination	Rating	Water	Visibility	What August is like there
Australia, New Zealand & East Asia · 10 destinations
Townsville & the YongalaAustralia	5/5	22–24 °C / 72–75 °F	12–25 m	Winds start to relent
Cairns & the Ribbon ReefsAustralia	4/5	23–25 °C / 73–77 °F	15–30 m	Reliable visibility; strongest trade winds
Ningaloo ReefAustralia	4/5	21–23 °C / 70–73 °F	10–20 m	Humpback swims; mantas on the bommies
Coral Sea & Osprey ReefAustralia	4/5	24–26 °C / 75–79 °F	25–50 m	Trade-wind sea state decides comfort
South AustraliaAustralia	4/5	12–14 °C / 54–57 °F	5–15 m	Late cuttlefish; hardy, rewarding diving
Izu PeninsulaJapan	4/5	24–27 °C / 75–81 °F	5–15 m	Warmest water; typhoon swell possible
Green IslandTaiwan	4/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	20–40 m	Hot; storm swell possible
Poor Knights IslandsNew Zealand	3/5	14–16 °C / 57–61 °F	10–25 m	Coldest water
Okinawa & the Kerama IslandsJapan	3/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	15–35 m	Typhoon season peak
YonaguniJapan	3/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	20–40 m	Hot and storm-prone
Caribbean & Western Atlantic · 19 destinations
BonaireBonaire	5/5	28–29 °C / 82–84 °F	20–30 m
Riviera Maya & the CenotesMexico	5/5	24–26 °C / 75–79 °F	30–100 m	Hot topside; the caverns stay cool.
Isla Mujeres & CancúnMexico	5/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	15–30 m	Peak whale sharks; hot and humid.
CuraçaoCuraçao	5/5	28–29 °C / 82–84 °F	18–30 m
BermudaBermuda	5/5	27–29 °C / 81–84 °F	25–45 m
CozumelMexico	4/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	20–40 m	Hot and humid; watch the tropics.
Belize Barrier ReefBelize	4/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	15–30 m	Warm and quiet; tropical waves pass.
Grand CaymanCayman Islands	4/5	29–30 °C / 84–86 °F	20–35 m	Warmest water; watch the tropics.
RoatánHonduras	4/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	15–30 m	Hot; tropical systems possible.
Little CaymanCayman Islands	4/5	29–30 °C / 84–86 °F	20–40 m	Warmest water; tropical systems possible.
UtilaHonduras	4/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	15–30 m	Second whale-shark window begins.
British Virgin IslandsBritish Virgin Islands	3/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	15–25 m
Nassau & New ProvidenceThe Bahamas	3/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	15–30 m
Jardines de la ReinaCuba	3/5	29–31 °C / 84–88 °F	15–30 m	Very warm; storm risk climbs.
Turks and CaicosTurks and Caicos Islands	3/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	20–30 m
DominicaDominica	3/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	15–25 m	Hurricane risk rises.
GrenadaGrenada	3/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	12–25 m
Saint LuciaSaint Lucia	3/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	12–25 m
Tiger Beach & Grand BahamaThe Bahamas	2/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	15–30 m
Europe, Atlantic & Mediterranean · 9 destinations
The AzoresPortugal	5/5	22–24 °C / 72–75 °F	20–40 m
Malta & GozoMalta	5/5	24–27 °C / 75–81 °F	25–40 m	Warmest water of the year.
Silfra & IcelandIceland	5/5	2–4 °C / 36–39 °F	70–100 m
Larnaca & the ZenobiaCyprus	5/5	26–28 °C / 79–82 °F	20–35 m	Warmest water: some divers skip wetsuits on the shallow decks.
MadeiraPortugal	5/5	22–24 °C / 72–75 °F	15–30 m
Medes IslandsSpain	5/5	23–26 °C / 73–79 °F	10–25 m	Warmest water and fullest boats.
Canary IslandsSpain	4/5	22–24 °C / 72–75 °F	15–30 m
Scapa FlowUnited Kingdom	4/5	12–14 °C / 54–57 °F	5–12 m
Arctic NorwayNorway	3/5	10–14 °C / 50–57 °F	5–15 m
Indian Ocean & East Africa · 12 destinations
Baa Atoll & Hanifaru BayMaldives	5/5	27–29 °C / 81–84 °F	10–20 m	Peak season; the big multi-manta feeding days.
Aliwal Shoal & UmkomaasSouth Africa	5/5	19–22 °C / 66–72 °F	10–25 m	Peak ragged-tooth season; cool, clear water.
Zanzibar & MnembaTanzania	5/5	25–26 °C / 77–79 °F	15–30 m	Coolest water; reliable conditions, humpbacks passing.
North & South Malé AtollsMaldives	4/5	27–29 °C / 81–84 °F	10–20 m	Peak manta season at Lankan; plankton-rich water.
Ari AtollMaldives	4/5	27–29 °C / 81–84 °F	10–20 m	Manta activity strong; whale sharks unaffected.
Mafia IslandTanzania	4/5	25–26 °C / 77–79 °F	10–25 m	Cool water and steady trade winds.
Tofo BeachMozambique	4/5	22–25 °C / 72–77 °F	10–25 m	Humpback peak; breaches on the boat rides.
Sodwana BaySouth Africa	4/5	21–24 °C / 70–75 °F	10–25 m	Windy spells between clean days.
Nosy BeMadagascar	4/5	25–27 °C / 77–81 °F	12–25 m	Whales and calm mornings; coolest water.
MauritiusMauritius	3/5	22–25 °C / 72–77 °F	10–20 m	Windy; humpbacks offshore.
SeychellesSeychelles	3/5	25–27 °C / 77–81 °F	10–20 m	Trade winds persist; plankton feeds the food chain.
The Sardine Run (Wild Coast)South Africa	2/5	18–21 °C / 64–70 °F	5–15 m	Stragglers reach KwaZulu-Natal; action fades.
Pacific Islands & Micronesia · 12 destinations
Kona, HawaiʻiUnited States	5/5	26–28 °C / 79–82 °F	25–40 m	Warmest water begins.
Taveuni & Rainbow ReefFiji	5/5	24–26 °C / 75–79 °F	20–40 m	Prime season continues.
Beqa Lagoon & Pacific HarbourFiji	5/5	24–26 °C / 75–79 °F	12–30 m	Prime conditions continue.
Maui & MolokiniUnited States	5/5	26–28 °C / 79–82 °F	30–45 m	Warmest water arrives.
OʻahuUnited States	5/5	26–28 °C / 79–82 °F	18–35 m	Warmest water.
Espiritu SantoVanuatu	5/5	24–26 °C / 75–79 °F	15–30 m	Prime season continues.
VavaʻuTonga	5/5	22–25 °C / 72–77 °F	20–40 m	Peak whales; coolest water.
RangiroaFrench Polynesia	4/5	25–27 °C / 77–81 °F	25–40 m	Coolest water of the year.
FakaravaFrench Polynesia	4/5	25–27 °C / 77–81 °F	25–40 m	Cool, clear, breezy.
YapFederated States of Micronesia	4/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	10–25 m	Cleaning stations still working.
PalauPalau	3/5	27–30 °C / 81–86 °F	12–30 m	Southwest swell can limit outer corners.
Chuuk (Truk) LagoonFederated States of Micronesia	3/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	10–25 m	Wet; watch tropical-storm forecasts.
Red Sea & Middle East · 9 destinations
Sharm El Sheikh & Ras MohammedEgypt	4/5	27–29 °C / 81–84 °F	15–30 m	Warmest water; afternoon wind can chop the strait.
DahabEgypt	4/5	27–29 °C / 81–84 °F	15–30 m	Warmest water of the year.
Hurghada & El GounaEgypt	4/5	27–29 °C / 81–84 °F	15–30 m	Warmest water; busy summer season.
Marsa Alam & the Deep SouthEgypt	4/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	15–30 m	Warmest water; quiet season ashore.
Brothers, Daedalus & St John'sEgypt	4/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	20–40 m	Warmest water; hammerheads taper.
AqabaJordan	4/5	26–28 °C / 79–82 °F	15–30 m	Warmest water of the year.
Daymaniyat IslandsOman	3/5	28–31 °C / 82–88 °F	8–20 m	Plankton builds: the big-animal prelude.
Port Sudan & SanganebSudan	3/5	30–32 °C / 86–90 °F	15–40 m	Manta gatherings at Mesharifa begin.
Musandam PeninsulaOman	3/5	30–33 °C / 86–91 °F	8–18 m	Whale shark chances rise with the bloom.
Southeast Asia & Coral Triangle · 18 destinations
KomodoIndonesia	5/5	20–28 °C / 68–82 °F	15–30 m	Peak season and peak crowds; book boats ahead.
Bali & Nusa PenidaIndonesia	5/5	22–28 °C / 72–82 °F	15–30 m	Peak season; cold, clear water in the strait and busy sites.
Sipadan & MabulMalaysia	5/5	27–29 °C / 81–84 °F	15–35 m	High season holds; occasional windy spells.
Lembeh StraitIndonesia	5/5	25–28 °C / 77–82 °F	10–20 m	Peak season; book the well-known resorts ahead.
WakatobiIndonesia	5/5	26–28 °C / 79–82 °F	20–40 m	Peak season; book well ahead.
Bunaken & ManadoIndonesia	5/5	26–29 °C / 79–84 °F	20–35 m	High season; the walls at their clearest.
Koh TaoThailand	4/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	10–20 m	Good visibility windows between showers.
AlorIndonesia	4/5	20–26 °C / 68–79 °F	15–30 m	Cool and lively; strong currents on the famous sites.
AnilaoPhilippines	3/5	27–29 °C / 81–84 °F	8–18 m	Wettest stretch; operators pick sites by the morning forecast.
CoronPhilippines	3/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	5–12 m	Showers and the odd blow; flexible itineraries help.
MalapascuaPhilippines	3/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	10–20 m	Habagat pattern; site choice follows the forecast.
MoalboalPhilippines	3/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	8–20 m	Rainy but rarely blown out for long.
Dumaguete, Dauin & Apo IslandPhilippines	3/5	27–29 °C / 81–84 °F	10–20 m	Habagat wind days interrupt occasionally.
Raja AmpatIndonesia	2/5	26–29 °C / 79–84 °F	10–20 m	Wind and swell persist; fewest boats in the region.
Banda Sea & AmbonIndonesia	2/5	26–28 °C / 79–82 °F	15–30 m	Still rough; late-month seas begin to relent.
Tubbataha ReefsPhilippines	1/5	—	—	No diving, with monsoon swell washing both atolls.
Similan Islands & Richelieu RockThailand	1/5	—	—	Closed season continues.
Mergui ArchipelagoMyanmar	1/5	—	—	Monsoon weather continues; boats stay in Thailand.
The Americas & Eastern Pacific · 10 destinations
Galápagos IslandsEcuador	5/5	17–22 °C / 63–72 °F	10–20 m	Cool, rich water; peak big-animal action in the north.
Florida KeysUnited States	5/5	29–31 °C / 84–88 °F	15–30 m
Sea of Cortez & Cabo PulmoMexico	5/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	20–30 m	Warm, blue, and calm: the classic window opens.
Cocos IslandCosta Rica	5/5	24–28 °C / 75–82 °F	12–25 m
Fernando de NoronhaBrazil	5/5	26–28 °C / 79–82 °F	25–40 m	Dry season; visibility at its long-range best.
North Carolina Outer BanksUnited States	5/5	25–28 °C / 77–82 °F	18–30 m	Warmest water; sand tigers thick on the ledges.
Costa Rica Pacific CoastCosta Rica	5/5	26–29 °C / 79–84 °F	10–20 m	Bulls, whales, and settled morning seas.
California Channel IslandsUnited States	4/5	17–21 °C / 63–70 °F	12–20 m	Warmest water of the year at Catalina.
CoibaPanama	4/5	25–29 °C / 77–84 °F	8–18 m
British ColumbiaCanada	3/5	12–16 °C / 54–61 °F	6–15 m	Warmest surface water; life at maximum density.

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 August trip

Diving in August

Prime this month

Bonaire

Riviera Maya & the Cenotes

Komodo

Galápagos Islands

Bali & Nusa Penida

Sipadan & Mabul

The Azores

Malta & Gozo

Florida Keys

Sea of Cortez & Cabo Pulmo

Isla Mujeres & Cancún

Silfra & Iceland

Cocos Island

Lembeh Strait

Baa Atoll & Hanifaru Bay

Kona, Hawaiʻi

Taveuni & Rainbow Reef

Beqa Lagoon & Pacific Harbour

Curaçao

Maui & Molokini

Wakatobi

Fernando de Noronha

Townsville & the Yongala

North Carolina Outer Banks

Bunaken & Manado

Bermuda

Costa Rica Pacific Coast

Aliwal Shoal & Umkomaas

Larnaca & the Zenobia

Oʻahu

Espiritu Santo

Zanzibar & Mnemba

Vavaʻu

Madeira

Medes Islands

Excellent right now

Cozumel

Sharm El Sheikh & Ras Mohammed

Cairns & the Ribbon Reefs

North & South Malé Atolls

Rangiroa

Ari Atoll

Dahab

Hurghada & El Gouna

Belize Barrier Reef

Koh Tao

Grand Cayman

Roatán

Marsa Alam & the Deep South

Brothers, Daedalus & St John's

Fakarava

Ningaloo Reef

Coral Sea & Osprey Reef

Mafia Island

Aqaba

California Channel Islands

Little Cayman

Tofo Beach

Sodwana Bay

Yap

Canary Islands

Scapa Flow

Utila

Nosy Be

South Australia

Izu Peninsula

Green Island

Alor

Coiba

Good, with trade-offs

Palau

Anilao

Coron

Malapascua

Chuuk (Truk) Lagoon

Moalboal

Dumaguete, Dauin & Apo Island

British Virgin Islands