When to dive
Diving in February
Ranked by our documented month ratings — water, visibility and what each place is actually like in February. Destinations without verified monthly data are listed separately rather than guessed at.
| Destination | Rating | Water | Visibility | What February is like there |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CozumelMexico | 5/5 | 25–27 °C / 77–81 °F | 20–40 m | Peak conditions; the odd norte blows through. |
| PalauPalau | 5/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 20–40 m | Peak manta activity in German Channel. |
| North & South Malé AtollsMaldives | 5/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 20–30 m | Driest stretch; strong incoming-tide shark action in the kandus. |
| Raja AmpatIndonesia | 5/5 | 27–30 °C / 81–86 °F | 10–25 m | Calm and reliable; peak liveaboard traffic from Dampier to Misool. |
| BonaireBonaire | 5/5 | 26–27 °C / 79–81 °F | 20–30 m | |
| CoronPhilippines | 5/5 | 26–29 °C / 79–84 °F | 8–18 m | Settled weather and easy schedules across the fleet. |
| Grand CaymanCayman Islands | 5/5 | 26–27 °C / 79–81 °F | 20–40 m | Settled peak-season conditions. |
| Chuuk (Truk) LagoonFederated States of Micronesia | 5/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 15–30 m | Often the driest, most settled month. |
| RangiroaFrench Polynesia | 5/5 | 27–30 °C / 81–86 °F | 25–45 m | Peak hammerhead sightings, humid weather. |
| Similan Islands & Richelieu RockThailand | 5/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 15–35 m | Prime conditions; whale-shark window opens at Richelieu. |
| Ari AtollMaldives | 5/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 20–30 m | Prime conditions across the atoll. |
| Belize Barrier ReefBelize | 5/5 | 26–27 °C / 79–81 °F | 20–35 m | Settled seas; atoll crossings reliable. |
| AnilaoPhilippines | 5/5 | 24–26 °C / 75–79 °F | 10–25 m | Coolest water of the year; bring extra neoprene, the critters do not mind. |
| Socorro & the RevillagigedosMexico | 5/5 | 21–24 °C / 70–75 °F | 15–30 m | Coolest water; whales singing on most dives. |
| MoalboalPhilippines | 5/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 10–30 m | Reliably settled; the sardine ball sits tight to the reef. |
| GrenadaGrenada | 5/5 | 26–27 °C / 79–81 °F | 15–30 m | |
| CuraçaoCuraçao | 5/5 | 26–27 °C / 79–81 °F | 18–30 m | |
| British Virgin IslandsBritish Virgin Islands | 5/5 | 25–26 °C / 77–79 °F | 18–30 m | |
| Saint LuciaSaint Lucia | 5/5 | 26–27 °C / 79–81 °F | 15–30 m | |
| British ColumbiaCanada | 5/5 | 7–9 °C / 45–48 °F | 15–30 m | |
| DominicaDominica | 5/5 | 26–27 °C / 79–81 °F | 20–30 m | |
| Mafia IslandTanzania | 5/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 10–25 m | Hot; whale shark sightings continue. |
| YapFederated States of Micronesia | 5/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 10–30 m | Often the peak of the mating season. |
| Jardines de la ReinaCuba | 5/5 | 26–27 °C / 79–81 °F | 20–35 m | Settled seas; sharks throughout. |
| Poor Knights IslandsNew Zealand | 5/5 | 20–23 °C / 68–73 °F | 12–25 m | Warmest water of the year |
| Turks and CaicosTurks and Caicos Islands | 5/5 | 25–26 °C / 77–79 °F | 25–40 m | Peak whale season; superb visibility. |
| YonaguniJapan | 5/5 | 21–23 °C / 70–73 °F | 20–35 m | Peak schooling; roughest crossings |
| Mergui ArchipelagoMyanmar | 5/5 | 26–29 °C / 79–84 °F | 10–30 m | Best odds of calm seas and big-animal action. |
| CoibaPanama | 5/5 | 21–27 °C / 70–81 °F | 12–25 m | |
| Port Sudan & SanganebSudan | 5/5 | 25–27 °C / 77–81 °F | 15–40 m | Historically prime - shark action at its thickest. |
| Galápagos IslandsEcuador | 4/5 | 23–27 °C / 73–81 °F | 12–25 m | |
| Riviera Maya & the CenotesMexico | 4/5 | 24–26 °C / 75–79 °F | 30–100 m | Dry and busy; book guides ahead. |
| Sipadan & MabulMalaysia | 4/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 10–25 m | Conditions begin settling; quieter permit calendars. |
| Tiger Beach & Grand BahamaThe Bahamas | 4/5 | 23–25 °C / 73–77 °F | 20–40 m | |
| Marsa Alam & the Deep SouthEgypt | 4/5 | 22–24 °C / 72–75 °F | 15–30 m | Coolest water; house reefs stay easy. |
| RoatánHonduras | 4/5 | 26–27 °C / 79–81 °F | 15–30 m | Drying out; water at its coolest. |
| Kona, HawaiʻiUnited States | 4/5 | 24–25 °C / 75–77 °F | 20–40 m | Coolest water; humpbacks peak. |
| FakaravaFrench Polynesia | 4/5 | 27–30 °C / 81–86 °F | 25–45 m | Austral summer; showers pass quickly. |
| MalapascuaPhilippines | 4/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 10–25 m | Cool, dry, and busy; dawn dives run like clockwork. |
| Lembeh StraitIndonesia | 4/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 5–15 m | Wet season tail; quiet resorts and reliable muck. |
| Koh TaoThailand | 4/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 10–25 m | Seas settle and schools return to the pinnacles. |
| Cocos IslandCosta Rica | 4/5 | 26–29 °C / 79–84 °F | 18–30 m | |
| Isla Mujeres & CancúnMexico | 4/5 | 25–27 °C / 77–81 °F | 15–30 m | Settled seas, good visibility. |
| Nassau & New ProvidenceThe Bahamas | 4/5 | 23–25 °C / 73–77 °F | 20–40 m | |
| Daymaniyat IslandsOman | 4/5 | 22–25 °C / 72–77 °F | 10–25 m | Coolest water, often the year's best visibility. |
| Little CaymanCayman Islands | 4/5 | 26–27 °C / 79–81 °F | 20–40 m | Dry season; north side weather-dependent. |
| OʻahuUnited States | 4/5 | 23–25 °C / 73–77 °F | 15–30 m | Coolest water; whales audible. |
| Zanzibar & MnembaTanzania | 4/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 15–30 m | Hottest month; light winds. |
| UtilaHonduras | 4/5 | 26–27 °C / 79–81 °F | 15–25 m | Settling; water coolest now. |
| Dumaguete, Dauin & Apo IslandPhilippines | 4/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 10–25 m | Amihan lingers; muck diving unaffected. |
| Maui & MolokiniUnited States | 4/5 | 23–25 °C / 73–77 °F | 25–40 m | Coolest water of the year. |
| Sodwana BaySouth Africa | 4/5 | 26–29 °C / 79–84 °F | 10–25 m | Warmest seas; summer surge possible. |
| Musandam PeninsulaOman | 4/5 | 21–24 °C / 70–75 °F | 10–20 m | Coolest water; pleasant weather. |
| Sharm El Sheikh & Ras MohammedEgypt | 3/5 | 21–23 °C / 70–73 °F | 15–30 m | Coldest water of the year; crisp desert light. |
| KomodoIndonesia | 3/5 | 23–28 °C / 73–82 °F | 5–20 m | Wet season continues; southern bays are the reliable option. |
| Bali & Nusa PenidaIndonesia | 3/5 | 26–29 °C / 79–84 °F | 8–20 m | Rainy and quieter; Tulamben can silt after storms. |
| Hurghada & El GounaEgypt | 3/5 | 21–23 °C / 70–73 °F | 12–25 m | Coldest sea of the year; quiet boats. |
| Taveuni & Rainbow ReefFiji | 3/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 10–25 m | Warmest water; watch storm forecasts. |
| Baa Atoll & Hanifaru BayMaldives | 3/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 20–30 m | Dry-season reef diving; few mantas in the bay. |
| Ningaloo ReefAustralia | 3/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 8–18 m | Corals ripen toward spawning |
| Silfra & IcelandIceland | 3/5 | 2–4 °C / 36–39 °F | 70–100 m | |
| Florida KeysUnited States | 3/5 | 22–24 °C / 72–75 °F | 10–20 m | |
| Brothers, Daedalus & St John'sEgypt | 3/5 | 22–24 °C / 72–75 °F | 20–40 m | Coolest water; hardy schedules only. |
| DahabEgypt | 3/5 | 21–23 °C / 70–73 °F | 15–30 m | Coldest water; empty entries and clear winter light. |
| Bunaken & ManadoIndonesia | 3/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 10–20 m | Monsoon tail; conditions variable day to day. |
| Canary IslandsSpain | 3/5 | 18–19 °C / 64–66 °F | 12–25 m | |
| SeychellesSeychelles | 3/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 8–20 m | Hot and still; visibility variable. |
| WakatobiIndonesia | 3/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 15–30 m | Monsoon influence lingers; conditions improve late in the month. |
| Banda Sea & AmbonIndonesia | 3/5 | 27–30 °C / 81–86 °F | 15–30 m | Late-month calms sometimes open early crossings. |
| Aliwal Shoal & UmkomaasSouth Africa | 3/5 | 24–27 °C / 75–81 °F | 5–15 m | Summer runoff can green the water; tigers about. |
| Okinawa & the Kerama IslandsJapan | 3/5 | 20–22 °C / 68–72 °F | 20–35 m | Whale season peak; cool water |
| California Channel IslandsUnited States | 3/5 | 12–15 °C / 54–59 °F | 6–15 m | |
| Fernando de NoronhaBrazil | 3/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 15–30 m | |
| Tofo BeachMozambique | 3/5 | 26–29 °C / 79–84 °F | 8–20 m | Cyclone-watch month; warm and green. |
| AqabaJordan | 3/5 | 20–22 °C / 68–72 °F | 15–30 m | Coldest water; sites nearly empty. |
| Costa Rica Pacific CoastCosta Rica | 3/5 | 21–26 °C / 70–79 °F | 8–15 m | |
| Beqa Lagoon & Pacific HarbourFiji | 3/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 8–20 m | Warm, rainy; shark numbers rebuilding. |
| Espiritu SantoVanuatu | 3/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 10–25 m | Wettest stretch; wreck still dived. |
| MauritiusMauritius | 3/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 15–30 m | Peak cyclone-risk month; operators work around systems. |
| Izu PeninsulaJapan | 3/5 | 13–15 °C / 55–59 °F | 10–20 m | Coldest water; drysuit country |
| Green IslandTaiwan | 3/5 | 22–24 °C / 72–75 °F | 15–30 m | Windward coasts blown out some days |
| South AustraliaAustralia | 3/5 | 20–22 °C / 68–72 °F | 3–10 m | Sea breezes; dive early in the day |
| Cairns & the Ribbon ReefsAustralia | 2/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 12–25 m | Peak wet; trips run between weather systems |
| Malta & GozoMalta | 2/5 | 14–16 °C / 57–61 °F | 20–35 m | |
| Sea of Cortez & Cabo PulmoMexico | 2/5 | 18–22 °C / 64–72 °F | 8–15 m | |
| Coral Sea & Osprey ReefAustralia | 2/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 25–45 m | Least reliable weather window |
| VavaʻuTonga | 2/5 | 28–29 °C / 82–84 °F | 15–30 m | Hot and quiet. |
| Townsville & the YongalaAustralia | 2/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 8–20 m | Cyclone season peak |
| Scapa FlowUnited Kingdom | 2/5 | 6–7 °C / 43–45 °F | 8–15 m | |
| Larnaca & the ZenobiaCyprus | 2/5 | 16–17 °C / 61–63 °F | 15–30 m | |
| Nosy BeMadagascar | 2/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 8–15 m | Wettest month; cyclone risk. |
| MadeiraPortugal | 2/5 | 17–18 °C / 63–64 °F | 10–20 m | |
| Medes IslandsSpain | 2/5 | 12–13 °C / 54–55 °F | 15–30 m | |
| Arctic NorwayNorway | 2/5 | 2–5 °C / 36–41 °F | 10–30 m | Whales usually dispersing; cold clear water for hardy divers. |
| AlorIndonesia | 2/5 | 24–28 °C / 75–82 °F | 10–20 m | Low season continues; some resorts close or run reduced schedules. |
| Tubbataha ReefsPhilippines | 1/5 | — | — | Still off-season, with no liveaboard departures. |
| The AzoresPortugal | 1/5 | 15–17 °C / 59–63 °F | 10–25 m | |
| The Sardine Run (Wild Coast)South Africa | 1/5 | 22–26 °C / 72–79 °F | 5–15 m | No run; few operators active. |
| BermudaBermuda | 1/5 | 16–18 °C / 61–64 °F | 25–45 m |
Wildlife calendar
In the water in February
Blacktip Reef Shark
e.g. Similan Islands & Richelieu Rock
Blue-Spotted Ribbontail Ray
e.g. Similan Islands & Richelieu Rock
Bull Shark
e.g. Riviera Maya & the Cenotes
California Sea Lion
e.g. Sea of Cortez & Cabo Pulmo
Great Hammerhead
e.g. Rangiroa
Hawksbill Turtle
e.g. Seychelles
Humpback Whale
e.g. Maui & Molokini
Lemon Shark
e.g. Tiger Beach & Grand Bahama
Leopard (Zebra) Shark
e.g. Similan Islands & Richelieu Rock
Loggerhead Turtle
e.g. Sodwana Bay
Oceanic Manta Ray
e.g. Socorro & the Revillagigedos
Reef Manta Ray
e.g. Raja Ampat
Make it a trip
The planner crosses this month with your level and interests, and shows its reasons for every match.
Plan a February trip