When to dive
Diving in February
Ranked by our documented month ratings: water, visibility and what each place is actually like in February.
99 destinations carry verified figures for February.
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.
February · 30
Prime this month
The month at its best: the trips people fly across the world for. Water this month: 7–30 °C / 45–86 °F.
5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5
Raja Ampat
Indonesia · Calm and reliable; peak liveaboard traffic from Dampier to Misool.
North & South Malé Atolls
Maldives · Driest stretch; strong incoming-tide shark action in the kandus.
Bonaire
Bonaire
Cozumel
Mexico · Peak conditions; the odd norte blows through.
Palau
Palau · Peak manta activity in German Channel.
Coron
Philippines · Settled weather and easy schedules across the fleet.
Chuuk (Truk) Lagoon
Federated States of Micronesia · Often the driest, most settled month.
Anilao
Philippines · Coolest water of the year; bring extra neoprene, the critters do not mind.
Rangiroa
French Polynesia · Peak hammerhead sightings, humid weather.
Ari Atoll
Maldives · Prime conditions across the atoll.
Grand Cayman
Cayman Islands · Settled peak-season conditions.
Similan Islands & Richelieu Rock
Thailand · Prime conditions; whale-shark window opens at Richelieu.
Socorro & the Revillagigedos
Mexico · Coolest water; whales singing on most dives.
Belize Barrier Reef
Belize · Settled seas; atoll crossings reliable.
Grenada
Grenada
British Virgin Islands
British Virgin Islands
Dominica
Dominica
British Columbia
Canada
Moalboal
Philippines · Reliably settled; the sardine ball sits tight to the reef.
Mafia Island
Tanzania · Hot; whale shark sightings continue.
Curaçao
Curaçao
Jardines de la Reina
Cuba · Settled seas; sharks throughout.
Poor Knights Islands
New Zealand · Warmest water of the year
Turks and Caicos
Turks and Caicos Islands · Peak whale season; superb visibility.
Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia
Yap
Federated States of Micronesia · Often the peak of the mating season.
Mergui Archipelago
Myanmar · Best odds of calm seas and big-animal action.
Port Sudan & Sanganeb
Sudan · Historically prime: shark action at its thickest.
Coiba
Panama
Yonaguni
Japan · Peak schooling; roughest crossings
February · 23
Excellent right now
Reliably very good diving this month. Water this month: 21–30 °C / 70–86 °F.
4/5
4/5
4/5
4/5
4/5
4/5
4/5
4/5
4/5
4/5
4/5
4/5
4/5
4/5
4/5
4/5
4/5
4/5
4/5
4/5
4/5
4/5
4/5
Galápagos Islands
Ecuador
Riviera Maya & the Cenotes
Mexico · Dry and busy; book guides ahead.
Sipadan & Mabul
Malaysia · Conditions begin settling; quieter permit calendars.
Tiger Beach & Grand Bahama
The Bahamas
Marsa Alam & the Deep South
Egypt · Coolest water; house reefs stay easy.
Malapascua
Philippines · Cool, dry, and busy; dawn dives run like clockwork.
Lembeh Strait
Indonesia · Wet season tail; quiet resorts and reliable muck.
Cocos Island
Costa Rica
Koh Tao
Thailand · Seas settle and schools return to the pinnacles.
Roatán
Honduras · Drying out; water at its coolest.
Isla Mujeres & Cancún
Mexico · Settled seas, good visibility.
Fakarava
French Polynesia · Austral summer; showers pass quickly.
Kona, Hawaiʻi
United States · Coolest water; humpbacks peak.
Oʻahu
United States · Coolest water; whales audible.
Little Cayman
Cayman Islands · Dry season; north side weather-dependent.
Daymaniyat Islands
Oman · Coolest water, often the year's best visibility.
Sodwana Bay
South Africa · Warmest seas; summer surge possible.
Utila
Honduras · Settling; water coolest now.
Dumaguete, Dauin & Apo Island
Philippines · Amihan lingers; muck diving unaffected.
Maui & Molokini
United States · Coolest water of the year.
Nassau & New Providence
The Bahamas
Zanzibar & Mnemba
Tanzania · Hottest month; light winds.
Musandam Peninsula
Oman · Coolest water; pleasant weather.
February · 29
Good, with trade-offs
Solid diving this month. Read each note before you book. Water this month: 2–30 °C / 36–86 °F.
3/5
3/5
3/5
3/5
3/5
3/5
3/5
3/5
3/5
3/5
3/5
3/5
3/5
3/5
3/5
3/5
3/5
3/5
3/5
3/5
3/5
3/5
3/5
3/5
3/5
3/5
3/5
3/5
3/5
Bali & Nusa Penida
Indonesia · Rainy and quieter; Tulamben can silt after storms.
Komodo
Indonesia · Wet season continues; southern bays are the reliable option.
Sharm El Sheikh & Ras Mohammed
Egypt · Coldest water of the year; crisp desert light.
Dahab
Egypt · Coldest water; empty entries and clear winter light.
Hurghada & El Gouna
Egypt · Coldest sea of the year; quiet boats.
Florida Keys
United States
Silfra & Iceland
Iceland
Baa Atoll & Hanifaru Bay
Maldives · Dry-season reef diving; few mantas in the bay.
Taveuni & Rainbow Reef
Fiji · Warmest water; watch storm forecasts.
Brothers, Daedalus & St John's
Egypt · Coolest water; hardy schedules only.
Ningaloo Reef
Australia · Corals ripen toward spawning
Mauritius
Mauritius · Peak cyclone-risk month; operators work around systems.
Espiritu Santo
Vanuatu · Wettest stretch; wreck still dived.
Fernando de Noronha
Brazil
Costa Rica Pacific Coast
Costa Rica
California Channel Islands
United States
Aliwal Shoal & Umkomaas
South Africa · Summer runoff can green the water; tigers about.
Beqa Lagoon & Pacific Harbour
Fiji · Warm, rainy; shark numbers rebuilding.
Aqaba
Jordan · Coldest water; sites nearly empty.
Bunaken & Manado
Indonesia · Monsoon tail; conditions variable day to day.
Wakatobi
Indonesia · Monsoon influence lingers; conditions improve late in the month.
Okinawa & the Kerama Islands
Japan · Whale season peak; cool water
Seychelles
Seychelles · Hot and still; visibility variable.
Tofo Beach
Mozambique · Cyclone-watch month; warm and green.
Canary Islands
Spain
Banda Sea & Ambon
Indonesia · Late-month calms sometimes open early crossings.
Green Island
Taiwan · Windward coasts blown out some days
Izu Peninsula
Japan · Coldest water; drysuit country
South Australia
Australia · Sea breezes; dive early in the day
Wildlife calendar
In the water in February
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
Bull Shark
e.g. Riviera Maya & the Cenotes
California Sea Lion
e.g. Sea of Cortez & Cabo Pulmo
Great Hammerhead
e.g. Tiger Beach & Grand Bahama
Hawksbill Turtle
e.g. Seychelles
Humpback Whale
e.g. Socorro & the Revillagigedos
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
The full table
Every February 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 February is like there |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia, New Zealand & East Asia · 10 destinations | ||||
| Poor Knights IslandsNew Zealand | 5/5 | 20–23 °C / 68–73 °F | 12–25 m | Warmest water of the year |
| YonaguniJapan | 5/5 | 21–23 °C / 70–73 °F | 20–35 m | Peak schooling; roughest crossings |
| Ningaloo ReefAustralia | 3/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 8–18 m | Corals ripen toward spawning |
| Okinawa & the Kerama IslandsJapan | 3/5 | 20–22 °C / 68–72 °F | 20–35 m | Whale season peak; cool water |
| Green IslandTaiwan | 3/5 | 22–24 °C / 72–75 °F | 15–30 m | Windward coasts blown out some days |
| Izu PeninsulaJapan | 3/5 | 13–15 °C / 55–59 °F | 10–20 m | Coldest water; drysuit country |
| 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 |
| Coral Sea & Osprey ReefAustralia | 2/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 25–45 m | Least reliable weather window |
| Townsville & the YongalaAustralia | 2/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 8–20 m | Cyclone season peak |
| Caribbean & Western Atlantic · 19 destinations | ||||
| BonaireBonaire | 5/5 | 26–27 °C / 79–81 °F | 20–30 m | |
| CozumelMexico | 5/5 | 25–27 °C / 77–81 °F | 20–40 m | Peak conditions; the odd norte blows through. |
| Grand CaymanCayman Islands | 5/5 | 26–27 °C / 79–81 °F | 20–40 m | Settled peak-season conditions. |
| Belize Barrier ReefBelize | 5/5 | 26–27 °C / 79–81 °F | 20–35 m | Settled seas; atoll crossings reliable. |
| GrenadaGrenada | 5/5 | 26–27 °C / 79–81 °F | 15–30 m | |
| British Virgin IslandsBritish Virgin Islands | 5/5 | 25–26 °C / 77–79 °F | 18–30 m | |
| DominicaDominica | 5/5 | 26–27 °C / 79–81 °F | 20–30 m | |
| CuraçaoCuraçao | 5/5 | 26–27 °C / 79–81 °F | 18–30 m | |
| Jardines de la ReinaCuba | 5/5 | 26–27 °C / 79–81 °F | 20–35 m | Settled seas; sharks throughout. |
| Turks and CaicosTurks and Caicos Islands | 5/5 | 25–26 °C / 77–79 °F | 25–40 m | Peak whale season; superb visibility. |
| Saint LuciaSaint Lucia | 5/5 | 26–27 °C / 79–81 °F | 15–30 m | |
| Riviera Maya & the CenotesMexico | 4/5 | 24–26 °C / 75–79 °F | 30–100 m | Dry and busy; book guides ahead. |
| Tiger Beach & Grand BahamaThe Bahamas | 4/5 | 23–25 °C / 73–77 °F | 20–40 m | |
| RoatánHonduras | 4/5 | 26–27 °C / 79–81 °F | 15–30 m | Drying out; water at its coolest. |
| Isla Mujeres & CancúnMexico | 4/5 | 25–27 °C / 77–81 °F | 15–30 m | Settled seas, good visibility. |
| Little CaymanCayman Islands | 4/5 | 26–27 °C / 79–81 °F | 20–40 m | Dry season; north side weather-dependent. |
| UtilaHonduras | 4/5 | 26–27 °C / 79–81 °F | 15–25 m | Settling; water coolest now. |
| Nassau & New ProvidenceThe Bahamas | 4/5 | 23–25 °C / 73–77 °F | 20–40 m | |
| BermudaBermuda | 1/5 | 16–18 °C / 61–64 °F | 25–45 m | |
| Europe, Atlantic & Mediterranean · 9 destinations | ||||
| Silfra & IcelandIceland | 3/5 | 2–4 °C / 36–39 °F | 70–100 m | |
| Canary IslandsSpain | 3/5 | 18–19 °C / 64–66 °F | 12–25 m | |
| Malta & GozoMalta | 2/5 | 14–16 °C / 57–61 °F | 20–35 m | |
| 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 | |
| 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. |
| The AzoresPortugal | 1/5 | 15–17 °C / 59–63 °F | 10–25 m | |
| Indian Ocean & East Africa · 12 destinations | ||||
| 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. |
| Ari AtollMaldives | 5/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 20–30 m | Prime conditions across the atoll. |
| Mafia IslandTanzania | 5/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 10–25 m | Hot; whale shark sightings continue. |
| Sodwana BaySouth Africa | 4/5 | 26–29 °C / 79–84 °F | 10–25 m | Warmest seas; summer surge possible. |
| Zanzibar & MnembaTanzania | 4/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 15–30 m | Hottest month; light winds. |
| Baa Atoll & Hanifaru BayMaldives | 3/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 20–30 m | Dry-season reef diving; few mantas in the bay. |
| MauritiusMauritius | 3/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 15–30 m | Peak cyclone-risk month; operators work around systems. |
| Aliwal Shoal & UmkomaasSouth Africa | 3/5 | 24–27 °C / 75–81 °F | 5–15 m | Summer runoff can green the water; tigers about. |
| SeychellesSeychelles | 3/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 8–20 m | Hot and still; visibility variable. |
| Tofo BeachMozambique | 3/5 | 26–29 °C / 79–84 °F | 8–20 m | Cyclone-watch month; warm and green. |
| Nosy BeMadagascar | 2/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 8–15 m | Wettest month; cyclone risk. |
| The Sardine Run (Wild Coast)South Africa | 1/5 | 22–26 °C / 72–79 °F | 5–15 m | No run; few operators active. |
| Pacific Islands & Micronesia · 12 destinations | ||||
| PalauPalau | 5/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 20–40 m | Peak manta activity in German Channel. |
| 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. |
| YapFederated States of Micronesia | 5/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 10–30 m | Often the peak of the mating season. |
| FakaravaFrench Polynesia | 4/5 | 27–30 °C / 81–86 °F | 25–45 m | Austral summer; showers pass quickly. |
| Kona, HawaiʻiUnited States | 4/5 | 24–25 °C / 75–77 °F | 20–40 m | Coolest water; humpbacks peak. |
| OʻahuUnited States | 4/5 | 23–25 °C / 73–77 °F | 15–30 m | Coolest water; whales audible. |
| Maui & MolokiniUnited States | 4/5 | 23–25 °C / 73–77 °F | 25–40 m | Coolest water of the year. |
| Taveuni & Rainbow ReefFiji | 3/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 10–25 m | Warmest water; watch storm forecasts. |
| Espiritu SantoVanuatu | 3/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 10–25 m | Wettest stretch; wreck still dived. |
| Beqa Lagoon & Pacific HarbourFiji | 3/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 8–20 m | Warm, rainy; shark numbers rebuilding. |
| VavaʻuTonga | 2/5 | 28–29 °C / 82–84 °F | 15–30 m | Hot and quiet. |
| Red Sea & Middle East · 9 destinations | ||||
| Port Sudan & SanganebSudan | 5/5 | 25–27 °C / 77–81 °F | 15–40 m | Historically prime: shark action at its thickest. |
| Marsa Alam & the Deep SouthEgypt | 4/5 | 22–24 °C / 72–75 °F | 15–30 m | Coolest water; house reefs stay easy. |
| Daymaniyat IslandsOman | 4/5 | 22–25 °C / 72–77 °F | 10–25 m | Coolest water, often the year's best visibility. |
| 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. |
| DahabEgypt | 3/5 | 21–23 °C / 70–73 °F | 15–30 m | Coldest water; empty entries and clear winter light. |
| Hurghada & El GounaEgypt | 3/5 | 21–23 °C / 70–73 °F | 12–25 m | Coldest sea of the year; quiet boats. |
| Brothers, Daedalus & St John'sEgypt | 3/5 | 22–24 °C / 72–75 °F | 20–40 m | Coolest water; hardy schedules only. |
| AqabaJordan | 3/5 | 20–22 °C / 68–72 °F | 15–30 m | Coldest water; sites nearly empty. |
| Southeast Asia & Coral Triangle · 18 destinations | ||||
| Raja AmpatIndonesia | 5/5 | 27–30 °C / 81–86 °F | 10–25 m | Calm and reliable; peak liveaboard traffic from Dampier to Misool. |
| CoronPhilippines | 5/5 | 26–29 °C / 79–84 °F | 8–18 m | Settled weather and easy schedules across the fleet. |
| 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. |
| Similan Islands & Richelieu RockThailand | 5/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 15–35 m | Prime conditions; whale-shark window opens at Richelieu. |
| MoalboalPhilippines | 5/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 10–30 m | Reliably settled; the sardine ball sits tight to the reef. |
| Mergui ArchipelagoMyanmar | 5/5 | 26–29 °C / 79–84 °F | 10–30 m | Best odds of calm seas and big-animal action. |
| Sipadan & MabulMalaysia | 4/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 10–25 m | Conditions begin settling; quieter permit calendars. |
| 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. |
| Dumaguete, Dauin & Apo IslandPhilippines | 4/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 10–25 m | Amihan lingers; muck diving unaffected. |
| Bali & Nusa PenidaIndonesia | 3/5 | 26–29 °C / 79–84 °F | 8–20 m | Rainy and quieter; Tulamben can silt after storms. |
| KomodoIndonesia | 3/5 | 23–28 °C / 73–82 °F | 5–20 m | Wet season continues; southern bays are the reliable option. |
| Bunaken & ManadoIndonesia | 3/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 10–20 m | Monsoon tail; conditions variable day to day. |
| 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. |
| 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 Americas & Eastern Pacific · 10 destinations | ||||
| Socorro & the RevillagigedosMexico | 5/5 | 21–24 °C / 70–75 °F | 15–30 m | Coolest water; whales singing on most dives. |
| British ColumbiaCanada | 5/5 | 7–9 °C / 45–48 °F | 15–30 m | |
| CoibaPanama | 5/5 | 21–27 °C / 70–81 °F | 12–25 m | |
| Galápagos IslandsEcuador | 4/5 | 23–27 °C / 73–81 °F | 12–25 m | |
| Cocos IslandCosta Rica | 4/5 | 26–29 °C / 79–84 °F | 18–30 m | |
| Florida KeysUnited States | 3/5 | 22–24 °C / 72–75 °F | 10–20 m | |
| Fernando de NoronhaBrazil | 3/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 15–30 m | |
| Costa Rica Pacific CoastCosta Rica | 3/5 | 21–26 °C / 70–79 °F | 8–15 m | |
| California Channel IslandsUnited States | 3/5 | 12–15 °C / 54–59 °F | 6–15 m | |
| Sea of Cortez & Cabo PulmoMexico | 2/5 | 18–22 °C / 64–72 °F | 8–15 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 February trip