When to dive
Diving in July
Ranked by our documented month ratings: water, visibility and what each place is actually like in July.
99 destinations carry verified figures for July, plus 1 more in season without monthly detail yet.
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.
July · 36
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.
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Komodo
Indonesia · High season; northern pinnacles at their best, south cold and swell-exposed.
Riviera Maya & the Cenotes
Mexico · Peak light in the deep shafts.
Cairns & the Ribbon Reefs
Australia · Minke encounters peak; coolest water
Galápagos Islands
Ecuador · Whale shark season building; rougher crossings.
Sipadan & Mabul
Malaysia · Consistently excellent; busiest months on the island.
Bonaire
Bonaire
Bali & Nusa Penida
Indonesia · Mola season opens at Penida; thermoclines can be startlingly cold at depth.
Florida Keys
United States · Warmest, calmest stretch of the year.
The Azores
Portugal · Princess Alice and mobula season in full swing.
Malta & Gozo
Malta · Peak season; early starts beat the crowds at the marquee sites.
Isla Mujeres & Cancún
Mexico · Peak aggregation weeks.
Silfra & Iceland
Iceland · Peak visitor season: book early slots.
Ningaloo Reef
Australia · Late whale sharks; migration builds
Cocos Island
Costa Rica · Large hammerhead schools; rougher crossings.
Lembeh Strait
Indonesia · Slightly cooler water; a favorite window for photographers.
Brothers, Daedalus & St John's
Egypt · Schooling hammerheads; hot decks.
Kona, Hawaiʻi
United States · Warm, clear, busy.
Taveuni & Rainbow Reef
Fiji · Peak clarity; bring a thicker suit.
Fakarava
French Polynesia · Second spawning window; peak shark theater.
Beqa Lagoon & Pacific Harbour
Fiji · Coolest water of the year.
The Sardine Run (Wild Coast)
South Africa · Peak most years off Port St Johns: never guaranteed.
Curaçao
Curaçao
Maui & Molokini
United States · Tradewind afternoons; glassy dawns.
Wakatobi
Indonesia · Coolest water of the year, still comfortably warm.
North Carolina Outer Banks
United States · Gulf Stream blue on the offshore wrecks.
Little Cayman
Cayman Islands · Hot; long calm spells.
Bunaken & Manado
Indonesia · Peak months begin; occasional windy afternoons.
Bermuda
Bermuda
Aliwal Shoal & Umkomaas
South Africa · Raggies gathering in the caves and gullies.
Larnaca & the Zenobia
Cyprus
Oʻahu
United States · Flat North Shore, busy summer.
Espiritu Santo
Vanuatu · Coolest water; bring a 5 mm suit.
Zanzibar & Mnemba
Tanzania · Dry and settled; strong all-around month.
Vavaʻu
Tonga · Whale season opens.
South Australia
Australia · Coldest water; the aggregation continues
Medes Islands
Spain · Peak season; thermocline sits around 15–20 m.
July · 37
Excellent right now
Reliably very good diving this month. Water this month: 12–30 °C / 54–86 °F.
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Cozumel
Mexico · Warm water, busy boats, afternoon storms.
Sharm El Sheikh & Ras Mohammed
Egypt · Spawning aggregations peak; intense topside heat.
Sea of Cortez & Cabo Pulmo
Mexico
Dahab
Egypt · Hot ashore; the sea stays comfortable.
Belize Barrier Reef
Belize · Hot, greener water inshore.
Marsa Alam & the Deep South
Egypt · Peak heat; early starts pay off.
Rangiroa
French Polynesia · Trade-wind chop on crossings.
Hurghada & El Gouna
Egypt · Hot; early departures beat afternoon chop.
Baa Atoll & Hanifaru Bay
Maldives · Feeding events build through the month.
Grand Cayman
Cayman Islands · Hot and generally calm.
Koh Tao
Thailand · Reliable conditions; busy course season.
Roatán
Honduras · Warm water; brief squalls.
Jardines de la Reina
Cuba · Hot, still days; silkies under the boats.
Mafia Island
Tanzania · Dry and breezy; good bay and wall diving.
Turks and Caicos
Turks and Caicos Islands
Coral Sea & Osprey Reef
Australia · Windy but clear
Townsville & the Yongala
Australia · Coolest water; brisk southeast trades
Aqaba
Jordan · Peak heat; morning dives are best.
Fernando de Noronha
Brazil
Okinawa & the Kerama Islands
Japan · Hot and glassy between typhoons
California Channel Islands
United States
Tofo Beach
Mozambique · Whale song audible on most dives.
British Virgin Islands
British Virgin Islands
Dumaguete, Dauin & Apo Island
Philippines · Showery pattern with good critter diving.
Costa Rica Pacific Coast
Costa Rica · Southern humpbacks arrive.
Sodwana Bay
South Africa · Winter; whales passing north.
Yap
Federated States of Micronesia · Goofnuw mantas; showers likely.
Canary Islands
Spain
Nassau & New Providence
The Bahamas
Scapa Flow
United Kingdom
Utila
Honduras · Calm spells; occasional squalls.
Madeira
Portugal
Nosy Be
Madagascar · Humpback season in full swing.
Coiba
Panama · Humpbacks arrive in the gulf.
Izu Peninsula
Japan · Summer warmth and weekend crowds
Alor
Indonesia · Coldest pulses of the year; exposure protection earns its keep.
Green Island
Taiwan · Peak travel season; typhoon watch
July · 18
Good, with trade-offs
Solid diving this month. Read each note before you book. Water this month: 9–32 °C / 48–90 °F.
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North & South Malé Atolls
Maldives · Monsoon continues; feeding mantas, softer visibility.
Palau
Palau · Rain and wind more likely; boats work sheltered sides.
Chuuk (Truk) Lagoon
Federated States of Micronesia · Rainy; lagoon stays workable.
Anilao
Philippines · Rainy-season pattern with wind-driven chop some days.
Malapascua
Philippines · Wet-season showers and occasional wind.
Ari Atoll
Maldives · Greener water; big animals still present.
Coron
Philippines · Rainy pattern; sheltered hulls keep working.
Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia
Seychelles
Seychelles · Coolest water; sheltered northwest coasts still dive well.
Dominica
Dominica
Moalboal
Philippines · Southwest wind days interrupt an otherwise normal schedule.
Poor Knights Islands
New Zealand · Winter; pick weather windows
Mauritius
Mauritius · Coolest water; the west coast keeps diving.
Grenada
Grenada
Daymaniyat Islands
Oman · Peak heat; early starts.
British Columbia
Canada
Arctic Norway
Norway
Yonaguni
Japan · Typhoon watch begins
Wildlife calendar
In the water in July
Species with documented seasonal or resident sightings this month, each with one place that reliably has them.
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
Grey Reef Shark
e.g. Fakarava
Humpback Whale
e.g. Vavaʻu
Mobula (Devil) Ray
e.g. The Azores
Mola Mola (Ocean Sunfish)
e.g. Bali & Nusa Penida
Reef Manta Ray
e.g. Baa Atoll & Hanifaru Bay
Sand Tiger (Ragged-Tooth) Shark
e.g. North Carolina Outer Banks
Scalloped Hammerhead
e.g. Cocos Island
Also in season (no monthly detail verified yet)
Their best-months list includes July, but we have not verified water, visibility or a rating for it, so they sit here rather than in the ranks above.
The full table
Every July 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 July is like there |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia, New Zealand & East Asia · 10 destinations | ||||
| Cairns & the Ribbon ReefsAustralia | 5/5 | 23–25 °C / 73–77 °F | 15–30 m | Minke encounters peak; coolest water |
| Ningaloo ReefAustralia | 5/5 | 22–24 °C / 72–75 °F | 10–20 m | Late whale sharks; migration builds |
| South AustraliaAustralia | 5/5 | 12–15 °C / 54–59 °F | 5–15 m | Coldest water; the aggregation continues |
| Coral Sea & Osprey ReefAustralia | 4/5 | 24–26 °C / 75–79 °F | 25–50 m | Windy but clear |
| Townsville & the YongalaAustralia | 4/5 | 22–24 °C / 72–75 °F | 10–25 m | Coolest water; brisk southeast trades |
| Okinawa & the Kerama IslandsJapan | 4/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 15–35 m | Hot and glassy between typhoons |
| Izu PeninsulaJapan | 4/5 | 21–24 °C / 70–75 °F | 5–15 m | Summer warmth and weekend crowds |
| Green IslandTaiwan | 4/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 20–40 m | Peak travel season; typhoon watch |
| Poor Knights IslandsNew Zealand | 3/5 | 15–17 °C / 59–63 °F | 10–25 m | Winter; pick weather windows |
| YonaguniJapan | 3/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 20–40 m | Typhoon watch begins |
| Caribbean & Western Atlantic · 19 destinations | ||||
| Riviera Maya & the CenotesMexico | 5/5 | 24–26 °C / 75–79 °F | 30–100 m | Peak light in the deep shafts. |
| BonaireBonaire | 5/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 20–30 m | |
| Isla Mujeres & CancúnMexico | 5/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 15–30 m | Peak aggregation weeks. |
| CuraçaoCuraçao | 5/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 18–30 m | |
| Little CaymanCayman Islands | 5/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 25–40 m | Hot; long calm spells. |
| BermudaBermuda | 5/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 25–45 m | |
| CozumelMexico | 4/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 20–40 m | Warm water, busy boats, afternoon storms. |
| Belize Barrier ReefBelize | 4/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 15–30 m | Hot, greener water inshore. |
| Grand CaymanCayman Islands | 4/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 20–35 m | Hot and generally calm. |
| RoatánHonduras | 4/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 15–30 m | Warm water; brief squalls. |
| Jardines de la ReinaCuba | 4/5 | 29–30 °C / 84–86 °F | 15–30 m | Hot, still days; silkies under the boats. |
| Turks and CaicosTurks and Caicos Islands | 4/5 | 28–29 °C / 82–84 °F | 20–30 m | |
| British Virgin IslandsBritish Virgin Islands | 4/5 | 28–29 °C / 82–84 °F | 15–25 m | |
| Nassau & New ProvidenceThe Bahamas | 4/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 15–30 m | |
| UtilaHonduras | 4/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 15–30 m | Calm spells; occasional squalls. |
| Saint LuciaSaint Lucia | 3/5 | 28–29 °C / 82–84 °F | 12–25 m | |
| DominicaDominica | 3/5 | 28–29 °C / 82–84 °F | 15–25 m | |
| GrenadaGrenada | 3/5 | 28–29 °C / 82–84 °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 | 20–22 °C / 68–72 °F | 20–40 m | Princess Alice and mobula season in full swing. |
| Malta & GozoMalta | 5/5 | 22–25 °C / 72–77 °F | 25–40 m | Peak season; early starts beat the crowds at the marquee sites. |
| Silfra & IcelandIceland | 5/5 | 2–4 °C / 36–39 °F | 70–100 m | Peak visitor season: book early slots. |
| Larnaca & the ZenobiaCyprus | 5/5 | 25–27 °C / 77–81 °F | 20–35 m | |
| Medes IslandsSpain | 5/5 | 21–24 °C / 70–75 °F | 10–25 m | Peak season; thermocline sits around 15–20 m. |
| Canary IslandsSpain | 4/5 | 21–23 °C / 70–73 °F | 15–30 m | |
| Scapa FlowUnited Kingdom | 4/5 | 12–13 °C / 54–55 °F | 5–10 m | |
| MadeiraPortugal | 4/5 | 21–23 °C / 70–73 °F | 15–30 m | |
| Arctic NorwayNorway | 3/5 | 9–13 °C / 48–55 °F | 5–15 m | |
| Indian Ocean & East Africa · 12 destinations | ||||
| The Sardine Run (Wild Coast)South Africa | 5/5 | 17–21 °C / 63–70 °F | 5–15 m | Peak most years off Port St Johns: never guaranteed. |
| Aliwal Shoal & UmkomaasSouth Africa | 5/5 | 19–22 °C / 66–72 °F | 10–25 m | Raggies gathering in the caves and gullies. |
| Zanzibar & MnembaTanzania | 5/5 | 25–27 °C / 77–81 °F | 15–30 m | Dry and settled; strong all-around month. |
| Baa Atoll & Hanifaru BayMaldives | 4/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 10–20 m | Feeding events build through the month. |
| Mafia IslandTanzania | 4/5 | 25–27 °C / 77–81 °F | 10–25 m | Dry and breezy; good bay and wall diving. |
| Tofo BeachMozambique | 4/5 | 22–25 °C / 72–77 °F | 10–25 m | Whale song audible on most dives. |
| Sodwana BaySouth Africa | 4/5 | 21–24 °C / 70–75 °F | 12–30 m | Winter; whales passing north. |
| Nosy BeMadagascar | 4/5 | 25–27 °C / 77–81 °F | 12–25 m | Humpback season in full swing. |
| North & South Malé AtollsMaldives | 3/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 10–20 m | Monsoon continues; feeding mantas, softer visibility. |
| Ari AtollMaldives | 3/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 10–20 m | Greener water; big animals still present. |
| SeychellesSeychelles | 3/5 | 25–27 °C / 77–81 °F | 10–20 m | Coolest water; sheltered northwest coasts still dive well. |
| MauritiusMauritius | 3/5 | 22–25 °C / 72–77 °F | 10–20 m | Coolest water; the west coast keeps diving. |
| Pacific Islands & Micronesia · 12 destinations | ||||
| Kona, HawaiʻiUnited States | 5/5 | 26–27 °C / 79–81 °F | 25–40 m | Warm, clear, busy. |
| Taveuni & Rainbow ReefFiji | 5/5 | 24–26 °C / 75–79 °F | 20–40 m | Peak clarity; bring a thicker suit. |
| FakaravaFrench Polynesia | 5/5 | 25–27 °C / 77–81 °F | 25–45 m | Second spawning window; peak shark theater. |
| Beqa Lagoon & Pacific HarbourFiji | 5/5 | 24–26 °C / 75–79 °F | 12–30 m | Coolest water of the year. |
| Maui & MolokiniUnited States | 5/5 | 26–27 °C / 79–81 °F | 30–45 m | Tradewind afternoons; glassy dawns. |
| OʻahuUnited States | 5/5 | 26–27 °C / 79–81 °F | 18–35 m | Flat North Shore, busy summer. |
| Espiritu SantoVanuatu | 5/5 | 24–26 °C / 75–79 °F | 15–30 m | Coolest water; bring a 5 mm suit. |
| VavaʻuTonga | 5/5 | 23–25 °C / 73–77 °F | 20–40 m | Whale season opens. |
| RangiroaFrench Polynesia | 4/5 | 25–27 °C / 77–81 °F | 25–40 m | Trade-wind chop on crossings. |
| YapFederated States of Micronesia | 4/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 10–25 m | Goofnuw mantas; showers likely. |
| PalauPalau | 3/5 | 27–30 °C / 81–86 °F | 12–30 m | Rain and wind more likely; boats work sheltered sides. |
| Chuuk (Truk) LagoonFederated States of Micronesia | 3/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 10–25 m | Rainy; lagoon stays workable. |
| Red Sea & Middle East · 9 destinations | ||||
| Brothers, Daedalus & St John'sEgypt | 5/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 20–40 m | Schooling hammerheads; hot decks. |
| Sharm El Sheikh & Ras MohammedEgypt | 4/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 15–30 m | Spawning aggregations peak; intense topside heat. |
| DahabEgypt | 4/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 15–30 m | Hot ashore; the sea stays comfortable. |
| Marsa Alam & the Deep SouthEgypt | 4/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 15–30 m | Peak heat; early starts pay off. |
| Hurghada & El GounaEgypt | 4/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 15–30 m | Hot; early departures beat afternoon chop. |
| AqabaJordan | 4/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 15–30 m | Peak heat; morning dives are best. |
| Daymaniyat IslandsOman | 3/5 | 29–32 °C / 84–90 °F | 8–20 m | Peak heat; early starts. |
| Port Sudan & SanganebSudan | 2/5 | 30–32 °C / 86–90 °F | 15–40 m | Brutal heat; few boats ever ran. |
| Musandam PeninsulaOman | 2/5 | 30–33 °C / 86–91 °F | 8–18 m | Hottest stretch; plankton thickens. |
| Southeast Asia & Coral Triangle · 18 destinations | ||||
| KomodoIndonesia | 5/5 | 20–28 °C / 68–82 °F | 15–30 m | High season; northern pinnacles at their best, south cold and swell-exposed. |
| Sipadan & MabulMalaysia | 5/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 15–35 m | Consistently excellent; busiest months on the island. |
| Bali & Nusa PenidaIndonesia | 5/5 | 22–28 °C / 72–82 °F | 15–30 m | Mola season opens at Penida; thermoclines can be startlingly cold at depth. |
| Lembeh StraitIndonesia | 5/5 | 25–28 °C / 77–82 °F | 10–20 m | Slightly cooler water; a favorite window for photographers. |
| WakatobiIndonesia | 5/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 20–40 m | Coolest water of the year, still comfortably warm. |
| Bunaken & ManadoIndonesia | 5/5 | 26–29 °C / 79–84 °F | 20–35 m | Peak months begin; occasional windy afternoons. |
| Koh TaoThailand | 4/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 10–20 m | Reliable conditions; busy course season. |
| Dumaguete, Dauin & Apo IslandPhilippines | 4/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 10–20 m | Showery pattern with good critter diving. |
| AlorIndonesia | 4/5 | 20–26 °C / 68–79 °F | 15–30 m | Coldest pulses of the year; exposure protection earns its keep. |
| AnilaoPhilippines | 3/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 8–18 m | Rainy-season pattern with wind-driven chop some days. |
| MalapascuaPhilippines | 3/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 10–20 m | Wet-season showers and occasional wind. |
| CoronPhilippines | 3/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 5–12 m | Rainy pattern; sheltered hulls keep working. |
| MoalboalPhilippines | 3/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 8–20 m | Southwest wind days interrupt an otherwise normal schedule. |
| Raja AmpatIndonesia | 2/5 | 26–29 °C / 79–84 °F | 10–20 m | Windiest stretch; Misool often impractical, Dampier Strait resorts carry on. |
| Banda Sea & AmbonIndonesia | 2/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 15–30 m | Southeast monsoon peak; liveaboards work other regions. |
| Similan Islands & Richelieu RockThailand | 1/5 | — | — | Closed; boats overhaul in port. |
| Tubbataha ReefsPhilippines | 1/5 | — | — | Southwest monsoon; the park sees only rangers and researchers. |
| Mergui ArchipelagoMyanmar | 1/5 | — | — | Closed season across the archipelago. |
| The Americas & Eastern Pacific · 10 destinations | ||||
| Galápagos IslandsEcuador | 5/5 | 18–22 °C / 64–72 °F | 10–20 m | Whale shark season building; rougher crossings. |
| Florida KeysUnited States | 5/5 | 29–31 °C / 84–88 °F | 15–30 m | Warmest, calmest stretch of the year. |
| Cocos IslandCosta Rica | 5/5 | 24–28 °C / 75–82 °F | 12–25 m | Large hammerhead schools; rougher crossings. |
| North Carolina Outer BanksUnited States | 5/5 | 24–27 °C / 75–81 °F | 15–30 m | Gulf Stream blue on the offshore wrecks. |
| Sea of Cortez & Cabo PulmoMexico | 4/5 | 26–29 °C / 79–84 °F | 15–25 m | |
| Fernando de NoronhaBrazil | 4/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 20–35 m | |
| California Channel IslandsUnited States | 4/5 | 16–19 °C / 61–66 °F | 10–20 m | |
| Costa Rica Pacific CoastCosta Rica | 4/5 | 26–29 °C / 79–84 °F | 10–20 m | Southern humpbacks arrive. |
| CoibaPanama | 4/5 | 25–29 °C / 77–84 °F | 8–18 m | Humpbacks arrive in the gulf. |
| British ColumbiaCanada | 3/5 | 11–15 °C / 52–59 °F | 5–15 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 July trip