When to dive
Diving in March
Ranked by our documented month ratings: water, visibility and what each place is actually like in March.
99 destinations carry verified figures for March.
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.
March · 34
Prime this month
The month at its best: the trips people fly across the world for. Water this month: 20–30 °C / 68–86 °F.
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North & South Malé Atolls
Maldives · Warm and calm; prime channel diving.
Cozumel
Mexico · Calm and dry; eagle ray numbers taper.
Raja Ampat
Indonesia · Season continues; occasional rain squalls do little to the diving.
Palau
Palau · Reliably calm; mantas still working the channel.
Bonaire
Bonaire
Ari Atoll
Maldives · Warm, calm, reliable; whale sharks on the south rim.
Chuuk (Truk) Lagoon
Federated States of Micronesia · Settled; good light in the holds.
Koh Tao
Thailand · Clear, calm, and the whale-shark drumbeat begins.
Coron
Philippines · Warm and reliable; a favorite month for penetration courses.
Roatán
Honduras · Calm, clear, and dry.
Marsa Alam & the Deep South
Egypt · Spring calm begins: a superb window.
Belize Barrier Reef
Belize · Prime conditions; first Gladden Spit spawns.
Grand Cayman
Cayman Islands · Calm, clear, busy boats.
Similan Islands & Richelieu Rock
Thailand · Warm water and the year's best big-fish odds.
Malapascua
Philippines · Seas ease and visibility improves; hammerheads still possible.
Anilao
Philippines · Warming water and reliably flat mornings.
Socorro & the Revillagigedos
Mexico
Rangiroa
French Polynesia · Late hammerhead season.
Turks and Caicos
Turks and Caicos Islands
Curaçao
Curaçao
Nassau & New Providence
The Bahamas
Utila
Honduras · Whale-shark window opens; calm seas.
Grenada
Grenada
British Virgin Islands
British Virgin Islands
Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia
Dominica
Dominica
Jardines de la Reina
Cuba · Prime conditions continue.
Yap
Federated States of Micronesia · Mating season continues; settled weather.
Dumaguete, Dauin & Apo Island
Philippines · Calming seas open up the whole map.
Moalboal
Philippines · Warm, glassy, and bright; peak conditions.
Poor Knights Islands
New Zealand · Autumn clarity begins
Port Sudan & Sanganeb
Sudan · Peak season continues.
Coiba
Panama · Strong whale shark window on the outer sites.
Mergui Archipelago
Myanmar · Season peak continues; plankton pulses vary visibility.
March · 35
Excellent right now
Reliably very good diving this month. Water this month: 7–30 °C / 45–86 °F.
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Riviera Maya & the Cenotes
Mexico · High season tapers; sharks thin out.
Galápagos Islands
Ecuador · Warmest water of the year.
Sharm El Sheikh & Ras Mohammed
Egypt · Water starts warming; spring season opens.
Komodo
Indonesia · Transition; seas begin settling and central sites reopen reliably.
Sipadan & Mabul
Malaysia · Improving visibility as seas flatten.
Tiger Beach & Grand Bahama
The Bahamas
Brothers, Daedalus & St John's
Egypt · Season warms as the seas ease.
Dahab
Egypt · Warming; wind builds some afternoons.
Lembeh Strait
Indonesia · Conditions steady; a good-value shoulder month.
Cocos Island
Costa Rica
Ningaloo Reef
Australia · Spawn brings the first whale sharks
Hurghada & El Gouna
Egypt · Improving, though spring wind lingers.
Tubbataha Reefs
Philippines · The season opens around mid-month as the northeast wind fades.
Isla Mujeres & Cancún
Mexico · Warm, dry, quiet reefs.
Fakarava
French Polynesia · Settled diving continues.
Kona, Hawaiʻi
United States · Whales linger; conditions variable.
Baa Atoll & Hanifaru Bay
Maldives · Warm and settled; cleaning stations still active.
Aliwal Shoal & Umkomaas
South Africa · Seas settle; tigers still seen.
Banda Sea & Ambon
Indonesia · First crossing window; settled seas and clear blue water.
Aqaba
Jordan · Warming steadily.
Sodwana Bay
South Africa · Late-summer diving settles.
Tofo Beach
Mozambique · Rains ease; ocean still warm.
Mauritius
Mauritius · Late summer; weather settles.
Little Cayman
Cayman Islands · Settling seas; grouper season ends.
Maui & Molokini
United States · Whales taper late month.
Seychelles
Seychelles · Winds drop; seas begin to flatten.
Bunaken & Manado
Indonesia · Seas settle; visibility begins its seasonal climb.
Beqa Lagoon & Pacific Harbour
Fiji · Bulls largely back on the reef.
British Columbia
Canada
Daymaniyat Islands
Oman · Pleasant transition month.
Oʻahu
United States · Winter pattern easing.
Wakatobi
Indonesia · Season opens up; calm mornings and long visibility return.
South Australia
Australia · Autumn calm settles in
Musandam Peninsula
Oman · Spring warmth; blooms begin tinting the water.
Yonaguni
Japan · Late hammerheads as seas ease
March · 18
Good, with trade-offs
Solid diving this month. Read each note before you book. Water this month: 2–30 °C / 36–86 °F.
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Cairns & the Ribbon Reefs
Australia · Wet season eases late in the month
Bali & Nusa Penida
Indonesia · Rains taper; conditions steadily improve.
Florida Keys
United States
Taveuni & Rainbow Reef
Fiji · Late wet season.
Silfra & Iceland
Iceland
Canary Islands
Spain
Okinawa & the Kerama Islands
Japan · Whales linger; spring winds
Mafia Island
Tanzania · Heat and building rain; season winds down.
Townsville & the Yongala
Australia · Wet season tapers; swell lingers
Coral Sea & Osprey Reef
Australia · Departures resume as systems clear
Espiritu Santo
Vanuatu · Late wet season.
Costa Rica Pacific Coast
Costa Rica
Fernando de Noronha
Brazil
Zanzibar & Mnemba
Tanzania · Heat builds toward the long rains.
Izu Peninsula
Japan · Spring bloom begins
Green Island
Taiwan · Monsoon eases late in the month
Alor
Indonesia · Season restarts as seas ease.
Nosy Be
Madagascar · Rains taper.
Wildlife calendar
In the water in March
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
Bumphead Parrotfish
e.g. Tubbataha Reefs
California Sea Lion
e.g. British Columbia
Dogtooth Tuna
e.g. Tubbataha Reefs
Great Hammerhead
e.g. Rangiroa
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
The full table
Every March 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 March is like there |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia, New Zealand & East Asia · 10 destinations | ||||
| Poor Knights IslandsNew Zealand | 5/5 | 20–23 °C / 68–73 °F | 15–30 m | Autumn clarity begins |
| Ningaloo ReefAustralia | 4/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 8–18 m | Spawn brings the first whale sharks |
| South AustraliaAustralia | 4/5 | 19–21 °C / 66–70 °F | 4–12 m | Autumn calm settles in |
| YonaguniJapan | 4/5 | 22–24 °C / 72–75 °F | 20–35 m | Late hammerheads as seas ease |
| Cairns & the Ribbon ReefsAustralia | 3/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 12–25 m | Wet season eases late in the month |
| Okinawa & the Kerama IslandsJapan | 3/5 | 21–23 °C / 70–73 °F | 20–35 m | Whales linger; spring winds |
| Townsville & the YongalaAustralia | 3/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 8–20 m | Wet season tapers; swell lingers |
| Coral Sea & Osprey ReefAustralia | 3/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 25–45 m | Departures resume as systems clear |
| Izu PeninsulaJapan | 3/5 | 14–16 °C / 57–61 °F | 8–18 m | Spring bloom begins |
| Green IslandTaiwan | 3/5 | 23–25 °C / 73–77 °F | 15–30 m | Monsoon eases late in the month |
| Caribbean & Western Atlantic · 19 destinations | ||||
| CozumelMexico | 5/5 | 25–27 °C / 77–81 °F | 20–40 m | Calm and dry; eagle ray numbers taper. |
| BonaireBonaire | 5/5 | 26–27 °C / 79–81 °F | 20–30 m | |
| RoatánHonduras | 5/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 20–30 m | Calm, clear, and dry. |
| Belize Barrier ReefBelize | 5/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 20–35 m | Prime conditions; first Gladden Spit spawns. |
| Grand CaymanCayman Islands | 5/5 | 26–27 °C / 79–81 °F | 20–40 m | Calm, clear, busy boats. |
| Turks and CaicosTurks and Caicos Islands | 5/5 | 25–27 °C / 77–81 °F | 25–40 m | |
| CuraçaoCuraçao | 5/5 | 26–27 °C / 79–81 °F | 18–30 m | |
| Nassau & New ProvidenceThe Bahamas | 5/5 | 24–26 °C / 75–79 °F | 20–40 m | |
| UtilaHonduras | 5/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 15–30 m | Whale-shark window opens; calm seas. |
| GrenadaGrenada | 5/5 | 26–27 °C / 79–81 °F | 15–30 m | |
| British Virgin IslandsBritish Virgin Islands | 5/5 | 25–27 °C / 77–81 °F | 18–30 m | |
| Saint LuciaSaint Lucia | 5/5 | 26–27 °C / 79–81 °F | 15–30 m | |
| DominicaDominica | 5/5 | 26–27 °C / 79–81 °F | 20–30 m | |
| Jardines de la ReinaCuba | 5/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 20–35 m | Prime conditions continue. |
| Riviera Maya & the CenotesMexico | 4/5 | 24–26 °C / 75–79 °F | 30–100 m | High season tapers; sharks thin out. |
| Tiger Beach & Grand BahamaThe Bahamas | 4/5 | 24–26 °C / 75–79 °F | 20–40 m | |
| Isla Mujeres & CancúnMexico | 4/5 | 25–27 °C / 77–81 °F | 15–30 m | Warm, dry, quiet reefs. |
| Little CaymanCayman Islands | 4/5 | 26–27 °C / 79–81 °F | 20–40 m | Settling seas; grouper season ends. |
| BermudaBermuda | 2/5 | 16–18 °C / 61–64 °F | 25–45 m | Humpbacks migrate past offshore. |
| 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 | 15–16 °C / 59–61 °F | 20–35 m | |
| Larnaca & the ZenobiaCyprus | 2/5 | 16–18 °C / 61–64 °F | 15–30 m | |
| Scapa FlowUnited Kingdom | 2/5 | 6–8 °C / 43–46 °F | 8–15 m | |
| MadeiraPortugal | 2/5 | 17–18 °C / 63–64 °F | 10–20 m | |
| Arctic NorwayNorway | 2/5 | 2–5 °C / 36–41 °F | 10–30 m | |
| Medes IslandsSpain | 2/5 | 13–14 °C / 55–57 °F | 12–25 m | |
| 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 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 20–30 m | Warm and calm; prime channel diving. |
| Ari AtollMaldives | 5/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 20–30 m | Warm, calm, reliable; whale sharks on the south rim. |
| Baa Atoll & Hanifaru BayMaldives | 4/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 20–30 m | Warm and settled; cleaning stations still active. |
| Aliwal Shoal & UmkomaasSouth Africa | 4/5 | 24–27 °C / 75–81 °F | 8–20 m | Seas settle; tigers still seen. |
| Sodwana BaySouth Africa | 4/5 | 25–28 °C / 77–82 °F | 10–25 m | Late-summer diving settles. |
| Tofo BeachMozambique | 4/5 | 26–29 °C / 79–84 °F | 8–20 m | Rains ease; ocean still warm. |
| MauritiusMauritius | 4/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 15–30 m | Late summer; weather settles. |
| SeychellesSeychelles | 4/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 10–25 m | Winds drop; seas begin to flatten. |
| Mafia IslandTanzania | 3/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 8–20 m | Heat and building rain; season winds down. |
| Zanzibar & MnembaTanzania | 3/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 10–25 m | Heat builds toward the long rains. |
| Nosy BeMadagascar | 3/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 8–18 m | Rains taper. |
| The Sardine Run (Wild Coast)South Africa | 1/5 | 22–26 °C / 72–79 °F | 5–15 m | No run; autumn transition. |
| Pacific Islands & Micronesia · 12 destinations | ||||
| PalauPalau | 5/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 20–40 m | Reliably calm; mantas still working the channel. |
| Chuuk (Truk) LagoonFederated States of Micronesia | 5/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 15–30 m | Settled; good light in the holds. |
| RangiroaFrench Polynesia | 5/5 | 27–30 °C / 81–86 °F | 25–45 m | Late hammerhead season. |
| YapFederated States of Micronesia | 5/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 10–30 m | Mating season continues; settled weather. |
| FakaravaFrench Polynesia | 4/5 | 27–30 °C / 81–86 °F | 25–45 m | Settled diving continues. |
| Kona, HawaiʻiUnited States | 4/5 | 24–26 °C / 75–79 °F | 20–40 m | Whales linger; conditions variable. |
| Maui & MolokiniUnited States | 4/5 | 24–25 °C / 75–77 °F | 25–40 m | Whales taper late month. |
| Beqa Lagoon & Pacific HarbourFiji | 4/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 8–22 m | Bulls largely back on the reef. |
| OʻahuUnited States | 4/5 | 24–25 °C / 75–77 °F | 15–30 m | Winter pattern easing. |
| Taveuni & Rainbow ReefFiji | 3/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 10–25 m | Late wet season. |
| Espiritu SantoVanuatu | 3/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 10–25 m | Late wet season. |
| VavaʻuTonga | 2/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 15–30 m | Late wet season. |
| Red Sea & Middle East · 9 destinations | ||||
| Marsa Alam & the Deep SouthEgypt | 5/5 | 23–25 °C / 73–77 °F | 15–30 m | Spring calm begins: a superb window. |
| Port Sudan & SanganebSudan | 5/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 15–40 m | Peak season continues. |
| Sharm El Sheikh & Ras MohammedEgypt | 4/5 | 21–24 °C / 70–75 °F | 15–30 m | Water starts warming; spring season opens. |
| Brothers, Daedalus & St John'sEgypt | 4/5 | 23–25 °C / 73–77 °F | 20–40 m | Season warms as the seas ease. |
| DahabEgypt | 4/5 | 21–24 °C / 70–75 °F | 15–30 m | Warming; wind builds some afternoons. |
| Hurghada & El GounaEgypt | 4/5 | 21–24 °C / 70–75 °F | 15–30 m | Improving, though spring wind lingers. |
| AqabaJordan | 4/5 | 21–23 °C / 70–73 °F | 15–30 m | Warming steadily. |
| Daymaniyat IslandsOman | 4/5 | 24–26 °C / 75–79 °F | 10–25 m | Pleasant transition month. |
| Musandam PeninsulaOman | 4/5 | 23–26 °C / 73–79 °F | 10–20 m | Spring warmth; blooms begin tinting the water. |
| Southeast Asia & Coral Triangle · 18 destinations | ||||
| Raja AmpatIndonesia | 5/5 | 27–30 °C / 81–86 °F | 10–25 m | Season continues; occasional rain squalls do little to the diving. |
| Koh TaoThailand | 5/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 15–25 m | Clear, calm, and the whale-shark drumbeat begins. |
| CoronPhilippines | 5/5 | 27–30 °C / 81–86 °F | 8–18 m | Warm and reliable; a favorite month for penetration courses. |
| Similan Islands & Richelieu RockThailand | 5/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 15–35 m | Warm water and the year's best big-fish odds. |
| MalapascuaPhilippines | 5/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 10–25 m | Seas ease and visibility improves; hammerheads still possible. |
| AnilaoPhilippines | 5/5 | 25–28 °C / 77–82 °F | 10–25 m | Warming water and reliably flat mornings. |
| Dumaguete, Dauin & Apo IslandPhilippines | 5/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 10–25 m | Calming seas open up the whole map. |
| MoalboalPhilippines | 5/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 10–30 m | Warm, glassy, and bright; peak conditions. |
| Mergui ArchipelagoMyanmar | 5/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 10–30 m | Season peak continues; plankton pulses vary visibility. |
| KomodoIndonesia | 4/5 | 24–28 °C / 75–82 °F | 10–20 m | Transition; seas begin settling and central sites reopen reliably. |
| Sipadan & MabulMalaysia | 4/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 15–30 m | Improving visibility as seas flatten. |
| Lembeh StraitIndonesia | 4/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 8–18 m | Conditions steady; a good-value shoulder month. |
| Tubbataha ReefsPhilippines | 4/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 15–35 m | The season opens around mid-month as the northeast wind fades. |
| Banda Sea & AmbonIndonesia | 4/5 | 27–30 °C / 81–86 °F | 20–40 m | First crossing window; settled seas and clear blue water. |
| Bunaken & ManadoIndonesia | 4/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 15–25 m | Seas settle; visibility begins its seasonal climb. |
| WakatobiIndonesia | 4/5 | 27–30 °C / 81–86 °F | 20–35 m | Season opens up; calm mornings and long visibility return. |
| Bali & Nusa PenidaIndonesia | 3/5 | 26–29 °C / 79–84 °F | 10–20 m | Rains taper; conditions steadily improve. |
| AlorIndonesia | 3/5 | 24–28 °C / 75–82 °F | 10–25 m | Season restarts as seas ease. |
| The Americas & Eastern Pacific · 10 destinations | ||||
| Socorro & the RevillagigedosMexico | 5/5 | 21–25 °C / 70–77 °F | 15–30 m | |
| CoibaPanama | 5/5 | 21–27 °C / 70–81 °F | 12–25 m | Strong whale shark window on the outer sites. |
| Galápagos IslandsEcuador | 4/5 | 23–27 °C / 73–81 °F | 12–25 m | Warmest water of the year. |
| Cocos IslandCosta Rica | 4/5 | 26–29 °C / 79–84 °F | 18–30 m | |
| British ColumbiaCanada | 4/5 | 7–10 °C / 45–50 °F | 12–25 m | |
| Florida KeysUnited States | 3/5 | 23–25 °C / 73–77 °F | 10–20 m | |
| Costa Rica Pacific CoastCosta Rica | 3/5 | 21–26 °C / 70–79 °F | 8–15 m | |
| Fernando de NoronhaBrazil | 3/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 15–30 m | |
| Sea of Cortez & Cabo PulmoMexico | 2/5 | 19–22 °C / 66–72 °F | 8–15 m | |
| California Channel IslandsUnited States | 2/5 | 12–15 °C / 54–59 °F | 5–12 m | Plankton bloom begins: green water, busy reef. |
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 March trip