When to dive
Diving in November
Ranked by our documented month ratings: water, visibility and what each place is actually like in November.
100 destinations carry verified figures for November.
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.
November · 14
Prime this month
The month at its best: the trips people fly across the world for. Water this month: 5–30 °C / 41–86 °F.
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Raja Ampat
Indonesia · Excellent month; calm water and full liveaboard schedules.
Marsa Alam & the Deep South
Egypt · Sharks linger; conditions still warm.
Tiger Beach & Grand Bahama
The Bahamas
Banda Sea & Ambon
Indonesia · Excellent conditions; the classic hammerhead window continues.
Coral Sea & Osprey Reef
Australia · Often the calmest crossings of the year
Fernando de Noronha
Brazil
Seychelles
Seychelles · Flat seas continue; superb conditions.
British Columbia
Canada
Mauritius
Mauritius · Warm and clear before summer heat.
Mafia Island
Tanzania · Prime month: whale sharks and glassy seas.
Daymaniyat Islands
Oman · Warm, calmer, clearer: superb.
Arctic Norway
Norway · Orca and humpback season typically opens in the northern fjords.
Nosy Be
Madagascar · Whale sharks most reliable; warm and calm.
Musandam Peninsula
Oman · Prime month; settled and rich.
November · 57
Excellent right now
Reliably very good diving this month. Water this month: 14–30 °C / 57–86 °F.
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Cozumel
Mexico · Drying out; first nortes arrive.
Cairns & the Ribbon Reefs
Australia · Coral spawning after the full moon
Galápagos Islands
Ecuador
Bonaire
Bonaire
North & South Malé Atolls
Maldives · Transition back to dry season; mantas linger.
Riviera Maya & the Cenotes
Mexico · Drying out; bull sharks return off Playa.
Komodo
Indonesia · Shoulder month; south-coast season begins as the north stays workable.
Bali & Nusa Penida
Indonesia · Shoulder month; first rains arrive late in the month.
Palau
Palau · Trades returning; visibility improves.
Sharm El Sheikh & Ras Mohammed
Egypt · Cooling but comfortable; good value.
Lembeh Strait
Indonesia · First rains return; still fully diveable.
Anilao
Philippines · Amihan returns with dry, workable weather.
Isla Mujeres & Cancún
Mexico · Drying; first nortes blow.
Similan Islands & Richelieu Rock
Thailand · Early-season diving with building visibility.
Baa Atoll & Hanifaru Bay
Maldives · Season tails off; seas settle.
Cocos Island
Costa Rica · Rains taper; still strong shark diving.
Socorro & the Revillagigedos
Mexico · Season opens warm; whale shark chances.
Coron
Philippines · Drying out; conditions rebuild toward high season.
Kona, Hawaiʻi
United States · First winter swells possible.
Fakarava
French Polynesia · Quiet shoulder season.
Belize Barrier Reef
Belize · Drying out; seas settle.
Grand Cayman
Cayman Islands · Drying; seas settle.
Rangiroa
French Polynesia · Season building toward summer.
Chuuk (Truk) Lagoon
Federated States of Micronesia · Drier pattern returning.
Hurghada & El Gouna
Egypt · Cooling but still reliable at sea.
Dahab
Egypt · Cooling; good value and quiet entries.
Ari Atoll
Maldives · Transition month; settling seas.
Brothers, Daedalus & St John's
Egypt · Whitetips linger; wind returns late in the month.
Sea of Cortez & Cabo Pulmo
Mexico
Oʻahu
United States · North Shore winding down for winter.
Curaçao
Curaçao
Maui & Molokini
United States · First winter systems possible.
Nassau & New Providence
The Bahamas
Grenada
Grenada
British Virgin Islands
British Virgin Islands
Dominica
Dominica · Whales become dependable again.
Wakatobi
Indonesia · Late-season calm before the rains.
Dumaguete, Dauin & Apo Island
Philippines · Drying trend; storms possible regionally.
Townsville & the Yongala
Australia · Coral spawning and building heat
Turks and Caicos
Turks and Caicos Islands
Aqaba
Jordan · Comfortable autumn diving.
Okinawa & the Kerama Islands
Japan · Warm water lingers; thin crowds
California Channel Islands
United States
Little Cayman
Cayman Islands · Drying; first fronts of winter.
Moalboal
Philippines · Drying out; a quiet, good-value month.
Costa Rica Pacific Coast
Costa Rica
Aliwal Shoal & Umkomaas
South Africa · Last raggies; water warming.
Jardines de la Reina
Cuba · Drying; crossings settle.
Canary Islands
Spain · Angelsharks begin appearing on the shallows.
Tofo Beach
Mozambique · Historically strong whale shark month.
Sodwana Bay
South Africa · Turtle nesting begins on the beaches.
Yap
Federated States of Micronesia · Drying out; mantas shifting northwest.
Yonaguni
Japan · First hammerhead reports
Port Sudan & Sanganeb
Sudan · Settled seas and warm water.
Alor
Indonesia · Late season remains reliable before the monsoon turns.
Mergui Archipelago
Myanmar · Early-season trips resume when permitted.
Izu Peninsula
Japan · Southern drifters linger in cooling water
November · 22
Good, with trade-offs
Solid diving this month. Read each note before you book. Water this month: 2–29 °C / 36–84 °F.
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Sipadan & Mabul
Malaysia · Rain increases and seas pick up.
Malta & Gozo
Malta
Taveuni & Rainbow Reef
Fiji · Wet season approaching.
Malapascua
Philippines · Transition month with lingering storm risk.
Ningaloo Reef
Australia · Warming shoulder; turtles court in the lagoon
Roatán
Honduras · Wet; boats work the lee shore.
Silfra & Iceland
Iceland
Florida Keys
United States
Utila
Honduras · Wet season; lee-shore diving.
Larnaca & the Zenobia
Cyprus
Poor Knights Islands
New Zealand · Bloom lingers; fish life everywhere
Espiritu Santo
Vanuatu · Humidity building.
Zanzibar & Mnemba
Tanzania · Short rains; calm interludes between showers.
Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia
Beqa Lagoon & Pacific Harbour
Fiji · Pupping absence; wet season starts.
Bunaken & Manado
Indonesia · First rains; conditions begin to turn.
Bermuda
Bermuda
Madeira
Portugal
South Australia
Australia · Male seadragons often carry eggs
Green Island
Taiwan · Wind returns; leeward sites still work
Medes Islands
Spain
Coiba
Panama
Wildlife calendar
In the water in November
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. Costa Rica Pacific Coast
California Sea Lion
e.g. Sea of Cortez & Cabo Pulmo
Hawksbill Turtle
e.g. Seychelles
Humpback Whale
e.g. Arctic Norway
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. Raja Ampat
Oceanic Whitetip Shark
e.g. Marsa Alam & the Deep South
Olive Ridley Turtle
e.g. Costa Rica Pacific Coast
The full table
Every November figure, region by region
100 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 11
| Destination | Rating | Water | Visibility | What November is like there |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia, New Zealand & East Asia · 10 destinations | ||||
| Coral Sea & Osprey ReefAustralia | 5/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 30–60 m | Often the calmest crossings of the year |
| Cairns & the Ribbon ReefsAustralia | 4/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 15–30 m | Coral spawning after the full moon |
| Townsville & the YongalaAustralia | 4/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 12–25 m | Coral spawning and building heat |
| Okinawa & the Kerama IslandsJapan | 4/5 | 24–26 °C / 75–79 °F | 20–35 m | Warm water lingers; thin crowds |
| YonaguniJapan | 4/5 | 24–26 °C / 75–79 °F | 20–35 m | First hammerhead reports |
| Izu PeninsulaJapan | 4/5 | 18–20 °C / 64–68 °F | 10–20 m | Southern drifters linger in cooling water |
| Ningaloo ReefAustralia | 3/5 | 23–26 °C / 73–79 °F | 8–20 m | Warming shoulder; turtles court in the lagoon |
| Poor Knights IslandsNew Zealand | 3/5 | 16–18 °C / 61–64 °F | 8–18 m | Bloom lingers; fish life everywhere |
| South AustraliaAustralia | 3/5 | 16–19 °C / 61–66 °F | 3–10 m | Male seadragons often carry eggs |
| Green IslandTaiwan | 3/5 | 24–26 °C / 75–79 °F | 15–35 m | Wind returns; leeward sites still work |
| Caribbean & Western Atlantic · 19 destinations | ||||
| Tiger Beach & Grand BahamaThe Bahamas | 5/5 | 25–27 °C / 77–81 °F | 20–40 m | |
| CozumelMexico | 4/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 20–40 m | Drying out; first nortes arrive. |
| BonaireBonaire | 4/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 15–30 m | |
| Riviera Maya & the CenotesMexico | 4/5 | 24–26 °C / 75–79 °F | 30–100 m | Drying out; bull sharks return off Playa. |
| Isla Mujeres & CancúnMexico | 4/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 15–30 m | Drying; first nortes blow. |
| Belize Barrier ReefBelize | 4/5 | 27–28 °C / 81–82 °F | 15–30 m | Drying out; seas settle. |
| Grand CaymanCayman Islands | 4/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 20–35 m | Drying; seas settle. |
| CuraçaoCuraçao | 4/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 15–25 m | |
| Nassau & New ProvidenceThe Bahamas | 4/5 | 25–27 °C / 77–81 °F | 20–40 m | |
| GrenadaGrenada | 4/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 15–30 m | |
| British Virgin IslandsBritish Virgin Islands | 4/5 | 27–28 °C / 81–82 °F | 18–30 m | |
| DominicaDominica | 4/5 | 27–28 °C / 81–82 °F | 15–30 m | Whales become dependable again. |
| Turks and CaicosTurks and Caicos Islands | 4/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 20–35 m | |
| Little CaymanCayman Islands | 4/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 20–35 m | Drying; first fronts of winter. |
| Jardines de la ReinaCuba | 4/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 20–35 m | Drying; crossings settle. |
| RoatánHonduras | 3/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 10–25 m | Wet; boats work the lee shore. |
| UtilaHonduras | 3/5 | 27–28 °C / 81–82 °F | 10–25 m | Wet season; lee-shore diving. |
| Saint LuciaSaint Lucia | 3/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 15–25 m | |
| BermudaBermuda | 3/5 | 21–23 °C / 70–73 °F | 25–45 m | |
| Europe, Atlantic & Mediterranean · 9 destinations | ||||
| Arctic NorwayNorway | 5/5 | 5–8 °C / 41–46 °F | 10–25 m | Orca and humpback season typically opens in the northern fjords. |
| Canary IslandsSpain | 4/5 | 21–23 °C / 70–73 °F | 15–30 m | Angelsharks begin appearing on the shallows. |
| Malta & GozoMalta | 3/5 | 18–21 °C / 64–70 °F | 20–35 m | |
| Silfra & IcelandIceland | 3/5 | 2–4 °C / 36–39 °F | 70–100 m | |
| Larnaca & the ZenobiaCyprus | 3/5 | 19–22 °C / 66–72 °F | 15–30 m | |
| MadeiraPortugal | 3/5 | 20–22 °C / 68–72 °F | 12–25 m | |
| Medes IslandsSpain | 3/5 | 15–18 °C / 59–64 °F | 15–30 m | |
| The AzoresPortugal | 2/5 | 18–20 °C / 64–68 °F | 10–25 m | |
| Scapa FlowUnited Kingdom | 2/5 | 9–11 °C / 48–52 °F | 8–15 m | |
| Indian Ocean & East Africa · 12 destinations | ||||
| SeychellesSeychelles | 5/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 15–30 m | Flat seas continue; superb conditions. |
| MauritiusMauritius | 5/5 | 25–28 °C / 77–82 °F | 15–30 m | Warm and clear before summer heat. |
| Mafia IslandTanzania | 5/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 15–30 m | Prime month: whale sharks and glassy seas. |
| Nosy BeMadagascar | 5/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 10–20 m | Whale sharks most reliable; warm and calm. |
| North & South Malé AtollsMaldives | 4/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 15–25 m | Transition back to dry season; mantas linger. |
| Baa Atoll & Hanifaru BayMaldives | 4/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 15–25 m | Season tails off; seas settle. |
| Ari AtollMaldives | 4/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 15–25 m | Transition month; settling seas. |
| Aliwal Shoal & UmkomaasSouth Africa | 4/5 | 21–25 °C / 70–77 °F | 8–20 m | Last raggies; water warming. |
| Tofo BeachMozambique | 4/5 | 25–28 °C / 77–82 °F | 8–20 m | Historically strong whale shark month. |
| Sodwana BaySouth Africa | 4/5 | 23–26 °C / 73–79 °F | 10–25 m | Turtle nesting begins on the beaches. |
| Zanzibar & MnembaTanzania | 3/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 10–25 m | Short rains; calm interludes between showers. |
| The Sardine Run (Wild Coast)South Africa | 1/5 | 20–24 °C / 68–75 °F | 5–15 m | No run. |
| Pacific Islands & Micronesia · 12 destinations | ||||
| PalauPalau | 4/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 15–40 m | Trades returning; visibility improves. |
| Kona, HawaiʻiUnited States | 4/5 | 25–27 °C / 77–81 °F | 20–40 m | First winter swells possible. |
| FakaravaFrench Polynesia | 4/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 25–45 m | Quiet shoulder season. |
| RangiroaFrench Polynesia | 4/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 25–45 m | Season building toward summer. |
| Chuuk (Truk) LagoonFederated States of Micronesia | 4/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 12–28 m | Drier pattern returning. |
| OʻahuUnited States | 4/5 | 25–26 °C / 77–79 °F | 15–30 m | North Shore winding down for winter. |
| Maui & MolokiniUnited States | 4/5 | 25–27 °C / 77–81 °F | 25–40 m | First winter systems possible. |
| YapFederated States of Micronesia | 4/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 10–28 m | Drying out; mantas shifting northwest. |
| Taveuni & Rainbow ReefFiji | 3/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 12–30 m | Wet season approaching. |
| Espiritu SantoVanuatu | 3/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 12–28 m | Humidity building. |
| Beqa Lagoon & Pacific HarbourFiji | 3/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 8–22 m | Pupping absence; wet season starts. |
| VavaʻuTonga | 2/5 | 25–27 °C / 77–81 °F | 15–30 m | Season over. |
| Red Sea & Middle East · 9 destinations | ||||
| Marsa Alam & the Deep SouthEgypt | 5/5 | 25–27 °C / 77–81 °F | 15–30 m | Sharks linger; conditions still warm. |
| Daymaniyat IslandsOman | 5/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 10–25 m | Warm, calmer, clearer: superb. |
| Musandam PeninsulaOman | 5/5 | 25–28 °C / 77–82 °F | 10–20 m | Prime month; settled and rich. |
| Sharm El Sheikh & Ras MohammedEgypt | 4/5 | 24–26 °C / 75–79 °F | 15–30 m | Cooling but comfortable; good value. |
| Hurghada & El GounaEgypt | 4/5 | 24–26 °C / 75–79 °F | 15–30 m | Cooling but still reliable at sea. |
| DahabEgypt | 4/5 | 23–26 °C / 73–79 °F | 15–30 m | Cooling; good value and quiet entries. |
| Brothers, Daedalus & St John'sEgypt | 4/5 | 25–27 °C / 77–81 °F | 20–40 m | Whitetips linger; wind returns late in the month. |
| AqabaJordan | 4/5 | 23–25 °C / 73–77 °F | 15–30 m | Comfortable autumn diving. |
| Port Sudan & SanganebSudan | 4/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 15–40 m | Settled seas and warm water. |
| Southeast Asia & Coral Triangle · 18 destinations | ||||
| Raja AmpatIndonesia | 5/5 | 27–30 °C / 81–86 °F | 10–25 m | Excellent month; calm water and full liveaboard schedules. |
| Banda Sea & AmbonIndonesia | 5/5 | 27–30 °C / 81–86 °F | 20–40 m | Excellent conditions; the classic hammerhead window continues. |
| KomodoIndonesia | 4/5 | 24–29 °C / 75–84 °F | 10–25 m | Shoulder month; south-coast season begins as the north stays workable. |
| Bali & Nusa PenidaIndonesia | 4/5 | 26–29 °C / 79–84 °F | 10–25 m | Shoulder month; first rains arrive late in the month. |
| Lembeh StraitIndonesia | 4/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 8–15 m | First rains return; still fully diveable. |
| AnilaoPhilippines | 4/5 | 26–29 °C / 79–84 °F | 10–25 m | Amihan returns with dry, workable weather. |
| Similan Islands & Richelieu RockThailand | 4/5 | 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F | 15–30 m | Early-season diving with building visibility. |
| CoronPhilippines | 4/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 8–15 m | Drying out; conditions rebuild toward high season. |
| WakatobiIndonesia | 4/5 | 27–30 °C / 81–86 °F | 20–35 m | Late-season calm before the rains. |
| Dumaguete, Dauin & Apo IslandPhilippines | 4/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 10–25 m | Drying trend; storms possible regionally. |
| MoalboalPhilippines | 4/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 10–25 m | Drying out; a quiet, good-value month. |
| AlorIndonesia | 4/5 | 24–28 °C / 75–82 °F | 15–25 m | Late season remains reliable before the monsoon turns. |
| Mergui ArchipelagoMyanmar | 4/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 10–25 m | Early-season trips resume when permitted. |
| Sipadan & MabulMalaysia | 3/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 10–25 m | Rain increases and seas pick up. |
| MalapascuaPhilippines | 3/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 10–20 m | Transition month with lingering storm risk. |
| Bunaken & ManadoIndonesia | 3/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 10–25 m | First rains; conditions begin to turn. |
| Koh TaoThailand | 2/5 | 27–29 °C / 81–84 °F | 5–15 m | Northeast monsoon peaks; expect cancellations. |
| Tubbataha ReefsPhilippines | 1/5 | — | — | The amihan builds and boats work other coasts. |
| The Americas & Eastern Pacific · 11 destinations | ||||
| Fernando de NoronhaBrazil | 5/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 25–40 m | |
| British ColumbiaCanada | 5/5 | 8–11 °C / 46–52 °F | 15–30 m | |
| Galápagos IslandsEcuador | 4/5 | 19–24 °C / 66–75 °F | 12–22 m | |
| Cocos IslandCosta Rica | 4/5 | 25–28 °C / 77–82 °F | 12–25 m | Rains taper; still strong shark diving. |
| Socorro & the RevillagigedosMexico | 4/5 | 26–28 °C / 79–82 °F | 20–30 m | Season opens warm; whale shark chances. |
| Sea of Cortez & Cabo PulmoMexico | 4/5 | 23–27 °C / 73–81 °F | 15–25 m | |
| California Channel IslandsUnited States | 4/5 | 14–18 °C / 57–64 °F | 12–22 m | |
| Costa Rica Pacific CoastCosta Rica | 4/5 | 25–28 °C / 77–82 °F | 10–18 m | |
| Florida KeysUnited States | 3/5 | 24–27 °C / 75–81 °F | 10–25 m | |
| CoibaPanama | 3/5 | 25–29 °C / 77–84 °F | 10–20 m | |
| North Carolina Outer BanksUnited States | 2/5 | 18–22 °C / 64–72 °F | 10–20 m | Season winds down; scarce weather windows. |
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 November trip