Diving in September: Where the Ocean Is Good

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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.

September · 43

Prime this month

The month at its best: the trips people fly across the world for. Water this month: 12–31 °C / 54–88 °F.

5/5

September · 19

Excellent right now

Reliably very good diving this month. Water this month: 2–30 °C / 36–86 °F.

4/5

Riviera Maya & the Cenotes

Mexico · Rainy season can tint open cenotes.

24–26 °C / 75–79 °F25–80 m visibility

4/5

Sipadan & Mabul

Malaysia · Still strong as the calm season winds down.

27–30 °C / 81–86 °F15–30 m visibility

4/5

Fakarava

French Polynesia · Reliable trades.

25–27 °C / 77–81 °F25–40 m visibility

4/5

Ningaloo Reef

Australia · Whales stream south in cool clear water

21–23 °C / 70–73 °F10–20 m visibility

4/5

Silfra & Iceland

Iceland

2–4 °C / 36–39 °F70–100 m visibility

4/5

Florida Keys

United States · Peak hurricane risk: build flexibility into plans.

28–30 °C / 82–86 °F15–30 m visibility

4/5

Rangiroa

French Polynesia · Winds easing.

25–27 °C / 77–81 °F25–40 m visibility

4/5

Koh Tao

Thailand · Often underrated; whale sharks reappear.

28–30 °C / 82–86 °F10–25 m visibility

4/5

Tofo Beach

Mozambique · Mothers and calves close inshore.

23–26 °C / 73–79 °F10–25 m visibility

4/5

North Carolina Outer Banks

United States · Prime diving between tropical systems: stay flexible.

24–27 °C / 75–81 °F15–30 m visibility

4/5

Banda Sea & Ambon

Indonesia · Main season opens; hammerhead encounters pick up.

26–29 °C / 79–84 °F20–40 m visibility

4/5

Utila

Honduras · Sightings continue; watch the tropics.

28–30 °C / 82–86 °F15–30 m visibility

4/5

British Columbia

Canada

11–15 °C / 52–59 °F8–18 m visibility

4/5

Mauritius

Mauritius · Trades ease; whales still passing.

23–26 °C / 73–79 °F10–25 m visibility

4/5

Mafia Island

Tanzania · Winds ease; conditions improve.

25–27 °C / 77–81 °F15–25 m visibility

4/5

Sodwana Bay

South Africa · Spring; whales southbound with calves.

21–24 °C / 70–75 °F10–25 m visibility

4/5

Bermuda

Bermuda · Warm water but hurricane-swell watch.

26–28 °C / 79–82 °F20–40 m visibility

4/5

Green Island

Taiwan · Fine diving between weather systems

27–29 °C / 81–84 °F20–40 m visibility

4/5

Coiba

Panama · Whale song on most dives; rain squalls between boats.

25–29 °C / 77–84 °F8–18 m visibility

September · 27

Good, with trade-offs

Solid diving this month. Read each note before you book. Water this month: 9–32 °C / 48–90 °F.

3/5

North & South Malé Atolls

Maldives · Wet spells persist; mantas still working the east side.

27–29 °C / 81–84 °F10–20 m visibility

3/5

Cozumel

Mexico · Peak hurricane risk; quietest season.

28–30 °C / 82–86 °F15–35 m visibility

3/5

Palau

Palau · Late monsoon; unsettled spells between good windows.

27–30 °C / 81–86 °F12–30 m visibility

3/5

Raja Ampat

Indonesia · Trades ease late in the month; operators begin returning.

26–29 °C / 79–84 °F10–20 m visibility

3/5

Roatán

Honduras · Storm season peaks regionally.

28–30 °C / 82–86 °F15–30 m visibility

3/5

Coron

Philippines · Late monsoon; watch typhoon tracks.

28–30 °C / 82–86 °F5–12 m visibility

3/5

Chuuk (Truk) Lagoon

Federated States of Micronesia · Unsettled spells continue.

28–30 °C / 82–86 °F10–25 m visibility

3/5

Belize Barrier Reef

Belize · Peak storm season; unsettled.

28–30 °C / 82–86 °F10–25 m visibility

3/5

Grand Cayman

Cayman Islands · Peak hurricane risk; quiet island.

29–30 °C / 84–86 °F15–30 m visibility

3/5

Isla Mujeres & Cancún

Mexico · Sharks disperse; storm risk peaks.

28–30 °C / 82–86 °F10–25 m visibility

3/5

Anilao

Philippines · Late monsoon; conditions begin to steady.

27–29 °C / 81–84 °F8–20 m visibility

3/5

Ari Atoll

Maldives · Wettest stretch of the monsoon.

27–29 °C / 81–84 °F10–20 m visibility

3/5

Malapascua

Philippines · Rainy but rarely unworkable.

28–30 °C / 82–86 °F10–20 m visibility

3/5

Seychelles

Seychelles · Winds begin to ease late month.

25–28 °C / 77–82 °F10–20 m visibility

3/5

Yap

Federated States of Micronesia · Wetter; storm fringe possible.

28–30 °C / 82–86 °F8–25 m visibility

3/5

Little Cayman

Cayman Islands · Peak storm risk; some resorts close.

29–30 °C / 84–86 °F15–30 m visibility

3/5

Okinawa & the Kerama Islands

Japan · Swell from passing storms

27–29 °C / 81–84 °F15–35 m visibility

3/5

Poor Knights Islands

New Zealand · Spring bloom starts to haze the water

14–16 °C / 57–61 °F8–20 m visibility

3/5

Dumaguete, Dauin & Apo Island

Philippines · Late wet season; visibility varies with runoff.

27–29 °C / 81–84 °F10–20 m visibility

3/5

Grenada

Grenada · Peak of the Atlantic storm season.

28–30 °C / 82–86 °F12–25 m visibility

3/5

Nassau & New Providence

The Bahamas · Peak hurricane season; watch forecasts.

28–30 °C / 82–86 °F15–30 m visibility

3/5

Moalboal

Philippines · Late-monsoon pattern; runoff can dim the shallows.

28–30 °C / 82–86 °F8–20 m visibility

3/5

Arctic Norway

Norway

9–12 °C / 48–54 °F8–20 m visibility

3/5

Port Sudan & Sanganeb

Sudan · Mantas peak as the heat eases slightly.

29–31 °C / 84–88 °F15–40 m visibility

3/5

Yonaguni

Japan · Typhoon swell risk

27–29 °C / 81–84 °F20–40 m visibility

3/5

Musandam Peninsula

Oman · Big-animal season continues; visibility modest.

29–32 °C / 84–90 °F8–18 m visibility

3/5

South Australia

Australia · Spring wind and plankton

13–15 °C / 55–59 °F4–12 m visibility

Wildlife calendar

In the water in September

Species with documented seasonal or resident sightings this month, each with one place that reliably has them.

Marine-life calendar →

Blue Shark

e.g. The Azores

Bottlenose Dolphin

e.g. The Azores

Bull Shark

e.g. Costa Rica Pacific Coast

California Sea Lion

e.g. Sea of Cortez & Cabo Pulmo

Atlantic Goliath Grouper

e.g. Florida Keys

Humpback Whale

e.g. Vavaʻu

Mobula (Devil) Ray

e.g. The Azores

Mola Mola (Ocean Sunfish)

e.g. Bali & Nusa Penida

Olive Ridley Turtle

e.g. Costa Rica Pacific Coast

Reef Manta Ray

e.g. Baa Atoll & Hanifaru Bay

Sand Tiger (Ragged-Tooth) Shark

e.g. North Carolina Outer Banks

Scalloped Hammerhead

e.g. Brothers, Daedalus & St John's

Also in season (no monthly detail verified yet)

Their best-months list includes September, but we have not verified water, visibility or a rating for it, so they sit here rather than in the ranks above.

Bikini Atoll · Marshall Islands

The full table

Every September figure, region by region

99 destinations · every figure documented · sort by any column, or jump to a region

Sort by

Australia, New Zealand & East Asia 10 Caribbean & Western Atlantic 19 Europe, Atlantic & Mediterranean 9 Indian Ocean & East Africa 12 Pacific Islands & Micronesia 12 Red Sea & Middle East 9 Southeast Asia & Coral Triangle 18 The Americas & Eastern Pacific 10

Destination	Rating	Water	Visibility	What September is like there
Australia, New Zealand & East Asia · 10 destinations
Cairns & the Ribbon ReefsAustralia	5/5	23–26 °C / 73–79 °F	20–35 m	Winds ease; some of the best visibility of the year
Townsville & the YongalaAustralia	5/5	23–25 °C / 73–77 °F	15–30 m	The best visibility window begins
Coral Sea & Osprey ReefAustralia	5/5	24–26 °C / 75–79 °F	30–60 m	Winds drop; prime expedition month
Izu PeninsulaJapan	5/5	23–26 °C / 73–79 °F	8–18 m	Autumn calm; peak conditions
Ningaloo ReefAustralia	4/5	21–23 °C / 70–73 °F	10–20 m	Whales stream south in cool clear water
Green IslandTaiwan	4/5	27–29 °C / 81–84 °F	20–40 m	Fine diving between weather systems
Okinawa & the Kerama IslandsJapan	3/5	27–29 °C / 81–84 °F	15–35 m	Swell from passing storms
Poor Knights IslandsNew Zealand	3/5	14–16 °C / 57–61 °F	8–20 m	Spring bloom starts to haze the water
YonaguniJapan	3/5	27–29 °C / 81–84 °F	20–40 m	Typhoon swell risk
South AustraliaAustralia	3/5	13–15 °C / 55–59 °F	4–12 m	Spring wind and plankton
Caribbean & Western Atlantic · 19 destinations
BonaireBonaire	5/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	20–30 m	Warmest, calmest water of the year.
CuraçaoCuraçao	5/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	18–30 m
Riviera Maya & the CenotesMexico	4/5	24–26 °C / 75–79 °F	25–80 m	Rainy season can tint open cenotes.
UtilaHonduras	4/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	15–30 m	Sightings continue; watch the tropics.
BermudaBermuda	4/5	26–28 °C / 79–82 °F	20–40 m	Warm water but hurricane-swell watch.
CozumelMexico	3/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	15–35 m	Peak hurricane risk; quietest season.
RoatánHonduras	3/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	15–30 m	Storm season peaks regionally.
Belize Barrier ReefBelize	3/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	10–25 m	Peak storm season; unsettled.
Grand CaymanCayman Islands	3/5	29–30 °C / 84–86 °F	15–30 m	Peak hurricane risk; quiet island.
Isla Mujeres & CancúnMexico	3/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	10–25 m	Sharks disperse; storm risk peaks.
Little CaymanCayman Islands	3/5	29–30 °C / 84–86 °F	15–30 m	Peak storm risk; some resorts close.
GrenadaGrenada	3/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	12–25 m	Peak of the Atlantic storm season.
Nassau & New ProvidenceThe Bahamas	3/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	15–30 m	Peak hurricane season; watch forecasts.
Tiger Beach & Grand BahamaThe Bahamas	2/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	15–30 m	Statistical peak of hurricane season.
Saint LuciaSaint Lucia	2/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	10–25 m	Peak hurricane season; rain can cloud nearshore water.
Jardines de la ReinaCuba	2/5	29–31 °C / 84–88 °F	15–30 m	Peak hurricane months; few departures.
Turks and CaicosTurks and Caicos Islands	2/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	15–30 m	Peak hurricane risk; some operations pause.
British Virgin IslandsBritish Virgin Islands	2/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	15–25 m	Peak hurricane season; many boats haul out.
DominicaDominica	2/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	10–25 m	Peak storm season; heavy rain can cloud the shallows.
Europe, Atlantic & Mediterranean · 9 destinations
The AzoresPortugal	5/5	22–24 °C / 72–75 °F	20–40 m	Warmest water; blue sharks and mobulas both reliable.
Malta & GozoMalta	5/5	23–26 °C / 73–79 °F	25–40 m
Larnaca & the ZenobiaCyprus	5/5	25–27 °C / 77–81 °F	20–35 m
Canary IslandsSpain	5/5	23–25 °C / 73–77 °F	20–30 m	Warmest water and typically the best visibility.
Scapa FlowUnited Kingdom	5/5	12–14 °C / 54–57 °F	6–12 m	Warmest water of the year and settled spells; a favorite month.
MadeiraPortugal	5/5	23–25 °C / 73–77 °F	15–30 m	Warmest sea of the year.
Medes IslandsSpain	5/5	21–24 °C / 70–75 °F	12–30 m	Barracuda schools at their densest.
Silfra & IcelandIceland	4/5	2–4 °C / 36–39 °F	70–100 m
Arctic NorwayNorway	3/5	9–12 °C / 48–54 °F	8–20 m
Indian Ocean & East Africa · 12 destinations
Baa Atoll & Hanifaru BayMaldives	5/5	27–29 °C / 81–84 °F	10–20 m	Peak continues; whale sharks join some events.
Aliwal Shoal & UmkomaasSouth Africa	5/5	19–23 °C / 66–73 °F	10–25 m	Raggies still thick; humpbacks passing offshore.
Zanzibar & MnembaTanzania	5/5	25–27 °C / 77–81 °F	15–30 m	Excellent diving with lighter crowds.
Nosy BeMadagascar	5/5	25–28 °C / 77–82 °F	12–25 m	Humpbacks linger; first whale sharks.
Tofo BeachMozambique	4/5	23–26 °C / 73–79 °F	10–25 m	Mothers and calves close inshore.
MauritiusMauritius	4/5	23–26 °C / 73–79 °F	10–25 m	Trades ease; whales still passing.
Mafia IslandTanzania	4/5	25–27 °C / 77–81 °F	15–25 m	Winds ease; conditions improve.
Sodwana BaySouth Africa	4/5	21–24 °C / 70–75 °F	10–25 m	Spring; whales southbound with calves.
North & South Malé AtollsMaldives	3/5	27–29 °C / 81–84 °F	10–20 m	Wet spells persist; mantas still working the east side.
Ari AtollMaldives	3/5	27–29 °C / 81–84 °F	10–20 m	Wettest stretch of the monsoon.
SeychellesSeychelles	3/5	25–28 °C / 77–82 °F	10–20 m	Winds begin to ease late month.
The Sardine Run (Wild Coast)South Africa	1/5	18–22 °C / 64–72 °F	5–15 m	No run; humpbacks still migrating.
Pacific Islands & Micronesia · 12 destinations
Kona, HawaiʻiUnited States	5/5	26–28 °C / 79–82 °F	25–40 m	Often the year's best conditions.
Taveuni & Rainbow ReefFiji	5/5	25–27 °C / 77–81 °F	20–40 m	Excellent conditions, fewer crowds.
Beqa Lagoon & Pacific HarbourFiji	5/5	25–27 °C / 77–81 °F	12–28 m	Late dry season, reliable feeds.
Maui & MolokiniUnited States	5/5	26–28 °C / 79–82 °F	30–45 m	Often the calmest month.
OʻahuUnited States	5/5	26–28 °C / 79–82 °F	18–35 m	Often the calmest stretch.
Espiritu SantoVanuatu	5/5	24–26 °C / 75–79 °F	15–30 m	Reliable trade-wind weather.
VavaʻuTonga	5/5	23–25 °C / 73–77 °F	20–40 m	Peak continues; calves growing bold.
FakaravaFrench Polynesia	4/5	25–27 °C / 77–81 °F	25–40 m	Reliable trades.
RangiroaFrench Polynesia	4/5	25–27 °C / 77–81 °F	25–40 m	Winds easing.
PalauPalau	3/5	27–30 °C / 81–86 °F	12–30 m	Late monsoon; unsettled spells between good windows.
Chuuk (Truk) LagoonFederated States of Micronesia	3/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	10–25 m	Unsettled spells continue.
YapFederated States of Micronesia	3/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	8–25 m	Wetter; storm fringe possible.
Red Sea & Middle East · 9 destinations
Sharm El Sheikh & Ras MohammedEgypt	5/5	27–29 °C / 81–84 °F	20–30 m	Warm sea and thinner crowds: a superb balance.
Hurghada & El GounaEgypt	5/5	27–29 °C / 81–84 °F	15–30 m	Warm sea and settling weather.
Marsa Alam & the Deep SouthEgypt	5/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	20–30 m	Warm sea and long settled spells.
DahabEgypt	5/5	27–29 °C / 81–84 °F	15–30 m	Warm sea, thinning crowds: a local favorite.
Brothers, Daedalus & St John'sEgypt	5/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	20–40 m	Transition month: a bit of everything.
Daymaniyat IslandsOman	5/5	28–31 °C / 82–88 °F	10–25 m	Whale shark season opens; warm and lively.
AqabaJordan	5/5	26–28 °C / 79–82 °F	15–30 m	Warm sea and cooling evenings.
Port Sudan & SanganebSudan	3/5	29–31 °C / 84–88 °F	15–40 m	Mantas peak as the heat eases slightly.
Musandam PeninsulaOman	3/5	29–32 °C / 84–90 °F	8–18 m	Big-animal season continues; visibility modest.
Southeast Asia & Coral Triangle · 18 destinations
KomodoIndonesia	5/5	21–28 °C / 70–82 °F	15–30 m	Superb diving continues with slightly thinner crowds.
Bali & Nusa PenidaIndonesia	5/5	22–28 °C / 72–82 °F	15–30 m	Often the best all-around month: dry, clear, and full of life.
Lembeh StraitIndonesia	5/5	25–28 °C / 77–82 °F	10–20 m	Cool, rich water and heavy juvenile activity.
WakatobiIndonesia	5/5	26–29 °C / 79–84 °F	20–40 m	Consistently superb; light winds.
Bunaken & ManadoIndonesia	5/5	26–29 °C / 79–84 °F	20–35 m	Superb diving continues with fewer visitors.
AlorIndonesia	5/5	21–27 °C / 70–81 °F	15–30 m	A favorite month: seas calm while the water stays rich.
Sipadan & MabulMalaysia	4/5	27–30 °C / 81–86 °F	15–30 m	Still strong as the calm season winds down.
Koh TaoThailand	4/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	10–25 m	Often underrated; whale sharks reappear.
Banda Sea & AmbonIndonesia	4/5	26–29 °C / 79–84 °F	20–40 m	Main season opens; hammerhead encounters pick up.
Raja AmpatIndonesia	3/5	26–29 °C / 79–84 °F	10–20 m	Trades ease late in the month; operators begin returning.
CoronPhilippines	3/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	5–12 m	Late monsoon; watch typhoon tracks.
AnilaoPhilippines	3/5	27–29 °C / 81–84 °F	8–20 m	Late monsoon; conditions begin to steady.
MalapascuaPhilippines	3/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	10–20 m	Rainy but rarely unworkable.
Dumaguete, Dauin & Apo IslandPhilippines	3/5	27–29 °C / 81–84 °F	10–20 m	Late wet season; visibility varies with runoff.
MoalboalPhilippines	3/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	8–20 m	Late-monsoon pattern; runoff can dim the shallows.
Tubbataha ReefsPhilippines	1/5	—	—	Closed to dive traffic through the wet season.
Similan Islands & Richelieu RockThailand	1/5	—	—	Monsoon closure; no access.
Mergui ArchipelagoMyanmar	1/5	—	—	No access; seas remain rough.
The Americas & Eastern Pacific · 10 destinations
Galápagos IslandsEcuador	5/5	17–22 °C / 63–72 °F	10–20 m
Cocos IslandCosta Rica	5/5	24–28 °C / 75–82 °F	12–25 m	Peak season for big animals and whale shark chances.
Sea of Cortez & Cabo PulmoMexico	5/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	20–30 m	Prime conditions; watch tropical storm forecasts.
Fernando de NoronhaBrazil	5/5	26–28 °C / 79–82 °F	25–40 m
California Channel IslandsUnited States	5/5	17–21 °C / 63–70 °F	15–25 m	The classic month: warm, clear, calm.
Costa Rica Pacific CoastCosta Rica	5/5	26–29 °C / 79–84 °F	12–20 m
Florida KeysUnited States	4/5	28–30 °C / 82–86 °F	15–30 m	Peak hurricane risk: build flexibility into plans.
North Carolina Outer BanksUnited States	4/5	24–27 °C / 75–81 °F	15–30 m	Prime diving between tropical systems: stay flexible.
British ColumbiaCanada	4/5	11–15 °C / 52–59 °F	8–18 m
CoibaPanama	4/5	25–29 °C / 77–84 °F	8–18 m	Whale song on most dives; rain squalls between boats.

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 September trip

Diving in September

Prime this month

Bonaire

Komodo

Cairns & the Ribbon Reefs

Galápagos Islands

Sharm El Sheikh & Ras Mohammed

Bali & Nusa Penida

The Azores

Malta & Gozo

Baa Atoll & Hanifaru Bay

Hurghada & El Gouna

Marsa Alam & the Deep South

Cocos Island

Sea of Cortez & Cabo Pulmo

Lembeh Strait

Dahab

Kona, Hawaiʻi

Brothers, Daedalus & St John's

Taveuni & Rainbow Reef

Beqa Lagoon & Pacific Harbour

Curaçao

Maui & Molokini

Daymaniyat Islands

Wakatobi

Fernando de Noronha

Townsville & the Yongala

Coral Sea & Osprey Reef

Aqaba

California Channel Islands

Bunaken & Manado

Costa Rica Pacific Coast

Aliwal Shoal & Umkomaas

Larnaca & the Zenobia

Oʻahu

Canary Islands

Scapa Flow

Espiritu Santo

Zanzibar & Mnemba

Vavaʻu

Madeira

Alor

Medes Islands

Nosy Be

Izu Peninsula

Excellent right now

Riviera Maya & the Cenotes

Sipadan & Mabul

Fakarava

Ningaloo Reef

Silfra & Iceland

Florida Keys

Rangiroa

Koh Tao

Tofo Beach

North Carolina Outer Banks

Banda Sea & Ambon

Utila

British Columbia

Mauritius

Mafia Island

Sodwana Bay

Bermuda

Green Island

Coiba

Good, with trade-offs

North & South Malé Atolls

Cozumel

Palau

Raja Ampat

Roatán

Coron

Chuuk (Truk) Lagoon

Belize Barrier Reef

Grand Cayman

Isla Mujeres & Cancún

Anilao

Ari Atoll

Malapascua

Seychelles