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222 sites match.

SiteDestinationTypeDepthLevelCurrentBest
1,000 Steps Iconic staircase entry, star coral hills, dependable turtles BonaireBonaire Reef 5–30 m Beginner Mild
Abu Dabbab Grazing green turtles at close range; the chance of a dugong… Marsa Alam & the Deep SouthEgypt Shore 2–18 m Beginner None Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov
Admiralty Anchor Historic anchor grown into the reef, light-filled swim-throughs, huge… Coral Sea & Osprey ReefAustralia Reef 8–30 m Intermediate Mild Jun, Jul, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Agincourt Reefs Shelf-edge clarity on a day trip, Maori wrasse, varied moorings from… Cairns & the Ribbon ReefsAustralia Reef 5–25 m Beginner Mild Jun–Nov
Airplane Wreck (Tuble) A photogenic aircraft skeleton, resident frogfish, easy add-on to the… MoalboalPhilippines Artificial reef 15–24 m Intermediate Mild Dec–May
Alice in Wonderland Giant mushroom coral heads, sand avenues with garden eels, uncrowded… British Virgin IslandsBritish Virgin Islands Reef 10–28 m Intermediate Mild
Angel City Textbook double reef, queen angelfish, sand-channel ray traffic BonaireBonaire Reef 5–27 m Beginner Mild
Angel's Window The fan-framed swim-through; pygmy seahorses; a reef interlude amid… Lembeh StraitIndonesia Pinnacle 5–30 m Intermediate Moderate
Annie's Bommie Soft-coral density at close range; anthias swarms against blue water… Taveuni & Rainbow ReefFiji Reef 8–22 m Intermediate Mild May–Oct
Anse Chastanet Reef Seahorses and frogfish on demand, shore access inside the reserve… Saint LuciaSaint Lucia Reef 2–40 m Beginner None
Aquarium (Mnemba) Fishbowl density at snorkel depth; superb for training and night dives Zanzibar & MnembaTanzania Reef 4–18 m Beginner None Jan, Feb, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Dec
Asho's Gap Manta cleaning station in easy depth, queuing reef sharks, tight… Ningaloo ReefAustralia Reef 6–15 m Beginner Mild Apr–Oct
Banana Reef Classic overhang-and-canyon terrain; sweetlips schools; Napoleon… North & South Malé AtollsMaldives Reef 5–30 m Intermediate Moderate Dec–Apr
Bari Reef Record-setting fish diversity, effortless entry, superb night diving BonaireBonaire Reef 3–25 m Beginner None
Barracuda Point The barracuda tornado, shark traffic in numbers, dawn bumphead parades Sipadan & MabulMalaysia Wall 5–40 m Advanced Strong Apr–Aug
Blue Cave The blue glow itself, glassy sweeper swarms, easy cape reef outside… Okinawa & the Kerama IslandsJapan Cave 2–25 m Beginner Mild Apr, May, Jun, Oct, Nov
Blue Corner Gray reef sharks stacked in the current; the resident Napoleon wrasse… PalauPalau Wall 8–30 m Intermediate Strong Nov–Apr
Blue Lagoon Blacktip reef sharks in gin-clear shallows; the aquamarine pool and… RangiroaFrench Polynesia Reef 1–5 m Beginner Mild
Blue Lagoon (Padang Bai) Leaf scorpionfish and frogfish density; easy conditions with real… Bali & Nusa PenidaIndonesia Reef 3–20 m Beginner Mild Apr–Nov
Blue Maomao Arch Wall-to-wall blue maomao, cathedral light through the arch, easy depth Poor Knights IslandsNew Zealand Reef 3–15 m Beginner Mild Feb–Jun
Boo Windows The window swim-throughs; soft-coral walls; pygmy seahorses and… Raja AmpatIndonesia Reef 3–30 m Intermediate Moderate Oct–Apr
Cabo Douglas Marine iguanas grazing underwater, flightless cormorants hunting, sea… Galápagos IslandsEcuador Shore 3–15 m Intermediate Mild
Cabo Pearce Manta stack-ups over the ridge, engaged dolphins, whale song in season Socorro & the RevillagigedosMexico Reef 10–40 m Advanced Moderate
Cabo Pulmo Reef The bigeye jack tornado, bull sharks over the sand, a protected reef… Sea of Cortez & Cabo PulmoMexico Reef 5–18 m Beginner Mild Jul–Nov
Caesar's Rocks A maze of arches and tunnels; soft-coral doorways in torchlight… Beqa Lagoon & Pacific HarbourFiji Pinnacle 5–22 m Beginner Mild
Cape Kri Extreme fish density at the point; sweetlips aggregations; sharks and… Raja AmpatIndonesia Reef 5–40 m Intermediate Strong Oct–Apr
Cara a Cara Sustained close encounters with Caribbean reef sharks, clear… RoatánHonduras Reef 18–21 m Advanced Mild Feb–Aug
Carpet Cove A completely coral-claimed small wreck; glassfish clouds in the… Beqa Lagoon & Pacific HarbourFiji Reef 8–26 m Beginner Mild
Cathedral The arch-framed raggie silhouette; a natural amphitheater made for… Aliwal Shoal & UmkomaasSouth Africa Reef 14–27 m Intermediate Moderate Jun–Nov
Cave of the Sleeping Sharks A landmark of shark-behavior history, cavern ledges, possible resting… Isla Mujeres & CancúnMexico Reef 15–21 m Advanced Moderate Dec–Apr
Chaikou Healthy branching-coral thickets, hawksbill encounters, easy… Green IslandTaiwan Reef 3–20 m Beginner Mild Apr–Sep
Challenger Bay Trevally hunting in torch beams at night, garden eel flats, relaxed… Cairns & the Ribbon ReefsAustralia Reef 5–18 m Beginner Mild Jun–Nov
Champagne Reef Swimming through volcanic bubble streams, warm vents, seahorse… DominicaDominica Reef 3–15 m Beginner None
Chapel Point (Apo Island) Unbroken hard-coral fields, point-blank turtles, the gentle half of… Dumaguete, Dauin & Apo IslandPhilippines Reef 3–25 m Beginner Mild Mar–Jun
Chole Bay All-weather lagoon diving; seagrass-and-coral mosaic full of… Mafia IslandTanzania Reef 3–18 m Beginner Mild Jul–Feb
Christ of the Abyss The famous statue, easy depths, snorkel-friendly coral heads Florida KeysUnited States Reef 3–9 m Beginner Mild
Christmas Point Archway sequences, ribbon eels and Napoleon wrasse, northern-Similan… Similan Islands & Richelieu RockThailand Reef 8–35 m Intermediate Moderate Dec–Apr
Cindy's Reef Shallow, sunlit coral gardens; anemonefish and sea kraits at close… Espiritu SantoVanuatu Reef 3–18 m Beginner Mild
Cirkewwa Arch & Reef The arch, cavern light, resident octopus and morays, hub for two… Malta & GozoMalta Reef 5–36 m Beginner Mild May–Oct
Clown Valley An anemone carpet of absurd extent; anemonefish in their hundreds; a… AlorIndonesia Reef 5–25 m Intermediate Moderate Apr–Nov
Coconut Point (Apo Island) Trevally barrels in ripping current, turtles indifferent to the flow… Dumaguete, Dauin & Apo IslandPhilippines Drift 5–30 m Advanced Strong Mar–Jun
Cod Hole Face-to-face potato cod, regulated feeding ritual, Maori wrasse… Cairns & the Ribbon ReefsAustralia Reef 10–28 m Beginner Moderate Jun–Nov
Coral Gardens Sprawling healthy coral fields under Gros Piton, easy atmospheric… Saint LuciaSaint Lucia Reef 5–25 m Beginner Mild
Cousins Rock Endemic black coral gardens, Pacific seahorses, playful sea lions… Galápagos IslandsEcuador Reef 8–30 m Intermediate Moderate
Crystal Bay Seasonal ocean sunfish at cleaning stations; cold, clear upwelling… Bali & Nusa PenidaIndonesia Reef 5–30 m Advanced Strong Jul–Oct
Cueva del Tiburon (Cano Island) Resting whitetips at close, calm range, easy profile in the reserve's… Costa Rica Pacific CoastCosta Rica Reef 8–20 m Beginner Mild
Dabaisha Turtle traffic on a clean slope, livelier current-fed corner… Green IslandTaiwan Reef 4–25 m Beginner Moderate Apr–Sep
Darwin's Arch (Darwin's Pillars) Whale sharks June-November, walls of hammerheads, Galapagos sharks at… Galápagos IslandsEcuador Reef 6–30 m Advanced Strong Jun–Nov
Deacon's Reef Jungle-to-reef scenery in one frame; healthy hard-coral shallows… Milne BayPapua New Guinea Reef 3–25 m Beginner Mild
Dillon Rock Multiple octopus and wolf eel dens on one small rock, long shallow… British ColumbiaCanada Pinnacle 5–21 m Intermediate Moderate Oct–Mar
Dinah's Beach Muck diving at its birthplace; frogfish and ghost pipefish in… Milne BayPapua New Guinea Muck 2–25 m Beginner None
Drop Off A 600 m wall starting at the beach, constant turtle traffic, the… Sipadan & MabulMalaysia Wall 2–40 m Intermediate Mild Apr–Sep
E.T. Coral-lined tunnels and arches; anemone fields with clownfish; easy… Beqa Lagoon & Pacific HarbourFiji Pinnacle 6–24 m Beginner Mild
Eden Rock & Devil's Grotto Tarpon gliding through silverside clouds (late summer), sunbeam… Grand CaymanCayman Islands Shore 4–14 m Beginner None Jun–Sep
Eel Garden The garden-eel colony at full extension; relaxed second-dive pace… DahabEgypt Shore 5–20 m Beginner Mild Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov
El Acuario (The Aquarium) Overwhelming fish density, whitetips stacked in trenches, sharks in… MalpeloColombia Reef 10–35 m Advanced Moderate
El Arrecife Silky aggregations in season, reforming hammerhead schools, action… MalpeloColombia Reef 12–40 m Advanced Strong
El Cabron Dense fish schools, lava arches and caves, winter angelshark… Canary IslandsSpain Reef 5–30 m Intermediate Mild May–Nov
El Canon (The Canyon) Hammerhead schools over the cut, layered shark traffic, occasional… Socorro & the RevillagigedosMexico Reef 15–40 m Advanced Moderate
El Dofi Tunnel arches with blue-light exits, groupers and corvina in the… Medes IslandsSpain Cave 6–30 m Intermediate Mild May–Oct
El Dorado Winter great hammerhead encounters, quieter alternative arena to the… Tiger Beach & Grand BahamaThe Bahamas Reef Intermediate Mild Oct–Apr
El Puertito Green turtle encounters when luck cooperates, calm shallow water… Canary IslandsSpain Shore 3–12 m Beginner None May–Nov
Electric Beach Fish blizzards in the warm outflow; frequent spinner dolphin flybys… OʻahuUnited States Shore 3–12 m Intermediate Moderate
Elephant Head Rock The archipelago's best swim-through maze, light-shafted granite… Similan Islands & Richelieu RockThailand Reef 8–40 m Advanced Strong Dec–Apr
Els Tascons Grouper encounters at close range, varied easy topography, macro-rich… Medes IslandsSpain Reef 5–35 m Beginner Mild May–Oct
Fairyland Swept-clean coral plateau, island-best visibility, twin drop-off edges Saint LuciaSaint Lucia Reef 10–25 m Intermediate Moderate
Fish Tales Tiger and lemon sharks over living reef, packed fish holes… Tiger Beach & Grand BahamaThe Bahamas Reef 10–15 m Intermediate Mild Oct–Apr
Five Caves (Mākena) Sleeping whitetips in the caverns; turtles at cleaning ledges; a… Maui & MolokiniUnited States Reef 5–14 m Intermediate Mild
Five Mile Reef Pristine plate-coral fields; the connoisseur's quiet alternative Sodwana BaySouth Africa Reef 12–21 m Intermediate Mild Apr–Sep
Five Seas Goliath grouper encounters, tarpon in the channel shade, tide-driven… Jardines de la ReinaCuba Reef 10–25 m Intermediate Moderate Dec–Apr
Flamingo Bay Dense soft-coral color, seahorse hunting, gentle multi-level profile GrenadaGrenada Reef 6–25 m Beginner Mild
Flynn Reef Reliable day-trip coral gardens, giant clams, turtles, easy… Cairns & the Ribbon ReefsAustralia Reef 5–25 m Beginner Mild Jun–Nov
Fukui Point The giant-clam row; terraces of garden eels and gobies; relaxed… Bunaken & ManadoIndonesia Reef 5–30 m Beginner Mild Mar–Oct
Fury Shoals Sha'ab Claudio's sunlit caverns; cottage-sized hard-coral heads… Marsa Alam & the Deep SouthEgypt Reef 4–30 m Intermediate Mild Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov
Futo Squid egg beds in early summer, resident frogfish and octopus, calm… Izu PeninsulaJapan Reef 3–25 m Beginner Mild Sep–Dec
Garajau Marine Reserve Fearless dusky groupers, volcanic slopes, reliable shelter on the… MadeiraPortugal Reef 6–40 m Beginner Mild Jun–Oct
Garden Eel Cove (Manta Night Dive) Barrel-rolling reef mantas centimeters overhead; known individuals… Kona, HawaiʻiUnited States Reef 5–14 m Beginner Mild
Garden of Eden Soft-coral color on giant blocks; table-coral terraces; reliable… Daymaniyat IslandsOman Reef 6–25 m Beginner Mild Feb, Mar, Apr, Sep, Oct, Nov
Gato Island The under-island tunnel with waiting whitetips, resident sea kraits… MalapascuaPhilippines Reef 4–25 m Intermediate Mild Mar–Jun
Giant's Castle Smalleye stingray territory; deep-passage mantas; humpback song in… Tofo BeachMozambique Reef 21–33 m Advanced Moderate May–Nov
Gili Tepekong The boulder Canyon; stacked whitetip sharks; cold-water mola… Bali & Nusa PenidaIndonesia Reef 8–30 m Advanced Strong Jul–Oct
Gordon Reef The Loullia standing on the reef; garden-eel plains; easy plateau… Sharm El Sheikh & Ras MohammedEgypt Reef 3–24 m Beginner Mild Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov
Granito de Oro Whitetips by the dozen in the shallows, turtles at close range, a… CoibaPanama Reef 3–18 m Beginner Mild
Green Bay Easy conditions, statue cluster, octopus and turtle possibilities on… Larnaca & the ZenobiaCyprus Shore 2–12 m Beginner None May–Nov
Hammerhead Point (Rasdhoo Madivaru) Dawn blue-water hangs for scalloped hammerheads; wall traffic on the… Ari AtollMaldives Blue water 15–30 m Advanced Moderate Dec–Apr
Hayut Run Conveyor-belt drifting over turtle gardens; napping zebra sharks; a… Daymaniyat IslandsOman Reef 5–20 m Beginner Mild Feb, Mar, Apr, Sep, Oct, Nov
Ilheu de Vila Franca Volcanic crater lagoon, easy reef walls, reliable summer conditions The AzoresPortugal Reef 3–25 m Beginner Mild Jun–Sep
Islas Frijoles Frogfish and seahorse hunting, nudibranch variety, gentle profiles… CoibaPanama Reef 8–25 m Intermediate Mild
Izu Oceanic Park Classic organized shore entry, anemonefish colonies, seasonal… Izu PeninsulaJapan Reef 5–40 m Beginner Mild Sep–Dec
Jackson Reef Summer hammerhead drops off the north point; gorgonian-covered walls… Sharm El Sheikh & Ras MohammedEgypt Reef 3–40 m Intermediate Strong May–Oct
Japanese Gardens First-dive calm, healthy shallow coral, turtle flybys through… Koh TaoThailand Reef 2–16 m Beginner None Feb–Sep
Japanese Gardens Terraced hard-coral cover at its best in Jordan; easy depths for… AqabaJordan Reef 3–30 m Beginner Mild Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov
Jessie Beazley Reef Exceptional visibility, a complete reef in one dive, pelagic… Tubbataha ReefsPhilippines Reef 3–40 m Intermediate Moderate Mar–Jun
Karpata Steep sculpted drop-off, embedded historic anchors, standout… BonaireBonaire Reef 5–35 m Intermediate Mild
Kealakekua Bay Reserve-quality coral and clarity; history at the Cook monument… Kona, HawaiʻiUnited States Reef 3–30 m Beginner Mild
Kichwani Turtle-dense shallows; stepped coral slope from snorkel depth to 30… Zanzibar & MnembaTanzania Reef 6–30 m Beginner Mild Jan, Feb, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Dec
Kirby's Rock Crinoid-covered wall, pygmy seahorse fans, dual macro-and-wide… AnilaoPhilippines Wall 5–27 m Intermediate Moderate Nov–Apr
Koh Bon West Ridge Reef mantas at cleaning stations, a diveable ridge line in all… Similan Islands & Richelieu RockThailand Wall 10–40 m Intermediate Moderate Jan–Apr
La Reina (Cerralvo Island) Occasional returning mantas, quieter sea lions, big morays in the… Sea of Cortez & Cabo PulmoMexico Reef 5–25 m Intermediate Moderate Aug–Nov
Laje Dois Irmaos Lemon sharks in the shallows, reef sharks on the slab edge, dolphin… Fernando de NoronhaBrazil Reef 8–25 m Intermediate Moderate Aug–Nov
Lava Flow Record-pace coral regrowth on young lava; unbroken table-coral… Banda Sea & AmbonIndonesia Reef 3–30 m Beginner Mild Mar, Apr, Sep, Oct, Nov
Lighthouse Bay Bommie mazes and ridges, reliable turtles and macro, seasonal… Ningaloo ReefAustralia Reef 8–20 m Beginner Mild Apr–Oct
Lighthouse Reef Mandarinfish spawning at dusk, seahorses and pipefish, long mellow… MalapascuaPhilippines Reef 2–12 m Beginner None Dec–May
Lighthouse Reef Night dives with Spanish dancers and hunting lionfish; effortless… DahabEgypt Shore 3–25 m Beginner None Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov
Lodestone Reef Relaxed gardens near Townsville, bommie corridors, dependable turtles… Townsville & the YongalaAustralia Reef 5–20 m Beginner Mild Aug–Nov
Looe Key Reliable reef sharks, tall coral spurs, joint snorkel-and-dive appeal Florida KeysUnited States Reef 2–12 m Beginner Mild
Los Islotes Sea lion pups at play, the swim-through arch, an all-levels profile… Sea of Cortez & Cabo PulmoMexico Reef 3–15 m Beginner Mild
Maamigili Beyru Year-round juvenile whale sharks over an easy drift reef Ari AtollMaldives Reef 5–30 m Beginner Mild Aug–Apr
Maaya Thila Pack-hunting whitetips at night; turtles and frogfish by day Ari AtollMaldives Pinnacle 6–30 m Intermediate Moderate Dec–Apr
Malayan Wreck Blacktips hunting the flats, an above-water landmark, easygoing wall… Tubbataha ReefsPhilippines Wall 3–35 m Intermediate Mild Mar–Jun
Manta Alley Feeding aggregations of reef mantas; wild south-coast setting; shark… KomodoIndonesia Reef 5–25 m Intermediate Moderate Nov–Apr
Manta Point (Lankan Reef) Queueing reef mantas at cleaning stations; close, calm passes over… North & South Malé AtollsMaldives Reef 8–25 m Beginner Mild May–Nov
Manta Point (Nosy Be) Seasonal chance of mantas at an offshore cleaning bank Nosy BeMadagascar Reef Intermediate Moderate Sep–Nov
Manta Point (Nusa Penida) Near-year-round reef mantas; surface feeding behavior; occasional… Bali & Nusa PenidaIndonesia Reef 5–20 m Beginner Mild
Manta Reef Historic manta cleaning stations visited by both manta species Tofo BeachMozambique Reef 16–30 m Advanced Moderate May–Nov
Manta Sandy Reliable reef mantas at close range; ranger-managed viewing that… Raja AmpatIndonesia Reef 8–18 m Beginner Mild Oct–Apr
Manuelita The whitetip night hunt, regular tiger shark passes, an easy coral… Cocos IslandCosta Rica Reef 8–30 m Intermediate Moderate
Manuk Dense, curious sea snakes; an active volcano in open sea; hammerhead… Banda Sea & AmbonIndonesia Reef 5–40 m Intermediate Moderate Mar, Apr, Sep, Oct, Nov
Marsa Shagra House Reef Unlimited shore diving on your own schedule; healthy walls minutes… Marsa Alam & the Deep SouthEgypt Shore 2–25 m Beginner Mild Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov
Mary Island Barracuda columns in the thousands; trevally storms; steady gray reef… Solomon IslandsSolomon Islands Reef 5–35 m Intermediate Moderate
Masaplod Norte Sanctuary Fearless sanctuary fish schools, artificial-reef sweetlips stacks… Dumaguete, Dauin & Apo IslandPhilippines Reef 3–20 m Beginner Mild Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Oct, Nov
Melissa's Garden Pristine hard-coral cover; blacktips over the plateau; pygmy… Raja AmpatIndonesia Reef 3–25 m Beginner Mild Oct–Apr
Mesharifa Feeding chains of reef mantas; surface encounters in warm, easy… Port Sudan & SanganebSudan Reef 2–15 m Beginner Mild Aug–Oct
Middle Arch Broad easy archway, crayfish and morays in the cracks, prime… Poor Knights IslandsNew Zealand Reef 5–24 m Beginner Mild Feb–Jun
Mikomoto Island Hammerhead schools within sight of Honshu, energetic Kuroshio drifts… Izu PeninsulaJapan Reef 12–40 m Advanced Strong Jun–Nov
Molasses Reef Textbook spur-and-groove, dense fish schools, turtles and rays on… Florida KeysUnited States Reef 5–15 m Beginner Mild
Molokini Inner Crater Routine 30-meter-plus visibility; endemic-rich, easygoing reef… Maui & MolokiniUnited States Reef 3–25 m Beginner Mild
Muiron Islands Soft-coral gutters, turtle traffic, manta flybys, few other boats Ningaloo ReefAustralia Reef 6–20 m Beginner Mild Apr–Oct
Mushroom Forest Field of mushroom-shaped coral heads, dens full of octopus and morays CuraçaoCuraçao Reef 10–20 m Intermediate Mild
Nine Mile Reef Giant green tree corals in the shallows; wildlife-rich boat runs Sodwana BaySouth Africa Reef 8–24 m Intermediate Moderate Apr–Sep
Nishibama Kerama-blue visibility, near-guaranteed turtles, garden-eel meadows… Okinawa & the Kerama IslandsJapan Reef 5–25 m Beginner Mild Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Oct, Nov
North Rock The Atlantic's northernmost corals, cottage-sized heads, extravagant… BermudaBermuda Reef 5–14 m Beginner Mild May–Oct
North Twin Armspan gorgonians on granite, raiding pelagics, dependable mid-trip… Mergui ArchipelagoMyanmar Reef 8–35 m Intermediate Moderate Dec–Apr
Nosy Tanikely Madagascar's most reliable reef — turtles, dense fish, easy conditions Nosy BeMadagascar Reef 2–18 m Beginner Mild Apr–Nov
Nudi Falls Nudibranch variety; pygmy seahorses and blue-ringed octopus… Lembeh StraitIndonesia Muck 3–22 m Beginner Mild
Painted Walls Sponge-painted canyon corridors, pirate-lore setting, vivid shallow… British Virgin IslandsBritish Virgin Islands Reef 5–13 m Intermediate Mild
Palancar Gardens Ten-meter coral towers, easy warm-up drift, turtles and angelfish… CozumelMexico Reef 6–25 m Beginner Mild Dec–Apr
Panagsama Reef (the Sardine Run) A permanent multimillion-fish bait ball, turtles in the mix, dawn… MoalboalPhilippines Reef 1–30 m Beginner Mild Dec–May
Paradise 2 (Mabul) Frogfish and ghost pipefish on demand, flamboyant cuttlefish, easy… Sipadan & MabulMalaysia Muck 3–18 m Beginner Mild Apr–Sep
Paradise Reef Splendid toadfish sightings, night diving minutes from town, octopus… CozumelMexico Reef 5–14 m Beginner Mild Nov–May
Paso del Cedral Dense snapper and grunt schools, nurse sharks under ledges, lively… CozumelMexico Reef 10–20 m Intermediate Moderate Dec–Apr
Pedras Secas Canyon and tunnel swim-throughs in glass-clear water, turtles in the… Fernando de NoronhaBrazil Reef 8–22 m Intermediate Mild Aug–Nov
Pescador Island The Cathedral light funnel, wraparound wall diving, sharks and… MoalboalPhilippines Wall 3–40 m Intermediate Moderate Dec–May
Pipin Reliable close-quarters reef sharks, huge groupers, the park's… Jardines de la ReinaCuba Reef 12–25 m Intermediate Mild Dec–Apr
Playa Chica Seahorses and garden eels, the Cathedral cavern, effortless logistics Canary IslandsSpain Shore 3–40 m Beginner Mild May–Nov
Playa Kalki Storybook coral terrain, calm clear water, easy cove entry CuraçaoCuraçao Reef 5–30 m Beginner Mild
Ponta de Sao Lourenco Raw volcanic topography, pelagic traffic at the point, uncrowded sites MadeiraPortugal Reef 8–30 m Intermediate Moderate Jun–Sep
Precontinent II (Conshelf Two) The onion-dome hangar and its trapped-air mirror; Cousteau-era relics… Port Sudan & SanganebSudan Reef 9–30 m Intermediate Mild Nov–May
Punta Tosca Tiger and dolphin wildcards, mantas rounding the point, humpback… Socorro & the RevillagigedosMexico Reef 10–35 m Advanced Moderate
Purple Rain Sheets of creole wrasse, relaxed scrolling drift, regular turtles GrenadaGrenada Reef 10–20 m Beginner Mild
Quarter Mile Reef Resting pregnant ragged-tooth sharks in summer at snorkelable depths Sodwana BaySouth Africa Reef 6–14 m Beginner Mild Dec–Mar
Raggie Cave Winter aggregations of ragged-tooth sharks at close, calm range Aliwal Shoal & UmkomaasSouth Africa Reef 12–27 m Intermediate Moderate Jun–Nov
Rainbow's End Full-color soft-coral terraces; fusilier and anthias clouds; an easy… Taveuni & Rainbow ReefFiji Drift 5–25 m Intermediate Strong May–Oct
Ras Abu Galum Untracked reef walls; the camel-train approach; grilled-fish surface… DahabEgypt Reef 5–30 m Intermediate Mild Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov
Ras Morovi Turtle-grazed coral gardens; boulder terraces on the point; the… Musandam PeninsulaOman Reef 5–25 m Intermediate Moderate Oct–Apr
Ras Um Sid The gorgonian forest; glassfish-filled overhangs; convenient depth… Sharm El Sheikh & Ras MohammedEgypt Reef 5–30 m Beginner Mild Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov
Rempart Serpent Extraordinary density of scorpionfish, stonefish, and morays on one… MauritiusMauritius Muck 18–26 m Intermediate Mild Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov, Dec
Richelieu Rock Purple soft-coral pinnacle, seasonal whale sharks, world-class macro… Similan Islands & Richelieu RockThailand Pinnacle 2–35 m Advanced Strong Dec–Apr
Roma Cabbage-coral crown; swirling anthias and fusilier lanes; easy spiral… WakatobiIndonesia Pinnacle 4–30 m Beginner Mild Mar–Nov
SS Dunraven Swim-through hull sections full of glassfish; propeller and rudder on… Sharm El Sheikh & Ras MohammedEgypt Wreck 15–29 m Intermediate Mild Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov
Sakatia Turtle Grounds Large grazing green turtles at snorkel depth, meters from shore Nosy BeMadagascar Shore 1–8 m Beginner Mild Apr–Nov
Santa Barbara Island Sea Lion Rookery Pup swarms in the shallows, all-day bottom time, the archipelago's… California Channel IslandsUnited States Kelp forest 5–20 m Beginner Mild
Sardine Reef Blackout-dense fish schools; hunting trevally; wobbegongs and… Raja AmpatIndonesia Reef 5–30 m Intermediate Moderate Oct–Apr
Sataya Reef Large resting spinner pods in the lagoon; warden-managed encounters… Marsa Alam & the Deep SouthEgypt Reef 3–25 m Beginner Mild Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Seven Mile Reef Mushroom-rock topography and green tree coral; the park's most likely… Sodwana BaySouth Africa Reef 12–24 m Intermediate Moderate Apr–Sep
Seven Tree Island Boulder-garden dens, king crabs in parade colors, a kinder… British ColumbiaCanada Wall 6–26 m Intermediate Moderate Oct–Mar
Sha'ab El Erg Wild bottlenose dolphin encounters on their terms; pinnacle gardens… Hurghada & El GounaEgypt Reef 3–22 m Beginner Mild Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov
Sha'ab Rumi South Plateau Grey reef sharks in classic numbers; hammerheads off the drop in… Port Sudan & SanganebSudan Reef 10–40 m Advanced Moderate Nov–May
Sha'ab Samadai Resting spinner dolphins met on their terms; cavern swim-throughs; a… Marsa Alam & the Deep SouthEgypt Reef 3–20 m Beginner Mild Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov
Shark & Yolanda Reefs Summer snapper and batfish walls; Shark Reef's sheer drop; Yolanda's… Sharm El Sheikh & Ras MohammedEgypt Reef 5–30 m Intermediate Moderate Jun–Oct
Shark Arena Dozens of circling reef sharks at arm's length, adjacent wall dive Nassau & New ProvidenceThe Bahamas Reef 12–15 m Intermediate Mild
Shark Close Grey reef sharks at close quarters; cool, fish-rich strait water… AlorIndonesia Reef 10–40 m Advanced Strong Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov
Shark Fin Reef Kilometer-scale granite spine, rays and garden eels on the sand… Similan Islands & Richelieu RockThailand Reef 5–35 m Intermediate Moderate Nov–Apr
Shark Island Soft-coral variety, sea kraits and rays, an honest name-myth debunking Koh TaoThailand Reef 4–24 m Intermediate Moderate Mar–Sep
Shark Junction Close-range Caribbean reef sharks, professional feed format, easy… Tiger Beach & Grand BahamaThe Bahamas Reef 12–15 m Intermediate None
Shark Reef Marine Reserve Bull sharks in close formation; the occasional tiger shark; a… Beqa Lagoon & Pacific HarbourFiji Reef 8–30 m Intermediate Mild May–Sep
Sharks Cove Lava tubes and skylights; tame reserve fish life; the North Shore in… OʻahuUnited States Shore 2–14 m Beginner Mild May–Sep
Sherwood Forest Green tree coral groves; slow-lane macro at depth with big-ray flybys Tofo BeachMozambique Reef 24–32 m Advanced Moderate May–Nov
Shilang Walk-in Kuroshio clarity, anemone cities, the fallen Big Mushroom… Green IslandTaiwan Reef 3–25 m Beginner Mild Apr–Sep
Siaba Besar Green turtles in bulk; relaxed shallow profiles; surprisingly good… KomodoIndonesia Reef 3–20 m Beginner Mild Apr–Nov
Siete Pecados Thriving shallow coral, giant clams and turtles, the area's best… CoronPhilippines Reef 1–12 m Beginner Mild Nov–Apr
South Twin Gardened granite boulders, easy conditions by Mergui standards… Mergui ArchipelagoMyanmar Reef 8–30 m Intermediate Mild Dec–Apr
St John's Caves Cathedral light shafts in shallow tunnels; low-stress cavern… Brothers, Daedalus & St John'sEgypt Reef 4–18 m Intermediate Mild Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Sunabe Seawall Car-to-water shore diving, deep nudibranch catalog, easy productive… Okinawa & the Kerama IslandsJapan Reef 3–15 m Beginner Mild Apr, May, Jun, Oct, Nov
Susan's Reef Red whip-coral thickets; anthias clouds over the ridge; classic… Kimbe BayPapua New Guinea Reef 5–25 m Beginner Mild
Ted's Point Minutes from the harbor, relaxed profiles at every level, regular… UtilaHonduras Reef 6–30 m Beginner Mild Mar, Apr, May, Aug, Sep
Tetamanu Jetty Blacktips beneath your fins from the first minute; pink-sand shallows… FakaravaFrench Polynesia Reef 1–10 m Beginner Mild
The Aquarium Zebra sharks at rest; fish density that earns the name; seasonal… Daymaniyat IslandsOman Reef 6–22 m Beginner Mild Feb, Mar, Apr, Sep, Oct, Nov
The Aquarium Tame, dense reef-fish crowds; blacktips over white sand; ideal… RangiroaFrench Polynesia Reef 2–12 m Beginner Mild
The Aquarium (Long Caye) Fish density on the reef top, streaming creole wrasse, easy profile… Belize Barrier ReefBelize Reef 8–30 m Beginner Mild Feb–Jun
The Canyon Light shafts inside the fissure; the glassfish-packed Fishbowl exit… DahabEgypt Reef 12–30 m Intermediate None Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov
The Cathedral The sunken cross, fish-filled amphitheater, a piece of Philippine… AnilaoPhilippines Reef 10–30 m Intermediate Mild Nov–Apr
The Caves Torchlit caverns full of sweepers; shaded-wall macro; a calm-weather… Musandam PeninsulaOman Reef 5–20 m Beginner Mild Oct–Apr
The Caves at Norman Island Swimmable treasure-lore caves, sweeper-filled inner chambers, easy… British Virgin IslandsBritish Virgin Islands Cave 2–12 m Beginner None
The Islands Hard-coral architecture unmatched on this coast; enclosed sand… DahabEgypt Reef 4–16 m Beginner None Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov
The Office Relaxed ledge reef with dense mid-size life; surprise ray flybys Tofo BeachMozambique Reef 14–22 m Intermediate Mild May–Nov
The Zoo Reef-shark and schooling-fish traffic on the tide; ridge-and-channel… Taveuni & Rainbow ReefFiji Reef 10–28 m Intermediate Moderate May–Oct
The Zoo Leaf scorpionfish and ghost pipefish; habitat variety in one easy… WakatobiIndonesia Reef 5–25 m Beginner Mild Mar–Nov
Thomas Reef Soft-coral terraces at their densest; the deep canyon and arches for… Sharm El Sheikh & Ras MohammedEgypt Reef 5–40 m Advanced Strong May–Oct
Three Sisters Ray-and-shark sand gullies between the outcrops; a naturally… Daymaniyat IslandsOman Reef 5–25 m Beginner Mild Feb, Mar, Apr, Sep, Oct, Nov
Tiger Beach Multiple tiger sharks at touching distance, lemon shark packs… Tiger Beach & Grand BahamaThe Bahamas Reef 5–12 m Intermediate Mild Oct–Apr
Tongo Point Crevice-riddled wall, sanctuary calm, macro finds between the fans MoalboalPhilippines Wall 3–35 m Beginner Mild Dec–May
Toucari Caves Daylight lava tunnels, ceilings packed with sweepers and soldierfish DominicaDominica Cave 4–18 m Beginner None
Turquoise Bay World-class drift snorkel from the sand, turtles and rays in a… Ningaloo ReefAustralia Reef 1–6 m Beginner Moderate Mar–Nov
Turtle Pinnacle Green turtles being cleaned at arm's length; tang and surgeonfish… Kona, HawaiʻiUnited States Pinnacle 8–20 m Beginner Mild
Tutuba Point Drift diving on the channel tide; eagle rays and reef sharks off the… Espiritu SantoVanuatu Reef 8–30 m Intermediate Moderate
Twin Rocks Anemone cities, confiding schools, turtles at sanctuary ease AnilaoPhilippines Reef 3–20 m Beginner Mild Nov–May
Two Mile Reef Rich coral cover and huge variety across named sections; sociable… Sodwana BaySouth Africa Reef 9–34 m Beginner Mild Apr–Sep
Two Step (Hōnaunau Bay) Effortless lava-shelf entry; superb shallow coral; turtles and… Kona, HawaiʻiUnited States Shore 3–25 m Beginner Mild
Vanessa's Reef Giant gorgonian fans; pygmy seahorses for patient macro work… Kimbe BayPapua New Guinea Reef 8–26 m Beginner Mild
Vertigo Gray reef and blacktip sharks at close quarters; exceptional… YapFederated States of Micronesia Wall 5–30 m Intermediate Mild
Washing Machine Roller-coaster surge channels, sharks in the grooves, vigorous hard… Tubbataha ReefsPhilippines Reef 5–30 m Advanced Strong Mar–Jun
Watamula Wall-to-wall living coral, effortless drift, big fish traffic at the… CuraçaoCuraçao Reef 8–30 m Advanced Moderate
Wattabomi Relaxed sand-and-bommie drift with near-guaranteed turtles Zanzibar & MnembaTanzania Reef 5–25 m Beginner Mild Jan, Feb, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Dec
Western Rocky The through-island tunnel with resting nurse sharks, elite macro… Mergui ArchipelagoMyanmar Reef 5–30 m Advanced Moderate Dec–Apr
Wheeler Reef Compact all-in-one reef, anemone bommies, friendly conditions for… Townsville & the YongalaAustralia Reef 5–22 m Beginner Mild Aug–Nov
White Beach Softest entry in town, turtle traffic, dependable night diving MoalboalPhilippines Reef 2–25 m Beginner Mild Dec–May
White Rock Turtles and rays in easy depths, the island's classic night dive… Koh TaoThailand Reef 3–22 m Beginner Mild Feb–Sep
Whyalla Cuttlefish Coast Massed giant cuttlefish courtship, color displays at arm's length… South AustraliaAustralia Reef 2–6 m Beginner Mild May–Aug
Wolf Island (Landslide & Shark Bay) Hammerhead schools, free-swimming morays, eagle ray squadrons… Galápagos IslandsEcuador Reef 10–35 m Advanced Strong Jun–Nov
Yap Caverns Light-filled swim-throughs and canyons; resting whitetip reef sharks… YapFederated States of Micronesia Reef 5–30 m Intermediate Mild
Yonaguni Monument The terraces and right angles themselves, the natural-versus-carved… YonaguniJapan Reef 5–26 m Advanced Moderate Apr, May, Oct, Nov

Site data is compiled from the sources on each site's own page and carries confidence labels; depths and conditions are planning ranges, not survey data.

Australia, New Zealand & East Asia

Cairns & the Ribbon ReefsNingaloo ReefCoral Sea & Osprey ReefOkinawa & the Kerama IslandsPoor Knights IslandsTownsville & the YongalaGreen IslandIzu Peninsula

Caribbean & Western Atlantic

BonaireCozumelRiviera Maya & the CenotesBelize Barrier ReefGrand CaymanIsla Mujeres & CancúnRoatánTiger Beach & Grand Bahama

Europe, Atlantic & Mediterranean

Malta & GozoSilfra & IcelandThe AzoresCanary IslandsLarnaca & the ZenobiaScapa FlowArctic NorwayMadeira

Indian Ocean & East Africa

North & South Malé AtollsAri AtollBaa Atoll & Hanifaru BayAliwal Shoal & UmkomaasMafia IslandMauritiusSeychellesSodwana Bay

Pacific Islands & Micronesia

PalauChuuk (Truk) LagoonFakaravaKona, HawaiʻiRangiroaTaveuni & Rainbow ReefBeqa Lagoon & Pacific HarbourEspiritu Santo

Red Sea & Middle East

Sharm El Sheikh & Ras MohammedBrothers, Daedalus & St John'sDahabHurghada & El GounaMarsa Alam & the Deep SouthAqabaDaymaniyat IslandsMusandam Peninsula

Southeast Asia & Coral Triangle

Bali & Nusa PenidaKomodoRaja AmpatSipadan & MabulAnilaoCoronKoh TaoLembeh Strait

The Americas & Eastern Pacific

Galápagos IslandsCocos IslandFlorida KeysSea of Cortez & Cabo PulmoSocorro & the RevillagigedosBritish ColumbiaCalifornia Channel IslandsCosta Rica Pacific Coast