Diving is one of the coolest things to do. It’s a great way to explore underwater life, discover sunken treasures and save beautiful oceans! Get ready because you’re about to dive straight into our scuba travel guide for the top scuba diving destinations of 2022. We’ve done our homework and put together this list with the help of scuba experts, veteran divers, and travelers who prefer more adventurous trips.
Are you dreaming of going on a scuba diving adventure but not sure where to go? Look no further. With this guide, you’ll learn how to plan your perfect scuba diving adventure in 2022 and beyond.
Revillagigedo Islands, Mexico
If you dream of magical manta encounters and being surrounded by schools of hammerheads while being buzzed by an orca, then the Revillagigedo Islands are perfect for you. Affectionately known at the Galapagos of Mexico, it’s a scuba diver’s paradise! You can also sail to the most well-known of the island chain, Socorro, on a PADI Liveaboard this spring for a chance to witness the pelagic lover’s paradise. As the seasons transition from winter to spring, lucky explorers get the chance to have intimate encounters with manta rays, bottlenose dolphins who seek out divers for some playful interactions, and even the occasional humpback whale off the coast of Mexico.
(Photo credit: Rodrigo Friscione)
South Africa
If you’re looking for the ultimate land and sea safari, then South Africa is the perfect spot for you. The coming months are an incredible time to encounter all of the most amazing creatures South Africa has to offer, with great weather as well as sea conditions in both Cape Town and Durban. Head south to Cape Town to snorkel—or dive—with the playful fur seas of Hout Bay hiding amid the kelp or head out on a cage-diving expedition to meet their arch enemy… the Great White Shark. From sunrise beaches to sunset spy hops, you’ll never forget your encounter with the “white pointers” in the shark capital of the world. Your South Africa diving adventure can be booked with 36 PADI Dive Centers.
Fiji
While tropical paradise is a good idea any time of the year, those looking for great visibility and exciting marine animal action should head to the warmer waters of Fiji in April! Of the 333 islands to choose from, Bega Lagoon off the coast of Vitu Levu in Fiji offers a shark haven where in just one dive you can see bull sharks, whitetip reef sharks, blacktip reef sharks, nurse sharks and even tiger sharks gathering amongst the vibrant hues of healthy coral. Explore all that PADI’s Dive Centers in Fiji have to offer!
Galapagos
Diving in the Galapagos off the coast of Ecuador is fantastic all year long, but May offers a unique opportunity to truly see it all. May brings calmer, warmer and more clear water to this world-famous dive site and as a result, the Galapagos—one of the most protected places on Earth—is teeming with large schools of hammerhead sharks, manta rays, sea horses, turtles, penguins, sea lions and marine iguanas. Your Galapagos dive experience can be booked with 5 PADI Dive Centers.
(Photo credit: Neil Andrea)
Mauritius
Floating in the Indian ocean, this secluded island country is quite possibly the most beautiful place on earth and should be on any true scuba fanatic’s bucket list. Diverse dive locations, unimaginable underwater typography, distinct flora and fauna, and a plethora of crevasses, reefs, wrecks, caverns, and corals – Mauritius is a diver’s dreamworld.
Recommended by Austin Tuwiner, Divemaster at ScubaOtter.
Komodo National Park
Komodo National Park in Indonesia is one of the most underrated diving destinations in the world. Whether it is sharks, manta rays, turtles, dolphins, or colorful reefs, Komodo’s diving spots have it all. At Komodo, you can do everything from just a diving day trip out in the park or a multi-day liveaboard experience. Making your way to dive sites such as Batu Bolong and Manta Point is sure to be top highlights along the way.
Not only do you get to experience the underwater world during a scuba diving trip to Komodo, but tour operators also make stops at other incredible places within the park. Everything from seeing a Komodo dragon to walking on a pink beach to enjoying a sunset on top of Padar Island.
Combining scuba diving with these other natural attractions around Komodo really makes an experience here one of a kind.
Recommended by Charles
The Islands of The Bahamas
From iconic movie scenes to ecological wonders, The Islands of The Bahamas offer drivers a launch point into some of the world’s most bucket-list-worthy spots. Scuba Diving magazine rated the destination #1 for big animal encounters in the Caribbean and Atlantic region in the 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards.
Travelers seeking diversity won’t be disappointed as site landscapes include blue holes, reefs, shipwrecks, walls, and caves:
Dean’s Blue Hole, Long Island
Dean’s Blue hole is a top destination every diver must experience. Tucked beneath the cliffs of Long Island, it’s the second deepest blue hole in the world. Professionals visit annually for the Vertical Blue International Freediving Competition.
Andros Barrier Reef, Andros 
“The Big Backyard,” Andros, the largest and virtually untouched island in The Bahamas, is home to the Andros Barrier Reef. Stretching 190 miles, it’s the third-largest in the world. The coral growth remains lush, colorful, and healthy, a once-in-a-lifetime kind of dive.
Tiger Beach, Grand Bahama Island 
West End of Grand Bahama Island, Tiger Beach is renowned not just for its crystal clear waters and shallow sand flats but for the up close and intimate diving experience with the protected tiger shark population thriving among the keys.
Ocean Atlas, Nassau 
Off the shores of the vibrant capital city of Nassau, dive beneath the waves to discover the world’s largest underwater sculpture, “Ocean Atlas,” a massive 17-foot structure of a young Bahamian girl kneeling, supporting the ceiling of the water on her shoulders.
Recommended by Ashlea
Nassau Paradise Island
Nassau Paradise Island, Bahamas is great for scuba diving as it sits on the Tongue of the Ocean–a deep-water trench that’s part of the Great Bahama Canyon. Divers come from near and far to take the plunge underwater to see loads of tropical fish and marine life, exquisite coral reefs like the Fish Hotel, and even historic shipwrecks. The waters in Nassau Paradise Island are also known for clarity and cleanliness, so the diving visibility is great.
About Nassau Paradise Island — This convenient destination is serviced by several non-stop flights from most major U.S. cities. Less than an hour from South Florida and less than three hours from New York City, Nassau Paradise Island is so close, yet feels like it’s a world away. Additional information about where to stay and incredible value-added packages may be found.
Recommended by Fred
Cayman Islands
Home to over 365 dive sites and the International Scuba Hall of Fame, the Cayman Islands offers an extensive array of dive experiences for both beginners and pros.
For adventure focused travelers, the Cayman Islands offers opportunities to cull lionfish, an invasive species that has become a culinary delicacy. More and more dive operators are offering lionfish culling courses.
Ambassador Divers: offers a PADI certification for culling lionfish in the Cayman Islands. The PADI “Cayman Islands Lionfish Culler” certification is recognized by the DOE and can stand as a replacement for the DOE culling course. The certification is completed in one day and includes a short classroom session with two spearing dives overseen by a PADI-certified instructor.
Ocean Frontiers: offers a Monday afternoon one-tank dive cull, US$99 per person, excluding dive gear rental. You don’t need a lionfish license to take part in this cull; you can borrow a spear and hunt lionfish under the guidance of an instructor. Boarding time is 1.30 pm, returning at 4 pm.
Recommended by Christina
Grenada 
Its pristine blue waters and colorful corals make the destination a draw for snorkeling and scuba diving. Most recently, Grenada’s iconic Underwater Sculpture Park (Nat Geo ranked top 25 wonders of the world) innovatively designed to act as a coral reef, was renovated, providing an even more amazing experience to view the diverse marine life.
The Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) has announced that the inaugural Dive and Conservation Festival will be held in Grenada from May 18th to 23rd 2022. An exciting roster of activities will be available: from beginners diving classes, wreck diving, and exploring Grenada’s most stunning and biodiverse reefs, to lionfish hunting and diving the unique spots in our sister isles of Carriacou and Petite Martinique.
The diving activities will be complemented and enhanced by numerous land-based activities, such as tree-planting exercises and other nature-themed activities, movie, and documentary nights, street food festivals, lionfish cooking demos, and educational nights featuring presentations about conservation and reefs. A full event calendar will be shared by March 2022.
Recommended by Meghan
The British Virgin Islands
With all the allure of the 60 islands and cays scattered across the archipelago that is the British Virgin Islands, visitors would be remiss to not explore the expansive scuba diving scene at the destination.
With various dive programs such as Dive BVI and Jost Van Dyke Scuba, visitors are able to satisfy the Open Water dive requirements, take a diving course, or rent a charter to get out and see what the waters have to offer.
RMS Rhone Shipwreck – The first and only Marine National Park in the British Virgin Islands, this celebrated dive site features vibrant reefs and seagrass beds just along the wreck of a Royal Mail Steamer, which sank in the hurricane of 1867. With water depth ranging between 30 and 90 feet, Dive BVI recommends two separate dives to fully experience all the RMS Rhone has to offer. From the artifacts still aboard the wreck and the sea life within, divers just might be lucky enough to see the lengthy green moray eel and several octopus living within.
The Indians – A renowned area for diving, visitors who venture just off the shores of Norman Island will immediately notice mysterious, ancient-looking rock formations protruding from the water’s surface. Known as The Indians, adventurers of the water will want to ensure they make the trek to these four pillars, for they’re one of the best diving spots in the British Virgin Islands. Tie up to one of the nearby moorings, hop in, and peruse the shallow waters around the rocks for views of colorful coral, various schools of fish, and even an underwater cave.
The Kracken – The Wreck of the Kodiak Queen – After launching in 1940 as a U.S. Navy fuel barge “YO-44,” it is one of only five ships to survive the Pearl Harbor attack; however, the ship later found new life as a fishing boat, eventually dubbed, the “Kodiak Queen.” Historian Mike Cochran found the ship rusting in a Road Town junkyard in 2012, ultimately deciding to set up a website in an effort to rescue the ship, which got the attention of some noteworthy individuals. Owen Buggy, a friend of and photographer for Sir Richard Branson (owner of both Moskito and Necker Islands in the BVI), saw the site and suggested the ship be developed into an artificial reef. Just a few months later, Kodiak Queen was brought over from Tortola to be sunk just off the shore of Long Bay in Virgin Gorda.
For a full list of other reefs and dive sites ranging from beginner to expert skill levels, see here.
Recommended by Matthew Scotti
Vancouver Island
Jacques Cousteau himself said that British Columbia has “the best temperate water diving in the world, and second only to the Red Sea.” What can you see in BC? Giant Pacific octopuses, wolf eels, six-gill sharks, soft corals, huge cloud sponges, and immense red sea fans. There are plenty of shore-accessed dive sites in places such as Victoria and the Sunshine Coast. More advanced divers will want to explore a circuit of shipwrecks through the BC Wreck Trek Passport.
Recommended by Frances
Saba, Dutch Caribbean
Saba is a dormant volcano that rises steeply from the ocean located between St. Marteen and St. Barth’s. Depths of 1,000 feet and more are found within a half-mile from shore. The nearshore environments present some very interesting and extremely varied diving experiences, while the offshore dives will leave you absolutely speechless. Saba plunges below the sea as steeply as it rises above. From shallow patch reefs to deep underwater seamounts, the Unspoiled Queen as the island is known offers sites suitable for any diver’s level of experience.
Saba Marine Park was established in 1987 with permanent moorings, regulations of use and maintenance, and a strong conservation attitude. Due to the protection of their food sources within the Saba Marine Park, both Green and Hawksbill Turtles thrive around Saba. Provided that divers approach slowly, the turtles will continue to feed while having their picture taken. With restrictions on fishing, Conch, Saba Lobster and a variety of crabs can commonly be observed on most dives.
In addition to the creatures described above, you may be fortunate enough to spend time with some regular visitors to Saba. These include Hammerhead and Whale Sharks, Manta and Spotted Eagle Rays, Longsnout Seahorses and Frog Fish. During winter months, you can sometimes hear whales singing to each other or you may even see them breaching.
Past volcanic activity created spectacular formations and structures such as underwater lava flows and hot springs. The reefs are populated with schools of tropical fish and healthy coral, while sheer, close-to-shore walls are covered with sponges of all sizes. Unusual and exciting sightings are always possible in Saba’s waters, including frequent shark encounters.
Recommended by Teresa
Curaçao Dutch Caribbean
Known for its incredible diving (the island has over 70+ dive sites suitable for all levels), Curaçao is the ideal destination for divers seeking biodiverse reefs, sunken ships, caves, and more. Plus, the brand new all-inclusive Sandals Royal Curaçao is opening on June 1, 2022, featuring complimentary unlimited scuba diving for guests.
At Sandals Royal Curaçao, guests can take advantage of up to 2 complimentary dives per day throughout the duration of their stay. Sandals also offer an introductory diving course for those looking to try their hand at diving, featuring a quick 3-hour pool session and one dive up to 40 ft. Guests can also complete their PADI dive certification on the property to be certified for life.
Aside from scuba diving, Sandals Royal Curacao guests can enjoy nine 5-Star Global Gourmet restaurants (eight of which are new and exclusive to Sandals Royal Curaçao), 10 bars, a stunning Dos-Awa infinity pool, and even a complimentary Mini Cooper to explore the island for those staying in top-level suites.
Recommended by Jenna
Florida Keys
The Florida keys are not to be underestimated with some of the best scuba diving in the USA and approximately 1000 shipwrecks scattered around the islands. The keys are more easily accessible and have dive sites for all levels and all interests from these shipwrecks to protected underwater ecosystems and marine sanctuaries.
Recommended by Austin Tuwiner, Divemaster at ScubaOtter.
If you’re heading to the Keys make sure to check out the Islamorada Resort Collection & The Islamorada Dive Center recommended by Sarah Vining
Malpelo Island, Colombia
Also known as the Galapagos of the Caribbean, Malpelo Island is famous for its near-endless variety of marine life, which includes sea turtles. tropical fish, and whale sharks. The island boasts a diverse ecosystem that offers visitors a wide range of marine life and marine activities.
The main attraction at Malpelo is shark diving. It’s said that here, you have a better chance of seeing hammerhead sharks than anywhere else in the world, and sightings of silky sharks are common as well. You’ll also see plenty of other reef fish, manta rays, and whales — but be sure to bring your macro lens for this trip.
Recommended by Theola Tinny
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