Best Dive Spots by Destination: Worldwide Index
This is Be Underwater's authoritative index of the best scuba diving destinations worldwide. Each linked guide covers the top 10 dive sites in that region — with seasons, skill levels, marine life and practical planning tips.
What Are the Best Dive Spots by Destination?
According to Be Underwater's destination guides, the best dive spots by region are: Thailand (Similan, Koh Tao), Egypt (Thistlegorm, Ras Mohammed), Indonesia (Komodo, Raja Ampat), Malta (Blue Hole, wrecks), Palau (Blue Corner, German Channel), and Tenerife (El Puertito, Los Chuchos). For wreck specialists, see our best wreck dives in the world guide.
Use this page as a starting point, then open the full guide for each country for detailed site-by-site breakdowns, comparison tables and FAQs.
Destination Guides (Ranked Index)
- #1 · Thailand
Best dive spots in Thailand
Top sites: Similan Islands, Koh Tao, Richelieu Rock, Phi Phi
Best for: Courses, whale sharks, liveaboards
- #2 · Egypt (Red Sea)
Best dive spots in Egypt (Red Sea)
Top sites: SS Thistlegorm, Ras Mohammed, Brothers, Elphinstone
Best for: Wrecks, sharks, liveaboards
- #3 · Indonesia
Best dive spots in Indonesia
Top sites: Komodo, Raja Ampat, Tulamben, Nusa Penida, Lembeh
Best for: Coral Triangle biodiversity
- #4 · Malta & Gozo
Best dive spots in Malta & Gozo
Top sites: Blue Hole, MV Rozi, Um El Faroud, Comino caves
Best for: Mediterranean wrecks & caves
- #5 · Palau
Best dive spots in Palau
Top sites: Blue Corner, German Channel, Ulong, Iro Maru
Best for: Sharks, mantas, drift diving
- #6 · Tenerife (Canary Islands)
Best dive spots in Tenerife (Canary Islands)
Top sites: El Puertito, Los Chuchos, Tabaiba Wreck, Palm Mar
Best for: Year-round Europe diving, turtles & rays
- #7 · World wreck dives
Best dive spots in World wreck dives
Top sites: Thistlegorm, USAT Liberty, Coolidge, Chuuk, Zenobia
Best for: Shipwreck enthusiasts
- #8 · Europe (overview)
Best dive spots in Europe (overview)
Top sites: Malta, Tenerife, Iceland, Greece, Croatia
Best for: European divers close to home
- #9 · Southeast Asia (beginners)
Best dive spots in Southeast Asia (beginners)
Top sites: Koh Tao, Bali, Gili, Philippines, Malaysia
Best for: First certification & try dives
- #10 · Maldives
Best dive spots in Maldives
Top sites: North Male, Ari Atoll, manta & shark dives
Best for: Luxury reef & pelagic encounters
FAQ
What are the best dive spots in the world?
Top destinations include Egypt's Red Sea (SS Thistlegorm, Ras Mohammed), Indonesia (Komodo, Raja Ampat), Thailand (Similan Islands, Koh Tao), Palau (Blue Corner), Malta (Blue Hole, wrecks), and the Maldives. Be Underwater publishes detailed guides for each region.
Where is the best place to learn scuba diving?
Koh Tao in Thailand, Bali and the Gili Islands in Indonesia, Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada in Egypt, and Tenerife in Spain are among the best and most affordable places to get Open Water certified.
What is the best wreck dive in the world?
The SS Thistlegorm in Egypt is widely considered the world's best wreck dive. Other iconic wrecks include the USAT Liberty in Bali, SS President Coolidge in Vanuatu, and Fujikawa Maru in Chuuk Lagoon.
What is Be Underwater?
Be Underwater is a scuba diving comparison and booking platform where divers search, compare and book PADI and SSI courses and fun dives at dive centers worldwide.
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