Best Places to Scuba Dive in Europe: Top Dive Spots

Europe might not be the first place you think of for scuba diving, but its waters hide incredible treasures. From Mediterranean reefs to Nordic wrecks, here are the best places to scuba dive in Europe, perfect for any diver looking for adventure close to home.

Top Dive Destinations in Europe

These European locations offer a rich mix of diving experiences that shift with the seasons.

Gozo, Malta

This Mediterranean island is a diver’s haven with its dramatic caves and accessible wrecks. Water temperatures range from 15-26°C. April-October Warm waters climb to 26°C, making it ideal for exploring the Blue Hole—a natural chimney carved into the cliffs—and the MV Rozi wreck, where jacks and barracudas patrol the hull. The clarity lets you see every detail of the limestone formations. November-March Cooler waters bring fewer crowds, and nocturnal creatures like octopuses and moray eels emerge, weaving through the reefs and wrecks.

Silfra Fissure, Iceland

A dive between tectonic plates offers unmatched clarity in a surreal setting. Water remains a constant 2-4°C. May-September Warmer air eases the pre-dive chill, and summer sunlight floods the fissure, revealing over 100 meters of visibility—rock walls and green algae glow in the pristine water. December-February Winter’s low light creates a mystical ambiance, with the fissure’s stillness amplified by fewer divers and a silvery sheen on the surface.

Scapa Flow, Scotland

A graveyard of WWI German fleet wrecks makes this a historic dive mecca. Water temperatures range from 6-14°C. June-August Longer days and calmer seas offer up to 15 meters of visibility, perfect for exploring the Bayern’s massive hull or the Dresden’s guns, with seals often swimming alongside. March-May Early blooms of plankton attract small fish, and the wrecks feel alive with subtle marine activity, all with fewer divers around.

Medes Islands, Spain

This marine reserve off the Costa Brava bursts with Mediterranean life. Water temperatures span 14-25°C. June-September Warm waters reach 25°C, and groupers lurk among gorgonian forests, while barracudas slice through schools of sardines—visibility stretches to 20 meters. October-November The summer rush fades, leaving clearer waters for spotting eagle rays and the intricate red corals along the seabed.

Azores, Portugal

Volcanic landscapes and Atlantic currents make this a pelagic paradise. Water temperatures range from 17-24°C. July-September Peak season brings whale sharks and mobula rays, their slow glides mesmerizing divers near Princess Alice Bank, while mantas visit cleaning stations. April-June Early arrivals of dolphins and blue sharks add excitement to the quieter volcanic drop-offs and lava tubes.

Croatia, Adriatic Sea

The waters around Vis Island hide wrecks and untouched reefs. Water temperatures fluctuate between 14-24°C. June-August Warm seas hit 24°C, ideal for diving the B-17 bomber wreck, its frame encrusted with sponges, or the red coral walls of Stiniva Bay, alive with damselfish. September-October Visibility peaks as crowds thin, revealing the Teti wreck’s details and cave systems glowing with filtered light.

Norway, Lofoten Islands

Cold-water diving here blends Arctic wildlife with rugged scenery. Water temperatures range from 4-12°C. October-February Orcas chase herring schools in a thrilling display, and WWII wrecks like the MS Hamburg sit quietly amid the fjords, with cod and crabs adding life. June-August The midnight sun lights up kelp forests and wolf fish darting among rocks, offering a rare bright dive in these northern waters.

Why Dive in Europe?

Europe’s dive sites offer unique advantages:

• History: Wrecks like those in Scapa Flow tell tales of the past.
• Diversity: From cold-water dives in Iceland to warm Mediterranean sites in Malta.
• Training Opportunities: Enhance skills with courses like Deep Certification or Rescue Diver Course.

How to Prepare

Get ready for your European dive trip with:

• An Open Water Diver certification for most sites.
• Specialty training like PADI Nitrox Certification or Nitrox Certification Online for extended dives.
• A drysuit for colder waters like Iceland or Scotland.