Where to Dive in August: 9 Best Destinations

Diver with a reef manta ray over the coral reef at Nusa Penida, Bali — Reef manta ray at Nusa Penida — photo courtesy of Pure Dive Resort Nusa Penida.

The best places to dive in August are northern Komodo (dry season), Nusa Penida in Bali (mola mola and manta rays), Malta, Greece and Croatia, where the Mediterranean is at its warmest. Koh Tao suits beginners, the Maldives have fewer visitors and Baa Atoll mantas, and Isla Mujeres in Mexico is a summer whale shark spot.

August is peak summer in Europe and the dry season in Indonesia. The Mediterranean reaches its warmest water of the year, and the Atlantic islands are at their calmest. Many European dive centers are fully booked, so reserve ahead. In Southeast Asia, the Andaman Sea is in its rainy season, so the picks below focus on places where August works well.

August Dive Destinations at a Glance

Destination	Why August	Water temp (°C)	Visibility	Level	Book
Komodo, Indonesia	Dry season; northern sites at their best	24–28	15–30 m	Intermediate to advanced	Komodo diving, Komodo season guide
Bali and Nusa Penida, Indonesia	Mola mola season and reef mantas	20–27	15–30 m	Intermediate	Bali diving, Bali dive spots
Maldives	Southwest monsoon: quieter atolls, Baa Atoll mantas	28–30	15–30 m	All levels; advanced for channels	Maldives diving, Fuvahmulah
Malta and Gozo	Warmest sea of the year; wrecks, caves, reefs	25–27	20–30 m	All levels	Malta diving, Malta dive spots
Greece	Peak summer season across the islands	25–27	20–30 m	All levels	Greece diving, Crete
Croatia	Warm Adriatic; wrecks, walls and caves	23–26	15–25 m	All levels	Croatia dive spots
Azores, Portugal	Calm summer conditions for blue-water diving	21–23	20–30 m	Intermediate	Azores dive spots
Koh Tao, Thailand	Gulf of Thailand dives and Open Water courses	29–30	10–25 m	All levels; beginners	Koh Tao diving, Open Water course
Isla Mujeres, Mexico	Whale shark season, usually done as a snorkel trip	28–29	Variable	All levels	Whale shark guide, Mexico diving

Water temperatures and visibility are typical ranges and vary by site and year.

Komodo in August

August is in the dry season, with the northern sites such as Castle Rock, Crystal Rock and Batu Bolong at their best. Cold upwellings keep the south of the park noticeably colder than the north from June to September, so choose your sites with that in mind. See the Komodo season guide.

Diver swimming alongside a sea turtle over the reef in Komodo National Park, Indonesia — Diver and sea turtle in Komodo National Park — photo courtesy of Divers Paradise Komodo.

Bali and Nusa Penida in August

August sits inside the mola mola season at Nusa Penida, and reef manta rays are present around the island through the year. Water is cool and currents can be strong, so this is a destination for divers with some experience. See the Bali dive spots.

Maldives in August

The southwest monsoon means more cloud and showers, but diving carries on and the atolls are quieter. Manta rays gather around Hanifaru Bay in Baa Atoll from roughly June to October, and South Ari Atoll has whale sharks that can be seen throughout the year. See the Maldives season guide.

Reef manta rays gliding over the coral reef near Dhigurah, South Ari Atoll, Maldives — Reef manta rays over the coral at South Ari Atoll, near Dhigurah — photo courtesy of Fari Dive Center.

Malta and Gozo in August

August is the warmest month in Malta, with calm seas at most sites and a wide choice of wrecks, caves and shore dives. It is also the busiest month, so book dives in advance. Beginners can start with an Open Water course in Malta.

Greece in August

The Greek islands are in peak season, and dive centers on Crete, the Cyclades and the Ionian islands run daily boat dives and beginner courses. The Aegean can be windy in August, which sometimes reschedules boat dives. See our Greece dive guide.

Croatia in August

The Adriatic is warm in August, making it a comfortable month for wreck and wall dives. The coast is busy with summer visitors, so reserve dive centers early. See the Croatia dive guide.

Azores in August

August is part of the main diving season in the Azores. Open-ocean trips for blue sharks and rays run alongside dives on volcanic reefs, and the water is clear in settled weather. See the Azores dive guide.

Koh Tao in August

Koh Tao, on the Gulf of Thailand side, runs dives all year and is one of the most popular places to learn to dive. The water is warm, and conditions suit beginners. See the Koh Tao dive spots.

Scuba diver swimming through a large school of fish near Koh Tao, Thailand — A diver moves through a school of fish off Koh Tao — photo courtesy of Chalok Reef Divers Koh Tao.

Isla Mujeres in August

The whale shark season off Isla Mujeres runs in the summer months, roughly June to September, with encounters done by snorkeling from a boat. Read our whale shark guide and browse snorkel trips.

Liveaboards in August

An August liveaboard works best in these regions:

Komodo: dry season, with the northern sites at their best. Browse Komodo liveaboards.
Maldives: southwest monsoon trips with fewer visitors. Browse Maldives liveaboards.
Red Sea: hot, dry weather and warm water. Browse Red Sea liveaboards.

Be Underwater is a marketplace: trip pages list dates, cabin availability and mandatory extras, and the operator runs the trip. Read the first liveaboard guide if this is your first one.

FAQ: Where to Dive in August

Where is the best diving in August?

Northern Komodo, Nusa Penida in Bali, and Malta, Greece and Croatia in the Mediterranean are the strongest choices in August.

Is August a good month to dive in Europe?

Yes. The Mediterranean is at its warmest and the Atlantic islands are calm. It is also the busiest month, so book early.

Where can I see whale sharks in August?

Isla Mujeres in Mexico has a summer whale shark season, roughly June to September, normally done as a snorkel trip. See our whale shark guide for other destinations.

Can I dive in the Maldives in August?

Yes. August is in the southwest monsoon, with more cloud and rain, but diving continues and manta rays gather in Baa Atoll.

Can beginners dive in August?

Yes. Koh Tao, Malta and Greece have beginner-friendly sites and instructors. Komodo and Nusa Penida have stronger currents and suit divers with some experience.