Where to Dive in January: 9 Best Destinations

Phinisi liveaboard Dewi Nusantara under full sail in Indonesian waters — Dewi Nusantara under sail in Indonesia — photo courtesy of Dewi Nusantara.

The best places to dive in January are the Maldives (dry season, whale sharks around South Ari), Raja Ampat (calm seas and mantas), Thailand (the Andaman Sea and, with drier weather, Koh Tao) and the Philippines, where the dry season is in full swing. For manta rays in the rainy season, choose southern Komodo. For winter sun with colder water, the Red Sea and Mexico are good options.

January is peak dry season across much of Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean. Seas are calm in the Maldives, the Andaman Sea and the Philippines, so it is one of the best months to go diving if you can travel in the middle of winter. Book early, because it is also one of the busiest times of the year.

January Dive Destinations at a Glance

Destination	Why January	Water temp (°C)	Visibility	Level	Book
Maldives	Dry season; South Ari whale sharks, mantas, sharks on the channels	28–29	25–30 m	All levels; advanced for channels	Maldives diving, Dhigurah, Fuvahmulah
Raja Ampat, Indonesia	Oct–Apr season; calm seas, mantas and dense fish life	28–30	15–30 m	Intermediate	Raja Ampat liveaboards
Thailand: Andaman Sea and Koh Tao	Dry season on both coasts; Koh Tao improves after the Nov–Dec rains	27–29	15–30 m	All levels	Koh Tao, Krabi
Cebu, Philippines	Dry season; Moalboal sardine run and turtles	26–28	15–30 m	All levels	Cebu diving, Philippines
Southern Komodo, Indonesia	Rainy season; Manta Alley and southern sites in season	26–28	10–25 m	Intermediate to advanced	Komodo diving
Red Sea, Egypt	Coolest water of the year, quiet reefs, strong visibility	21–24	25–40 m	All levels; cold-water gear	Dahab, Hurghada
Cozumel, Playa del Carmen and cenotes, Mexico	Dry season; bull sharks off Playa del Carmen; cenotes	25–27	25–30+ m	All levels	Playa del Carmen
Belize	Dry season; Great Blue Hole and Lighthouse Reef	26–28	20–30 m	Open Water+	Belize liveaboards
Tenerife, Canary Islands	Winter diving in Europe; rays, angel sharks, volcanic reefs	18–20	15–30 m	All levels	Tenerife diving

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

Maldives in January

Under the northeast monsoon the Maldives is dry, calm and usually clear. Whale sharks are seen year-round in South Ari Atoll, reef sharks and eagle rays cruise the channels, and manta rays are possible at several atolls. Dhigurah is a convenient base for South Ari, and Fuvahmulah offers tiger shark dives. 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.

Raja Ampat in January

January sits in the middle of the Raja Ampat season. Calm seas make for comfortable crossings between sites, and you can expect manta rays, schooling fish and plenty of macro life. Currents can be strong on the famous channels, so some experience helps. Read the Raja Ampat season guide.

Thailand in January

Both coasts are in good shape in January. The Andaman Sea (Krabi, Phi Phi, Similan Islands) is in high season, and Koh Tao, on the Gulf side, is usually drier and calmer than in November and December. Thailand is a good choice for first-time divers and for Open Water courses. More in our Thailand guide.

The Philippines in January

January is within the dry season (roughly December to May). The Moalboal sardine run and sea turtles are accessible straight off the beach in Cebu, and the area is easy to combine with other islands. Whale shark encounters are possible at seasonal sites in the Philippines, so check local rules about distances and interaction. See dive spots in the Philippines.

Southern Komodo in January

Komodo is in its rainy season, and the north can be choppy. The southern sites, including Manta Alley, are in their season for manta rays. Day trips from Labuan Bajo run year-round, though fewer liveaboards work Komodo at this time of year. Our Komodo season guide explains the north and south split.

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.

Red Sea in January

January is the Red Sea's coolest month, with water at roughly 21–24°C, so bring a thick wetsuit or a drysuit. The reward is quiet dive sites and often exceptional visibility. Dahab and Sharm El Sheikh are accessible for shore and boat diving, and liveaboards run both north and south routes. Read the Red Sea season guide.

Mexico in January

The Riviera Maya is in its dry season. Bull sharks can be seen off Playa del Carmen between roughly November and March, and Cozumel is known for its drift diving. Cenote dives stay at a steady temperature all year. See the cenote dive guide and Mexico dive spots. For a liveaboard trip to Socorro Island, the season runs roughly from November to May, and humpback whales can be seen there in winter.

Belize in January

The dry season is underway, and the Great Blue Hole and Lighthouse Reef are best reached on multi-day trips. See dive spots in Belize.

Tenerife in January

Tenerife is one of the easiest winter dive destinations for Europeans. The water is about 18–20°C, so a 7 mm wetsuit or a semi-dry suit is the norm. See dive spots in Tenerife.

Liveaboards in January

A January liveaboard works best in these regions:

Maldives: dry season with multi-atoll itineraries. Browse Maldives liveaboards.
Raja Ampat: peak season with calm seas. Browse Raja Ampat liveaboards.
Red Sea: coolest water of the year, quiet reefs. Browse Red Sea liveaboards.
Belize: dry-season trips to the Great Blue Hole. Browse Belize 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 January

Where is the best diving in January in Asia?

The Maldives, Raja Ampat, Thailand and the Philippines are the strongest Asian choices in January, all in their dry or high season. Southern Komodo is the exception, as its manta season runs through the rainy months.

Where can I dive with whale sharks in January?

South Ari Atoll in the Maldives is known for whale sharks that can be seen year-round, and the Philippines has seasonal whale shark sites. Our whale shark guide lists the main destinations and tips on responsible encounters.

Is January a good time to dive in Thailand?

Yes. January is dry on both coasts. The Andaman Sea is in high season, and Koh Tao is usually calmer than in November and December.

How cold is the Red Sea in January?

Roughly 21–24°C depending on location, which is the coolest of the year. A 5–7 mm wetsuit or a drysuit is common, and visibility is often very good.

Can beginners dive in these places in January?

Yes. Thailand, the Maldives, Cebu, Mexico and Tenerife have beginner-friendly sites and instructors. Raja Ampat and Komodo have stronger currents and suit divers with some experience.