Where to Dive in July: 9 Best Destinations

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.

The best places to dive in July are northern Komodo (dry season, calm and clear), Nusa Penida in Bali (mola mola season and reef mantas), and the Mediterranean at its warmest: Malta, Greece and Croatia. Koh Tao works well in the Gulf of Thailand, the Azores are open for blue-water diving, and Isla Mujeres in Mexico is the summer whale shark spot.

July is the middle of the northern-hemisphere summer. The Mediterranean and the Atlantic islands are warm and busy, while Indonesia is in its dry season. The Andaman Sea side of Thailand and the Maldives are in their wetter southwest monsoon, so this guide focuses on places where July is a genuine strength. School holidays make Europe crowded, so book dive centers early.

July Dive Destinations at a Glance

Destination	Why July	Water temp (°C)	Visibility	Level	Book
Komodo, Indonesia	Dry season; best months for the northern sites	24–28	15–30 m	Intermediate to advanced	Komodo diving, Komodo season guide
Bali and Nusa Penida, Indonesia	Mola mola season and reef mantas at Nusa Penida	20–27	15–30 m	Intermediate	Bali diving, Bali dive spots
Maldives	Southwest monsoon: fewer visitors, Baa Atoll mantas, year-round sharks	28–30	15–30 m	All levels; advanced for channels	Maldives diving, Fuvahmulah
Malta and Gozo	Warm, calm summer sea; wrecks, caves and reefs	24–26	20–30 m	All levels	Malta diving, Malta dive spots
Greece	Peak Aegean and Ionian season; reefs, walls and wrecks	24–26	20–30 m	All levels	Greece diving, Crete
Croatia	Adriatic at its warmest; wrecks, walls and caves	22–25	15–25 m	All levels	Croatia dive spots
Azores, Portugal	Summer open-ocean diving; blue sharks, rays and volcanic reefs	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	Summer 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 July

July falls in the dry season, which is the best time for the northern sites such as Karang Makassar, Batu Bolong, Castle Rock and Crystal Rock. The south of the park is affected by cold upwellings from June to September, so water there is several degrees colder. Read the Komodo season guide and the Komodo dive spots.

Bali and Nusa Penida in July

July is within the mola mola season at Nusa Penida, and reef manta rays are seen around the island throughout the year. Cold water arrives with the mola mola, so a thicker wetsuit is sensible, and currents make Nusa Penida better for divers with some experience. See the Bali dive spots.

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.

Maldives in July

The southwest monsoon brings more cloud and some rain, but diving continues. Manta rays gather in Baa Atoll around Hanifaru Bay from roughly June to October, and whale sharks can be seen in South Ari Atoll throughout the year. Fuvahmulah, in the far south, is known for tiger sharks. 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 July

Summer is peak season in Malta, with warm water, calm conditions at most sites and a good choice of wrecks, caves and shore dives. Visibility is generally good, and the islands suit beginners as well as technical divers. Beginners can start with an Open Water course in Malta.

Greece in July

The Greek islands are in full summer season. Crete, the Cyclades and the Ionian islands all have dive centers running boat dives and beginner courses. Expect warm water and, in the Aegean, occasional strong northerly winds that can reschedule boat dives. More in our Greece dive guide.

Croatia in July

The Adriatic is at its warmest in July, which makes it a comfortable month for wreck and wall dives along the coast. Many dive centers work from the main coastal towns and islands, and summer is busy. See the Croatia dive guide.

Azores in July

The Azores are an open-ocean destination in the middle of the Atlantic, and summer is the main diving season. Dive centers run trips for blue sharks and rays as well as volcanic reef dives, and the water is clear. Conditions depend on weather, so keep your plans flexible. See the Azores dive guide.

Koh Tao in July

Koh Tao is on the Gulf of Thailand side, which has a different weather pattern from the Andaman Sea. Diving runs all year, and it is one of the most popular places to learn to dive. Water is warm and conditions are generally suitable for 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 July

Whale sharks gather off Isla Mujeres in the summer months, roughly June to September. The encounters are normally done by snorkeling from a boat. Find out more in our whale shark guide and snorkel trips.

Liveaboards in July

A July 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 for liveaboard routes. 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 July

Where is the best diving in July?

Northern Komodo, Nusa Penida in Bali and the Mediterranean (Malta, Greece, Croatia) are the strongest choices in July. All are in warm, settled weather.

Is July a good time to dive in the Maldives?

Yes. July is in the southwest monsoon, so there is more cloud and rain, but diving continues and manta rays gather in Baa Atoll. Fewer visitors are around than in the dry season.

Where can I see mola mola in July?

Nusa Penida in Bali has a mola mola season that includes July. The water there is cold and currents can be strong, so it suits divers with some experience.

Where can I dive in Europe in July?

Malta, Greece, Croatia and the Azores all have strong July diving. Summer is peak season, so book dive centers early.

Can beginners dive in July?

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.