Where to Dive in November: 8 Best Destinations

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.

The best places to dive in November are Raja Ampat (the October to April season is under way), the Maldives (the dry northeast monsoon is starting, with manta rays and whale sharks around South Ari), Thailand's Andaman Sea (the Phi Phi, Krabi and Similan dive season reopens) and the Red Sea, where the water is still warm. Komodo and Sipadan are strong second picks if you want big marine life and fewer weather worries.

November is a transition month across the tropics: the wet season is ending on the Andaman coast and in the Maldives, while the Gulf of Thailand and parts of the Philippines are still wet. Pick a destination on the dry side and you get warm water, good visibility and quieter dive sites before the December and January rush.

November Dive Destinations at a Glance

Destination	Why November	Water temp (°C)	Visibility	Level	Book
Raja Ampat, Indonesia	Season (Oct–Apr) is open; calm seas and extreme fish diversity	28–30	15–30 m	Intermediate	Raja Ampat liveaboards
Maldives	Dry season starting; mantas (late season) and South Ari whale sharks	28–30	20–30 m	All levels	Maldives diving, Dhigurah
Thailand: Krabi and Phi Phi (Andaman Sea)	Monsoon over; Andaman dive season begins	28–30	15–30 m	All levels	Krabi, Koh Phi Phi
Komodo, Indonesia	Shoulder season; fewer divers, southern sites picking up	27–29	10–25 m	Advanced for current sites	Komodo diving
Sipadan, Malaysia	Open year-round; barracuda tornado and turtles	28–30	15–30 m	Open Water+	Sipadan guide
Red Sea, Egypt	Water still warm after summer, calm days, comfortable air temps	25–27	20–30 m	All levels	Marsa Alam, Egypt
Playa del Carmen and Cozumel, Mexico	Hurricane season ends; bull shark season begins; cenotes	26–28	25–30+ m	All levels	Playa del Carmen
Cebu, Philippines	Moalboal sardine run year-round; typhoon risk fading	27–29	15–30 m	All levels	Cebu diving

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

Raja Ampat in November

Raja Ampat is in season from October to April, so November sits at the start of the calm window. Expect reef walls packed with fish, manta rays at cleaning stations, wobbegong sharks and some of the highest coral diversity on the planet. Most visitors dive it by liveaboard, because the best sites are spread across a huge area.

Currents can be strong at the famous channels, so a few dozen logged dives and a drift-diving comfort level help. See our full Raja Ampat season guide.

Liveaboard Dewi Nusantara sailing through Raja Ampat, Indonesia — Dewi Nusantara sailing Raja Ampat — photo courtesy of Dewi Nusantara.

Maldives in November

The southwest monsoon fades and the drier northeast monsoon takes over, so conditions improve through the month. The South Ari Atoll is known for whale sharks that can be seen year-round, and late-season manta rays gather around the atolls. Dhigurah is a popular base for South Ari day trips. Read the Maldives season guide for the month-by-month picture.

Thailand's Andaman Sea in November

The Andaman side (Krabi, Phi Phi, Phuket, Similan Islands) reopens for diving as the monsoon swell dies down. Visibility and calm seas improve week by week, so late November is better than early November. The Gulf of Thailand side, including Koh Tao, is in its wetter period in November and December, so choose the Andaman coast if you want the driest option.

Komodo in November

Komodo is a shoulder season: the dry season is ending and the rains have not fully arrived. Water is warm at 27–29°C, there are fewer divers on the sites, and the southern part of the park starts to come into season. Details are in our Komodo season guide.

Sipadan in November

Sipadan is diveable year-round and is famous for schooling barracuda, turtles and big pelagics along a wall that drops straight from the island. Access is controlled by permits, so it pays to plan ahead. See the Sipadan guide.

Red Sea in November

After the summer heat the Red Sea cools only slightly, so November is comfortable for both the water (25–27°C) and the air. Dive the wrecks and reefs around Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada, or head south to Marsa Alam for dugong and turtle habitat. More in the Red Sea season guide.

Playa del Carmen and Cozumel in November

The Atlantic hurricane season ends on 30 November, and the Riviera Maya settles into its drier months. Bull sharks arrive off Playa del Carmen for the cooler season, Cozumel offers gentle drift dives, and cenote diving is available all year at a steady water temperature. Our cenote dive guide covers the best ones.

Cebu in November

The Moalboal sardine run is a year-round draw, and sea turtles are common on the same reef. November can still bring typhoon activity to parts of the Philippines, so check forecasts and keep travel dates flexible. The dry season builds from December. More on dive spots in Cebu.

Liveaboards in November

In November, liveaboards are the best way to cover remote ground in Indonesia and the Maldives:

Raja Ampat: the October to April season is open, so this is prime time. Browse Raja Ampat liveaboards.
Maldives: the dry season is starting and itineraries cover several atolls. Browse Maldives liveaboards.
Red Sea: north and south routes run in November in warm water. Browse Red Sea liveaboards.
Komodo: fewer boats than in the dry season, but trips are available. Browse Komodo 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 November

Where is the best diving in November?

Raja Ampat, the Maldives, Thailand's Andaman Sea and the Red Sea are the strongest choices in November. All of them are on the dry or settling side of their weather cycle and have warm water, with Raja Ampat in the middle of its October to April season.

Where can I see manta rays in November?

The Maldives (South Ari and Baa atolls), Raja Ampat and southern Komodo are good manta destinations in November. Manta Alley and nearby southern sites in Komodo become more active as the rainy season begins.

Is November a good time to dive in Thailand?

On the Andaman Sea side (Krabi, Phi Phi, Similan Islands) yes, as the dive season opens after the monsoon. The Gulf of Thailand side, including Koh Tao, is in its wetter and windier period in November and December, though diving usually continues.

Can beginners dive in these places in November?

Yes. The Maldives, Thailand, the Red Sea, Cebu and Playa del Carmen all have calm, shallow sites and professional instructors for beginners. Raja Ampat and Komodo have stronger currents, so they suit divers with some experience.

How warm is the water in November?

Around 28–30°C in Raja Ampat, the Maldives, Thailand and Malaysia, 25–27°C in the Red Sea and about 26–28°C in the Mexican Caribbean. A 3 mm wetsuit is enough in most of them.