A major reef system remains the defining diving destination in this region, though changing reef health has made site selection more important than it once was. Remote Pacific islands add their own celebrated soft coral and wall diving, often in clearer, less-visited water.
The destinations on this list range from well-established reef sites to remote Pacific island dive destinations reachable mainly by liveaboard. Some require a flight and boat transfer of several hours. Others are accessible directly from shore.
Choosing operators that monitor reef health closely is increasingly worth doing here, since conditions can vary significantly between sites even within the same reef system. Local operators increasingly publish their own reef health updates. Checking recent reef health reports before booking also tends to help set realistic expectations for a given site.
