Best diving destinations in North America
Best diving destinations in North America
Kelp forests and deep wall diving regions in North America
Warm Caribbean waters offer some of the most accessible diving anywhere, with consistent visibility and a dense concentration of dive operators built specifically around tourism. Further north, colder coastlines attract a smaller but dedicated community of divers drawn to kelp forests and wrecks.
The destinations on this list range from easy, shore-accessible reefs suited to newer divers to colder, more demanding wreck and kelp dives that require additional training. Underground cenotes add a completely different kind of diving in some parts of the region.
Booking dive operators with strong safety records matters everywhere on this list, particularly at sites with stronger current or limited visibility. Many shops also run courses up to advanced level. Packing a proper wetsuit also matters considerably given the colder northern water temperatures.
Lists by region
Region in Mexico
Baja California Sur
Desert meets ocean adventure land
Between the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez, this state has desert coastline and clear water. Cabo Pulmo National Park has a protected coral reef with schools of jacks and reef fish. Near La Paz, divers swim with sea lions at the Espíritu Santo islands. Whale sharks visit the bay from October to April.
Island in Cayman Islands
Grand Cayman
Crystal waters, stingrays and sunsets
Water temperatures are between about 26 and 29 degrees Celsius all year on this island. Visibility is often 30 metres or more. Stingray City is a shallow sandbar where visitors can stand in the water with friendly stingrays. The Kittiwake wreck, a former US Navy ship, was sunk as a dive site in 2011.
Outer Territory in United Kingdom
Cayman Islands
Tropical paradise with crystal waters
Made up of three islands in the western Caribbean, this British territory has warm and clear water. Grand Cayman is the largest and has the most dive operators. Little Cayman and Cayman Brac are quieter and have steep reef walls. Bloody Bay Wall on Little Cayman drops steeply from shallow water.
Island in United States
Oahu
Hawaii’s Vibrant Island Adventure
Volcanic activity formed this island millions of years ago, leaving ledges, caves and lava tubes underwater. Wrecks such as the Sea Tiger and the YO-257 were sunk as artificial reefs. Shark Cove on the North Shore is a popular shore dive in summer. Turtles are common at most sites.
Island in Turks and Caicos Islands
Providenciales
Turquoise Waters Meet White-Sand Beaches
Relaxed and upscale, this island in the Turks and Caicos has long white beaches and a barrier reef. Northwest Point has steep coral walls and sea fans. Many dive operators run boats from Leeward and Grace Bay. Calm seas and warm water suit beginners as well as experienced divers.
State/Prefecture in United States
Hawaii
Tropical Vibes and Volcanic Wonders
Green sea turtles, called honu in Hawaiian, are respected across the islands and often seen while diving. Night dives with manta rays off the Big Island are well known. Lava tubes, arches and crater walls shape many dive sites. Hawaiian waters are warm, usually 24 to 27 degrees Celsius.
Island in Honduras
Roatán
Coral Reefs, Caribbean Vibes, Adventure
As the largest of the Bay Islands off Honduras, this island has dozens of dive sites. It lies on the Mesoamerican Reef, a long barrier reef system shared with Mexico, Belize and Guatemala. Dive courses and trips cost less than at many Caribbean resorts. West End and West Bay are the main resort areas.
Outer Territory in United Kingdom
Turks and Caicos Islands
Sun-drenched beaches with crystal waters
Water is warm all year, between about 26 and 29 degrees Celsius. Humpback whales pass through the Turks Island Passage from January to March. Hurricane season runs from June to November, so many divers visit earlier in the year. Visibility is often excellent, up to 30 metres or more.
Outer Territory in Netherlands
Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba
Caribbean Gems of Nature & Adventure
Spread across the southern and eastern Caribbean, this group of three Dutch islands is known for protected waters. Saba has underwater volcanic pinnacles in a marine park. Sint Eustatius has shipwrecks and the ruins of an old trading port in shallow water. Bonaire has easy shore diving along the whole coast.
Region in Mexico
Yucatán
Gateway to the Mayan world
Cenotes, natural sinkholes filled with clear freshwater, are part of Maya tradition and popular with divers. Many cenotes near Tulum and Playa del Carmen have cave systems with sunlit chambers. Cave diving requires training and a certified guide. The Caribbean coast nearby has reef dives and a few shipwrecks.
Country
Belize
Tropical paradise with diverse ecosystems
Formerly British Honduras, this Central American country became independent in 1981. The Belize Barrier Reef runs for about 300 kilometres along its coast and is a UNESCO site. The Great Blue Hole is a round sinkhole about 125 metres deep, popular with experienced divers. Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker are popular bases for reef trips.
Region in Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba
Bonaire
Caribbean diving paradise with volcanoes
Laid back and quiet, this small Dutch island is known for easy shore diving. Yellow painted stones mark dozens of dive sites along the road. The whole coast is a marine park with healthy coral and calm water. Divers often rent a pickup truck and choose a new site each day.
Island in United States
Maui
Island of Sun, Surf and Serenity
Compared with other Hawaiian islands, this one has Molokini, a crescent shaped volcanic crater just offshore. Molokini is a marine life conservation district with clear water and many reef fish. Boats to Molokini leave from Maalaea Harbor. Makena has shore dives such as Five Caves with lava arches and turtles.
City in Mexico
San Miguel de Cozumel
Island Heartbeat, Reefs and Colorful Streets
Compared with many Caribbean islands, this island is known for drift diving along steady currents. Palancar Reef and Santa Rosa Wall have tall coral formations and deep drop offs. Visibility is often over 30 metres. The island is a short ferry ride from Playa del Carmen. Many hotels have their own dive docks.
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