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Best diving destinations in North America

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Roatán
Coral Reefs, Caribbean Vibes, Adventure
7.2
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.
Highlights:
  • 🌳 Zipline over lush jungle canopies at South Shore Zipline
  • 🏖️ Relax on the powdery white sands of West Bay Beach
  • 🤿 Dive or snorkel the vibrant Mesoamerican Barrier Reef
Grand Cayman
Crystal waters, stingrays and sunsets
8.8
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.
Highlights:
  • 🤿 Dive into the crystal-clear waters of Eden Rock Reef
  • 🏖️ Relax on the pristine white sands of Seven Mile Beach
  • 🐋 Swim with stingrays at the famous Stingray City sandbar
Bonaire
Caribbean diving paradise with volcanoes
8.1
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.
Highlights:
  • 🌿 Explore Washington Slagbaai National Park’s diverse landscapes
  • 🦙 Visit the Donkey Sanctuary and meet rescued donkeys
  • 🤿 Snorkel with vibrant marine life in Bonaire National Marine Park
Cayman Islands
Tropical paradise with crystal waters
8.8
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.
Highlights:
  • 🏖️ Relax on the white sands of Seven Mile Beach
  • 🤿 Dive among coral reefs and shipwrecks in Grand Cayman
  • 🐠 Swim with stingrays at the famous Stingray City sandbar
Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba
Caribbean Gems of Nature & Adventure
7.7
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.
Highlights:
  • ⛰️ Climb Mount Scenery, the highest point in the Netherlands
  • 🐢 Snorkel with sea turtles in the crystal-clear waters
  • 🐠 Dive the vibrant coral reefs of Bonaire Marine Park
San Miguel de Cozumel
Island Heartbeat, Reefs and Colorful Streets
7.2
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.
Highlights:
  • 🏛️ Visit the historic San Gervasio Mayan Ruins
  • 🤿 Snorkel the colorful coral reefs at Palancar Beach
  • 🌳 Explore the vibrant Benito Juárez Park and local markets
Baja California Sur
Desert meets ocean adventure land
8.2
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.
Highlights:
  • 🏖️ Relax on the pristine beaches of Playa Balandra
  • 🐋 Watch grey whales breach near the lagoons of Magdalena Bay
  • 🦈 Swim alongside whale sharks in the Bay of La Paz
Belize
Tropical paradise with diverse ecosystems
7.0
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.
Highlights:
  • ⛵ Sail between tropical cayes across the Belize Barrier Reef
  • 🏛️ Explore ancient Mayan ruins at Xunantunich and Caracol
  • 🤿 Dive or snorkel the breathtaking Great Blue Hole
Turks and Caicos Islands
Sun-drenched beaches with crystal waters
8.3
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.
Highlights:
  • 🏖️ Relax on the powdery sands of Long Bay Beach
  • ⛵ Sail through turquoise waters around Providenciales
  • 🤿 Dive the world-famous coral walls at Grace Bay
Hawaii
Tropical Vibes and Volcanic Wonders
8.8
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.
Highlights:
  • 🥾 Hike the Na Pali Coast trail on Kauai
  • 🐠 Snorkel among colorful coral reefs in Hanauma Bay
  • 🌋 Watch sunrise from the summit of Haleakalā Volcano
Maui
Island of Sun, Surf and Serenity
8.8
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.
Highlights:
  • 🐢 Snorkel with turtles at Molokini Crater reef
  • 🚗 Drive the scenic and winding Road to Hana
  • 🌄 Watch sunrise atop Haleakalā volcano summit
Providenciales
Turquoise Waters Meet White-Sand Beaches
8.5
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.
Highlights:
  • 🤿 Snorkel vibrant coral reefs at Bight Reef
  • 🌊 Explore the stunning turquoise waters of Chalk Sound National Park
  • 🏖️ Relax on the pristine sands of Grace Bay Beach
Oahu
Hawaii’s Vibrant Island Adventure
8.9
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.
Highlights:
  • 🏖️ Relax on the iconic Waikiki Beach and soak up sun
  • 🤿 Snorkel among vibrant fish at Hanauma Bay Marine Park
  • 🌄 Hike to the summit of Diamond Head for sunrise views
Yucatán
Gateway to the Mayan world
8.5
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.
Highlights:
  • 🏛️ Visit the ancient ruins at Uxmal Archaeological Zone
  • 💧 Swim in the beautiful, crystal-clear Cenote Ik Kil
  • 🏯 Explore the iconic El Castillo pyramid at Chichén Itzá
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