Are you planning your next vacation and thinking of trying scuba diving for the first time? If so, you probably have one question: “Where are the best places to try diving?”
Generally, the best places to scuba dive for beginners have calm, shallow, and crystal-clear waters to help you feel at ease, alongside quick and easy entry points so you can get straight into the action. These places will also offer a wide selection of dive shops and facilities, as well as plenty of topside activities for your non-diving days.
Here are our top picks for the best places to try diving:
Above all, these great diving locations will give you a front-row preview of the mesmerizing marine life, reefs, wrecks, topography, and all-round adventures that you’ll get to explore as a certified scuba diver.
Whether you want to test the water before committing to a full scuba course or simply tick off another life goal, the PADI Discover® Scuba Diving experience is a safe and enjoyable way to take your first breaths underwater.
Start with PADI eLearning® to cover the safety fundamentals, then jump into the water with a PADI Professional. They’ll introduce some dive skills, such as using scuba gear and communicating with hand signals, before guiding you on an optional open water dive.
Learn More About PADI Discover Scuba Diving
Keep reading for our selection of the best places to go diving for the first time.
Even if you’ve never set foot in the ocean, you’ll have heard of the Great Barrier Reef. The largest living structure on Earth is unsurprisingly one of the best places to try diving. Indeed, its sheer size and the diversity of marine life guarantee a scuba taster like no other. The only catch? Starting your underwater journey in this bucket-list wonderland raises the bar for everywhere you go next!
Also consider: Belize, where you can find the world’s second-largest barrier reef, the infamous Blue Hole, and the biggest fish in the sea – whale sharks!
With 7,641 islands nestled in the heart of the Coral Triangle, the Philippines has no shortage of shallow, sheltered dive sites ideal for aspiring ocean adventurers. At destinations such as Puerto Galera and Bohol, sightings of turtles, octopuses, and sharks during your first dip beneath the waves are sure to leave you wanting more.
Also consider: Bali, where a PADI Discover Scuba Diving experience on the legendary USAT Liberty shipwreck will be one to remember.
Year-round sunshine, warm water with up to 50m (165ft) visibility, and thousands of marine life species. It’s no wonder the Red Sea is one of the most sought-after places to try diving. Visit Dahab for laid-back beach dives or explore Hurghada’s beginner-friendly house reefs. Sharm El-Sheikh is the gateway to Ras Mohammed National Park as well as a mecca for après-dive shopping and nightlife.
Also consider: Fiji, where pristine reefs such as Rainbow Reef rank among the most beautiful places to dive in the world.
From Cozumel’s idyllic beaches to Cancún’s underwater museum, Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula entices new and seasoned divers alike. However, for the calmest, clearest waters, head to Tulum. Taking your first underwater breath is already magical, but the experience of diving in an ethereal cenote is a bonus you won’t want to miss.
Also consider: The Canary Islands, where you can swim through Museo Atlantico’s sculpture park during your PADI Discover Scuba Diving experience.
People often associate try dives with balmy, tropical vistas – but the options don’t stop there. If you love the appeal of rich maritime history, charismatic creatures, and wild coasts set in a cooler climate, then consider the UK. With an established dive community across plentiful inland and coastal sites, it’s one of the best places to try diving in temperate waters.
Also consider: Goat Island, New Zealand’s oldest marine park, which promises an unforgettable introduction to cold-water diving and marine life in the southern hemisphere.
Rated one of the planet’s top shore diving destinations, the relaxed Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire is a favorite with new divers and families. Here, you can reach many of the best dive sites in just a few fin-steps from the beach. Moreover, with more than four decades of marine protection, these waters are flourishing with almost 500 fish species.
Also consider: Grand Cayman, a fellow Caribbean island that offers more effortless diving and close-up encounters with stingrays.
The “Land of Smiles” has some of the best diving in the world. In particular, Koh Tao is one of the most popular and affordable hotspots for PADI Discover Scuba Diving experiences. Despite its smaller size, this peaceful island boasts an impressive number of dive shops and sites where enchanting coral reefs lie within easy reach for beginners.
Also consider: The Maldives, where secluded-island vibes captivate honeymooners and escapists seeking far-flung scuba adventures.
Many of the best places to try diving focus on the vibrant corals and creatures you might see. Malta also has its own array of aquatic characters: octopuses, rays, lobsters, and the elusive Mola mola, to name a few. However, what sets this Mediterranean island apart is the stunning rocky landscape that’s sure to create an epic backdrop for your first scuba experience.
Also consider: Greece, another hotspot where European charm meets bountiful island diving and a touch of underwater archeology.
With an abundance of easy-to-reach, shallow dive sites, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is one of the best places to dive for beginners. What’s more, its dazzling coral reefs are teeming with groupers, lobsters, turtles, eagle rays, and reef sharks. Topside, Florida is also renowned for its family-friendly attractions, from theme parks to the Everglades.
Also consider: Hawaii, where gentle shore dives lead to dramatic volcanic seascapes filled with turtles, sharks, and manta rays.
If you’re nervous about trying scuba in the ocean, then consider completing the PADI Discover Scuba Diving experience in a swimming pool first. While many dive shops have access to pools, Deep Dive Dubai takes things (literally) to another level with its spectacular sunken city. Meanwhile, there are even viewing galleries where your non-diving buddies can photograph your first bubbles!
Also consider: Divecube, an East Asian alternative in Taiwan featuring panoramic city views from below the surface.
Of course, you don’t have to leave the country to try diving. There are benefits to completing your PADI Discover Scuba Diving experience at home before you travel. For instance, you might find learning easier in a familiar environment and at your own pace. In addition, if you decide to take the full PADI Open Water Diver course, you can maximize your vacation time by getting certified before traveling.
Find a PADI Dive Shop Near You
Perhaps you’re looking for a new adventure with friends or a fun activity for your next family getaway. Or, maybe this is the start of a lifelong commitment to ocean conservation or a new scuba career. One thing is for certain: PADI Discover Scuba Diving is the first step in unlocking the power of the ocean to transform your life, restore your blue health, and #LiveUnfiltered.
Get started today at one of the above destinations, or browse the collections at PADI Travel® for more inspiration about the best places to go scuba diving for the first time.
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