Six liveaboard destinations are at their best in December: Raja Ampat, the southern Red Sea, Palau, Truk Lagoon, Fuvahmulah and Tiger Beach. Two of them, Fuvahmulah and Tiger Beach, have almost no December liveaboard sailings, so they come with a catch. The other catch is the calendar: the weeks around Christmas and New Year are already selling out.
Which destination for which diver
Pick by what you want to see, then check the level.
| If you are | Go to | Why | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diving once this winter and want the most | Raja Ampat | Peak season: mantas, reef sharks and macro life in 28–30 °C water. Also one of the most expensive on the list, and among the first to sell out over Christmas | Advanced Open Water and 30–50 dives |
| After sharks on a tighter budget | The southern Red Sea | Oceanic whitetips and hammerheads on the offshore reefs, in 24–25 °C water | Advanced Open Water and current experience |
| Newer to Advanced diving, or in a mixed group | The central Maldives | Reef sharks, mantas and whale sharks as the dry season starts. Boats sail all year | Advanced Open Water and 20+ dives |
| A wreck diver | Truk Lagoon | WWII wrecks in a sheltered lagoon. Only two boats | Advanced Open Water, plus wreck training to go inside |
| After mantas and clear water | Palau | German Channel mantas, Blue Corner reef sharks, 30–40 m visibility | Advanced Open Water and some current experience |
| Set on tiger sharks | Fuvahmulah or Tiger Beach | Peak conditions, but almost no December liveaboard sailings | Fuvahmulah: Advanced Open Water, ideally 50 dives and strong-current experience. Tiger Beach: Advanced Open Water, and one boat asks for 75 logged dives |
Boats set their own minimum dives, so check the boat's page as well. Everything above is still good or better in January, so a trip that straddles New Year can keep its destination and move its dates.
December at a glance
Six places rate as peak and two as good. The water is 27–30 °C at most of them and 24–26 °C in the Red Sea. The last column is as of 3 November 2026.
| Place | December | Water and visibility | December sailings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raja Ampat | Peak: mantas, macro life, reef sharks | 28–30 °C, 20–30 m | Many |
| Southern Red Sea | Peak: oceanic whitetips, hammerheads, reef sharks, wrecks | 24–25 °C, 20–30 m | Many |
| Northern Red Sea | Good: wrecks, reef sharks | 24–26 °C, 20–30 m | Many |
| Central Maldives | Good: reef sharks, mantas, whale sharks | 27–30 °C, 20–30 m | Many |
| Fuvahmulah | Peak: tiger sharks, thresher sharks | 27–30 °C, 30–40 m | 1 Deep South sailing, on 20 December |
| Palau | Peak: mantas, reef sharks, wrecks | 27–30 °C, 30–40 m | 3 boats |
| Truk Lagoon | Peak: wrecks | 27–30 °C, 12–24 m | 2 boats |
| Tiger Beach and Bimini | Peak: tiger sharks, great hammerheads at Bimini | 24–29 °C, 20–40 m | None before 26 January |
Raja Ampat: best for most divers
December is peak season. Manta rays work the cleaning stations at Dampier Strait and Misool, reef sharks are likely, and the macro life, from pygmy seahorses to wobbegong sharks, is at its best. Whale sharks are possible. The water is 28–30 °C with 20–30 m visibility, and January is peak too, so a New Year trip loses nothing.
Who it suits. Advanced Open Water divers with 30 to 50 dives. Some sites are easy and the current-swept pinnacles are not, so tell the operator your level when you book.
The catch. Money and dates. On 3 November 2026, December sailings of 7 to 11 nights were listed from $3,285 to $11,673, and 4 of the 9 sailings between 19 and 31 December were sold out. The Raja Ampat ranking covers boats at every budget, and liveaboard or resort helps if you want time on land. For the place itself, see the Raja Ampat guide.
The Red Sea: sharks in the south, wrecks in the north
South: peak. November and December are the most consistent months for pelagics on the south circuit. Oceanic whitetips are at their best, and hammerheads work the offshore reefs at Brothers, Daedalus and Elphinstone: they are most reliable from October to January, though summer sightings are reported. The water is 24–25 °C with 20–30 m visibility, so pack a 5 mm suit. Winter wind can limit offshore access, so a route can change.
We advise Advanced Open Water and some experience in current for the southern reefs, because the walls drop into deep water and nothing stops a slow drift down. Boats set their own minimum dives, and some ask for more. Most seven-night sailings in the south were listed from $899 to $1,476 on 3 November 2026.
North: good, and gentler. The north is rated good rather than peak: wrecks and reef sharks in 24–26 °C water, with the same winter-wind caveat around Ras Mohammed and Tiran. It suits Advanced Open Water divers, and the Thistlegorm is the headline. The holds are inside the wreck, which is overhead diving, so go in only with wreck training and a guide.
To choose between the two, read north vs south itineraries and the month-by-month guide. For boats, see the top Red Sea liveaboards.
The Maldives: central atolls now, the Deep South later
Central atolls: good, and improving. December is the first month of the dry season. Visibility recovers to 20–30 m, the water is 27–30 °C, reef sharks are at their best, and mantas and whale sharks are both likely. January is the peak. Hanifaru Bay is quiet from December to April, and scuba is never allowed in the bay. Mantas mean the cleaning stations in other atolls. The channel dives need Advanced Open Water and some experience in current. A first central-atolls liveaboard suits Advanced Open Water divers with 20 or more logged dives, and each boat sets its own minimum.
On 3 November 2026 all 17 of the Maldives boats we checked had December sailings, with 7-night trips listed from $1,998 to $6,842. Of the 31 sailings between 19 and 31 December, 10 were sold out.
Deep South and Fuvahmulah: peak conditions, almost no December boats. Tiger sharks and thresher sharks are at their best in December, in 27–30 °C water with 30–40 m visibility. The liveaboards are the problem. On 3 November 2026 one Deep South trip was listed for December: Spirit of Maldives, 13 nights from Malé on 20 December, with one space left. Every other Deep South trip we found starts on 9 January 2027 or later, and most begin in late January or February. In December the practical way to Fuvahmulah is a land-based trip, covered in the Fuvahmulah guide. It needs Advanced Open Water, ideally 50 dives and experience in strong current.
For every month, see the Maldives month-by-month guide and the best Maldives liveaboards.
Palau: mantas and reef sharks in clear water
December is peak. The German Channel is a manta hotspot from December to March, grey reef sharks work Blue Corner, and the WWII wrecks are in the mix. The water is 27–30 °C and visibility is 30–40 m, among the clearest on this list. Calm seas and clear water come with the dry season, which runs from about November to April.
Who it suits. Advanced Open Water divers with some experience in current. Boats set their own minimum dives.
The catch. Few boats. Six Palau liveaboards are listed, and three had December sailings on 3 November 2026: 7-night trips from $3,835, 10-night trips from $5,900, and three of the four sailings between 19 and 31 December already sold out.
Truk Lagoon: wrecks in sheltered water
December is peak for wrecks. The lagoon is sheltered, the dry season runs from November, and the water is 27–30 °C. Visibility is 12–24 m and best after dry weather, so the wrecks are the draw rather than the clarity.
Who it suits. Advanced Open Water divers who like wrecks. Going inside holds and engine rooms is overhead diving, so go in only with wreck training and a guide. Some wrecks lie beyond recreational depth, such as the San Francisco Maru at about 52 m, a technical depth, so keep to dives within your certification.
The catch. Only two liveaboards are listed. Thorfinn lists 7-night trips from $2,065 and Pacific Master 9 and 10-night trips from $2,695 to $4,590, and none of the four sailings between 19 and 31 December was sold out on 3 November 2026.
Tiger Beach and Bimini: tiger sharks, few December sailings
Tiger sharks are there all year and are at their best from October to March. Great hammerheads gather at Bimini through the winter and peak in January and February. The water is 24–29 °C with 20–40 m visibility. These are guided, cage-free shark dives, and the tiger shark safety guide covers the rules.
The catch. Almost no December sailings. Two liveaboards are listed for Grand Bahama and Tiger Beach. Shear Water, the boat we found with dated Tiger Beach trips, lists none before 26 January 2027, sails from Florida and asks for 75 logged dives. Ask operators about a December sailing before you plan around it.
Also good in December
These five rate good or shoulder in December: a fine month for the right diver, not the best month of their year.
| Place | December | Water and visibility | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galápagos (Darwin and Wolf) | Good: hammerheads and mantas, whale sharks possible. The warm season is starting | 24–28 °C, 10–25 m | Advanced Open Water and strong-current experience |
| Socorro | Good: giant mantas, hammerheads, dolphins. The season opened in November, and humpback whales arrive from late January | 26–28 °C, 15–30 m | Advanced Open Water and strong-current experience |
| Cocos Island | Good: hammerheads, mobula rays, reef sharks. The dry season brings calmer crossings, and the crossing takes about 36 hours | 26–29 °C, 30–35 m | Advanced Open Water and strong-current experience |
| Similan Islands | Good: open 15 October to 15 May. The clearest water, and the busiest weeks | 26–30 °C, 10–30 m | Advanced Open Water, and current experience for Richelieu Rock, Koh Bon and Koh Tachai |
| Komodo | Shoulder: the wet season starts. Mantas are likely and strongest from January | 25–27 °C, 15–20 m | Advanced Open Water, and current experience for the northern sites |
Where not to dive in December
These are off, closed or past their season. The right months are in the third column.
| Place | December | When to go | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanifaru Bay | Off: quiet from December to April. Scuba is never allowed in the bay | July to September | Hanifaru Bay guide |
| Banda Sea | Off: boats have moved to Raja Ampat or Komodo | March to April and September to November | Banda Sea |
| Nusa Penida | Shoulder: mantas stay all year, but the mola mola season is over | July to October | Nusa Penida |
| Tubbataha | Closed | About mid-March to mid-June | None yet |
| The Sardine Run | Closed | About mid-June to late July | None yet |
Land-based diving in December
Not every December trip needs a liveaboard. Three shore or day-boat options, two of them at their best in December:
| Place | December | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Aliwal Shoal, South Africa | Peak: tiger sharks from December, 25–27 °C | Ragged-tooth sharks are the winter draw. Tigers take over in the warm months |
| Cozumel, Mexico | Peak: easy drift diving and turtles, 24–29 °C, 24–30 m visibility | Hurricane season ends on 30 November |
| Dahab, Egypt | Shoulder: 24–25 °C, and the wind is less predictable | Shore dives, the Canyon and the Blue Hole |
Christmas and New Year: book early
Most operators open holiday sailings a year or more ahead, and many boats book out early. If Christmas or New Year is when you can travel, book now. The weeks either side are the flexible option.
On 3 November 2026 the weeks between 19 and 31 December were already filling:
| Place | Boats with sailings | Sailings, 19–31 December | Sold out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maldives | 17 | 31 | 10 |
| Raja Ampat | 6 | 9 | 4 |
| The Red Sea | 6 | 11 | 2 |
| Palau | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| Truk Lagoon | 2 | 4 | 0 |
Prices move too. The same boat and trip, mid-December against the holidays (Divebooker prices, as of 3 November 2026):
| Boat and trip | Mid-December | Christmas or New Year |
|---|---|---|
| Adora, Maldives, 7 nights | 13 December: from $2,053 | 27 December: from $2,790 |
| Blue Force One, Maldives, 7 nights | 12 December: from $2,390 | 26 December: sold out. 2 January: from $3,190 |
| Mermaid II, Raja Ampat, 8 nights | 12 December: from $4,530 | 21 December: from $4,251, sold out. 30 December: from $5,034 |
| MY Blue, south Red Sea, 7 nights | 10 December: from $1,476 | 28 December: from $1,476 |
| Blue Melody, north Red Sea, 7 nights | 12 December: from $1,155 | 26 December: from $1,155 |
The two Maldives boats cost more over the holidays, Mermaid II cost more at New Year but less at Christmas, and the two Red Sea boats charged the same. If your dates are flexible, the first half of December is easier to book and, on the two Maldives boats above, cheaper. Browse Christmas and New Year trips on Divebooker (opens Divebooker)
Ready to look at boats?
What to wear
The water is cool in the Red Sea and warm everywhere else. Most divers wear:
| Place | December water | Commonly worn |
|---|---|---|
| The Red Sea | 24–26 °C | A 5 mm full suit, with a hood worth packing |
| Tiger Beach | 24–29 °C | A 3 mm full suit |
| Galápagos | 24–28 °C at the surface, colder in thermoclines | A 3 mm full suit at least, with a hood. Ask your boat about 5 mm |
| Maldives, Raja Ampat, Palau, Truk | 27–30 °C | A 3 mm suit, or 1–2 mm in the warmest water |
Ask your boat, because fit and how cold you run count for more than the numbers. The wetsuit temperature guide has the detail, and the Maldives wetsuit guide covers the warm-water case.
Questions
What is the best liveaboard destination in December?
Raja Ampat, for most divers: it is peak season, with mantas, macro life and reef sharks in 28–30 °C water and 20–30 m visibility. The southern Red Sea is the best value for sharks, and Palau and Truk Lagoon peak too. Book Christmas and New Year weeks early, because many are already sold out.
Is December a good month for a liveaboard?
Yes. Raja Ampat, the southern Red Sea, Palau, Truk Lagoon, Fuvahmulah and Tiger Beach are all at their best, and the central Maldives and northern Red Sea are good. The trade-off is the holidays: sailings between 19 and 31 December sell out first and often cost more. Hanifaru Bay and the Banda Sea are off.
Where can I dive with sharks in December?
The southern Red Sea has oceanic whitetips and hammerheads, and Palau has grey reef sharks at Blue Corner. Fuvahmulah has tiger and thresher sharks, best reached by a land-based trip in December. Tiger Beach and Bimini have tiger sharks and great hammerheads, with no December sailings found. The central Maldives is good for reef sharks.
Where can I see mantas in December?
Raja Ampat, Palau and Socorro all rate mantas at their best in December: cleaning stations at Dampier Strait and Misool, the German Channel in Palau, and giant mantas at Socorro. The central Maldives is good too. Hanifaru Bay is not, because its mantas are quiet from December to April.
Where can I dive wrecks in December?
Truk Lagoon, where wrecks are at their best, and the northern Red Sea, where the Thistlegorm and the Abu Nuhas wrecks are the headline. Palau has WWII wrecks too. Going inside a wreck is overhead diving, so go in only with wreck training and a guide.
Is Raja Ampat good in December?
Yes, it is peak season. Expect mantas, macro life and reef sharks, with 28–30 °C water and 20–30 m visibility. It is also one of the most expensive places on this list, and 4 of the 9 sailings between 19 and 31 December were sold out on 3 November 2026. Aim for Advanced Open Water and 30 to 50 dives.
Is the Red Sea cold in December?
Cool rather than cold: 24–25 °C in the south and 24–26 °C in the north. Most divers wear a 5 mm suit, and a hood is worth packing. Wind on deck feels colder than the water, and winter wind can limit offshore trips, so routes sometimes change.
Is the Maldives good in December?
Good, and getting better. The dry season starts, visibility recovers to 20–30 m, and January is the peak. Reef sharks are at their best, and mantas and whale sharks are likely. Hanifaru Bay is quiet, and Deep South liveaboard trips mostly start in late January.
Are Christmas and New Year liveaboards more expensive, and how far ahead should I book?
Often, yes. On 3 November 2026 the same Maldives trip on Adora cost from $2,790 on 27 December against $2,053 on 13 December, while two Red Sea boats charged the same over the holidays. Most operators open holiday sailings a year or more ahead, so book as soon as you know your dates.
Which places should I skip in December?
Hanifaru Bay, which is best from July to September, and the Banda Sea, which runs in March and April and from September to November. Tubbataha is closed, opening only from about mid-March to mid-June. Nusa Penida's mantas stay all year, but its mola mola season runs from July to October.
Where should I dive in December and January?
Everything in the December table is good or better in January, so a trip over New Year can keep its destination. The central Maldives, Fuvahmulah, Palau, Truk Lagoon, Raja Ampat and Tiger Beach peak in January, and Socorro does too. The Red Sea is good.