From January to March, dive the Maldives and the Similan Islands. From April to June, the Galápagos, the Red Sea and Komodo. From July to September, snorkel with the mantas at Hanifaru Bay, and dive the Azores and British Columbia. From October to December, Raja Ampat, Palau and Socorro.
January to March: peak season
| Destination | Why now |
|---|---|
| Maldives | The northeast monsoon brings calm seas and excellent visibility, with manta sightings on the eastern atolls. Water is around 27–29 °C |
| Similan Islands, Thailand | Open only from 15 October to 15 May, and January to March has the best conditions. Whale sharks and manta rays are rare, with the best odds from February to April |
| Tubbataha, Philippines | The reefs open for a brief season, March to June |
April to June: transition and migration
| Destination | Why now |
|---|---|
| Galápagos | Whale sharks start to arrive in June, as cooler, nutrient-rich water draws them to Darwin and Wolf |
| Red Sea | Warm water of 24–28 °C and calm seas. Good for the Thistlegorm and other wrecks, and for the reefs, before the summer heat |
| Komodo, Indonesia | The dry season brings calmer seas and better visibility. Mantas are around at sites like Manta Alley, but our records put the strongest months at January to March and July to September |
July to September: northern-hemisphere summer
| Destination | Why now |
|---|---|
| Maldives, west side | The southwest monsoon shifts manta aggregations to the western atolls, and Hanifaru Bay, which is snorkel-only, has its feeding events |
| Azores | Blue shark and mobula ray season, in the remote Atlantic islands |
| British Columbia, Canada | Cold-water diving, with giant Pacific octopus and wolf eels |
October to December: transition to peak season
| Destination | Why now |
|---|---|
| Raja Ampat, Indonesia | October marks the start of the prime season, with manta cleaning stations and pygmy seahorses |
| Palau | Conditions improve, and November brings clearer water and fewer crowds. Jellyfish Lake reopens, and there are shark dives |
| Socorro Islands, Mexico | Giant manta season begins |
Places that work all year
Cozumel in Mexico offers reliable drift diving, Bonaire is known for shore diving, and the Maldives always has something to offer, whichever monsoon is blowing.
Planning tips
Book liveaboards 6–12 months ahead for peak seasons. Shoulder seasons can mean better prices and fewer crowds. Always take travel insurance that covers diving.
Questions
What is the best month to dive the Maldives?
It depends on what you want to see. January to March brings calm seas and excellent visibility. From July to September the southwest monsoon shifts manta aggregations to the western atolls, with feeding events at Hanifaru Bay, which is snorkel-only. See the best time to dive the Maldives for the month-by-month detail.
When can you dive the Similan Islands?
Only from 15 October to 15 May, and January to March has the best conditions.
When is the Tubbataha season?
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park has a brief season, from March to June.
How far ahead should I book a liveaboard?
Book 6–12 months ahead for peak seasons. Shoulder seasons can mean better prices and fewer crowds.