The 10 Best Beginner Dive Locations in the World | Sport Diver

World’s Best: Beginner Dive Locations

Anilao, Philippines

Colorful corals in Anilao, Philippines.

Shutterstock

Looking to book your first dive getaway? At these 10 locations, a newly minted C-Card won’t stop you from seeing some amazing sea life.

1. Anilao, Philippines

For budding underwater photographers, there’s no place better than Anilao, Philippines, to sharpen your skills. Along with every reef fish imaginable, you’re sure to find rare macro subjects like nudibranchs and frogfish. And because you’ll be hanging out in the shallows, dives can last exceptionally long, giving you time to perfect your shots.

2. Roatan

Year-round warm waters and see-forever visibility make Roatan a top destination for beginner divers. Currents are gentle enough to provide great beginner drift diving. If you’re confident in your buoyancy, sites like Blue Channel off Roatan’s West Bay keep dives exciting with interesting reef formations and plenty of swim-throughs.

3. Great Barrier Reef, Australia

The Great Barrier Reef is arguably the most well-known dive site in the world. More than two million people visit the reef each year, many of whom are there to make their first dives ever. The area’s shallow, low-current waters are ideal for finishing certification checkout dives or enjoying your first dive vacation.

Salt Pier Bonaire

Bonaire consistently ranks among one of the best dive destinations for shore diving and beginner diving in Scuba Diving magazine's Reader Choice Awards.

Becca Hurley

4. Bonaire

Shore diving is the name of the game on Bonaire. This Caribbean desert island boasts over 50 diverse shore-access sites, from the iconic Salt Pier to the breathtaking Bari Reef. The 24/7 site access means you can ease into evening and night diving at your own pace, too.

5. Florida Keys

If you’re looking for healthy shallow-water coral reefs, head straight on down to the Florida Keys. Molasses Reef off Key Largo; Sombrero Reef off Marathon; the Sambos Reefs off Key West — picturesque, easy reef diving can be found throughout the entire 113-mile island chain.

kona hawaii

The famous manta night dive that takes place in Kona, Hawaii is in approximately 40 feet of water making this an easy dive for beginners to have their first big-animal encounter.

Becca Hurley

6. Kona, Hawaii

The laid-back aloha spirit of Hawaii doesn’t stop at the shoreline. Much Hawaiian diving is easy and suitable for beginners, but Kona’s variety of sites and sights makes it the perfect intro to dive travel. There are a number of exciting shore-dive options, interesting lava arches and marine topography, and beautiful reefs that attract species like turtles and manta rays.

7. Malaysia

Plenty of Malaysian sites, like Renggis and Redang Islands off Peninsula Malaysia, cater to both scuba divers and snorkelers. If you’re the only one in your group who has taken the plunge to become dive certified, you can still bring your fellow travelers along to enjoy the underwater world with you.

8. St. Lucia

Shallow wrecks can be found dotting the perimeter of St. Lucia, making the island a great introductory spot for wreck diving. Plus, reef sites like Superman’s Flight and Fairyland in the Piton Management Area are oft considered the best on the island, and they can be thoroughly explored within Open Water depth limits.

9. Maldives

If your travel motto is “go big or stay home,” the Maldives are where you’re meant to be. Getting there might not be easy, but the diving sure is. Seas are calm, and with spectacular shallow sites like Maaya Thila, there’s no need to go deep. Plus, encounters with big animals like whale sharks and mantas will spoil you in the best way possible.

10. British Virgin Islands

New divers looking to get their rust fix should consider the British Virgin Islands. Even the archipelago’s most famous wreck, the RMS Rhone, is safe and accessible by new divers, as is the area’s newest sunken ship, the Kodiak Queen, which features the Kraken artificial reef installation.

Latest


More Stories


Videos