Courtesy Ocean Encounters/Lionsdive Beach Resort
Best Overall
Caribbean and Atlantic
Readers Choice: Ocean Frontiers, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Aldora Divers, Cozumel, Mexico
Ambergris Divers, Belize
Anthony’s Key Resort Dive Shop, Roatan, Bay Islands
Barefoot Divers, Roatan, Bay Islands
Blackbird Caye, Turneffe Atoll, Belize
Blue Note Scuba Diving, Cozumel, Mexico
Buddy Dive, Bonaire
CoCo View Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands
Dive Friends Bonaire
Dive Paradise, Cozumel, Mexico
Dive With Martin, Cozumel, Mexico
Divi Dive Bonaire
Living the Dream Divers, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Ocean Encounters, Curaçao
Pocna Dive Center, Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Ramon’s Village Divers, Ambergris Caye, Belize
Reef Divers, Cayman Brac, Cayman Islands
Reef Divers, Little Cayman, Cayman Islands
Scubaqua, St. Eustatius
Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas, New Providence
Sunset Divers, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Toucan Divers at Plaza Resort, Bonaire
VIP Diving Bonaire
Wannadive Bonaire at Eden Beach Resort
Courtesy Kona Honu DiversHawaii’s Kona Honu Divers offers rental gear and training that impressed readers.
Pacific Indian and Mediterranean
Readers Choice: Trident Adventures, Oahu, Hawaii
Aaron’s Dive Shop, Oahu, Hawaii
Aloha Scuba, Oahu, Hawaii
Beqa Adventure Divers, Fiji
Big Island Divers, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Dive Maui, Hawaii
Dive Oahu, Hawaii
Fathom Five Divers, Kauai, Hawaii
Jack’s Diving Locker, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Kona Diving Company, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Kona Honu Divers, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Maui Dive Shop, Hawaii
Maui Dreams Dive Co., Hawaii
Papua Explorers Dive Center, Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Sam’s Tours, Palau
Scandi Divers, Philippines
Seasport Divers, Kauai, Hawaii
Wakatobi Dive Resort, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
United States and Canada
Readers Choice: Key Dives, Islamorada, Florida Keys
Amoray Dive Center, Key Largo, Florida Keys
Captain Hook’s Dive Key West, Florida Keys
Captain Hook’s, Big Pine Key, Florida Keys
Captain Hook’s, Marathon, Florida Keys
Florida Keys Dive Center, Islamorada
Horizon Divers, Key Largo, Florida Keys
Islamorada Dive Center, Florida Keys
Key Largo Dive Center, Florida Keys
Olympus Dive Center, North Carolina
Pura Vida Divers, Riviera Beach, Florida
Rainbow Reef, Key Largo, Florida Keys
Sea Experience, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Related Reading: The Magic of Hawaii's Night Dives
Above The Surface
On the east coast of Bonaire, I would pick Boka Onimabecause the reef is so different from any other dive site. It is really amazing. On the west coast, I would pick Karpata, with its steep slopes that go well beyond recreational limits. The topography is so dramatic, and the shallows are very healthy with lots variation between soft and hard corals.
—Lars Bosman, course director at Buddy Dive
Quality of Dive Boats
Caribbean and Atlantic
Readers Choice: Ocean Frontiers, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Aldora Divers, Cozumel, Mexico
Ambergris Divers, Belize
Anthony’s Key Resort Dive Shop, Roatan, Bay Islands
Barefoot Divers, Roatan, Bay Islands
Blackbird Caye, Turneffe Atoll, Belize
Blue Note Scuba Diving, Cozumel, Mexico
Buddy Dive, Bonaire
CoCo View Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands
Dive Friends Bonaire
Dive Paradise, Cozumel, Mexico
Dive With Martin, Cozumel, Mexico
Divi Dive Bonaire
Living the Dream Divers, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Ocean Encounters, Curaçao
Pocna Dive Center, Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Ramon’s Village Divers, Ambergris Caye, Belize
Reef Divers, Cayman Brac, Cayman Islands
Reef Divers, Little Cayman, Cayman Islands
Scubaqua, St. Eustatius
Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas, New Providence
Sunset Divers, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Toucan Divers at Plaza Resort, Bonaire
VIP Diving Bonaire
Wannadive Bonaire at Eden Beach Resort
Insider Tip
If you’re headed to Galapagos, begin sleep subtraction about three nights before you leave. Depending on your time zone change, you may want to get up one to two hours earlier each day.
—William M., Galapagos Aggressor III guest
Pacific Indian and Mediterranean
Readers Choice: Trident Adventures, Oahu, Hawaii
Aaron’s Dive Shop, Oahu, Hawaii
Aloha Scuba, Oahu, Hawaii
Beqa Adventure Divers, Fiji
Big Island Divers, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Dive Maui, Hawaii
Dive Oahu, Hawaii
Fathom Five Divers, Kauai, Hawaii
Jack’s Diving Locker, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Kona Diving Company, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Kona Honu Divers, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Maui Dive Shop, Hawaii
Maui Dreams Dive Co., Hawaii
Papua Explorers Dive Center, Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Sam’s Tours, Palau
Scandi Divers, Philippines
Seasport Divers, Kauai, Hawaii
Wakatobi Dive Resort, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
Courtesy Scandi DiversScandi Divers in Puerto Galera, Philippines, earned several awards, including first place for Quality of Staff.
Insider Tip
Blue Heron Bridge is consistently rated the No. 1 shore dive in the United States. The creatures vary from season to season. We get longarm and common octopus in the spring. This past spring they were so prolific, we saw them on almost every dive.
—Shana Phelan, co-owner of Pura Vida Divers in Riviera Beach, Florida
United States and Canada
Readers Choice: Key Dives, Islamorada, Florida Keys
Amoray Dive Center, Key Largo, Florida Keys
Captain Hook’s Dive Key West, Florida Keys
Captain Hook’s, Big Pine Key, Florida Keys
Captain Hook’s, Marathon, Florida Keys
Florida Keys Dive Center, Islamorada
Horizon Divers, Key Largo, Florida Keys
Islamorada Dive Center, Florida Keys
Key Largo Dive Center, Florida Keys
Olympus Dive Center, North Carolina
Pura Vida Divers, Riviera Beach, Florida
Rainbow Reef, Key Largo, Florida Keys
Sea Experience, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Jay ClueDivers spot a dugong in the Red Sea, home to a number of award-winning operators.
Quality of Rental Gear
Caribbean and Atlantic
Readers Choice: Ocean Frontiers, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Aldora Divers, Cozumel, Mexico
Ambergris Divers, Belize
Anthony’s Key Resort Dive Shop, Roatan, Bay Islands
Barefoot Divers, Roatan, Bay Islands
Blackbird Caye, Turneffe Atoll, Belize
Blue Note Scuba Diving, Cozumel, Mexico
Buddy Dive, Bonaire
Dive Friends Bonaire
Dive Paradise, Cozumel, Mexico
Dive With Martin, Cozumel, Mexico
Divi Dive Bonaire
Dockside Dive Shop at CoCo View Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands
Living the Dream Divers, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Ocean Encounters, Curaçao
Pocna Dive Center, Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Ramon’s Village Divers, Ambergris Caye, Belize
Reef Divers, Cayman Brac, Cayman Islands
Reef Divers, Little Cayman, Cayman Islands
Scubaqua, St. Eustatius
Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas, New Providence
Sunset Divers, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Toucan Divers at Plaza Resort, Bonaire
VIP Diving Bonaire
Wannadive Bonaire at Eden Beach Resort
Related Reading: Trending Dive Spots: Magdalena Bay, Mexico
Signature Site
At Paradise Shore, the reef stops around 90 feet and the sand with coral bommies starts. This site is home to a huge variety of creatures: resident blue ribbon eels, leafy scorpionfish, squid, nudibranchs galore and even regular sightings of the three resident bull sharks at sunset.
—Allan Gortan, owner of Paradise Taveuni Resort, Fiji
Pacific Indian and Mediterranean
Readers Choice: Trident Adventures, Oahu, Hawaii
Aaron’s Dive Shop, Oahu, Hawaii
Aloha Scuba, Oahu, Hawaii
Beqa Adventure Divers, Fiji
Big Island Divers, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Dive Maui, Hawaii
Dive Oahu, Hawaii
Fathom Five Divers, Kauai, Hawaii
Jack’s Diving Locker, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Kona Diving Company, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Kona Honu Divers, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Maui Dive Shop, Hawaii
Maui Dreams Dive Co., Hawaii
Papua Explorers Dive Center, Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Sam’s Tours, Palau
Scandi Divers, Philippines
Seasport Divers, Kauai, Hawaii
Wakatobi Dive Resort, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
United States and Canada
Readers Choice: Key Dives, Islamorada, Florida Keys
Amoray Dive Center, Key Largo, Florida Keys
Captain Hook’s Dive Key West, Florida Keys
Captain Hook’s, Big Pine Key, Florida Keys
Captain Hook’s, Marathon, Florida Keys
Florida Keys Dive Center, Islamorada
Horizon Divers, Key Largo, FloridaKeys
Islamorada Dive Center, Florida Keys
Key Largo Dive Center, Florida Keys
Olympus Dive Center, North Carolina
Pura Vida Divers, Riviera Beach, Florida
Rainbow Reef, Key Largo, Florida Keys
Sea Experience, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Insider Tip
The best season to dive Banda Sea/Ring of Fire takes place from September to November. Ideal sailing conditions, and this is hammerhead season! Most trips depart from Ambon (Moluccas), which can be reached from Jakarta, with several daily direct flights.
—Stephane Griveau, Explorer Ventures Fleet
Courtesy Ocean FrontiersOcean Frontiers earned top marks in five categories: Best Overall, Quality of Dive Boats, Quality of Rental Gear, Quality of Staff and Attention to Safety.
Quality of Facilities
Caribbean and Atlantic
Readers Choice: CoCo View Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands
Aldora Divers, Cozumel, Mexico
Ambergris Divers, Belize
Anthony’s Key Resort Dive Shop, Roatan, Bay Islands
Barefoot Divers, Roatan, Bay Islands
Blackbird Caye, Turneffe Atoll, Belize
Blue Note Scuba Diving, Cozumel, Mexico
Buddy Dive, Bonaire
Dive Friends Bonaire
Dive Paradise, Cozumel, Mexico
Dive With Martin, Cozumel, Mexico
Divi Dive Bonaire
Living the Dream Divers, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Ocean Encounters, Curaçao
Ocean Frontiers, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Pocna Dive Center, Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Ramon’s Village Divers, Ambergris Caye, Belize
Reef Divers, Cayman Brac, Cayman Islands
Reef Divers, Little Cayman, Cayman Islands
Scubaqua, St. Eustatius
Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas, New Providence
Sunset Divers, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Toucan Divers at Plaza Resort, Bonaire
VIP Diving Bonaire
Wannadive Bonaire at Eden Beach Resort
Pacific Indian and Mediterranean
Readers Choice: Papua Explorers Dive Center, Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Aaron’s Dive Shop, Oahu, Hawaii
Aloha Scuba, Oahu, Hawaii
Beqa Adventure Divers, Fiji
Big Island Divers, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Dive Maui, Hawaii
Dive Oahu, Hawaii
Fathom Five Divers, Kauai, Hawaii
Jack’s Diving Locker, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Kona Diving Company, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Kona Honu Divers, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Maui Dive Shop, Hawaii
Maui Dreams Dive Co., Hawaii
Sam’s Tours, Palau
Scandi Divers, Philippines
Seasport Divers, Kauai, Hawaii
Trident Adventures, Oahu, Hawaii
Wakatobi Dive Resort, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
United States and Canada
Readers Choice: Key Dives, Islamorada, Florida Keys
Amoray Dive Center, Key Largo, Florida Keys
Captain Hook’s Dive Key West, Florida Keys
Captain Hook’s, Big Pine Key, Florida Keys
Captain Hook’s, Marathon, Florida Keys
Florida Keys Dive Center, Islamorada
Horizon Divers, Key Largo, Florida Keys
Islamorada Dive Center, Florida Keys
Key Largo Dive Center, Florida Keys
Olympus Dive Center, North Carolina
Pura Vida Divers, Riviera Beach, Florida
Rainbow Reef, Key Largo, Florida Keys
Sea Experience, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Jay ClueA diver prepares to hand over their fins before boarding a dive boat.
Quality of Staff
Caribbean and Atlantic
Readers Choice: Ocean Frontiers, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Aldora Divers, Cozumel, Mexico
Ambergris Divers, Belize
Anthony’s Key Resort Dive Shop, Roatan, Bay Islands
Barefoot Divers, Roatan, Bay Islands
Blackbird Caye, Turneffe Atoll, Belize
Blue Note Scuba Diving, Cozumel, Mexico
Buddy Dive, Bonaire
CoCo View Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands
Dive Friends Bonaire
Dive Paradise, Cozumel, Mexico
Dive With Martin, Cozumel, Mexico
Divi Dive Bonaire
Living the Dream Divers, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Ocean Encounters, Curaçao
Pocna Dive Center, Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Ramon’s Village Divers, Ambergris Caye, Belize
Reef Divers, Cayman Brac, Cayman Islands
Reef Divers, Little Cayman, Cayman Islands
Scubaqua, St. Eustatius
Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas, New Providence
Sunset Divers, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Toucan Divers at Plaza Resort, Bonaire
VIP Diving Bonaire
Wannadive Bonaire at Eden Beach Resort
Pacific Indian and Mediterranean
Readers Choice: Scandi Divers, Philippines
Aaron’s Dive Shop, Oahu, Hawaii
Aloha Scuba, Oahu, Hawaii
Beqa Adventure Divers, Fiji
Big Island Divers, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Dive Maui, Hawaii
Dive Oahu, Hawaii
Fathom Five Divers, Kauai, Hawaii
Jack’s Diving Locker, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Kona Diving Company, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Kona Honu Divers, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Maui Dive Shop, Hawaii
Maui Dreams Dive Co., Hawaii
Papua Explorers Dive Center, Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Sam’s Tours, Palau
Seasport Divers, Kauai, Hawaii
Trident Adventures, Oahu, Hawaii
Wakatobi Dive Resort, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
Signature Site
Alligator Reef is literally a fishbowl thanks to the coral restoration work we have done. Ten years ago, this site was devoid of coral. Now we have thousands of coral fragments that are thriving, adding biodiversity to the site. You see one school of fish after the other after the other.
—Michael Ryan, owner of Key Dives in Islamorada, Florida
United States and Canada
Readers Choice: Key Dives, Islamorada, Florida Keys
Amoray Dive Center, Key Largo, Florida Keys
Captain Hook’s Dive Key West, Florida Keys
Captain Hook’s, Big Pine Key, Florida Keys
Captain Hook’s, Marathon, Florida Keys
Florida Keys Dive Center, Islamorada
Horizon Divers, Key Largo, Florida Keys
Islamorada Dive Center, Florida Keys
Key Largo Dive Center, Florida Keys
Olympus Dive Center, North Carolina
Pura Vida Divers, Riviera Beach, Florida
Rainbow Reef, Key Largo, Florida Keys
Sea Experience, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Courtesy Tobias FriedrichA duo of divers test their skills during a certification course in the Maldives.
Quality of Training and Courses
Caribbean and Atlantic
Readers Choice: Barefoot Divers, Roatan, Bay Islands
Aldora Divers, Cozumel, Mexico
Ambergris Divers, Belize
Anthony’s Key Resort Dive Shop, Roatan, Bay Islands
Blackbird Caye, Turneffe Atoll, Belize
Blue Note Scuba Diving, Cozumel, Mexico
Buddy Dive, Bonaire
Dive Friends Bonaire
Dive Paradise, Cozumel, Mexico
Dive With Martin, Cozumel, Mexico
Divi Dive Bonaire
Dockside Dive Shop at CoCo View Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands
Living the Dream Divers, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Ocean Encounters, Curaçao
Ocean Frontiers, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Pocna Dive Center, Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Ramon’s Village Divers, Ambergris Caye, Belize
Reef Divers, Cayman Brac, Cayman Islands
Reef Divers, Little Cayman, Cayman Islands
Scubaqua, St. Eustatius
Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas, New Providence
Sunset Divers, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Toucan Divers at Plaza Resort, Bonaire
VIP Diving Bonaire
Wannadive Bonaire at Eden Beach Resort
Above The Surface
There are so many things to do on Bonaire, like kite surfing, birdwatching, hiking and more. For me personally, it is windsurfing because I have been windsurfing since I was a teenager.
—Lars Bosman, course director at Buddy Dive
Pacific Indian and Mediterranean
Readers Choice: Trident Adventures, Oahu, Hawaii
Aaron’s Dive Shop, Oahu, Hawaii
Aloha Scuba, Oahu, Hawaii
Beqa Adventure Divers, Fiji
Big Island Divers, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Dive Maui, Hawaii
Dive Oahu, Hawaii
Fathom Five Divers, Kauai, Hawaii
Jack’s Diving Locker, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Kona Diving Company, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Kona Honu Divers, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Maui Dive Shop, Hawaii
Maui Dreams Dive Co., Hawaii
Papua Explorers Dive Center, Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Sam’s Tours, Palau
Scandi Divers, Philippines
Seasport Divers, Kauai, Hawaii
Wakatobi Dive Resort, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
United States and Canada
Readers Choice: Key Dives, Islamorada, Florida Keys
Amoray Dive Center, Key Largo, Florida Keys
Captain Hook’s Dive Key West, Florida Keys
Captain Hook’s, Big Pine Key, Florida Keys
Captain Hook’s, Marathon, Florida Keys
Florida Keys Dive Center, Islamorada
Horizon Divers, Key Largo, Florida Keys
Islamorada Dive Center, Florida Keys
Key Largo Dive Center, Florida Keys
Olympus Dive Center, North Carolina
Pura Vida Divers, Jupiter, Florida
Rainbow Reef, Key Largo, Florida Keys
Sea Experience, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Attention to Safety
Caribbean and Atlantic
Readers Choice: Ocean Frontiers, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Aldora Divers, Cozumel, Mexico
Ambergris Divers, Belize
Anthony’s Key Resort Dive Shop, Roatan, Bay Islands
Barefoot Divers, Roatan, Bay Islands
Blackbird Caye, Turneffe Atoll, Belize
Blue Note Scuba Diving, Cozumel, Mexico
Buddy Dive, Bonaire
CoCo View Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands
Dive Friends Bonaire
Dive Paradise, Cozumel, Mexico
Dive With Martin, Cozumel, Mexico
Divi Dive Bonaire
Living the Dream Divers, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Ocean Encounters, Curaçao
Pocna Dive Center, Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Ramon’s Village Divers, Ambergris Caye, Belize
Reef Divers, Cayman Brac, Cayman Islands
Reef Divers, Little Cayman, Cayman Islands
Scubaqua, St. Eustatius
Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas, New Providence
Sunset Divers, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Toucan Divers at Plaza Resort, Bonaire
VIP Diving Bonaire
Wannadive Bonaire at Eden Beach Resort
Pacific Indian and Mediterranean
Readers Choice: Trident Adventures, Oahu, Hawaii
Aaron’s Dive Shop, Oahu, Hawaii
Aloha Scuba, Oahu, Hawaii
Beqa Adventure Divers, Fiji
Big Island Divers, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Dive Maui, Hawaii
Dive Oahu, Hawaii
Fathom Five Divers, Kauai, Hawaii
Jack’s Diving Locker, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Kona Diving Company, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Kona Honu Divers, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Maui Dive Shop, Hawaii
Maui Dreams Dive Co., Hawaii
Papua Explorers Dive Center, Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Sam’s Tours, Palau
Scandi Divers, Philippines
Seasport Divers, Kauai, Hawaii
Wakatobi Dive Resort, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
Related Reading: A Scuba Diver's Guide to Cayman Islands
Courtesy Siladen Diving CenterDive gear awaits guests at Siladen Resort & Spa’s dive center in Indonesia.
United States and Canada
Readers Choice: Key Dives, Islamorada, Florida Keys
Amoray Dive Center, Key Largo, Florida Keys
Captain Hook’s Dive Key West, Florida Keys
Captain Hook’s, Big Pine Key, Florida Keys
Captain Hook’s, Marathon, Florida Keys
Florida Keys Dive Center, Islamorada
Horizon Divers, Key Largo, Florida Keys
Islamorada Dive Center, Florida Keys
Key Largo Dive Center, Florida Keys
Olympus Dive Center, North Carolina
Pura Vida Divers, Riviera Beach, Florida
Rainbow Reef, Key Largo, Florida Keys
Sea Experience, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Signature Site
A 185-foot barge sits next to a 100-foot barge, along with a radio tower we call the jungle gym, at a site called Hog Heaven. This site has blossomed with coral, and fish like to hide in there. We see goliath grouper all the time, cobia, tons of schooling fish. We occasionally see a manta ray.
—Bill Cole, owner of Sea Experience dive center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
