Looking for the perfect destination for a May scuba diving trip? We’ve got you covered.
Whether you’re dreaming of big animal encounters or breathtaking seascapes, here are five locales ideal for scuba diving in May.
Looking for other months? See our full 2026 Scuba Travel Calendar.
Kauai, Hawaii: Seal’s the Deal
Dive Highlights: Boat Dives, Photo Opps
David FleethamMay is a peak month for underwater encounters with Hawaiian monk seals.
Seeking a raw, rugged escape? Then set your sights on Hawaii’s oldest and northernmost island, where forested valleys and jagged peaks spill into an equally dramatic seascape. If ever there were a true “hidden gem” left in Hawaii, Kauai is it. Fewer crowds make Kauai a favorite for travelers who like to find their own way. Local outfits like Seasport Divers and Fathom Five Divers offer full-service and guided trips that put you right where the action is: underwater.
If it’s grandeur you’re after, make the 3.5-hour pilgrimage across the Kaulakahi Channel to the Forbidden Isle of Niihau. The calm waters in May will keep seasickness at bay as you enjoy wildlife spotting on the way out to the dive site. Feel free to admire the privately owned island from the boat, but stepping foot on land is strictly forbidden. Beneath the surface, the sheer scale of massive silvery-blue walls plunging into the deep is humbling. With stacked lava shelves and visibility that stretches on, Niihau is a world of its own. Signature sites such as Vertical Awareness and Pyramid Point showcase Niihau’s wild, untouched magic.
May brings a special kind of energy to both islands. It’s the peak of spring activity for Hawaiian monk seals, Kauai’s critically endangered natives. On land, they haul out for rest on warm sands like those at Poipu Beach, but underwater, they’re charismatic and agile leading acts. With one of Hawaii’s densest monk seal populations, Kauai offers divers an excellent chance at an unforgettable encounter—just remember to keep a respectful distance and let these locals rest and roam in peace. —Ariella Simke
Operators: Fathom Five Divers; Seasport Divers
Related Reading: The Ultimate Guide to Scuba Diving Kauai
South Australia: Wonder Down Under
Dive Highlights: Cold Water, Aggregations, Shore Diving, Photo Opps
Brandon ColeGiant Australian cuttlefish aggregate in the shallows along the coastline in upper Spencer Gulf to mate. The largest most colorful one in the center is a male, protecting the female it hopes to mate with (front center) from the advances of a rival male (back center) by blocking the unwanted suitor with its outstretched tentacles.
The technicolor mating display of the giant cuttlefish draws divers from around the world to a small town in South Australia year over year. From May to August, tens of thousands of these camouflaging cephalopods spawn in the waters off Whyalla.
During the winter mating season, males far outnumber females, so they must face off for a chance to reproduce. They chase and intimidate each other with posturing and ornate color displays, and given that cuttlefish can change their color, shape and even texture as they move through different habitats, these contests are a mesmerizing show for divers. —Melissa Smith
Operators: Whyalla Dive Shop
Related Reading: Peep Show: Dive with Hundreds of Thousands of Spawning Cuttlefish in South Australia
Philippines: Thresher Wake-Up Call
Dive Highlights: Aggregations, Big Animals, Boat Dives, Photo Opps
Tobias FriedrichA pelagic thresher shark cruises the blue water of Malapascua, Philippines.
Doe-eyed thresher sharks are a delight at tiny Malapascua Island throughout the dry season (November through May), but the tail-end of the season is the sweet spot. That’s when water clarity in the Visayan Sea at Monad and Kimud shoals is exceptional, conditions peaceful, and the seas calm, meaning early morning boat travel is rarely canceled.
And early it is! Threshers arrive at Malapascua’s cleaning stations before most have their morning coffee. But once in the water you won’t be bleary-eyed for long, as long-tailed sleek and silver sharks sway through the water slowly to allow for cleaner fish to preen them.
These shallow dives offer plenty of bottom time to enjoy the serene scene. Keep your breathing steady, your movements slow, and your strobes on the boat and you’ll blend right into the scenery for up-close and personal encounters. —Ariella Simke
Operators: Thresher Shark Divers
Related Reading: A Philippines Liveaboard Trip of A Lifetime
Tobago: Big Animals, Small Crowds
Dive Highlights: Big Animals, Boat Dives, Photo Opps
Shutterstock/blue-sea.czA green sea turtle, common in Tobago, rests inside a sponge.
The Orinoco River flows strongest July to September, meeting the Atlantic along the northeast coast of Venezuela and continuing on to Tobago, some 20 miles to the north. Here, it feeds the reefs, resulting in ribbons of orange, red and purple rope sponges. Seahorses, angelfish and horse-eye jacks revel in the plankton abundance.
May is shoulder season. Divers enjoy visibility between 80 and 100 feet, aided by the dry season, January through the end of the month.
This island has enjoyed a long history with oceanic manta rays, which have favored late spring. Sightings are possible at sites such as Kelleston Drain and the Sisters, both found near the city of Speyside. Even if mantas don’t make a cameo, it’s very likely that a hammerhead, eagle ray or massive green turtle will. —Brooke Morton
Operators: Manta Lodge and Dive Centre
Related Reading: Navigating Tobago’s Surprising Underwater Landscape
Belize: Swim with Whale Sharks
Dive Highlights: Aggregations, Big Animals, Boat Dives and Liveaboard Options, Lunar Timing
Shutterstock/Ethan DanielsA whale shark (Rhincodon typus) searches for plankton to feed on.
Whale sharks crowd Belize’s Gladden Spit—a submerged reef 30 miles east of the coastal city of Placencia—March to June to graze on snapper spawn.
The water in May is calmer following the high winds of February and March. During May and June, most dive and snorkel operators concentrate their whale shark tours seven days before and after the full moon; this year, the month sees the full Flower Moon on May 1 and a blue moon on May 31.
As with most aggregation sites, Gladden Spit draws in a mix of feeders, including the occasional manta ray, hammerhead shark, loggerhead turtle or pod of dolphins. —Brooke Morton
Special Event: Don’t miss Belize’s Beyond Blue Dive Summit—a 4-day underwater adventure this April where divers explore world-class reefs, connect with conservation leaders, and help protect the future of our oceans.
Operators: Captain Jak’s Divers; Splash Dive Center; Aggressor Liveaboards
Related Reading: Five Great Dive Sites in Belize That Aren’t the Blue Hole
Where to Dive Next Month
Hawaii, Australia, the Philippines, Tobago and Belize are five of the best scuba diving destinations for May. Planning a trip for another time of year? Find more expert recommendations below.
