Shutterstock/FilofedeA master of camouflage, the painted frogfish is covered in spots that help it blend with sponges.
Pacific and Indian
Philippines
Located in the heart of the Coral Triangle, this island nation serves up an abundance of species diversity. A favorite among backpackers, budget divers and long-term travelers, here you’ll find basic guest houses, hostels and spartan hotels close to the dive action. Those willing to spend more will find their money goes further: It costs less to have a luxury beach resort and dive experience here.
When to Go Dry season extends from November through May, bringing calm seas and visibility averaging 75 feet. The flatter seas make for better dayboat and liveaboard experiences.
Don’t Miss Whale sharks can be seen year-round in Oslob, a town on Cebu Island, thanks in large part to local fishermen proffering buckets of shrimp to the filter-feeders. Local and national agencies oversee the practice, limiting feedings from 6 a.m. until noon.
Creature Spotlight In Dauin, muck divers can see several species of frogfish, including the painted variety, distinguishable by its pattern of darker spots all over its body. There’s also the warty frogfish, aka the clown frogfish. This species can be yellow, orange, red, brown, green or mottled white, and can have a band of darker color extending from its eye to its dorsal fin.
Gear Splurge on a rechargeable tank light for all the night diving.
Special Certification/Requirements Travelers to Malapascua Island can dive with thresher sharks—take the PADI Thresher Shark Distinctive Specialty course to learn about this species’ behavior, habitat and conservation.
Insider Tip Baslay Hot Springs showcases some of the natural wonders of Dauin. Rent a scooter or car for the 40-minute trip outside Dumaguete City to experience these natural pools and the river that keeps the water hot.
How to Book Atmosphere Resorts, a luxury 44-room boutique resort in Dauin, gives guests so much more for their money, including Egyptian cotton sheets, an on-site dive center, on-site spa and beachfront location.
Contact atmosphereresorts.com
Related Reading: Ultimate Guide to Diving With Whale Sharks
Shutterstock/Richard WhitcombeWhitetip reef sharks at Cave of the Sleeping Sharks in Cozumel.
Caribbean and Atlantic
Cozumel
This perennial top pick is a mix of shallow reefs well suited to beginner divers, and sheer walls with currents that appeal to intermediate and advanced divers. Best of all, most dive sites lie within a five-minute boat ride of many resorts and scuba shops, allowing providers to keep costs low. These reefs are so popular that they keep more than 100 dive centers in business—a level of competition also helps keep rates more affordable. Best of all, the island is just offshore of Cancun, one of the biggest travel destinations in North America, with regular flight deals on offer.
When to Go March through June offers the flattest seas and best visibility. It’s outside of winter’s blustery weather, when cold fronts can churn up waves and lower visibility. The summer months have the potential of hurricanes, but they also allow for the adventure of snorkeling with whale sharks off nearby Isla Mujeres.
Don’t Miss Cozumel isn’t a one-and-done destination. Aldora Divers has a menu of unique, more challenging experiences open only to advanced divers. They run three-tank trips to hidden gems in the north and also visit the Cave of the Sleeping Sharks.
Creature Spotlight Longsnout seahorses only thrive in areas with clear water, stable temperatures and currents that keep plankton supplies ample. Cozumel’s conditions match these requirements, especially at Villa Blanca, Paradise and Yucab reefs. Look to the rope sponges, small branching corals and sea fans that provide these whimsical finds with structure to wrap their tails around.
Gear Whether you book a direct flight or take the ferry from Cancun, packing lightly is key. If traveling by ferry, your best bet is a small spinner suitcase, wheeled duffel or other lightweight bag that you can easily lift and transport. Some budget airlines charge extra for checked bags, so a lightweight carry-on is the way to go.
Special Certification/Requirements The PADI Drift Diver certification is an asset, building confidence in currents and imparting crucial skills, such as when and how to deploy surface-marker buoys.
Insider Tip The family-owned Cozumel Pearl Farm offers tours where guests can snorkel among the oyster hatchery, then enjoy lunch and relaxation on an outpost beach.
How to Book Cozumel Hotel & Resort delivers budget prices without skimping on amenities. This seaside resort has the island’s largest pool and an on-site PADI Five Star Dive Center, Paradise Divers.
Contact cozumelhotel.com.mx
Related Reading: A Lush Dive Sanctuary on Cozumel's Coast
Shutterstock/Rory CompendioThe Sweepstakes is one of the more shallow wrecks in Ontario.
U.S. and Canada
Ontario
The pinky of land that is the Bruce Peninsula gatekeeps Lake Huron from Georgian Bay. That bottleneck effect, created in conjunction with Manitoulin Island, posed many a headache for ship captains—now it delights cold-water divers.
Those who brave the summer, at-depth water temperatures of 50 to 55 degrees have their pick of six shore dives inside Big Tub Harbor, located less than a mile west of the tourism hotspot of Tobermory. The shallowest, the Sweepstakes, is a 19th-century schooner in around 20 feet of water.
Photographers also favor the tugboat graveyard, home to a cluster of three vessels, including the 67-foot Alice G. In total, the area is home to two national marine parks and more than 20 wrecks.
Shutterstock/RLS PhotoRound gobies may be invasive to the Great Lakes, but they aren’t camera-shy.
Don’t Miss Book a boat dive to see Arabia, a wooden schooner well preserved thanks to its depth at 120 feet—where the water is too cold to encourage algae growth.
Creature Spotlight The round goby is controversial as it’s invasive to the Great Lakes. However, it is a photographer favorite because it’s undaunted by divers.
Gear Even in summer, a drysuit is best for those who want to witness the deeper wrecks. Aquasub Scuba Diving Center rents them, but only to divers certified to use them. Reservations are strongly recommended.
Special Certification/Requirements If you plan to dive dry, you need to be certified to do so. The PADI Dry Suit Diver specialty course teaches how to find neutral buoyancy while wearing this air-filled suit.
Insider Tip Don’t miss the butter tarts at Little Cove Bakery, a local favorite in Tobermory. They also make sandwiches—great to pack for a day of shore diving. Check out their fresh-made pizzas, offered Thursday through Saturday.
How to Book AquaSub Scuba Diving Center offers instruction, weekend boat charters, gear rental and air fills, including nitrox and trimix fills.
Contact aquasubscuba.com
Related Reading: Readers Pick: 3 Top Dive Destinations for 2026
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