PADI’s Picks for the 11 Best Beginner Scuba Diving Locations
If you’re eager to start scuba diving, you might be wondering: Where are the best places to try first?
PADI recommends the following destinations for new divers. To help start your scuba vacation planning, Mindfully American included each country’s air travel time from the United States.
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A Note on Distances
We used Google’s flight function to determine the approximate distances of PADI’s recommended beginner diving destinations from New York City and Los Angeles. Travel times could be longer or shorter depending on availability and layover length (or lack thereof) for your travel dates.
1: Bonaire
Kralendijk’s approximate distance from the US: 4 hours 45 minutes from New York City; 11 hours from Los Angeles.
Located just north of Venezuela, Bonaire is known as one of the best places to learn to scuba dive in the Caribbean. There’s plenty to explore, with more than 470 fish species swimming in the waters, stunning coral reefs, and even shipwrecks. The island’s dive sites are beginner-friendly since they’re protected from currents. You can choose to dive from a boat or stick to the shore.
2: The Maldives
Male Velana’s approximate distance from the US: 18.5 hours from New York City; 24 hours from Los Angeles.
Consisting of more than 1,100 small coral islands, The Maldives are a once-in-a-lifetime place to learn how to dive. Known for its soft white sand beaches and clear, tropical waters, there are few better places to explore the sea. As you swim below the surface, it’s easy to forget the hustle and bustle of the world above.
3: Belize
Belize City’s approximate distance from the US: 4 hours 45 minutes from New York City; 4 hours 40 minutes from Los Angeles.
Home to Blue Hole, one of the best-known dive sites in the world, Belize is one of the best places to get dive certified. It has over 400 islands and the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere. Belize’s clear, warm waters offer excellent conditions for new scuba divers, but plenty of sites also cater to seasoned folks. The cherry on top? Many dive sites in Belize have relatively few crowds.
4: Canary Islands
Gran Canaria’s approximate distance from the US: 11 hours 20 minutes from New York City; 15 hours 20 minutes from Los Angeles.
For travelers based in Europe, the warm, clear water of the Canary Islands is conveniently close to home. But of course, it’s open to travelers from all over the globe. Beginner divers can get their feet wet with high visibility and ideal water temperatures year-round. As you explore, your chances of finding intriguing wildlife like angel sharks and five different species of rays are high.
5: Mexico
Cancun’s approximate distance from the US: 4 hours 15 minutes from New York City; 4.5 hours from Los Angeles.
Mexico is an easy scuba diving destination choice for Americans wanting to learn how to dive due to its proximity to the US. You can experience the best of both worlds with two gorgeous coasts ready for exploration. The Caribbean boasts schools of colorful fish and lively activities on the beach. In contrast, the Pacific side offers the opportunity to view sea lions and vast kelp forests. You may even spot a great white shark.
6: Greece
Athens’ Approximate distance from the US: 9 hours 15 minutes from New York City; 15.5 hours from Los Angeles.
Greece may not be the first country to come to mind when you envision learning how to scuba dive, but it’s a good one to add to your list. It’s home to nearly 230 inhabited islands and a vast coastline with walls, wrecks, caverns, and reefs to swim through. You can even dive in and explore a 1930s shipwreck, one of the most iconic dives of the islands. For the extra daring and experienced, there are underwater caves to swim through.
7: Australia
Brisbane’s approximate distance from the US: 22 hours from New York City; 14.5 hours from Los Angeles.
Why not begin your scuba diving career at one of the most famous dive destinations on the planet? Home to the Great Barrier Reef, Australia offers an excellent learning environment for beginner divers, with several sites where you can learn new skills and see unique creatures. Notably, you’ll find turtles, triggerfish, dolphins, and more. You can even dive from the gorgeous Sydney shore before heading into the city for food, shopping, and fun.
8: Indonesia
Bali’s approximate distance from the US: 22 hours 40 minutes from New York City; 21.5 hours from Los Angeles.
Boasting approximately 17,500 islands, Indonesia is nothing short of a spectacular place to start diving. Bali caters to beginner divers who can comfortably try diving from the shore in the heart of the coral triangle. Mimic octopuses, pygmy seahorses, and ribbon eels are exotic animals you may see on your dive below the surface. Plus, once you’ve snagged your certification, you can try underwater photography and night diving.
9: Thailand
Phuket’s approximate distance from the US: 21 hours from New York City and Los Angeles.
Thailand’s laid-back vibes make it one of the top travel destinations in the world, and it’s also an ideal spot to learn how to dive. Known as the “Land of Smiles,” Thailand’s sheltered beaches and shallow reefs cater well to beginner divers. Some east coast areas are renowned for turtle and whale shark sightings. You can find hundreds of tropical flora and fauna in Phuket and Krabi.
10: Philippines
Manila’s approximate distance from the US: 19.5 hours from New York City; 18 hours 10 minutes from Los Angeles.
Regardless of skill level and the type of diving you want to get into, the Philippines has something for most people. Its diverse marine life and warm hospitality make it a wonderful place to begin your diving journey. The country’s approximately 7,640 islands offer many experiences, species, and breathtaking underwater landscapes. Its clear water is ideal for underwater photography.
11: Costa Rica
Liberia’s approximate distance from the US: 5.5 hours from New York City and Los Angeles.
Like Mexico, Costa Rica offers two unique coastal diving experiences that beginner divers can enjoy. Some scuba divers regard Costa Rica as one of the best locations in the world for the activity. Sharks, manta rays, barracudas, and more can’t get enough of Costa Rica’s vibrant coral reefs and underwater volcanic formations. Its warm waters make diving comfortable year-round, and you can explore its lush coastal rainforests in your downtime on land.
Learning from the Best
Now that you know the top diving destinations, deciding whether you want to learn the basics abroad or at a local dive shop may be tough. PADI says it’s up to personal preference. Completing the course at home may be your best bet if you enjoy learning in a familiar environment. Otherwise, dive in and learn a new skill abroad.
Gear Up
There’s no need to equip yourself with every piece of scuba diving gear before you learn. Most PADI-certified dive shops offer well-maintained equipment to get your feet wet and help you learn the basics.
Practice Makes Perfect
While learning how to scuba dive may seem daunting, it’s a worthwhile experience to expand your horizons. It’s natural to have many questions as a beginner, from using new equipment to breathing underwater. PADI assures that you can train to become a diver at your own pace. While it can be challenging, you’ll have incredible support from your instructors and peers.
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