As soon as I got my PADI Open Water Diver certification, I booked some diving trips ASAP. So here’s where to go for the best scuba diving in the world for beginners.

The Ultimate Diving Travel Guide

This post includes dive shops in every region of the world that cater to new divers. On a diving trip, I always prefer to stay at a hotel with a dive resort on-site or within walking distance. So I’ve also included dive resorts for every destination.

Here’s where to go for the best scuba diving in the world for beginners!

Africa

Egypt – Sharm el Sheikh. Dive Center: Pyramids Diving Center, Dive Resorts: Reef Oasis Blue Bay Resort, Reef Oasis Beach Resort, Cataract Layalina Resort.

Mozambique – Inhambane & Tofo. Dive Center: Liquid Dive Adventures, Dive Resorts: Liquid Dive Adventures, Casa Babi.

Tanzania – Zanzibar. Dive Center: Scubafish Dive Center Ltd, Dive Resorts: Paje Beach Apartments & Hotel, Sunshine Marine Lodge.

Asia

Indonesia – Raja Ampat, Komodo, Gili Islands, Bali. Dive Centers: Meridian Adventure Dive, Dive Komodo, Oceans 5, Bali Dive Resort And Spa, Dive Resorts: Meridian Adventure Marina Club & Resort, Dragon Dive Komodo Hotel, Lutwala Dive and Bungalows, The Griya Villas and Spa.

Maldives – Raa Atoll, Baa Atoll, North Malé Atoll. Dive Centers: TGI Fasmendoo, Dive Butler Amilla, TGI Sangeli, Dive Resorts: Aveyla Manta Village, Amilla Maldives Resort and Residences, Dhawa Ihuru.

Philippines – Malapascua, El Nido. Dive Centers: Evolution, Tabanka Scuba Diving Inc, Dive Resorts: El Galleon Beach Resort, Blanco Beach Resort, Malapascua Exotic Island Dive and Beach Resort.

Thailand – Koh Tao, Khao Lak. Dive Centers: Coral Grand Divers, Sea Dragon Dive Center, Dive Resorts: Loma Resort, Coral View Resort.

Caribbean

Bahamas – Grand Bahama, Nassau. Dive Centers: Reef Oasis Viva Bahamas, Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas, Dive Resorts: Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach Resort, Taino Beach Resort & Clubs, Sandyport Beach Resort.

Bonaire – Dive Centers: Dive Friends Bonaire @ Delfins, Toucan Diving, Great Adventures Bonaire, Dive Resorts: Delfins Beach Resort, Van der Valk Plaza Beach & Dive Resort Bonaire, Harbour Village Beach Club Bonaire.

Cayman Islands – Grand Cayman. Dive Center: Sunset House, Dive Resort: Sunset House.

Curaçao – Dive Centers: Coral Divers, Fundiving Curacao, Dive Center Scuba Do, Dive Resorts: Coral Estate Luxury Resort, Papagayo Beach Resort, Chogogo Dive & Beach Resort Bonaire.

Dominican Republic – Dive Centers: Reef Oasis Viva Dominican, Pro Dive International Ocean Blue & Sand, Scubacaribe Bayahibe DR, Dive Resorts: Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach Resort, Ocean Blue & Sand Beach Resort, Dreams Dominicus La Romana.

St. Lucia – Dive Centers: Anse Chastanet Scuba St Lucia, Scuba Steve’s Diving Ltd., Dive Resorts: Anse Chastanet Resort, Harmony Marina Suites.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – Dive Center: Petit St. Vincent Dive Center, Diver Resort: Petit St. Vincent.

Turks and Caicos – Dive Center: Dive Provo, Dive Resorts: Ocean Club Resort, Royal West Indies Resort.

Central America

Belize – Ambergris Caye, Placencia, Hopkins. Dive Centers: Ramon’s Village Resort, Isla Marisol Resort, Belize Underwater – Hopkins, Dive Resorts: Ramon’s Village Resort, Isla Marisol Resort, Thatch Caye – a Muy’Ono Resort.

Costa Rica – Playas del Coco. Dive Centers: Rocket Frog Divers, Rich Coast Diving Co., Dive Resorts: Bahia del Sol Beach Front Boutique Hotel, Margaritaville Beach Resort Playa Flamingo, La Puerta del Sol.

Honduras – Roatán. Dive centers: Duna Divers, Paradise Beach Divers, Dive Resorts: Ibagari Boutique Hotel, Paradise Beach Hotel.

Europe

Greece – Kéa, Zante, Crete. Dive Centers: Keadivers, Lefkas Diving Center, Dive2gether, Dive Resorts: Porto Kea Suites, Thomais Boutique Hotel, Porto Plakias.

Italy – Sardinia, Naples. Dive Centers: Diving Center Costa Paradiso, Centro Sub Campi Flegrei Srl, Dive Resorts: Hotel Costa Paradiso, La Tripergola.

Malta – Gozo, Cirkewwa. Dive Centers: Atlantis Gozo Diving Centre, Paradise Diving School, Dive Resorts: Atlantis Lodge, Paradise Bay Resort.

Spain – Tenerife, Gran Canaria. Dive Centers: Ola Diving Center, Nautico Dive Academy, Dive Resorts: Apartamentos Oro Blanco, Mirador Maspalomas by Dunas.

Mexico

Cozumel – Diver Centers: Scuba Du S.A. de C.V., Pro Dive International Occidental Cozumel, Dive Resorts: InterContinental Presidente Cozumel Resort Spa, Occidental Cozumel.

La Paz – Diver Center: The Cortez Club, Dive Resorts: Costa Baja Resort & Spa, La Concha Beach Resort.

Playa del Carmen – Dive Centers: The Reef Marina, Pro Dive International Occidental Xcaret, Dive Resorts: The Reef 28, The Reef Coco Beach & Spa, Occidental at Xcaret Destination.

Oceania

Australia – Lady Elliot Island, South West Rocks. Dive Centers: Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort, Dive Lord Howe, Dive Resorts: Lady Elliott Island Eco Resort, Earl’s Anchorage – Lord Howe Island.

Fiji – Mamanuca Islands, Yasawa Islands. Diver Centers: Deep Blue, Octopus Resort, Paradise Cove Resort, Dive Resorts: Matamanoa Island Resort, Octopus Resort, Paradise Cove Resort.

South America

Brazil – Armação dos Búzios, Dive Center: P&P Mergulho, Dive Resorts: Pousada Abracadabra, Casas Brancas Boutique Hotel & Spa.

Chile – Quintay, Dive Center: Buddha Divers, Dive Resorts: Costanera240, Tunquén Mágico.

Columbia – San Andres and Providencia Islands, Taganga. Dive Centers: San Andres Divers, Oceano Scuba, Dive Resorts: Aquamare Hotel, Estelar Santamar Hotel.

Ecuador – Santa Cruz, Bajo Montanita, Dive Centers: Scuba Iguana, Native Diving Ecuador, Dive Resorts: Blu Galapagos Sustainable Waterfront Lodge, Acacia Galapagos Boutique Hotel.

Peru – Punta Sal Beach, Dive Center: Chelonia Dive Center, Dive Resort: Royal Decameron Punta Sal.

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