Avoid The Chill: 5 Hot Places To Dive This Winter

If you live in one of the many places on the planet where winter is thing, we feel you. Us, too.

So, what can we do other than take a deep breath in, find the coat and gloves we put away in the spring, and brace for months of shovelling cars out from under the snow? We can plan a dive vacation!

Winter is one of the best times to go on a scuba-cation. Here are 5 of our top picks for this winter:

1. Maldives:

The Maldives is known for its incredible underwater world, white sandy beaches, and beautiful hotels. Scuba enthusiasts around the globe love this destination!

Wondering what the diving is like? The Maldives are known for big fish and gorgeous coral reefs. This is also a great place for drift diving – you can see amazing hammerheads and tiger sharks.

Winter is the best time to go to this paradise dive destination, with the best visibility and plankton-rich currents.

2. Mozambique:

Mozambique is a water-lover’s paradise. Both the snorkeling and the scuba diving are top rate.

You’ll find tons of great dive sites, crystal waters, and the largest Marine Protected Area on the African continent in this winter escape. From coral reefs teeming with life to mangrove forests and an incredible diversity of sea creatures, there’s a lot to take in along the more than 2000 kilometres/1250 miles of coastline.

Picking a favourite area in this rich environment is tough, but Whale Shark Alley off Praia do Tofo, Inhambane, is a serious contender. This plankton-rich, current-fed corridor attracts whale sharks all year round, so you’re pretty much guaranteed to see them there. That’s definitely one to mark in your travel binder!

Note that Mozambique can be a little more challenging than some other destinations because of strong currents. But the conditions are perfect conditions for drift diving!

3. Bonaire

Bonaire is one of the top diving destinations in the Western hemisphere and is a perfect getaway during the cold winter months. It also offers beautiful landscapes and wildlife areas.Known as the shore diving capital of the world, Bonaire offers some of the world’s best diving, 24/7 diving.

While Bonaire draws in lots of advanced and technical divers, most of its 90+ dive sites are easily accessible even for new divers. Beloved Bonaire dive sites include Hilma Hooker, Bonaire Marine Park, Windsock Seep, and Pink Beach.

While there’s lots to love about diving Bonaire, one of the things we love most is its long-standing track record for environmental conservation and protection. Need more reasons love Bonaire?  Find them here.

4. Micronesia

Looking to escape winter and head to a real tropical paradise? Look no further than Micronesia – an incredible destination that features everything that divers love! With its tiny uninhabited islands, vibrant culture, pristine reefs, temperate waters, great visibility, and amazing variety of marine life, Micronesia is a treasure trove for divers.

A favourite dive site in Micronesia is Chuck Lagoon– possibly the best wreck diving site in the entire world! Here you’ll find a rich World War 2 history to explore, with 200 air crafts and 60 ships beneath the waves. Another favourite, Palauis perfect for the tropical diver. There’s shark diving, wreck diving, and incredible coral reefs. The diverse sea life ranges from manta rays all the way to reef sharks.

5. Red Sea, Egypt

Egypt’s Red Sea has long been one of the world’s top scuba diving destinations. And why not? It’s got warm, clean water, tons of marine life, and lots to see and do! Egypt’s most famous dive spots include Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada and Marsa Alam. The water may not be as warm as the Maldives, but the cooler streams makes winter the perfect time to spot oceanic whitetips and hammerheads