Revealed: the World's Top 100 Dive Sites
28 August 2026
Compiled from 1115 votes, here is the definitive list of the best dive sites on the planet. How many of them have you dived?
The list is overwhelmingly dominated by warm water dives, with the only cold water representatives coming from the Galapagos, Iceland and a Scottish wreck.
Find a liveaboard deal to some of the top dive sites
Vote for your favourite dive sites in the world below.
Want to narrow the list down? See the Best Wreck Diving in the World list, the Top Dives in Europe, Best Dives in the Caribbean or the top 10 shore dives.
1. Barracuda Point, Sipadan Island, Malaysia
Wall of coral where sharks come cruising by and barracuda surround you. You are guaranteed to see big stuff here and lots of it. Occasional strong currents blast over an underwater prairie that's home to white tips, turtles, grouper, jacks, bumphead parrotfish and of course the barracuda that give it its name.
Barracuda. Photo: Andrew Reay-Robinson
Read more about diving Barracuda Point
2. Blue Corner Wall, Palau, Micronesia
An upwelling means this splendid wall dive is favoured by pelagics. Expect to see sharks, barracuda, eagle rays, Napoleon wrasse, snappers, jacks...if you can tear your eyes away from the fish the wall hosts thick coral with morays, nudibranchs and mantis shrimps being just a few of the attractions. Compare prices of a Palau trip
Eagle Rays. Photo: Daniel Lamborn/DepositPhotos
Read more about diving Blue Corner Wall
3. The Yongala, Australia
The Yongala is a shipwreck off the coast of Queensland. Full of marine life you may see manta rays, sea snakes, octopuses, turtles, bull sharks, tiger sharks, clouds of fish and spectacular coral.
The Yongala sank during a cyclone in 1911 killing 122 people, a racehorse called Moonshine and a red Lincolnshire bull. She had no telegraph facilities and so could not be warned of the weather ahead. In 1981 the Yongala was given official protection under the Historic Shipwrecks Act. The ship is 90 km southeast of Townsville, 10 km away form Cape Bowling Green. 109 meters long, the bow points north and the ship lists to starboard. Check the prices to dive the Yongala.
Grouper on the Yongala. Photo: Tim Nicholson
Read more about the Yongala
4. Thistlegorm, Egyptian Red Sea
A large wreck which needs several dives to do it justice. A British vessel, the Thistlegorm (Blue Thistle) was attacked from the air and sunk in 1941 whilst carrying a cargo of war supplies: rifles, motor bikes, train carriages, trucks. Currents can be strong, and in different directions at the surface and at the wreck. Compare prices of Thistlegorm trips.
Motorbikes inside the Thistlegorm. Photo: Tim Nicholson
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5. Shark and Yolanda Reef, Egyptian Red Sea
Three dives in one: anemone city, shark reef with its spectacular drop off and the wreck of the Yolanda. Currents make this good for drift dives and for pelagic fish. A popular dive starts at Anemone City before drifting to Shark Reef and its drop off. Finish up on the wreck of the Yolanda with its cargo of toilets. Find a price for liveaboard visiting Shark and Yolanda reefs.
Anthias, soft corals and fire coral. Photo: Garry Frazer.
Read more about Shark and Yolanda Reef
6. Manta Ray Night Dive, Kailua Kona, Hawaii
Underwater lights placed on the ocean floor attract infinite amounts of plankton, which in turn attract the huge, yet beautiful manta rays of Kona Hawaii. The rays get so close to you, that you often have to move to avoid them accidentally hitting you. An amazingly wonderful and unforgettable time with one of the most beautiful animals in the world.
Manta ray night dive. Photo: Daisuke Kurashima/Depositphotos
Read more about diving Hawaii and the Manta Ray Night Dive
7. Great Blue Hole, Belize
Very deep, wide, hole outlined by coral reef and inhabited by sharks. Is there another sight like it? 30 m visibility coming over the bathwater warm reef of vibrant colors, descending into a cool, deep blue hole where the water begins to waver and shimmer as you enter the transition from salt to fresh water at about 15 m. Watching the enormous tuna and other pelagics dive into the hole to clean themselves as you briefly remove your octopus to taste the fresh water. Then descending another 25 m to explore the stalagtites and stalagmites of ancient caverns. Compare prices of Belize diving trips.
The Blue Hole, Belize. Photo: U.S. Geological Survey
Read more about diving Belize and the Blue Hole
8. USAT Liberty, Bali, Indonesia
This wreck is very popular with photographers as it is totally encrusted in anemone, gorgonians and corals. Look for the hawksbill turtle which practically lives on the Liberty and interesting small stuff like the beautiful purple Scorpion Leaf Fish and Ornate Ghost Pipefish. Larger fish you might see there include Great Barracuda and Flapnose Ray. The wreck is quite broken up but you can go in the cargo hold. You dive it not so much for the experience of wreck diving but for the fabulous sealife. Usually dived from the shore, the Liberty is also on some liveaboard itinaries.
USAT Liberty. Photo: Shahar Shabtai/Shutterstock
Read more about diving Bali and the USAT Liberty
9. Navy Pier, Western Australia
Extending 300 m from shore, the T-shaped structure is 300 m wide, including two outlying "dolphins" (platforms for larger ships to tie up to). Although a very defined and somewhat compact site, you could spend 5 days diving there and not be bored, particularly at night. On any dive there are lots of nudibranchs and flatworms, eels, wobbegong and whitetip sharks, octopuses, lion and scorpion fish, stargazers, and the usual smaller finned friends. Sometimes you'll come across absolutely huge rays dozing in the sand.
Whitetip Reef Shark, Australia. Photo: Tim Nicholson
Read more about diving Australia and Navy Pier
10. Richelieu Rock, Thailand
A horse shoe of rocky pinnacles, just breaks the surface at low tide. Famous for whale shark sightings, but also great for big schools of pelagic fish such as jacks, barracuda and batfish. Mantas are also seen, and it is a superb spot for Macro photography with such creatures as ghost pipefish, harlequin shrimp, frogfish and seahorses. Currents can be strong. Needs several dives to see the whole area. Best dived from December to April. How much to dive Richelieu Rock?
Harlequin shrimp at Richelieu Rock. Photo: Zeamonkey/Depositphotos
Read more about Richelieu Rock
- Darwin Island, Galapagos
A plethora of sharks, rays, turtles and other large, pelagic, species. - Elphinstone Reef, Egyptian Red Sea
One of the few places that you can see Oceanic Whitetip sharks in shallow water - Tubbataha, Palawan, Philippines
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Tubbataha Reef Marine Park comprises pristine coral reef with perpendicular walls, extensive lagoons and two coral atolls. - President Coolidge, Vanuatu
Huge wreck lying between 17 and 70 m - Big Brother, Egyptian Red Sea
Often surrounded by wild currents, the scenery makes for some wonderful dives. Add to this the high likelihood of seeing sharks, and you're guaranteed fantastic experiences. - Tiputa Pass, Rangiroa, Polynesia
Famous for its sharks, manta rays, turtles and dolphins. - Ras Mohammed, Egyptian Red Sea
A protected area famous for its stunning coral walls and gardens. It is made up of many interconnected reefs, including the famous Shark & Yolanda Reef. - Great white wall, Tavieuni Fiji
Prepare to be awestruck by a steep wall that descends endlessly to the bottom, completely smothered in lush white soft coral. - Gordon's Rock, Galapagos
Schooling hammerheads, blacktip and white tip reef sharks, turtles, devil ray schools, huge fish, sea lions what more could you want?" - Osprey Reef, Coral Sea, Australia
Rises vertically from 2400 m to just below the sea surface. The only known spawning aggregation of black marlin in the Pacific Ocean occurs at Osprey Reef. - Bloody bay wall, Little cayman
Stunning underwater wall drops over 1000 m. Covered in colour from soft corals, sea fans and sponges - Aliwal Shoal, South Africa
In a Marine Protected Area which safeguards the sharks, whales and reef. - Ulong Channel, Palau
Huge lettuce coral garden crawls with fishes, schools of jacks and white tip reef sharks are everywhere - Sodwana bay, South Africa
Masses of fish with many resident and visiting species, including dolphins, sailfish (marlin), whale sharks, humpback whales, manta rays and ragged tooth sharks - Castle Rock - Komodo, Indonesia
Wow, a fantastic dive with huge numbers of sharks and giant shoals of fish - Manta reef, Mozambique
Cleaner fish station where mantas line up to be attended. - Sha'ab Rumi South, Sudan
Grey reef sharks, hammerheads, silvertips, silky sharks, mantas plus and the coral and fish life is extraordinary with schools of barracuda and trevally. - Maaya Thila, South Ari Atoll, Maldives
A protected marine reserve. where you are almost guaranteed to see sharks - grey reef sharks and whitetip reef sharks. - Blue Hole, Dahab, Egyptian Red Sea
150 m in diameter, drops to 110 m. - Verde Island or Drop Off, Philippines
A haven of nudibranchs, frog fish and scorpion fish. - Poor Knights, New Zealand
Just as many fish as any tropical site in the world but they are all 10 times the size. Tropical and temperate currents combine to create one a unique site. - Blue Magic, Raja Ampat, Papua, Indonesia
"Blue magic definitely the best dive site in the best diving area of the world" - Bikini atoll, Marshall Islands
Jaw dropping coral in Arno, eery WWII wreck dives in Bikini Wotje, massive eagle rays in Rongelap, turtles and sharks in Ailinglaplap, - Palancanar Bricks, Cozumel, Mexico
Ideal first wall dive for beginners. Also excellent for advanced divers with swim-throughs. - South Point, Sipadan, Malaysia
"I counted 11 white tip reef sharks resting on the bottom, was passed by a six foot tiger shark going the other way, one Napolean wrasse, too many turtles to count and an octopus in the shallows at the end of the dive." - Jackson Reef, Egypt
Famous for its dramatic drop-offs, pristine coral gardens and the striking Lara shipwreck - Wolf Island, Galapogos
Hundreds of schooling/migrating hammerheads, schools of juvenile barracuda, dozens of turtles, sea lions, dolphins. A magical place - San Francisco Maru, Chuuk Lagoon
Magnificent wreck with cargo of Zero fighter planes in one of her holds and heaps of artifacts. - Magic Mountain, Raja Ampat
A seamount with 2 manta cleaning stations, strong currents, lots of sharks, wobeggongs, octopus, walking shark, frog fish. - Bunaken, Indonesia
Just perfect for relaxed drift diving with the best macro life around - Sipadan Drop Off, Malaysia
Absolutely beautiful wall of healthy corals teeming with life - Apo Reef, Philippines
Hard corals swarming with anthias, fusiliers, surgeonfish plus manta rays and bumphead parrotfish - Daedelus, Egyptian Red Sea
Hammerhead sharks cruise at the north end plus manta rays, tuna, titan trigger fish, white tip reef sharks, barracuda, napoleon wrasse, and, if you look away from the fish, nudibranchs. - Cod Hole, Northern Great Barrier Reef
Home of the enormouse potato cod - Dos Ojos (Los Cenotes), Playa del Carmen, Mexico
"One of the most amazing dives I have ever done was in the Mayan Riviera near Tulum" - Straits of Tiran, Egyptian Red Sea
Coral walls, strong currents and incredible marine life, comprises Jackson Reef, Woodhouse Reef, Thomas Reef and Gordon Reef. - Batu Bolong, Komodo, Indonesia
A very small island with strong currents bringing massive shoals of fish - a splendid dive. - Puerto Galera, Philippines
A haven of nudibranchs, frog fish and seahorses, with the chance to also see sharks and giant groupers - Mnemba Island, Tanzania
a tiny A tiny private island off the north coast of Zanzibar - Punta Sur / Devils Throat, Cozumel, Mexico
0m dive through coral caverns and a winding complex structure of the dive. Breaks through to an amazing wall dive coasting upwards through the amazing clear waters with lots of green turtles - Scotts head pinnacle, Dominica
Pinnacle with swim throughs, fantastic corals, clouds of fish, breathtaking scenery - Fish Rock, Off South West Rocks in NSW, Australia
125 m long cave with air chimneys and many grey nurse sharks. - The Boiler, Revillagigedo Islands, Mexico
Fantastic diving with Giant Pacific Mantas (not reef mantas), dolphins, shoals of jacks, white tips, moray els, octopus packed in a small area. - Garuae Pass, Fakarava Island, French Polynesia
Lots of large schools of big fish; large pelagic animals (tuna, shark, mantas), many very friendly white tips at the bottom. - Cannibal Rock, Komodo, Indonesia
A seamount in the south of Komodo national park, known for its diverse invertebrate life. - The Zenobia, Cyprus
Enormous wreck dive from 15 to 42 m. - Wakatobi, Southeast Sulawesi
A national park, fishing is restricted and the reefs protected. - Sangalaki Island, East Kalimantan, Borneo. Indonesia
Diving with mantas - the area around the island is relatively shallow, with wide sandy flats, coral bommies and many manta rays. - East of Eden, Ko Similan, Thailand
Pre-eminent coral formations. Lots of small fish: rabbitfish, clownfish, lionfish, garden eels, boxfish and others. Excellent visibility. - Alcyone, Cocos Island, Costa Rica
Famous for the hammerhead sharks - Grand Central Station, Gizo, Solomon Islands
Loads of fish, sharks, tuna, everything all at once - can't see the surface of the water for the fish. - Molokini Crater Wall, Hawaii
Magnificent wall dive with unlimited visibility open to the Pacific. - Malpelo Island, Colombia
Awe-inspiring schools of hammmerhead sharks reaching up to 300 hundred individuals. Clusters of free swimming moray eels and the enormous congregations of silky sharks who often mix with hammerheads to form colossal shark shoals. - Fujikawa Maru, Truk Lagoon (Chuuk Lagoon)
Magnificent wreck with cargo of Zero fighter planes in one of her holds and heaps of artifacts. - Silfra, Thingvellir, Iceland
Unique diving in the freshwater fault between the American and the European continental shelves. Incredible under water caves. - Blockship Tabarka, Scapa Flow, Orkney
Covered inside with marine life, anemones, lobsters, starfish, urchins and wrasse. Easy penetration dive, hull very open with many access and entry points, light streams in." - Dirty rock, Cocos Island, Costa Rica
Massive wall of hammerheads every time. Marble and eagle rays. Friendly whale sharks who enjoy the diver's bubbles for extended periods. - Neptune's Arm, Vamizi Island, Mozambique
Towering underwater pinnacles that stretch for hundreds of feet to the sea floor, a large and thriving population of grey reef sharks, coral as vibrant and rich as the Great Barrier Reef used to be. - Hin Muang, Thailand
Large underwater pinnacles heading southwest with huge shoals of fish, beautiful anemone carpets, soft corals and gorgonions. Sharks, tuna, enormous barracuda often visit and the deepest drop-off in Thailand is here. - Half Moon Wall, Belize
Full of life, Half Moon Wall is punctuated by tunnels between the gorgeous colourful sponges and sea fans. Unbelievable visibility and you might see eagle rays, reef sharks and turtles. - Perpendicular wall, Christmas Island, Australia
Sheer cliff with reef sharks, enormous grouper, hard and soft corals and masses of fish. - USS Saratoga, Bikini Atoll, Marshall Isles
Amazing aircraft carrier on Bikini Atoll, with huge amounts of historical history with lots to explore - St Johns, Egyptian Red Sea
St John's has fabulous diving. Stunning coral plus large shoals of fish, turtles, dolphins and sharks. - Cirkewwa, Malta
Wrecks, arches and swim-throughs - see dolphins, barracuda, morays and octopus. - Little Brother, Egyptian Red Sea
A beautiful dive with an excess of black coral, soft corals and sea fans. - Roca Partida, Revillagigedo Islands, Baja California, Mexico
Oceanic dives on pinacles that drop to 50 m. Dolphins, huge schools of hammerheads, tuna, wahoo, playful giant manta rays, whale sharks, even humpbacks - Stingray City, Grand Cayman
Shallow sandbars, home of the stingrays. - Pixie pinnacle and pixie wall, GBR, Australia
A lovely small pinnacle not too deep with lots of coral and fish. - Ghiannis D, Egypt
A beautiful wreck, teeming with life. - Peleliu Express, Palau
Strong currents attract many sharks and other pelagics. The reef is a vertical wall running from a plateau at 8 m to around 40 m. - Protea Banks, South Africa
Always see the big stuff - sharks (many types), mantas, dolphins, turtles and the viz is fantastic. - Landslide, Wolf Island, Galapagos
Migrating hammerheads by the hundreds, turtles, sea lions, black tip, white tip, silky and Galapagos sharks. - Dos Amigos Pequeña (Small Dos Amigos), Cocos Islands, Costa Rica
Sloping reef with hammerhead feeding stations. Aside from hammerheads, Galapagos and silky sharks and a resident population of very friends dolphins. Not to mention the passing whale shark - Rainbow Reef, Taveuni, Fiji
Covered with soft corals and just like swimming in fish soup. Barracudas, trevallys, turtles, garden eels, scorpionfish, puffers. - Balls Pyramid, Lord Howe Island, Australia
600km off the mainland this site is totally unspoiled wilderness. - 7 Mile Reef Sodwana Bay
Nudibranchs, tons of reef fish, turtles, rays, mantas, whale sharks. - Los Roques, Venezuela
150 km north of the coast of Venezuela, 42 small barren islands and 200 keys and banks of sand - Canyon, Thomas Reef, Egypt
Starts at 35 meters and plunges to depths well over 90 meters, with 3 arches. - Julian Rocks, Byron Bay, Australia
Wobbegong sharks, several zebra sharks and mantas in summer or sandtiger sharks in winter, green and huge loggerhead sea turtles, schooling eagle rays, barracudas, trevallies, jewfishes, huge groupers and marbled rays. - Holmes Reef, Coral Sea, Australia
Amazing caves, 1000 Metre walls, pinnacles, and incredible night diving. - Jardines de la Reina, Cuba
Rumoured to have the healthiest, biggest and most colourful fish in the Caribbean. - Shark Alley, Grand Cayman
Nurse sharks and caribbean reef sharks. - Pedras Secas, Noronha, Brazil
Stadium-like rock formation, 16m max depth and 30m average visibility, with abundant marine life, from reef and nurse sharks to small multicoloured reef fish. - Split rock, Kadavu Isle. Fiji
Loads of life hovering around these massive limestone rocks, great diving with swim throughs, tunnels and caves. - Barra Reef, Mozambique
Spectacular coral and varied dive with many arches and tunnels and caves -whale sharks, Manatees regularly, different rays. - Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles
Pristine coral reefs, mantas, octopus and tritons. Outstandingly clear water. - Paradise point, Milne Bay PNG
Steep drop offs and clear water - Cathédrale, Hienghène, New Caledonia
A series of walls, tunnels, canyons for an incredible atmosphere and an underwater photographer paradise. - Hilma Hooker, Bonaire
Large wreck with sponges, pristine coral, terrific sea fans and loads of fish. A dive with something for everyone. - Manta Ray Night Dive, Fesdhoo Lagoon, North Ari Atoll, Maldives
At night the boats moor up and shine lights into the water to attract first the plankton and then the manta rays.
Compiled from divers' votes by Jill Studholme
Want to know more? Discover the best 100 dive sites, best wreck dives, top dives in Europe and the best places to dive in February.
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Compiled from votes by 696 divers.
How are the votes counted?
The first criteria is number of votes (weighted to favour the first choice dive site above the second). Where two dives tie for a position, priority is given to those with the most enticing descriptions and those whose area has several votes for different dives.
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