The holiday season is now over, and with a few days left, we decided to draft our dream scuba diving calendar for the whole year. Scuba diving is a great activity because there are so many places around the world where we can dive and explore the underwater world. With 70% of our planet covered in water, we have a lot of options to choose from! So, let's get started and plan our perfect scuba diving calendar, both at home and away.
January
Home: This winter on the UK has been quite stormy and warm, so coastal charter dive boats do not run. However, quite a few people enjoy scuba diving in the winter, and there are some great places to do it, like the Vobster Dive Centre. Even if it's rainy outside, you can still have fun and practice your skills with your friends in one of the inland dive centres but make sure you have a good drysuit to enjoy scuba diving in the UK.
Away: If you're looking for a great place to visit in January, we highly recommend Mexico. The East Coast offers amazing diving opportunities, including breath taking underwater caves in Yucatan. It's truly a unique and unforgettable experience! If you're planning a trip to the ocean, it's good to know when to go if you want to see some interesting marine life. From November to May, you can spot bull sharks swimming around. Manta rays are around all year, and from January to March, you can see whale sharks and lots of humpback whales. During this time, you might find the water a bit murky because of all the plankton blooms, but it's worth it because you'll see more of the big fish.
If you're willing to spend a bit more, consider taking a trip on one of the liveaboards that offer diving experiences on the western coast (Pacific Coast), specifically in places like the Socorro Islands. During January and February, you're highly likely to see and dive with incredible manta rays. It's an unforgettable experience!
February
Some of us at Mike's Dive Store make a sneaky trip to the Red Sea. March in the Red Sea can be generally windy, but February is a great time to explore the reefs and wrecks around Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada, and Marsa Alam. The air temperature is still toasty (in comparison with Britain) at 20°C, and the water temperature is above 20°C, which may require a 5mm or 7mm wetsuit. However, in return, you can get great value flights and accommodations in places such as Camel Dive Club and Hotel. Many companies that offer diving trips are currently offering discounts. If you're lucky, you might be able to find a great deal for a week-long diving trip to explore the northern wrecks and reefs for around £1,000.
Are you looking for an unforgettable adventure? Discover the thrill of ice diving! With winter in full swing and the frozen quarries and lakes of central and northern Europe waiting to be explored, why not take the plunge? This unique experience is only available for those already experienced divers, but why not put it on your scuba diving calendar this year? Make sure you have the right cold water diving equipment!
March
Maldives is still enjoying peak season in March, and liveaboard is the way to go. Itineraries as the Best of Maldives almost guarantee serious shark action. Deep South Itineraries may be the adventure of a lifetime for more experienced divers with around 100 logged dives and advanced certificates. Fuvahmulah seems like a great place to spot tiger sharks, oceanic manta, and thresher sharks. The island's incredible visibility must make for an unforgettable diving experience. Huvadhu Atoll is a great place to observe whale sharks at night, silver tips, grey reef sharks, and more. And speaking of manta rays, Addu Atoll seems like a must-visit destination with its majestic manta cleaning stations. Diving into the WWII wreck of HMS British Loyalty would be cool. These are the dive sites we woudl love to do in March.
If you enjoy long-distance travel, you might want to consider visiting Malapasca Island in the Philippines in March. It's a great tropical destination for scuba diving, and one of the highlights of scuba diving around the island are Thresher sharks, which are considered to be one of the most mystical creatures in the oceans! Malapascua is a diver's paradise with a diverse and vibrant marine ecosystem. The island's dive sites offer an opportunity to witness an array of fascinating marine creatures, in addition to Pelagic Thresher sharks. You can spot Whitetip sharks, exotic species of seahorses and pipefish (including the ghost pipefish and pygmy seahorses), squid, porcelain anemone crabs, cuttlefish, schools of tropical fish, and over 100 species of nudibranchs. The underwater world of Malapascua is a treasure trove for nature lovers and scuba diving enthusiasts alike.
April
Home: When the first warm days arrive after a long and rainy UK winter, I love to switch from inland diving to diving in the coastal waters. In March or April, I head to Dorset or Devon, both beautiful places on the coast of England, which offer some fantastic diving options for beginners and advanced divers. For beginners, shore dives can be easily reached, such as Chesil Beach or Lulworth Cove. On the other hand, advanced divers can enjoy exploring the amazing wrecks including World War One and Two vessels. Trips are run by local charter dive boat operators from Swanage, Weymouth, Portland or Plymouth. You can expect some incredible wrecks in visibility ranging from 5 to 15 meters.
Away: Palau is a remote island in Micronesia that is well-known for its exceptional diving opportunities. Whether you're looking to explore colourful walls, spot sharks and mantas, or discover WW2 wreck dives, Palau has something for everyone. It's considered one of the world's best dive spots due to its abundant marine life and stunning underwater landscapes. And if you're still craving more shark and wreck action, you can combine your Palau itinerary with the ultimate wreck diving destination of Chuuk Lagoon.
May
Home: May is an ideal time on your scuba diving calendar to plan a visit to Lundy Islands, a small granite outcrop situated three miles long and half a mile wide off the coast of North Devon. It is considered one of the world's finest diving spots with seals. Lundy Islands is still untouched, blemish-free, and is located where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Bristol Channel, with no other landmass between it and America. This little British gem is the natural habitat for countless Atlantic Grey seals, who are pretty comfortable in the presence of divers.
Away: If you're an experienced diving enthusiast, add the Galapagos Islands to your bucket list. These islands are known for being one of the best diving destinations in the world. You can dive here between January and May for some thrilling experiences with various marine creatures such as hammerhead sharks, reef sharks, manta rays, sea lions, and reptiles. If you're lucky enough to visit in May, you might see giant pregnant female whale sharks passing through the waters. It's an awe-inspiring experience that you'll never forget! This is as remote diving as it gets so check out our safety scuba diving equipment.
June
Home: I am thinking about visiting the Scilly Isles. It's often referred to as the British version of the Caribbean, and for good reason. The crystal clear waters surrounding these islands offer some of the most picturesque diving spots in the UK, with a range of historic and modern shipwrecks to explore. The Scilly Isles, located 28 miles off Cornwall's coast, offer a diverse and rewarding diving experience with a rich maritime history and vibrant marine life. In addition to the famous shipwrecks, the Scilly Isles also offer stunning drop-offs, pinnacles, and gullies that showcase some of the most fantastic wildlife and fauna in the UK.
Away: The 'Sardine Run' is a fascinating event where you can witness a huge number of sardines moving through the Indian Ocean near KwaZulu Natal. This migration attracts many marine predators and sea birds, making it an unforgettable experience. If you love exploring the underwater world, diving at Aliwal Shoal for a week would be a great way to do it. And after that, you can go inland to look for large land predators. It's a must-see experience that you should add to your bucket list!
July
Home: Malin Head, located in County Donegal, always feels like home. But beneath the surface lies one of the most fantastic wreck diving sites in the world. Malin Head is known for its remarkable visibility and the presence of deep, historically significant, super-sized shipwrecks. It's the perfect place for exploring immense ocean liners, 116 U-boats, and American Sherman tanks. Among the wrecks are HMS Audacious and RMS Justicia.
Away: Surely one of the most thrilling experiences on a scuba diving enthusiast's calendar is the chance to swim with humpback whales. French Polynesia is one of the best locations to do this, with the bonus of incredible scuba diving opportunities around Tahiti, Tonga, and Fiji.
August
Home: If you're looking for a great spot for scuba diving in the UK during the summer, Cornwall is a fantastic option. Porthkerris is a beautiful remote cove located on the eastern side of the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall. It's an excellent spot for shore and boat scuba diving, and is considered one of the country's best dive locations. At a push you can dive in a good semi-dry or a good wetsuit, if you don't have your dry suit ready.
Away: The Azores is an awe-inspiring diving destination that attracts many divers seeking a unique experience. The location in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean is home to a diverse range of marine life, including several species of sharks, whales, and dolphins. Moreover, diving in the Azores offers an opportunity to explore underwater volcanic formations, caves, and tunnels, which creates a truly remarkable and unforgettable experience for any diving enthusiast. One every scuba diver must put on their scuba diving calendar.
September
Home: Scapa Flow is considered one of Britain's best wreck diving destinations. It is home to 11 battleships and destroyers that were scuttled there. Interestingly, this was made possible by Admiral von Reuter, who, on 21 June 1919, ordered the sinking of the interned World War I 'High Seas Fleet' as a way to "restore Germany's honour". Scapa Flow is a bucket list destination and deserves to be on our scuba diving calendar. This historic port is incredibly atmospheric, both above and below the sea. The emerald-green water is pierced by shafts of sunlight, creating the impression of diving into a liquid-stained glass window.
Away: Nestled in the West Papua province of eastern Indonesia, Raja Ampat is a mesmerising tourist destination that boasts hundreds of islands, some of which are uninhabited. The four most prominent islands in the region are Misool, Batanta, Waigeo, and Salawati. The place is famous for its immaculate coral reefs and stunning natural beauty, drawing many divers from across the globe who come to explore its diverse marine ecosystem. Raja Ampat has everything to offer, from aquatic species to critters, with abundant large schools of fish, manta rays, reef sharks, and beautiful coral reefs. If you're an underwater photographer, Raja Ampat is a must-visit destination that needs to be on your scuba diving calendar.
October
Home: As the UK diving season slowly ends, the weather is getting colder. But this time of year can be great for those who use drysuits while diving. If you're looking for a top place to dive in the UK, you might want to check out St Kilda. It's located about 40 miles off the Outer Hebrides, and it's a popular destination for British divers. When you dive there, you'll be amazed by the beautiful cliffs, giant sea stacks above the surface, and the stunning marine life below. You'll find many caves, arches and walls covered in amazing creatures like seals, diving puffins, huge lobsters, and colourful jewelled anemones. Make sure you have a good torch in the pocket for the best experience.
Away: Bonaire is renowned as one of the top Caribbean dive destinations, thanks to its stunning coral reefs and historic shipwrecks. The island's dive sites are protected from strong currents, making it an ideal location for learning to dive and beginner divers. Visitors to Bonaire have the option of either boat or shore diving, adding to the overall experience. It is one of the best destinations in the world to drive and dive, enjoying ultimate diving freedom.
November
Bunaken Oasis Resort is a hidden gem on the edge of the Bunaken National Park, surrounded by lush tropical paradise. Established in 1991, the park covers an area of approximately 890km² and includes five islands, namely Bunaken, Manado Tua, Siladen, Mantehage, and Nain. Although not famous for wreck diving, the park offers a unique and breathtaking experience for technical divers interested in extended runtimes on vertical walls covered in beautiful coral and teeming with diverse tropical fish life. Located in the Coral Triangle, the park boasts one of the healthiest populations of turtles. It is a haven for underwater photographers who can capture stunning wide-angle, nudibranch, and critter macro photos of a healthy and happy ecosystem. Finishing our scuba diving year at such a destination would be great.
December
Chuuk Lagoon sounds like an amazing diving destination for those who love history and wreck diving. The fact that there are so many sunken ships and planes from World War II makes it an incredibly unique experience. It's fascinating to think about exploring these wrecks and imagining what happened during the war. The variety of shark species around the atoll also adds to the excitement. Resorts and liveaboards are available that cater to recreational and technical diving and provide the necessary equipment for exploring the wrecks. It's a place to add to the scuba diving calendar for those looking for a memorable diving adventure.
