If you’re eager to start scuba diving, a natural question arises: where are the best places to begin your underwater journey?
PADI, a well-known diving organization, has recommendations for new divers. Mindfully American has compiled these destinations to help you start planning your scuba vacation.
Below, we explore PADI’s picks for the 11 best beginner scuba diving locations around the globe, highlighting what makes each one ideal for getting your fins wet.
A Note on Distances The approximate air travel times listed below are from New York City and Los Angeles, determined using Google’s flight function. Actual travel times can vary based on availability and layover length.
1. Bonaire
- 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 recognized as one of the best places in the Caribbean to learn scuba diving. Its dive sites are particularly beginner-friendly because they are protected from currents.
You have the flexibility to dive from a boat or from the shore. There’s plenty to explore, including stunning coral reefs, shipwrecks, and over 470 fish species.
2. The Maldives
- 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 offers a truly unique setting to learn how to dive.
Known for its soft white sand beaches and clear, tropical waters, it’s considered one of the best places to explore the sea. Swimming below the surface here can make you forget the hustle and bustle of the world above.
3. Belize
- Approximate distance from the US: 4 hours 45 minutes from New York City; 4 hours 40 minutes from Los Angeles.
Home to the famous Blue Hole, Belize is an excellent location to get dive certified. It boasts over 400 islands and the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere.
Belize’s clear, warm waters provide excellent conditions for new scuba divers. While perfect for beginners, it also offers many sites that cater to experienced divers. An added benefit is that many dive sites in Belize have relatively few crowds.
4. Canary Islands
- Approximate distance from the US: 11 hours 20 minutes from New York City; 15 hours 20 minutes from Los Angeles.
Conveniently close for travelers based in Europe, the Canary Islands also welcome visitors from around the globe. Beginner divers will appreciate the warm, clear water.
The islands offer high visibility and ideal water temperatures year-round. Exploring the waters increases your chances of encountering intriguing wildlife such as angel sharks and five different species of rays.
5. Mexico
- Approximate distance from the US: 4 hours 15 minutes from New York City; 4.5 hours from Los Angeles.
Mexico is an easy choice for Americans looking to learn diving due to its proximity to the US. It offers the best of both worlds with two gorgeous coasts ready for exploration.
The Caribbean side features schools of colorful fish and lively beach activities. The Pacific side provides opportunities to see sea lions and vast kelp forests, and you might even spot a great white shark.
6. Greece
- Approximate distance from the US: 9 hours 15 minutes from New York City; 15.5 hours from Los Angeles.
While perhaps not the first place that comes to mind for learning scuba diving, Greece is a worthy addition to your list.
With nearly 230 inhabited islands and a vast coastline, it offers walls, wrecks, caverns, and reefs to explore.
Beginner divers can even dive into and explore a 1930s shipwreck, an iconic dive site. For the more daring and experienced, there are also underwater caves to swim through.
7. Australia
- Approximate distance from the US: 22 hours from New York City; 14.5 hours from Los Angeles.
Why not start your scuba diving journey at one of the world’s most famous dive destinations? Home to the Great Barrier Reef, Australia provides an excellent learning environment for beginners.
Several sites allow you to learn new skills and see unique creatures like turtles, triggerfish, and dolphins. You can even dive from the gorgeous Sydney shore before enjoying the city.
8. Indonesia
- Approximate distance from the US: 22 hours 40 minutes from New York City; 21.5 hours from Los Angeles.
With approximately 17,500 islands, Indonesia is a spectacular place to start diving. Bali, located in the heart of the coral triangle, caters specifically to beginner divers, allowing them to comfortably try diving from the shore.
Exotic animals you might encounter include mimic octopuses, pygmy seahorses, and ribbon eels. Once certified, you can explore activities like underwater photography and night diving.
9. Thailand
- Approximate distance from the US: 21 hours from New York City and Los Angeles.
Known for its laid-back vibes and as a top travel destination, Thailand is also an ideal spot to learn diving. Called the “Land of Smiles,” Thailand’s sheltered beaches and shallow reefs are well-suited for beginners.
Some areas on the east coast are famous for turtle and whale shark sightings. In Phuket and Krabi, you can find hundreds of tropical flora and fauna.
10. Philippines
- Approximate distance from the US: 19.5 hours from New York City; 18 hours 10 minutes from Los Angeles.
Offering something for most skill levels and diving interests, the Philippines is a wonderful place to start your diving journey.
It features diverse marine life and warm hospitality. With approximately 7,640 islands, the country provides many experiences, species, and breathtaking underwater landscapes. Its clear water is ideal for underwater photography.
11. Costa Rica
- Approximate distance from the US: 5.5 hours from New York City and Los Angeles.
Similar to Mexico, Costa Rica offers two distinct coastal diving experiences that beginner divers can enjoy. Some regard Costa Rica as one of the best diving locations globally.
Its vibrant coral reefs and underwater volcanic formations attract marine life such as sharks, manta rays, and barracuda.
The warm waters make diving comfortable year-round. On land, you can explore lush coastal rainforests.
Alicia Richards