Top Scuba Diving Holiday Destinations in 2022
Scuba diving is a staple of coastal holidays at idyllic locations all over the world, with an estimated 23 million people giving it a go each year. Recreational diving is popular in both exotic areas with coral reefs and along the rugged coast of the UK.
Industry research reveals scuba diving is growing rapidly – with an extra one million enthusiasts thought to be taking up the leisure activity every year. As the peak tourist season approaches, scuba diving holidays will provide plenty of relief from the daily grind.
It can be the perfect getaway for adventurous backpacking trips, secluded romantic breaks, family holidays and everything in between. Learning to dive opens up a whole new world to explore among the beautiful flora and fauna of an undersea haven.
Scuba divers have the chance to explore coral reefs teeming with marine life, fascinating shipwrecks, exotic fish and alien plant life. As every underwater explorer will know, it's also important to preserve the undersea environment for the future and dive responsibly – especially around coral reefs.
Whether you're a beginner looking for your first scuba diving experience, or a veteran hoping to discover new places to explore, read on to find out about the top scuba diving holidays in 2022.
Norway
Norway is a land of stunning landscapes and majestic fjords, with some excellent scuba diving sites. There are a wide range of varied locations suitable for divers of all levels. For experienced and adventurous divers, Salstraumen is an excellent site. But be warned – it has the strongest currents in the world, reaching up to 26 knots, so certainly isn't for the faint-hearted.
An estimated 375 million cubic litres of water pass through the shallow straight of Sastraumen every six hours. The resulting nutrient-rich water feeds a variety of unique marine life, such as massive shoals of coalfish and cod, the stunning wolf fish, and colourful anemones in a forest of kelp.
Lake Lygnstøylvatnet offers an unusual freshwater experience where scuba divers can explore the ruins of a sunken town. The lake was formed around 100 years ago when a rockfall led to the old town being submerged. The foundations of the buildings are still there and scuba divers can swim along the old road, looking at the eerie ruins of farmhouses.
Maldives
The Maldives are famous for their beautiful beaches of pure, soft, white sand, with crystal clear waters rippling on top. Well known for manta rays and whale sharks, the Maldives boasts 1,200 islands, creating a scuba diving paradise.
The sea around this island nation is dominated by pinnacles and channels, known as thilas and kandus, which attract species of marine life from the Indian Ocean. The currents are quite strong at times, making many dive sites suitable for drift diving.
You can dive all year round in the Maldives. The seas are calmest from December to March, when the northeast monsoon season arrives. This creates excellent underwater conditions, with a comfortable water temperature of between 77°F and 86°F. As a summer holiday scuba diving location, it really is hard to beat.
Mexico
Scuba divers visiting Mexico can visit the fascinating Cancun underwater museum, the Museo Subacuático de Arte, abbreviated to MUSA. It creates a fascinating destination for scuba divers from all over the globe, linking art, science and marine life.
The site is home to more than 500 life-size sculptures, making it one of the largest and most innovative underwater attractions on the planet. Its aim is to show how environmental science and art can combine to form a reef structure where marine life colonises.
Scuba divers flock to this unique museum in their droves, but it also has an important ecological purpose. Its aim is to increase the number of fish in the region, enhancing the reef's ecosystem over time and creating a diversity of marine life.
Founded in 2009, in the ocean around Cancun, Isla Mujeres and Punta Nizuc, the underwater project was the brainchild of Cancun Nautical Association's former president Roberto Díaz Abraham and the National Marine Park director Jaime González Cano.
Thailand
Thailand's Similan Islands provide one of the world's best scuba diving destinations. The water is clear and usually calm. Combined with the great weather, this attracts many frequent plankton blooms. Manta rays, black and white-tipped reef sharks and whale sharks are a familiar sight.
Divers need to travel to the Similan Islands by liveaboard, a purpose-built scuba diving boat for trips lasting longer than one night. The average dive boat hosts between 12 and 30 divers, and the most popular excursions are for two days or a week. Seasoned scuba divers often name Thailand as one of the best scuba diving destinations in the world.
Hawaii
A scuba diving vacation to Hawaii is something you can enjoy all year round. The tropical climate, warm temperature, swaying palm trees and sandy beaches make it an ideal location. Divers can swim among manta rays and many species of colourful tropical fish, and there’s ample opportunity to spot humpback whales.
Accessible by land or liveaboard, Hawaii is a great choice for scuba divers. Sheraton Caverns, the Kauai dive site, gives divers the chance to see the rare longnose hawkfish. Other reef regulars include tiger flatworms, gold-lace and imperial nudibranchs and fuchsia flatworms.
Belize
From the Blue Hole to Shark Ray Alley, Belize has many famous scuba diving sites. From here, divers can access the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, a natural wonder that is the second-largest such reef in the world. The region boasts a healthy population of nurse sharks, stingrays and reef life. You're also likely to spot whale sharks between April and June.
Belize offers a balmy climate where you can relax on the beach after a dive. Visibility in the water tends to be very good. For those seeking well-equipped diving resorts, the best liveaboards and a relaxed, easy diving trip, Belize is a great destination.
Gili Islands
Indonesia's Gili Islands have become a hugely popular scuba diving destination in recent years — and with good reason. The waters and reefs offer a stunning backdrop to your dive, as a huge, well-preserved reef system surrounds the islands.
Divers can enjoy the marine life there but are asked to dive responsibly and respect the environment. It is relatively cheap to go scuba diving in Indonesia compared with say neighbouring Bali. The islands of Trawangan, Meno and Air, located off Lombok, have an abundance of green and hawksbill turtles.
There are also reef sharks, barracuda and trevally, plus a massive array of marine fish, such as pufferfish, lionfish, angelfish, schooling snapper and many more.
Seychelles
Scuba diving at Beau Vallon, in Seychelles, offers a varied range of environments, including wrecks, colourful coral reefs, granite rock foundations and wall dives. Visitors to Seychelles can scuba dive in an abundance of coral, where barrel sponges and gigantic gorgonian fans create a fascinating underwater scene.
The crystal clear water enables divers to see everything the Indian Ocean has to offer, such as giant whale sharks, manta rays, green sea turtles and rare macro life. Seychelles welcomes divers all year round, as there are no extreme weather conditions.
Scapa Flow
One of the most popular scuba diving destinations off the British coastline is Scapa Flow, in Orkney. The archipelago off the northeast tip of Scotland's coast enables divers to swim among the wrecks of 52 German Naval ships, dating from World War II. It attracts divers from all over the globe.
One of the most popular sites is the Blockship Tabarka, seized by the British Navy at Falmouth in 1940. The single screw steamer was then taken to Orkney. It has been voted one of Europe’s best diving sites. Located at a depth of between 14 and 18 metres, it is easily accessible. It is covered in all manner of sea life that is easy to see through the clear waters.
Farne Islands
Scuba divers can explore dozens of wrecks off Farne Islands, on the Northumberland coast. It is one of the UK's most hazardous shipping areas, hence the number of wrecks, which are a haven for crustaceans, anemones and fish.
You’ll also be able to see the amazing 5,000-strong grey seal colony living in the vicinity. Some have been known to swim right up to scuba divers, as they are very curious creatures.
Scuba Diving Equipment For Your Next Trip
Wherever you're planning to take your holiday, make sure you have the correct scuba diving equipment and clothing to ensure both your safety and comfort. The basics for any trip include a good quality wetsuit and diving mask, as well as essentials including fins, diving footwear, compass, diving cylinder, depth gauge, submersible pressure gauge and tank bangers for communication.
You'll also need a durable, water-resistant bag to store your scuba diving equipment inside. Whether you're a beginner, a pro diver or a scuba instructor, the basic essential equipment is the same. Check out our guide to essential equipment for scuba diving to find out everything you’ll need for your next trip.
So if you're considering an underwater adventure for your summer holiday, these awesome diving destinations will remind you of the reason why you started diving in the first place!