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10 Best Places to Learn to Scuba Dive

10 Best Places to Learn to Scuba Dive

Written by Suzee Skwiot
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Published on December 1, 2021
Bonaire scuba diving
TAGS: beginner

So you’ve decided that you want to get scuba certified. The next question you might be asking yourself is where you should take the plunge. PADI’s Open Water Dive course requires both a practical component and an in-water component. You can choose to do your practical component in person or online through PADI eLearning. The nice thing is, even if you opt to do your in class learning in one location, you can opt to do your open water dives anywhere in the world, including in these best places to learn to scuba dive!

Luckily for you, this planet is full of beautiful places to learn to dive. You’re sure to find a dive spot that will suit your schedule, budget, and underwater interests!

Here are some of the top destinations around the world to learn to scuba dive.

10 Best Places to Learn to Scuba Dive

florida keys scuba diving
Florida Keys. Image via Shutterstock

Florida Keys

While maybe not the most exotic, the Florida Keys are one of the best places in the world to dive. They’re especially great for beginners. It’s a spot that I return to year after year because of the calm waters and nationally protected shallow reefs. These reefs stretch over 100 miles and are home to exciting marine life like lionfish and giant groupers.

Bonaire scuba diving
Bonaire. Photo by Kris-Mikael Krister on Unsplash

Bonaire

The Dutch-Caribbean island is another one of my favourite dive locations. Famous for its shore diving, Bonaire is often called a “Diver’s Paradise”. There are 89 different dive sites off the island and because Bonaire lies just outside of the hurricane belt, you can dive here any time of year.

Mexico scuba diving
Mexico. Photo by Pascal van de Vendel on Unsplash

Mexico

There’s a reason that Mexico always appears on lists for the top-rated places to learn to scuba dive. Mexico’s marine life has it all, from colorful schools of fish to friendly seals and even great white sharks. There is so much to explore on either of Mexico’s coasts. It’s the perfect spot to get acquainted with the underwater world. Just be warned — it’s setting a pretty high bar for future dive destinations to compete against!

Belize scuba diving best places to learn to scuba dive
Belize. Photo by Colter Olmstead on Unsplash

Belize

Dwarfed only by Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System is one of the most beautiful places to dive in the world. Belize is home to countless dive sites including the iconic Great Blue Hole, which is often deemed one of the best dives in the world. Certification fees in Belize are higher than anywhere else in Central America, but the experience here is unbeatable.

Honduras scuba diving
Honduras. Photo by Erin Simmons on Unsplash

Honduras

If you’ve heard anything about scuba diving, there’s a good chance that you’ve already heard of places like Roatan, Utila and the Bay Islands in Honduras. These backpacker havens are popular among divers because of the beautiful Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System and the great quality of dive education coming out of places like Utila Dive Center.

Thailand scuba diving
Thailand. Photo by Notto Suthipat on Unsplash

Thailand

With great visibility year round, Thailand tends to be another popular destination for traveling scuba divers. The country’s scuba diving headquarters, Ko Tao, is also one of the few places in the world where you can spot whale sharks. A run in with a whale shark on your first open water dives would make you a scuba legend!

Philippines scuba diving
Philippines. Photo by Farhan Sharief on Unsplash

Philippines

Located in the middle of the world’s “coral triangle”, the Philippines are home to the richest concentration of marine life on the planet. Over 5000 different species of clams, snails, and mollusks live in these waters! Aspiring divers should plan to get certified during the November to June dry season for the best visibility.

maldives scuba diving best places to learn to scuba dive
Maldives. Photo by Sebastian Pena Lambarri on Unsplash

Maldives

The Maldives is a low-lying country, made up of over 1,100 different islands. Each island is home to dreamy white sand beaches and excellent reefs with an abundance of marine life. If you’re looking to get scuba certified somewhere “off the grid” where you can really unplug and just focus on the waves, then the Maldives is the perfect place to do it.

egypt scuba diving
Photo by Aviv Perets on Unsplash

Egypt

With wonderfully calm and clear conditions, Egyptian reefs offer ideal conditions for new divers. Most resorts in areas like Hurghada and Dahab have dive shops on site offering diving and certification packages. And with plenty of shore diving sites, you’ll be able to conventionally dive as much as you want after being certified and experience Egypt’s vibrant marine life.

Australia scuba diving
Australia. Photo by Daniel Pelaez Duque on Unsplash

Australia

Of course, the world’s largest reef system happens to also be one of the greatest places on earth to get scuba certified. Despite the negative impact that climate change has had on the 1,430 mile long reef system, it’s absolutely still worth diving today. Plan your certification between August and December for the best diving conditions.

No matter where you decide to get certified, those first few breaths under the water will change your life forever.

Written by: Emily De Sousa