Where to scuba dive in December
The best dive regions for December 2026, ranked by our forecast of marine life, coral health, visibility, water temperature, currents and weather. 28 of 86 regions score 7 or higher this month. Top of the list is Palau in Palau, rated epic.
Best dive destinations in December
- 1Palau8.5Epic
Palau · water 29 °C (83 °F) · better than usual for weather & sea state
Peak season for reef manta
- 2Raja Ampat8.4Great
Indonesia · water 28 °C (83 °F) · better than usual for operations & access and weather & sea state
Peak season for oceanic manta, reef manta
- 3Deep South Maldives8.2Great
Maldives · water 29 °C (84 °F) · better than usual for coral & reef health
Peak season for tiger shark, thresher shark, scalloped hammerhead, whale shark
- 4
- 5French Polynesia (Tuamotus)8.0Great
French Polynesia · water 28 °C (82 °F)
- 6
- 7Ari Atoll7.8Great
Maldives · water 28 °C (83 °F) · better than usual for coral & reef health and weather & sea state
Peak season for grey reef shark
- 8Sipadan & Semporna7.8Great
Malaysia · water 28 °C (82 °F)
- 9Mafia Island7.7Great
Tanzania · water 29 °C (84 °F) · better than usual for pelagic & big animals and coral & reef health
Peak season for whale shark (snorkel)
- 10Triton Bay7.7Great
Indonesia · water 28 °C (83 °F) · better than usual for operations & access and pelagic & big animals
Peak season for whale shark
- 11Fiji7.6Great
Fiji · water 28 °C (82 °F)
- 12Jardines de la Reina7.6Great
Cuba · water 27 °C (80 °F)
- 13Kona (Big Island)7.6Great
United States · water 25 °C (77 °F)
- 14Sudan Red Sea7.6Great
Sudan · water 27 °C (80 °F) · better than usual for operations & access
- 15