Where to scuba dive in January

The best dive regions for January 2027, 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.

See January on the map →

Best dive destinations in January

  1. 1
    Palau8.5Epic

    Palau · water 29 °C (83 °F) · better than usual for coral & reef health and weather & sea state

    Peak season for reef manta

  2. 2
    Raja Ampat8.3Great

    Indonesia · water 28 °C (82 °F) · better than usual for operations & access and pelagic & big animals

    Peak season for oceanic manta, reef manta

  3. 3
    Deep South Maldives8.2Great

    Maldives · water 29 °C (84 °F) · better than usual for coral & reef health and weather & sea state

    Peak season for tiger shark, scalloped hammerhead, whale shark

  4. 4
    Yap8.1Great

    Micronesia · water 28 °C (82 °F) · better than usual for coral & reef health

    Peak season for reef manta

  5. 5
    Bahamas (Tiger Beach & Bimini)8.0Great

    Bahamas · water 25 °C (76 °F)

    Peak season for tiger shark, great hammerhead

  6. 6
    French Polynesia (Tuamotus)8.0Great

    French Polynesia · water 28 °C (82 °F)

    Peak season for great hammerhead

  7. 7
    Ari Atoll7.9Great

    Maldives · water 29 °C (83 °F) · better than usual for weather & sea state and coral & reef health

    Peak season for grey reef shark

  8. 8
    Sipadan & Semporna7.8Great

    Malaysia · water 28 °C (82 °F)

  9. 9
    Sudan Red Sea7.8Great

    Sudan · water 26 °C (78 °F) · better than usual for operations & access

    Peak season for scalloped hammerhead

  10. 10
    Kona (Big Island)7.7Great

    United States · water 25 °C (76 °F)

  11. 11
    Mafia Island7.7Great

    Tanzania · water 30 °C (85 °F) · better than usual for pelagic & big animals and coral & reef health

    Peak season for whale shark (snorkel)

  12. 12
    Triton Bay7.7Great

    Indonesia · water 28 °C (83 °F) · better than usual for operations & access and weather & sea state

    Peak season for whale shark

  13. 13
    Jardines de la Reina7.6Great

    Cuba · water 26 °C (78 °F)

  14. 14
    North Malé Atoll7.6Great

    Maldives · water 29 °C (83 °F) · better than usual for weather & sea state and coral & reef health

    Peak season for grey reef shark, eagle ray

  15. 15
    Similan Islands7.6Great

    Thailand · water 29 °C (83 °F) · better than usual for operations & access and weather & sea state

    Peak season for manta ray

Marine life at its best in January

whale sharks
Deep South Maldives, Djibouti, Mafia Island, Tofo, Triton Bay
hammerhead sharks
Bahamas (Tiger Beach & Bimini), Deep South Maldives, French Polynesia (Tuamotus), Sudan Red Sea, Yonaguni
reef sharks
Ari Atoll, North Malé Atoll, South Malé Atoll
tiger sharks
Aliwal Shoal, Bahamas (Tiger Beach & Bimini), Deep South Maldives
bull sharks
Cozumel
angel sharks
Canary Islands
eagle rays
Cozumel, Isla Mujeres & Cancún, North Malé Atoll, South Malé Atoll
stingrays
Poor Knights Islands, Tofo
humpback whales
Okinawa & Kerama Islands, Saba & St Kitts, Turks & Caicos
orcas
Poor Knights Islands
nudibranchs
Anilao

Best in each ocean in January

Atlantic

Caribbean

Eastern Pacific

Indian Ocean

Indo-Pacific

Mediterranean

Red Sea