The Best Scuba Diving in the World
Diving is a personal experience. For some, it’s an opportunity to relax and unwind. For others, it means adventure and exploration. But for me, what has always made the dive community truly special is the shared stories, recommendations and friendships we bring to the table.
I still remember my first tropical dive vacation in the British Virgin Islands. I had heard about its crystal-clear waters and historic wrecks from other divers, but nothing could prepare me for the sheer beauty I witnessed firsthand. It wasn’t just the underwater world that left a mark on me—it was the camaraderie among the divers on the boat, swapping stories of stingray and octopus sightings, helping each other setup gear, and laughing over dinner with a rum cocktail as we relived our day underwater.
That’s the magic of diving with friends, old or new.
This year's World’s Best Dive Resorts and Liveaboard issue, and here online, you’ll discover the top dive destinations, operators, resorts and liveaboards, chosen by divers just like you through our annual Readers Choice survey. These are places that have earned their spot as the best in the world, providing unforgettable experiences both above and below the surface. I’ve been fortunate enough to dive in many of these locations, and I can tell you, the votes don’t lie.
Whether you’ve been dreaming of kicking back and relaxing in the warm waters of the Maldives or enjoying a bit of adventure diving in the Galapagos—the schools of hammerhead sharks are mind-blowing—we hope these pages inspire you to book your next trip. And who knows? Maybe you’ll find yourself swapping stories with a new dive buddy, sharing a once-in-a-lifetime moment in a corner of the world you’ve always wanted to explore.
— Candice Landau, Content Director
OUR ANNUAL READERS CHOICE survey, now in its 32nd year, polls a wide range of traveling divers who know a thing or two about the best dive destinations, operators, resorts and liveaboards all over the world. This year, 8,566 Scuba Diving magazine readers weighed in on what made the cut—and the results are all here. Don’t book next year’s dive travel without first consulting our World’s Best Dive Resorts and Liveaboards issue to find out where the action is and who can put you right in the thick of it no matter how you like to dive.
