Mexico

It’s not hard to find good deals when traveling to Mexico. Affordable airfare and favorable exchange rates are just the beginning. The all-inclusives of Cancun and the Riviera Maya, long hailed as a saver-seeker pick, are yet another reason to fly south.

Cozumel has a large selection of all-inclusives, but only the Wyndham Cozumel Hotel and Resort is within walking distance of the island’s main town. This property offers all-you-can-eat food and alcohol, as well as the on-site Dive Paradise scuba center, dock and dive boat. The dive center grants walk-in access to the sea, allowing guests to shore dive as much as they like. Cozumel is perhaps best known for its currents and legendary sheer walls, but it’s also a hotspot for shore diving. It’s possible to devote an entire trip to exploring the reefs reachable from shore.

“When you’re talking about sweet spots, the Wyndham has that great blend of value, location and amenities,” says Michael Penwarden, owner of Dive Paradise.

Related Learning: Best Destinations for Advanced Diving

The Wyndham is home to the island’s largest pool, which offers poolside drinks. Whether one opts into the all-inclusive package or not, it’s still worth a trip to San Miguel to explore the streets, taking advantage of $1 tacos and local beers. The hotel’s reservations team is another perk, helping guests book sunset cruises, fishing trips and other outings they want to include with their trip.

Another prime way to maximize every dollar is to travel in summer and early fall. These are the months when tropical storms are more possible, but so are the best deals for airfare and accommodations.

“The diving is great year-round, but during the summer, you get direct sun, which makes the reefs really pop with color,” says Penwarden.

Need to Know

WHEN TO GO Year-round; summer and fall for best savings.

VISIBILITY 70–120 feet

WATER TEMPS 77–85 degrees

WHAT TO BRING Walking shoes to explore.

CONTACT diveparadise.com; cozumelhotel.com.mx

Philippines

With 7,641 islands, this nation’s vast range of accommodations is perhaps not surprising. Destinations such as the port city of Batangas, 65 miles from the capital, deliver some of the best hotel values in the dive world.

“You can find a room for as low as $70 a night,” says Francisco Lardizabal, director for Philippines Tourism.

These ultra affordable bookings aren’t on the water but are within walking distance of the beach and dive centers.

One travel trick to maximize value is to book flights directly to Cebu City in the Visayas region. From here, it’s a fivehour ferry ride (or a 21/2-hour flight) to the diving hotspot Dumaguete. Or choose Bohol, two hours away by fastcraft ferry.

Both deliver the biodiversity that this country is famous for. Philippine waters are home to 500-plus coral species, and 76 percent of the world’s fish species can be seen on these reefs.

Come dive day’s end, there are more savings to be had for diners who don’t need a fancy setting. Street food, sold from roadside stalls called carinderia, includes noodle dishes, grilled meats and other options, all for about $2 a plate. It’s typical to find plastic tables and chairs streetside, offering respite as well as people-watching.

“It’s a totally local experience,” says Francisco. “One we recommend even if travelers aren’t on a budget.”

Need to Know

WHEN TO GO Year-round, but October to May is considered the best season in Cebu and the surrounding areas.

VISIBILITY 80–130 feet; it’s best during dry season, March to June.

WATER TEMPS 73–88 degrees

WHAT TO BRING Lightweight luggage that’s easy to transport for boarding ferries. If taking interisland flights, bring lighter bags as weight allowance is often minimal.

CONTACT beta.tourism.gov.ph

North Carolina

Hostels have long been synonymous with budget European and Asian vacations. Thanks to Olympus Dive Center, they're also available to anyone seeking affordable domestic diving in the wreck haven that is Morehead City, North Carolina.

Their Dive Lodge, open since 1990, offers hostel-style bunk beds for $45 a night. Five rooms cater to no more than 32 guests in a mix of four- and eight-person rooms. “It’s not the Ritz,” says Bobby Purifoy, owner of Olympus. “Our goal is to keep it affordable.”

Divers who want to stay in nearby hotels have that option, as well as a handful of Airbnbs located within walking distance of the dive center. These more spacious accommodations can be a nice treat, but it’s the low rates of the destination that bring many divers back.

“Some of our regular customers come here [to North Carolina] because it’s so cheap,” says Purifoy.

Related Learning: Best Destinations for Shore Diving

Olympus and a handful of other Carolina coast operators run bigger boats to offer more comfort. “We like AC and cushions and things like that,” he says.

Last year, the shop had to raise rates a bit to meet rising fuel costs. Still, the goal was still to keep prices within reach. “A few customers said that they couldn’t believe that’s all we went up,” he says.

But Purifoy wants to stay loyal to his divers, many of whom drive long distances to further save on costs.

To warrant travelers driving hundreds of miles, the diving has to be good. This Atlantic destination remains a favorite for its wrecks, as well as for the sand tiger sharks present year-round.

“We get a lot of people who would rather spend their money on diving than hotels,” says Purifoy.

Need to Know

WHEN TO GO May to October

VISIBILITY 30–100 feet

WATER TEMPS 76 degrees in season

WHAT TO BRING Friends, if you’d like to bunk with folks you already know; otherwise, you may want to pack an eye mask and ear plugs—just in case.

CONTACT olympusdiving.com

Readers Choice Awards 2024

This year we surveyed 13,322 readers on their favorite destinations, resorts, operators and liveaboards, awarding their top picks across a variety of categories. Our Readers Choice travel feature highlights the first-place destinations in each global region and offers a taste of what makes each a reader favorite.

➜ See all Readers Choice awardwinning resorts, operators and liveaboards at scubadiving.com/ readerschoice.