Best Places to Scuba Dive in January

Top Picks for January

The highest-rated dive destinations at their peak this month

Raja Ampat

4.9/5

Indonesia — Intermediate — Luxury

The epicenter of marine biodiversity - the Amazon of the seas

Vis30m

Temp28°C

Cost$250

Palau

4.8/5

Palau — Intermediate — Premium

The shark diving capital with the legendary Blue Corner and Jellyfish Lake

Vis30m

Temp28°C

Cost$220

Chuuk Lagoon

4.7/5

Micronesia — Advanced — Premium

The world's greatest wreck diving - a WWII Japanese fleet frozen in time

Vis25m

Temp28°C

Cost$200

Where to Dive in January for Clear Water, Manta Rays and Sharks

10 destinations are at their peak this month. These three shortlists rank them by the conditions most divers plan a trip around — how far you can see, and how reliable the big animals are.

Best visibility

Best for manta rays

Best for sharks

Visibility is the average figure for the season and shark and manta scores are our own five-point rating — both are the same numbers each destination's own guide page uses.

Diving Conditions in January

What to expect underwater this month, from water temperature and visibility to marine life activity and seasonal patterns.

January brings the peak of the dry season across most of the tropical diving world. The Maldives and Raja Ampat are at their absolute prime with flat seas and 25-30 meter visibility, while the Red Sea offers comfortable 22-24°C water. In the Caribbean, water temperatures hover around 26-27°C. Expect calm mornings, afternoon trade winds, and excellent big-fish action across the Indo-Pacific. Airfare and accommodation peak with the holiday season, so book liveaboards six months or more ahead.

Marine Life in January

What you're most likely to encounter this month worldwide

H

Hammerhead sharks

Peak encounter season

M

Manta rays

Peak encounter season

W

Whale sharks

Peak encounter season

Best Destinations by Region

Where to go in January, organized by continent

Asia-Pacific (5 destinations)

4.9

Raja Ampat

Indonesia — Vis 30m — Intermediate

4.7

Maldives

Maldives — Vis 35m — Beginner

4.5

Malapascua

Philippines — Vis 20m — Intermediate

4.4

Anilao

Philippines — Vis 15m — Beginner

4.3

Similan Islands

Thailand — Vis 25m — Beginner

North America & Caribbean (2 destinations)

4.6

Bonaire

Bonaire — Vis 25m — Beginner

4.3

Cozumel

Mexico — Vis 30m — Beginner

Oceania (3 destinations)

4.8

Palau

Palau — Vis 30m — Intermediate

4.7

Chuuk Lagoon

Micronesia — Vis 25m — Advanced

4.4

Poor Knights Islands

New Zealand — Vis 25m — Intermediate

January at a Glance

Best destinations this month vs destinations to avoid

Best This Month (10)

Raja Ampat Indonesia — ★4.9 Palau Palau — ★4.8 Chuuk Lagoon Micronesia — ★4.7 Maldives Maldives — ★4.7 Bonaire Bonaire — ★4.6 Malapascua Philippines — ★4.5 Anilao Philippines — ★4.4 Poor Knights Islands New Zealand — ★4.4 Cozumel Mexico — ★4.3 Similan Islands Thailand — ★4.3

Avoid This Month (17)

Galapagos Islands Ecuador — ★4.9 Cocos Island Costa Rica — ★4.8 Komodo National Park Indonesia — ★4.8 Tubbataha Reefs Philippines — ★4.8 Fernando de Noronha Brazil — ★4.7 Rangiroa French Polynesia — ★4.7 Sipadan Malaysia — ★4.7 Kimbe Bay Papua New Guinea — ★4.6 Lembeh Strait Indonesia — ★4.6 Fiji Fiji — ★4.5 Great Barrier Reef Australia — ★4.5 Wakatobi Indonesia — ★4.5 Belize Barrier Reef Belize — ★4.4 Azores Portugal — ★4.3 Ras Mohammed Egypt — ★4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the best scuba diving in January?

Peak season in the Maldives and Raja Ampat. Book liveaboards 6+ months ahead.

Which dive destinations have the best visibility in January?

Among the 10 destinations at their peak in January, the clearest water is Maldives (35m), Raja Ampat (30m), Palau (30m), Cozumel (30m). Those are average figures for the season, so a storm day can still fall short of them.

Where can I see manta rays in January?

Manta sightings rate highest in January at Raja Ampat (5/5), Maldives (5/5), Palau (4/5), Similan Islands (4/5), on our five-point marine-life scale. Clean-water cleaning stations are where they show up most reliably.

Where can I see sharks in January?

Shark action rates highest in January at Raja Ampat (5/5), Palau (5/5), Malapascua (5/5), Maldives (4/5), on our five-point marine-life scale. Passes and channel currents between islands are the usual places to wait for them.

What marine life can I see in January?

In January, divers can commonly encounter: Hammerhead sharks, Manta rays, Whale sharks. Specific encounters depend on the destination and local conditions.

Should I avoid any dive destinations in January?

Yes — 17 destinations in our database are outside their best season in January. These include Galapagos Islands, Cocos Island, Komodo National Park, Tubbataha Reefs, Fernando de Noronha. Visibility and conditions may be below peak, but many sites remain diveable year-round.