Best Places to Scuba Dive in November

Top Picks for November

The highest-rated dive destinations at their peak this month

Galapagos Islands

4.9/5

Ecuador — Advanced — Luxury

The ultimate big-animal diving destination - Darwin and Wolf await

Vis20m

Temp22°C

Cost$400

Raja Ampat

4.9/5

Indonesia — Intermediate — Luxury

The epicenter of marine biodiversity - the Amazon of the seas

Vis30m

Temp28°C

Cost$250

Cocos Island

4.8/5

Costa Rica — Advanced — Luxury

The Island of Sharks - hammerhead schools so dense they block out the sun

Vis25m

Temp25°C

Cost$450

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

18 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 November

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

November is prime time across the Indo-Pacific. Raja Ampat, the Maldives, and Palau are all at their best with flat seas and 25-30 meter visibility. The Galapagos deliver their strongest hammerhead season. The Red Sea offers superb wreck and reef diving at 24-26°C. Caribbean conditions settle into the dry season with calm seas and 28°C water. Sipadan reopens for the season. This is also the start of whale shark season in the Philippines. Expect peak prices and book well ahead.

Marine Life in November

What you're most likely to encounter this month worldwide

M

Manta rays

Peak encounter season

H

Hammerhead sharks

Peak encounter season

W

Whale sharks

Peak encounter season

Best Destinations by Region

Where to go in November, organized by continent

Asia-Pacific (10 destinations)

4.9

Raja Ampat

Indonesia — Vis 30m — Intermediate

4.8

Komodo National Park

Indonesia — Vis 25m — Advanced

4.7

Maldives

Maldives — Vis 35m — Beginner

4.7

Sipadan

Malaysia — Vis 30m — Intermediate

4.6

Lembeh Strait

Indonesia — Vis 10m — Beginner

4.5

Malapascua

Philippines — Vis 20m — Intermediate

4.5

Wakatobi

Indonesia — Vis 30m — Beginner

4.4

Anilao

Philippines — Vis 15m — Beginner

4.3

Similan Islands

Thailand — Vis 25m — Beginner

4.2

Bali

Indonesia — Vis 20m — Beginner

Africa & Middle East (1 destinations)

4.3

Ras Mohammed

Egypt — Vis 35m — Beginner

North America & Caribbean (2 destinations)

4.8

Cocos Island

Costa Rica — Vis 25m — Advanced

4.6

Bonaire

Bonaire — Vis 25m — Beginner

South America (2 destinations)

4.9

Galapagos Islands

Ecuador — Vis 20m — Advanced

4.7

Fernando de Noronha

Brazil — Vis 30m — Intermediate

Oceania (3 destinations)

4.8

Palau

Palau — Vis 30m — Intermediate

4.6

Kimbe Bay

Papua New Guinea — Vis 25m — Beginner

4.5

Great Barrier Reef

Australia — Vis 25m — Beginner

November at a Glance

Best destinations this month vs destinations to avoid

Best This Month (18)

Galapagos Islands Ecuador — ★4.9 Raja Ampat Indonesia — ★4.9 Cocos Island Costa Rica — ★4.8 Komodo National Park Indonesia — ★4.8 Palau Palau — ★4.8 Fernando de Noronha Brazil — ★4.7 Maldives Maldives — ★4.7 Sipadan Malaysia — ★4.7 Bonaire Bonaire — ★4.6 Kimbe Bay Papua New Guinea — ★4.6 Lembeh Strait Indonesia — ★4.6 Great Barrier Reef Australia — ★4.5 Malapascua Philippines — ★4.5 Wakatobi Indonesia — ★4.5 Anilao Philippines — ★4.4

Avoid This Month (9)

Tubbataha Reefs Philippines — ★4.8 Chuuk Lagoon Micronesia — ★4.7 Rangiroa French Polynesia — ★4.7 Fiji Fiji — ★4.5 Belize Barrier Reef Belize — ★4.4 Poor Knights Islands New Zealand — ★4.4 Azores Portugal — ★4.3 Cozumel Mexico — ★4.3 Silfra Fissure Iceland — ★4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the best scuba diving in November?

Prime time across Indo-Pacific. Raja Ampat, Maldives, Palau all at their best.

Which dive destinations have the best visibility in November?

Among the 18 destinations at their peak in November, the clearest water is Maldives (35m), Ras Mohammed (35m), Raja Ampat (30m), Palau (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 November?

Manta sightings rate highest in November at Raja Ampat (5/5), Cocos Island (5/5), Komodo National Park (5/5), Maldives (5/5), on our five-point marine-life scale. Clean-water cleaning stations are where they show up most reliably.

Where can I see sharks in November?

Shark action rates highest in November at Galapagos Islands (5/5), Raja Ampat (5/5), Cocos Island (5/5), Komodo National Park (5/5), 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 November?

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

Should I avoid any dive destinations in November?

Yes — 9 destinations in our database are outside their best season in November. These include Tubbataha Reefs, Chuuk Lagoon, Rangiroa, Fiji, Belize Barrier Reef. Visibility and conditions may be below peak, but many sites remain diveable year-round.