Best Places to Scuba Dive in December

Top Picks for December

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 December for Clear Water, Manta Rays and Sharks

13 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 December

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

December is the holiday peak across the tropical diving world. The Maldives and Caribbean are at their absolute best, and Raja Ampat is in full glory. Water temperatures are bath-warm at 27-29°C across the Indo-Pacific. Liveaboards sell out months in advance and prices hit their annual high. The Red Sea stays excellent at 23-25°C. For divers who book early, this is the classic bucket-list month — but flexibility on dates and early planning are essential for prime routes.

Marine Life in December

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 December, organized by continent

Asia-Pacific (7 destinations)

4.9

Raja Ampat

Indonesia — Vis 30m — Intermediate

4.7

Maldives

Maldives — Vis 35m — Beginner

4.7

Sipadan

Malaysia — Vis 30m — Intermediate

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

North America & Caribbean (2 destinations)

4.6

Bonaire

Bonaire — Vis 25m — Beginner

4.3

Cozumel

Mexico — Vis 30m — Beginner

South America (1 destinations)

4.7

Fernando de Noronha

Brazil — Vis 30m — Intermediate

Oceania (3 destinations)

4.8

Palau

Palau — Vis 30m — Intermediate

4.7

Chuuk Lagoon

Micronesia — Vis 25m — Advanced

4.6

Kimbe Bay

Papua New Guinea — Vis 25m — Beginner

December at a Glance

Best destinations this month vs destinations to avoid

Best This Month (13)

Raja Ampat Indonesia — ★4.9 Palau Palau — ★4.8 Chuuk Lagoon Micronesia — ★4.7 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 Malapascua Philippines — ★4.5 Wakatobi Indonesia — ★4.5 Anilao Philippines — ★4.4 Cozumel Mexico — ★4.3 Similan Islands Thailand — ★4.3

Avoid This Month (14)

Galapagos Islands Ecuador — ★4.9 Cocos Island Costa Rica — ★4.8 Komodo National Park Indonesia — ★4.8 Tubbataha Reefs Philippines — ★4.8 Rangiroa French Polynesia — ★4.7 Lembeh Strait Indonesia — ★4.6 Fiji Fiji — ★4.5 Great Barrier Reef Australia — ★4.5 Belize Barrier Reef Belize — ★4.4 Poor Knights Islands New Zealand — ★4.4 Azores Portugal — ★4.3 Ras Mohammed Egypt — ★4.3 Bali Indonesia — ★4.2 Silfra Fissure Iceland — ★4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the best scuba diving in December?

Holiday season — book early. Caribbean and Maldives peak. Raja Ampat in full glory.

Which dive destinations have the best visibility in December?

Among the 13 destinations at their peak in December, the clearest water is Maldives (35m), Raja Ampat (30m), Palau (30m), Fernando de Noronha (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 December?

Manta sightings rate highest in December at Raja Ampat (5/5), Maldives (5/5), Palau (4/5), Fernando de Noronha (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 December?

Shark action rates highest in December at Raja Ampat (5/5), Palau (5/5), Sipadan (5/5), Malapascua (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 December?

In December, 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 December?

Yes — 14 destinations in our database are outside their best season in December. These include Galapagos Islands, Cocos Island, Komodo National Park, Tubbataha Reefs, Rangiroa. Visibility and conditions may be below peak, but many sites remain diveable year-round.