Best Places to Scuba Dive in March

Top Picks for March

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

Tubbataha Reefs

4.8/5

Philippines — Intermediate — Premium

The crown jewel of the Philippines - only accessible by liveaboard, and worth every mile

Vis35m

Temp28°C

Cost$220

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

14 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 March

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

March marks coral spawning season in the Caribbean and the final peak months for Sipadan and Tubbataha before their seasons close. The Red Sea warms toward 23-25°C with superb visibility. Raja Ampat remains excellent, though the season begins to taper in late March. This is a shoulder month in much of Asia — fewer crowds with conditions still close to peak. Whale shark season is building in the Philippines and the Maldives, while hammerhead action continues in the Galapagos.

Marine Life in March

What you're most likely to encounter this month worldwide

M

Manta rays

Peak encounter season

W

Whale sharks

Peak encounter season

S

Spawning corals

Peak encounter season

Best Destinations by Region

Where to go in March, organized by continent

Asia-Pacific (7 destinations)

4.9

Raja Ampat

Indonesia — Vis 30m — Intermediate

4.8

Tubbataha Reefs

Philippines — Vis 35m — Intermediate

4.7

Maldives

Maldives — Vis 35m — 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

Africa & Middle East (1 destinations)

4.3

Ras Mohammed

Egypt — Vis 35m — Beginner

North America & Caribbean (3 destinations)

4.6

Bonaire

Bonaire — Vis 25m — Beginner

4.4

Belize Barrier Reef

Belize — 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

March at a Glance

Best destinations this month vs destinations to avoid

Best This Month (14)

Raja Ampat Indonesia — ★4.9 Palau Palau — ★4.8 Tubbataha Reefs Philippines — ★4.8 Chuuk Lagoon Micronesia — ★4.7 Maldives Maldives — ★4.7 Bonaire Bonaire — ★4.6 Malapascua Philippines — ★4.5 Wakatobi Indonesia — ★4.5 Anilao Philippines — ★4.4 Belize Barrier Reef Belize — ★4.4 Poor Knights Islands New Zealand — ★4.4 Cozumel Mexico — ★4.3 Ras Mohammed Egypt — ★4.3 Similan Islands Thailand — ★4.3

Avoid This Month (13)

Galapagos Islands Ecuador — ★4.9 Cocos Island Costa Rica — ★4.8 Komodo National Park Indonesia — ★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 Azores Portugal — ★4.3 Bali Indonesia — ★4.2 Silfra Fissure Iceland — ★4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the best scuba diving in March?

Coral spawning season in the Caribbean. Sipadan and Tubbataha at their prime.

Which dive destinations have the best visibility in March?

Among the 14 destinations at their peak in March, the clearest water is Tubbataha Reefs (35m), Maldives (35m), Ras Mohammed (35m), Raja Ampat (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 March?

Manta sightings rate highest in March at Raja Ampat (5/5), Maldives (5/5), Palau (4/5), Tubbataha Reefs (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 March?

Shark action rates highest in March at Raja Ampat (5/5), Palau (5/5), Tubbataha Reefs (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 March?

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

Should I avoid any dive destinations in March?

Yes — 13 destinations in our database are outside their best season in March. These include Galapagos Islands, Cocos Island, Komodo National Park, Fernando de Noronha, Rangiroa. Visibility and conditions may be below peak, but many sites remain diveable year-round.