Best Places to Scuba Dive in May

Top Picks for May

The highest-rated dive destinations at their peak this month

Komodo National Park

4.8/5

Indonesia — Advanced — Mid-Range

The wild heart of the Coral Triangle - where dragons meet dragons of the deep

Vis25m

Temp27°C

Cost$180

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 May 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 May

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

May brings shoulder season across much of Asia, meaning fewer divers and still-great conditions. Komodo and the Similans are at their prime before monsoon clouds gather. Cocos Island enters its big-animal season with hammerheads schooling. The Red Sea delivers some of the year's best visibility. In the Caribbean, water warms to 28°C and conditions are calm. The Maldives transitions to its wetter season — still diveable but with shorter windows. Liveaboard pricing softens, making May one of the best value months of the year.

Marine Life in May

What you're most likely to encounter this month worldwide

W

Whale sharks

Peak encounter season

T

Turtles

Peak encounter season

D

Dolphins

Peak encounter season

Best Destinations by Region

Where to go in May, organized by continent

Asia-Pacific (8 destinations)

4.8

Komodo National Park

Indonesia — Vis 25m — Advanced

4.8

Tubbataha Reefs

Philippines — Vis 35m — Intermediate

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

4.2

Bali

Indonesia — Vis 20m — Beginner

Africa & Middle East (1 destinations)

4.3

Ras Mohammed

Egypt — Vis 35m — Beginner

Europe (1 destinations)

4.2

Silfra Fissure

Iceland — Vis 100m — Intermediate

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 (5 destinations)

4.8

Palau

Palau — Vis 30m — Intermediate

4.7

Rangiroa

French Polynesia — Vis 40m — Advanced

4.6

Kimbe Bay

Papua New Guinea — Vis 25m — Beginner

4.5

Fiji

Fiji — Vis 30m — Beginner

4.4

Poor Knights Islands

New Zealand — Vis 25m — Intermediate

May at a Glance

Best destinations this month vs destinations to avoid

Best This Month (18)

Komodo National Park Indonesia — ★4.8 Palau Palau — ★4.8 Tubbataha Reefs Philippines — ★4.8 Rangiroa French Polynesia — ★4.7 Sipadan Malaysia — ★4.7 Bonaire Bonaire — ★4.6 Kimbe Bay Papua New Guinea — ★4.6 Lembeh Strait Indonesia — ★4.6 Fiji Fiji — ★4.5 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

Avoid This Month (9)

Galapagos Islands Ecuador — ★4.9 Raja Ampat Indonesia — ★4.9 Cocos Island Costa Rica — ★4.8 Chuuk Lagoon Micronesia — ★4.7 Fernando de Noronha Brazil — ★4.7 Maldives Maldives — ★4.7 Great Barrier Reef Australia — ★4.5 Azores Portugal — ★4.3 Similan Islands Thailand — ★4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the best scuba diving in May?

Shoulder season in Asia — fewer crowds, still great conditions. Komodo and Cocos shine.

Which dive destinations have the best visibility in May?

Among the 18 destinations at their peak in May, the clearest water is Silfra Fissure (100m), Rangiroa (40m), Tubbataha Reefs (35m), Ras Mohammed (35m). Those are average figures for the season, so a storm day can still fall short of them.

Where can I see manta rays in May?

Manta sightings rate highest in May at Komodo National Park (5/5), Palau (4/5), Tubbataha Reefs (4/5), Rangiroa (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 May?

Shark action rates highest in May at Komodo National Park (5/5), Palau (5/5), Tubbataha Reefs (5/5), Rangiroa (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 May?

In May, divers can commonly encounter: Whale sharks, Turtles, Dolphins. Specific encounters depend on the destination and local conditions.

Should I avoid any dive destinations in May?

Yes — 9 destinations in our database are outside their best season in May. These include Galapagos Islands, Raja Ampat, Cocos Island, Chuuk Lagoon, Fernando de Noronha. Visibility and conditions may be below peak, but many sites remain diveable year-round.