Best Places to Scuba Dive in September

Top Picks for September

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

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

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

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

16 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 September

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

September marks the start of the Maldives manta season as the southwest monsoon eases. The Great Barrier Reef enjoys spring conditions with migrating humpback whales in the distance. In Europe, it is the last warm month for Mediterranean diving, and the Azores deliver strong pelagic action. The Red Sea holds excellent visibility at 26-28°C. Caribbean water stays warm through late September, though hurricane risk persists. Raja Ampat and Indonesia prepare to reopen as the season turns.

Marine Life in September

What you're most likely to encounter this month worldwide

M

Mola mola

Peak encounter season

T

Turtles hatching

Peak encounter season

M

Manta rays

Peak encounter season

Best Destinations by Region

Where to go in September, organized by continent

Asia-Pacific (5 destinations)

4.8

Komodo National Park

Indonesia — Vis 25m — Advanced

4.7

Sipadan

Malaysia — Vis 30m — Intermediate

4.6

Lembeh Strait

Indonesia — Vis 10m — Beginner

4.5

Wakatobi

Indonesia — Vis 30m — Beginner

4.2

Bali

Indonesia — Vis 20m — Beginner

Africa & Middle East (1 destinations)

4.3

Ras Mohammed

Egypt — Vis 35m — Beginner

Europe (2 destinations)

4.3

Azores

Portugal — Vis 20m — Intermediate

4.2

Silfra Fissure

Iceland — Vis 100m — Intermediate

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 (4 destinations)

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

4.5

Great Barrier Reef

Australia — Vis 25m — Beginner

September at a Glance

Best destinations this month vs destinations to avoid

Best This Month (16)

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 Bonaire Bonaire — ★4.6 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 Azores Portugal — ★4.3 Ras Mohammed Egypt — ★4.3 Bali Indonesia — ★4.2

Avoid This Month (11)

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the best scuba diving in September?

Maldives manta season begins. Great Barrier Reef spring bloom. Europe's last warm dives.

Which dive destinations have the best visibility in September?

Among the 16 destinations at their peak in September, the clearest water is Silfra Fissure (100m), Rangiroa (40m), Ras Mohammed (35m), 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 September?

Manta sightings rate highest in September at Cocos Island (5/5), Komodo National Park (5/5), Galapagos Islands (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 September?

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

In September, divers can commonly encounter: Mola mola, Turtles hatching, Manta rays. Specific encounters depend on the destination and local conditions.

Should I avoid any dive destinations in September?

Yes — 11 destinations in our database are outside their best season in September. These include Raja Ampat, Palau, Tubbataha Reefs, Chuuk Lagoon, Maldives. Visibility and conditions may be below peak, but many sites remain diveable year-round.