The Best Pacific Islands For Scuba Diving

The Pacific Islands offer some of the best scuba diving in the world. The water is warm all year, wetsuits are optional in the summertime heat, and the coral and marine species thrive. From Fiji to Samoa, here are a few of the top Pacific islands for scuba diving on the planet.

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Explore these Pacific diving spots by chartering a boat for the day through SamBoat, or book a week-long sailing adventure with Dream Yacht Charter.

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Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.

CentralAmerica

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini

1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

CentralAmerica

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini

2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.

CentralAmerica

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini

3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.

SouthAmerica

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic

1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

SouthAmerica

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic

2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.

Europe

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic

1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

Europe

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture

2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.

Europe

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture

3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.

Asia

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic

1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

Asia

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic

2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.

Asia

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture

3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price

Africa

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic

1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

Africa

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic

2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.

Africa

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic

3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.

Palau

Natural Feature

Divers from all over the world come to Palau, an archipelago with more than 200 pristine islands, for its variety of incredible scuba diving adventures. Palau boasts healthy reefs, great visibility, big schools of fish, World War II boat wrecks, more than 1,500 species of fish, and 700 species of coral and sea anemone.

Fiji

Natural Feature

Fiji is known as the soft coral capital of the world, with popular dive spots in the town of Savusavu and the island Taveuni. Currents sweep through the waters off the Fiji Islands, bringing nutrients to coral and fish. Shore diving off the islands is great for beginners, and boat diving takes more experienced divers out to spots brimming with marine species and sharks. One of the most famous dives in Fiji is the Beqa Shark Dive, where divers descend into an arena full of species, including bull sharks.

French Polynesia

Natural Feature

Bora Bora underwater: fish, including sharks, swim in shallow waters

For underwater biodiversity, French Polynesia ticks a lot of boxes. From shallow lagoons to steep coral walls, there are dozens of sites to explore. Mo’orea is one of the best places in the world to scuba dive with sharks; species living in these waters include lemon, tiger and gray reef sharks. Charter a boat through SamBoat, or book a week-long sailing trip with Dream Yacht Charter to explore the waters around Tahiti and Bora Bora.

Niue

Natural Feature

Niue is the tiny Pacific Island many people have never heard of. However, scuba divers know that it is a special place. This coral atoll has no gentle sandy slope into the water, just a sudden drop-off into the deep blue sea, which makes the water visibility some of the best in the world. There’s no river run-off into the ocean, either, so there’s no sediment in the sea. Expect to see underwater caverns, caves, chimneys and pinnacles.

Vanuatu

Natural Feature

One of the major draws to Vanuatu is the chance to dive the SS President Coolidge. The vessel was originally an American luxury ocean liner, which was completed in 1931 and then served as a troopship from 1941-1942. The ship was wrecked when struck by mines, is now home to marine life, and different areas can be accessed depending on diver experience. Vanuatu has a number of other wrecks including the Star of Russia and Million Dollar Point.

Papua New Guinea

Natural Feature

Papua New Guinea remains untouched by mass tourism, meaning the waters surrounding the islands have suffered little diver impact. Diving is available year-round thanks to the warm waters. The marine life is exceptionally diverse, and you can expect to see barrier reefs, coral walls and World War II wrecks among other exciting underwater marine displays.

Tonga

Natural Feature

Tonga is one of the few places in the world where you can scuba dive with humpback whales. Between July and October, these majestic creatures visit Tonga to mate and give birth, before leaving to feed in Arctic waters. Manta rays, tuna, barracuda and marlin are among the other marine species you’ll see here. Don’t miss visiting Hot Spring Cavern, entered at 25 metres (82ft) – inside you’ll find a spacious cave with its own hydrothermal vent.

Samoa

Natural Feature

Two main islands make up Samoa – Upolu and Savai’i – which are home to 200 coral and 900 fish species. Excellent visibility is characteristic of diving here. Most dives are walk-in shore dives. However, there are still opportunities to see towering underwater caverns and incredible wrecks (such as Juno off the coast of Savai’i).

Visit these scuba diving hotspots by hiring a day boat from SamBoat. Alternatively, Dream Yacht Charter organise multi-day sailing trips, allowing you to dive further afield.

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