The 10 Best Places in the World for Your First Dive
Where you learn matters. Calm, warm, clear water and experienced dive centres make your first dives easier, safer and far more fun.
On this page
- 1. Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh and Dahab, Egypt
- 2. Koh Tao, Thailand
- 3. Bonaire, Caribbean
- 4. Eilat and Aqaba
- 5. Great Barrier Reef, Australia
- 6. Bali (Tulamben and Amed), Indonesia
- 7. Moalboal, Philippines
- 8. Perhentian Islands, Malaysia
- 9. Cozumel and the Riviera Maya, Mexico
- 10. Malta and Gozo
- Comparison table
- Tips for choosing
- What to avoid for your first dives
- Learning at home vs on holiday
- Frequently asked questions
What makes a great place for a first dive? We looked for five things:
- Calm conditions: little current, gentle waves, sheltered sites
- Warm water, so you can focus on skills instead of shivering
- Good visibility, which makes it less intimidating and more beautiful
- Shallow reefs with lots to see at 5–12 m
- Experienced, affordable dive centres
1. Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh and Dahab, Egypt
Year-round diving, 20–40 m visibility, colourful reefs close to shore, and very competitive prices for Europeans. Dahab's shore diving is especially relaxed. Egypt guide →
2. Koh Tao, Thailand
One of the most popular places on Earth to learn, with dozens of dive centres, cheap courses and a sociable atmosphere. Best March–September. Thailand guide →
3. Bonaire, Caribbean
Calm shore diving along a protected marine park, shallow reefs, low hurricane risk and a relaxed island vibe. Perfect for practising buoyancy at your own pace. Caribbean guide →
4. Eilat and Aqaba
Easy shore entries onto coral reefs and shallow wrecks such as Aqaba's Tank wreck and the Cedar Pride. Check travel advice first. Eilat & Aqaba guide →
5. Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Highly professional operators, calm outer-reef moorings and incredible marine life. More expensive, but excellent quality. Great Barrier Reef guide →
6. Bali (Tulamben and Amed), Indonesia
Walk from a pebble beach onto the USAT Liberty wreck, which starts at about 5 m. It's a first wreck dive you'll never forget. Indonesia guide →
7. Moalboal, Philippines
Turtles and a giant sardine shoal right off the beach, plus affordable courses. Philippines guide →
8. Perhentian Islands, Malaysia
Laid-back tropical islands with turtles and blacktip reef sharks, and good-value courses (March–October). Malaysia guide →
9. Cozumel and the Riviera Maya, Mexico
Gentle drift dives over beautiful reefs, easy access from Cancún, and the cenotes to look forward to once certified. Mexico guide →
10. Malta and Gozo
The best option in Europe outside the tropics: clear water, sheltered bays, English-speaking instructors and diving year-round (warmest June–October). Mediterranean guide →
Comparison table
| Destination | Best months | Water | Open Water price* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Egypt | Year-round (Mar–May, Sep–Nov best) | 21–29 °C | €350–480 |
| Koh Tao | Mar–Sep | 28–30 °C | ~US$320–380 |
| Bonaire | Year-round | 26–29 °C | US$500–650 |
| Eilat/Aqaba | Apr–Nov | 21–27 °C | US$450–650 |
| Great Barrier Reef | Jun–Nov | 23–29 °C | AUD 800–1,500 |
| Bali | Apr–Nov | 26–29 °C | US$380–520 |
| Moalboal | Nov–May | 26–30 °C | US$350–450 |
| Perhentians | Mar–Oct | 28–30 °C | ~US$270–360 |
| Cozumel | Dec–May | 25–29 °C | US$450–650 |
| Malta | Jun–Oct | 20–27 °C | €450–600 |
*Approximate 2026 ranges; check what's included.
Tips for choosing
- Season first: a great destination in the wrong month can be disappointing. Use our destination calendar.
- Then choose the dive centre, not just the destination. See choosing a dive centre.
- Do theory online before you go.
- Allow extra days for weather and rest, and keep your last day dive-free before flying.
What to avoid for your first dives
- Strong-current destinations such as parts of Komodo, Galápagos, and Maldivian channel dives
- Cold water if you can choose. Being cold makes skills harder and less enjoyable
- Monsoon or hurricane months, when rough seas and poor visibility are likely
- Very busy "diving factories" with large groups, where you get little attention
- Deep or overhead sites (the Blue Hole in Dahab, caves, wreck interiors)
Learning at home vs on holiday
You don't have to learn in the tropics. Many divers do the theory and pool sessions at a local dive centre, then finish their open-water dives on holiday with a referral. Others certify in local lakes or quarries. It's colder and visibility is lower, but divers who learn in harder conditions are often very well prepared. See the Open Water course for how referrals work.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the cheapest place to learn to dive?
Koh Tao (Thailand), the Philippines, Honduras (Utila, Roatán), Malaysia's Perhentians and Egypt are among the most affordable places to get certified.
Where is the best place in Europe to learn to dive?
Malta and Gozo are excellent, with clear water and sheltered sites. Egypt's Red Sea, a short flight from Europe, is also a top choice.
Keep reading
Winter Diving: Where to Dive from December to March
Escape the cold: the best warm-water dive destinations from December to March.
Where to See Manta Rays, Whale Sharks and Turtles While Diving
The best places and seasons for the ocean's gentle giants, plus how to encounter them responsibly.
Cheap Diving: The Most Affordable Scuba Destinations in the World
Where your diving budget goes furthest, with typical course and dive prices.