Cheap Diving: The Most Affordable Scuba Destinations in the World

The biggest factor in what you pay for diving is where you dive. Local wages, boat costs, competition and park fees vary enormously. Here are the destinations where your money goes furthest, all with plenty of reputable operators.

Price comparison (approximate, 2026)

Destination	Open Water	Fun dive	Budget room/night
Koh Tao, Thailand	US$320–380	US$30–35	US$15–40
Utila / Roatán, Honduras	US$300–450	US$30–45	US$15–50
Philippines (Moalboal, Puerto Galera)	US$350–450	US$30–45	US$15–40
Egypt (Dahab, Hurghada)	€350–450	€25–40	€15–40
Perhentians, Malaysia	US$270–360	US$22–30	US$15–40
Gili Islands / Amed, Indonesia	US$380–480	US$35–45	US$15–40
Dauin / Apo Island, Philippines	US$380–450	US$35–45	US$20–50
Mexico (Mahahual, Playa del Carmen)	US$400–550	US$50–70	US$25–60

The top budget picks

1. Koh Tao, Thailand

The benchmark for cheap, quality training. Many schools include discounted or free accommodation with courses. Best March–September.

2. Utila, Honduras

A tiny Caribbean island on the Mesoamerican Reef, famous for low-cost courses and a backpacker scene, plus occasional whale sharks. Roatán nearby is a little more upmarket.

3. Dahab, Egypt

Walk-in shore diving means no boat costs. Guesthouses are cheap, and the dive community is friendly. A great budget choice for Europeans, with year-round diving.

4. The Philippines

Moalboal, Puerto Galera and Dauin offer affordable diving and great variety, with sardines, turtles and macro life.

5. Perhentian Islands, Malaysia

Cheap courses and turtles on a tropical island, though only from roughly March to October.

6. Gili Islands and Amed, Indonesia

Laid-back and inexpensive, with turtles everywhere (Gilis) and easy shore diving (Amed, Tulamben).

Budget tips that work anywhere

1. Buy multi-dive packages: 10-dive deals often save 15–30%.
2. Shore dive where possible (Dahab, Bonaire, Amed, Tulamben). There's no boat fee.
3. Travel in shoulder season for lower rates on rooms and dives.
4. Combine course + accommodation packages.
5. Bring your own mask and computer and rent the rest to save on bulky gear and baggage fees.
6. Stay a while. Longer stays get better prices and more relaxed diving.
7. Check all fees up front: park, environmental, equipment, nitrox and taxes.
8. Get dive insurance. Saving money on insurance is a false economy.

See our full cost of scuba diving guide for more.

Budget itineraries

Learn to dive in Southeast Asia (2 weeks, about US$1,300–1,800 excluding flights)

Do your Open Water and Advanced courses on Koh Tao (March–September), then island-hop to Koh Phangan or Koh Samui. Budget guesthouses, street food and dive packages keep costs low.

Red Sea on a shoestring (1 week, about €700–1,000 excluding flights)

Stay in a Dahab guesthouse, do shore dives at the Lighthouse, Eel Garden and the Canyon with a local guide, and add a jeep trip to the Blue Hole's shallow Bells route (certified divers only).

Central America combo (2–3 weeks)

Get certified in Utila, then continue to Caye Caulker in Belize for Hol Chan snorkeling and reef dives. It's a classic backpacker route with good-value diving throughout.

Where not to cut costs

• Dive insurance with chamber and evacuation cover
• A dive computer (rent one if you don't own one)
• Choosing an operator with oxygen, small groups and maintained gear
• Skipping a refresher if you haven't dived for a long time

Saving a few dollars here can cost a lot more later. See dive insurance and choosing a dive centre.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest place in the world to get scuba certified?

Koh Tao in Thailand, Utila in Honduras, the Perhentian Islands in Malaysia, and parts of the Philippines and Egypt are among the cheapest places to get certified.

Is it safe to learn to dive in cheap destinations?

Yes, if you choose a reputable centre with small groups, maintained gear and good safety practices. Low prices usually reflect local costs, not low standards.