Top PADI-ranked scuba diving destinations for beginners (gallery)

USA Today

2 days ago

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If you're going to learn to scuba dive, you might as well do it in a gorgeous tropical setting with idyllic conditions for beginners.
"The destinations on this list are some of the most popular PADI certification hubs," says Kristin Valette Wirth of the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) Worldwide.
We've put together a gallery inspired by PADI's list, so you can start planning your dive trip. And you don't have to wait for that trip to begin your certification journey. PADI offers an Open Water Diver course, which combines eLearning and in-person instruction to get you certified for underwater fun. So, let's dive in!
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Learn to dive in pristine Pacific or Caribbean waters off the coast of Mexico. You can also head inland to explore the freshwater cenotes of the Yucatán. If seeing marine life is your passion, the Sea of Cortez is your best bet. Referred to as 'the world's aquarium' by Jacques Cousteau himself, the Sea of Cortez is home to a colony of sea lions, as well as dolphins, whales, turtles, and more than 900 species of fish. What an incredible diving destination for beginners!
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Almost everyone knows about the California redwoods, but have you heard of the massive kelp forests that exist just beyond California's coastline? These underwater forests are giant and otherworldly. Head to La Jolla or Point Loma in San Diego to explore this precious habitat for a variety of sea life. Other California diving highlights include shipwrecks, such as the UB88 submarine off the coast of Los Angeles, and the dramatic reefs of Palos Verdes.
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From Pensacola down to the Florida Keys and every place in between, Florida is a diver's paradise. The Gulf Coast offers warmer water temps year-round, compared to the Atlantic side, and you can't get more tropical than Florida's southern coast. Key Largo has one of the largest diving centers in North America. Dive sites include wrecks, walls, and reefs.
Hot tip: Less than an hour's drive from Miami, you'll find John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, which boasts 40 living coral species, more than 600 varieties of fish, and a sunken statue cast from a mold by Italian sculptor Guido Galletti.
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The magic of diving in Hawaii is that conditions are perfect for diving year-round. The Hawaiian Islands offer a broad range of underwater topography, from natural lava tubes to colorful coral gardens. Oahu's Kapolei is a great diving destination for beginners, as it offers calm, protected waters with clear visibility and minimal currents. There's plenty of marine biodiversity too, from reef sharks to sea turtles. Plan your trip between May and October for optimal diving conditions.
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This Dutch Caribbean island, where divers can explore vibrant coral reefs and mysterious shipwrecks, is an excellent diving destination for all levels, but particularly for beginners. Protected from currents, the water temperatures around Bonaire's dive sites average in the mid-80s year-round. Even better, Bonaire isn't in the hurricane zone. Diving in Bonaire National Marine Park is an absolute must. In addition to the park's diverse flora and fauna, it's home to seagrass meadows, mangroves, and the least degraded coral reefs in the Caribbean Sea.
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The diving industry is thriving on this Caribbean island, which boasts more than 70 dive sites — all teeming with eels, rays, squid, reef fish, turtles, and more. Several first-class dive operators call Curaçao home, so you'll have plenty of options when looking for guides and instruction.
Pro tip: Divers enjoy calm waters and excellent visibility year-round, so plan your trip between May and November (Curaçao's off-season) for fewer crowds and the best pricing.
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Located along the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, Roatan and Utila, known as the Bay Islands of Honduras, offer world-class diving for all levels. Dive sites West End and West Bay offer gentle currents and clear waters. Divers can swim among coral gardens and experience spectacular wall dives. In West End alone, there are 80 dive sites within a 10-minute drive! Coxen Hole's shark dives, conducted ethically, are ideal for experienced divers and thrill-seekers.
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For decades, divers have flocked to the Dominican Republic, known for its biodiverse reef structures with cavernous swim-throughs, vibrant coral formations, and shipwrecks. Head to the island's south end to places like Bayahibe, where dive shops are plentiful, the current is gentle, and the underwater treasures are many.
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With the longest unbroken barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, Belize attracts divers from all over the world. It's a perfect entry point for those learning to dive or new to diving, thanks to its crystal-clear water that remains warm year-round. You'll find the most dive shops in Ambergris Caye; however, Caye Caulker is another idyllic spot with calm waters and proximity to the Belize Barrier Reef.
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Puerto Rico is akin to a diver's underwater theme park, with dramatic vertical walls and biodiverse marine life. It's also a great diving destination for beginners, as it boasts numerous dive shops and dive tours. Pro tip: Book your scuba diving trip between December and May and head to Mona Island, where humpback whales migrate from November through May.