Best Places to Scuba Dive in May

May brings shoulder season across much of Asia, meaning fewer divers and still-great conditions. Komodo and the Similans are at their prime before monsoon clouds gather. Cocos Island enters its big-animal season with hammerheads schooling. The Red Sea delivers some of the year's best visibility. In the Caribbean, water warms to 28°C and conditions are calm. The Maldives transitions to its wetter season — still diveable but with shorter windows. Liveaboard pricing softens, making May one of the best value months of the year.

Marine Life in May

What you're most likely to encounter this month worldwide

W

Whale sharks

Peak encounter season

T

Turtles

Peak encounter season

D

Dolphins

Peak encounter season

Best Destinations by Region

Where to go in May, organized by continent

Asia-Pacific (8 destinations)

4.8

Komodo National Park

Indonesia — Vis 25m — Advanced

4.8

Tubbataha Reefs

Philippines — Vis 35m — Intermediate

4.7

Sipadan

Malaysia — Vis 30m — Intermediate

4.6

Lembeh Strait

Indonesia — Vis 10m — Beginner

4.5

Malapascua

Philippines — Vis 20m — Intermediate

4.5

Wakatobi

Indonesia — Vis 30m — Beginner

4.4

Anilao

Philippines — Vis 15m — Beginner

4.2

Bali

Indonesia — Vis 20m — Beginner

Africa & Middle East (1 destinations)

4.3

Ras Mohammed

Egypt — Vis 35m — Beginner

Europe (1 destinations)

4.2

Silfra Fissure

Iceland — Vis 100m — Intermediate

North America & Caribbean (3 destinations)

4.6

Bonaire

Bonaire — Vis 25m — Beginner

4.4

Belize Barrier Reef

Belize — Vis 25m — Beginner

4.3

Cozumel

Mexico — Vis 30m — Beginner

Oceania (5 destinations)

4.8

Palau

Palau — Vis 30m — Intermediate

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

4.4

Poor Knights Islands

New Zealand — Vis 25m — Intermediate

May at a Glance

Best destinations this month vs destinations to avoid

Best This Month (18)

Komodo National Park Indonesia — ★4.8 Palau Palau — ★4.8 Tubbataha Reefs Philippines — ★4.8 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 Malapascua Philippines — ★4.5 Wakatobi Indonesia — ★4.5 Anilao Philippines — ★4.4 Belize Barrier Reef Belize — ★4.4 Poor Knights Islands New Zealand — ★4.4 Cozumel Mexico — ★4.3

Avoid This Month (9)

Galapagos Islands Ecuador — ★4.9 Raja Ampat Indonesia — ★4.9 Cocos Island Costa Rica — ★4.8 Chuuk Lagoon Micronesia — ★4.7 Fernando de Noronha Brazil — ★4.7 Maldives Maldives — ★4.7 Great Barrier Reef Australia — ★4.5 Azores Portugal — ★4.3 Similan Islands Thailand — ★4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the best scuba diving in May?

Shoulder season in Asia — fewer crowds, still great conditions. Komodo and Cocos shine.

What marine life can I see in May?

In May, divers can commonly encounter: Whale sharks, Turtles, Dolphins. Specific encounters depend on the destination and local conditions.

Should I avoid any dive destinations in May?

Yes — 9 destinations in our database are outside their best season in May. These include Galapagos Islands, Raja Ampat, Cocos Island, Chuuk Lagoon, Fernando de Noronha. Visibility and conditions may be below peak, but many sites remain diveable year-round.