Escape the Crowds: 10 Scuba Holidays Off the Tourist Trail
July 11, 2025
For many divers, the allure of the ocean is in its untouched beauty, far from the crowds that flock to well-known hotspots like the Great Barrier Reef or Thailand’s Similan Islands. Exploring remote dive destinations offers not only tranquility but also the chance to explore pristine marine ecosystems with rare marine life undisturbed by mass tourism. These lesser-known locations provide adventure, breathtaking underwater landscapes, and unique diving experiences that rival the world’s most famous sites. Here are ten hidden scuba diving gems around the world, each offering an extraordinary underwater experience away from the crowds.
Scuba Holidays That Take You Off the Beaten Path
1. Mafia Island, Tanzania
While Zanzibar attracts the majority of tourists going diving in Tanzania, Mafia Island remains an unspoiled paradise for divers. The warm, clear waters here are home to one of the healthiest coral reefs in East Africa. Chole Bay, located in the Mafia Island Marine Park, boasts an abundance of soft and hard corals, colorful reef fish, and macro life. Divers can encounter gentle whale sharks between October and March, and the island’s deep channels attract barracudas, rays, and reef sharks.
The dive conditions are excellent year-round, with warm temperatures and calm seas, though visibility can be affected by plankton blooms. Open Water Diver certification is suitable for most sites, but some deeper reefs and walls may require an Advanced Open Water certification.
Mafia Island is perfect for relaxed, off-grid scuba holidays, with access requiring a short domestic flight from Dar es Salaam, followed by a boat transfer to the island’s lodges—ensuring its peaceful and secluded nature.
2. Alor Archipelago, Indonesia
Nestled within the Lesser Sunda Islands, Alor remains one of the best-kept secrets of diving in Indonesia. The remote location and strong currents make it an ideal destination for experienced divers seeking thrilling drift dives and encounters with large pelagic species.
Kalabahi Bay is known for world-class muck diving, while sites like The Cathedral and The Bullet offer dramatic drop-offs and schooling hammerhead sharks. The best time to dive here is from April to November when visibility is at its peak, and currents are at their most manageable.
For adventurous scuba holidays, Alor offers unforgettable dives, with most dive sites requiring an Advanced Open Water certification due to their depths and conditions. Alor is accessible via flights from Bali or Jakarta to Kupang, followed by a short domestic flight to Alor’s airport in Kalabahi.
3. Cocos Island, Costa Rica
Often referred to as the "little Galápagos," Cocos Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a dream destination for divers seeking large marine life encounters. Located 550 kilometers off Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, it is only accessible via a Cocos Island liveaboard trip.
The island’s legendary dive sites, including Bajo Alcyone and Dirty Rock, are famous for schooling hammerhead sharks, giant manta rays, and whale sharks. The nutrient-rich waters mean that visibility can fluctuate, but the marine biodiversity is unmatched. It is a top choice for those looking to include remote, wildlife-rich destinations in their scuba holidays.
Diving here is best from June to November when the shark activity peaks. Given the challenging conditions and strong currents, divers should have an Advanced Open Water certification with experience in deep divingand diving in currents.
4. Lofoten Islands, Norway
For those seeking an entirely different kind of diving adventure, the Arctic waters of Norway’s Lofoten Islandsoffer some of the most dramatic underwater landscapes in the world. The crystal-clear fjords, kelp forests, and wreck dives are set against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains.
One of the highlights is the MV Hamburg, a well-preserved World War II wreck resting at accessible depths. Arctic diving requires a drysuit and proper thermal protection, making it best suited for Advanced divers.
For truly adventurous scuba holidays, the region also offers the chance to snorkel and freedive with orcas aboard the Sula liveaboard - a seasonal highlight between October and January.
The best time to visit is between April and September when the water temperatures are slightly milder, though still cold. Lofoten is accessible via flights to Bodø, followed by a ferry or drive to the islands.
5. São Tomé and Príncipe
Situated in the Gulf of Guinea off the West African coast, diving in São Tomé and Príncipe offers a truly off-the-grid diving experience. The volcanic seafloor is teeming with marine life, including rare fish species found nowhere else.
Lagoa Azul and Ilhéu das Rolas are among the best dive sites, featuring dramatic rock formations and occasional encounters with dolphins and whale sharks. The diving conditions are excellent year-round, with warm water temperatures and little current, making it ideal for Open Water divers.
It is a great option for divers seeking remote scuba holidays in pristine, lesser-known locations.Getting here requires a flight from Portugal or Ghana, followed by a short hop to Príncipe for the most secluded sites.
6. Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand
Lying off the North Island’s east coast, the Poor Knights Islands are a marine reserve bursting with underwater biodiversity. Lava caves, tunnels, and arches create a unique underwater topography that attracts an array of fish, rays, and the occasional orca. Rikoriko Cave is one of the world’s largest sea caves, offering an eerie yet mesmerizing dive.
Once named by Jacques Cousteau as one of the top ten dive sites in the world, the Poor Knights are an excellent choice for divers planning unique and nature-rich scuba holidays. The best time to go diving in New Zealand is between October and April when water temperatures are more comfortable.
Open Water Diver certification is sufficient for most sites, but some deeper dives require Advanced training. The islands are accessible via boat from Tutukaka, a small coastal town north of Auckland.
7. Ilhéus, Brazil
For those looking to dive in Brazil away from the crowded reefs of Fernando de Noronha, the Ilhéus region offers exceptional diving with little tourist traffic. The region features coral gardens, shipwrecks, and rich marine life, including sea turtles, nurse sharks, and schools of jackfish.
The warm waters provide excellent visibility year-round, and conditions are suitable for all levels. The best way to reach Ilhéus is via direct flights from major Brazilian cities like São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro.
8. Azores, Portugal
Located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, the Azores are an underrated European diving paradise. The archipelago’s remote location means fewer crowds and incredible marine encounters, including blue sharks and manta rays.
Sites like Princess Alice Bank are famous for pelagic life, while sunken volcanoes and lava formations add to the thrill. For European divers seeking scuba holidays off the beaten path and with big marine life, the Azores are a rewarding choice.
The best time for diving in the Azores is from June to October, when visibility is at its best. Advanced certification is recommended for offshore sites. Direct flights from Lisbon connect to the islands, with inter-island flights available for more remote diving locations.
9. Busuanga, Philippines
While Palawan’s El Nido and Coron attract most divers, Busuanga remains a hidden gem of diving in the Philippines. The area is known for World War II wreck diving, with sunken Japanese warships resting at diveable depths. The clear, warm waters and abundant marine life make it an excellent choice for history enthusiasts and macro lovers alike.
It is a standout destination for scuba holidays that combine excellent diving with a sense of discovery and solitude. The best time to dive is from December to May when visibility peaks.
Open Water divers can enjoy many of the shallower wrecks, but deeper ones require Advanced certification. Flights from Manila to Busuanga Airport provide easy access to this unspoiled region.
10. Saba, Caribbean Netherlands
Often overshadowed by more famous Caribbean destinations, Saba is an untouched diving paradise. Its volcanic origins provide dramatic underwater formations, pinnacles, and thriving coral reefs. The Saba Marine Park ensures pristine conditions, with sites like Diamond Rock offering schools of fish, sharks, and vibrant coral walls.
Diving is excellent year-round, with the best visibility between December and April. Advanced divers will benefit most from the deep sites, though many shallower dives are suitable for beginners. Saba is accessible via a short flight from St. Maarten.
For divers seeking unique and tranquil experiences, these off-the-beaten-path destinations offer stunning underwater worlds without the crowds. Whether exploring Arctic fjords, volcanic seascapes, or remote tropical reefs, each location offers an unforgettable adventure - and scuba holidays away from the usual dive hotspots.
Ready to trade crowded reefs for untouched beauty?
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