After somewhat questionable weather over Easter (for us Brits, anyway), the skies have finally cleared and a few brave souls have even stepped out in shorts. And with the faintest whiff of warmth in the air we're stuffing clothes into our suitcases faster than a millennial can text. But where to go? That's where we come in; we've topped up our tans around the world all in the name of research, whether you want to witness one of nature's greatest events, follow the path of great adventurers, kick back on a deserted private island or anything in between.
June: Maldives
Seeing one manta ray is special but seeing hundreds is out of this world. If you can tear yourself away from the Maldives powdery sandbanks visit the world's biggest manta cleaning station, Hanifaru Bay, between June and November and witness hundreds of mantas flying and flipping in the Baa Atoll's plankton-rich waters. All conveniently close to the swish shores of Soneva Fushi.
June: French Polynesia
French Polynesia has two of the best dive sites in the world. Fact. From Rangiroa you can dive Tiputa Pass, an exhilarating drift dive accompanied by a frenzy of sharks tumbling past. Whilst at Tikehau's Shark Hole, dive down a vertical break in the reef to find (you guessed it) schooling sharks alongside whirlpools of marine life.
July: Gozo
Who would have thought Malta's inconspicuous neighbour Gozo houses some of Europe's best wreck diving? Not to mention Inland Sea - a tunnel lit by shards of sunlight and dancing fish that leads to the mysterious Blue Hole. All in clear, calm and surprisingly warm waters. Not bad for the Mediterranean.
July: Mozambique
Experience castaway idylls with all the amenities at Azura at Quilalea - whether watching humpback whales breach from deserted beaches, kayaking hidden mangrove forests, embarking on sunset dhow cruises or diving the surrounding marine reserve, looking out for the endangered dugong amongst vibrant reef fish.
August: Komodo
The variety of diving that you get in Komodo National Park is nothing short of spectacular with big fish (think: manta rays, sharks and wrasses), macro critters, sloping reefs, colourful corals, muck dives, wall dives and drift dives. Access some of the most remote sites by liveaboard.
August: Azores
The Azores is one big adventure. Hike, cycle and even abseil the island's wild, volcanic landscapes, whilst at sea, go whale watching, dive wartime wrecks and spot a huge variety of pelagic fish, from manta rays and mobula rays to swordfish and several species of shark. Discover our favourite sites here.
August: Galapagos
Visit the Galapagos archipelago during August and dive with ginormous, pregnant female whale sharks alongside the usual suspects: sea lions, penguins, marine iguanas, manta rays and sharks - spending surface intervals gawking at giant tortoises. Naturally.
August: Fiji
Some of the world's best reefs are just a few fin kicks from the paradise shores of Qamea Resort & Spa. From vertical hard coral walls to vibrant soft coral gardens and equally vibrant marine life, you'll be hard-pressed to experience the same dive twice.
