Where to go
All Destinations
Some of our favourites
A selection of our favourite suggestions
Australia
Australia offers great diving. As well as the Great Barrier Reef there are the wonders of Lord Howe Island and Ningaloo Reef.
Raja Ampat
Raja Ampat just happens to sit right on the bullseye of the Coral Triangle, which is the area of highest marine biodiversity on earth. With more species of fish and coral than anywhere else on our planet, the diving here is jaw-dropping.
Papua New Guinea
This is one of the last few genuine frontier areas left on the planet. Mention Papua New Guinea and people will probably have visions of cannibals marauding through the jungle. Well, nowadays, the only headhunters you’re likely to come across are Australian recruitment consultants on holiday, but they – and you – would be among the first people to explore what is a truly original destination.
Fiji
Stunning soft corals, great marine life, beautiful beaches and the 'friendliest people on Earth'. What's not to like about Fiji.
Mozambique
Untouched beauty along with some of our favourite dive sites. What's not to like about Mozambique?
Little Cayman
World-class diving and laid back Caribbean charm at its best. This is one of the very best Caribbean diving destinations.
The Azores
The Azores offer world-class diving; we think the best in Europe. It also offers some amazing activities around its volcanic scenery.
Maldives
The Maldives is a world-class diving destination, particularly if you like diving with big fish. Above the waves you find pure white sand, blue seas and world-class hotels. What's not to like?
Rangiroa
Rangiroa, at the heart of the Tuamoto archipelago, is the second largest atoll in the world. Only an hour's flight away from Tahiti, it is home to some world-class diving.
Micronesia
The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is made up of four states from West to East: Yap, Chuuk (previously known as Truk), Pohnpei and Kosrae. Theses states make up approximately 607 islands (only 65 are inhabited) spread over 2,500km just north of the equator in the Western Pacific.
Philippines
The Philippines has an incredible amount of variety in the form of WWII wrecks, pristine reefs, world-class muck diving and one of our favourites: the thresher shark.
Indonesia
Home to some of the best diving on earth, incredible landscapes and world class hotels, Indonesia is one of our favourite countries. There are some 17,000 islands to choose from but we know the very best spots to head to.
Taveuni
Soft coral capital of the world and offering so much more, this is a must visit. The Great White Wall is worth the trip on its own!
Lord Howe Island
Home to the southernmost coral reef in the world, this little known island is a hidden gem.
Bahamas
Scattered like dabs of possibility on an adventurer’s palette, the Bahamas are ready-made for exploration. Just ask Christopher Columbus, he bumped against these limestone landscapes in 1492 and changed the course of history.
Mexico
Two different coastlines, two totally different types of diving, both offering something very special.
Wakatobi
With some of the most pristine reefs on earth, Wakatobi is paradise for those that love coral and the small stuff - particularly the pygmy seahorse!
Ecuador & the Galapagos
Home to a rich variety of wildlife, both above and below the waves, some of which are found nowhere else in the world.
Gozo
Gozo, Malta's quiet sister, offers great Mediterranean diving, as well as culture, with a collection of charming villages and prehistoric sites to visit; and it's relatively anonymous.
Southern Red Sea
The southern Red Sea combines what we love about Red Sea diving with a more relaxed and quiet atmosphere, that is to say, not as many people know about it as they do Sharm.
Komodo
Komodo is a stunning destination both above and below the waves. This national park has some of the very best diving on earth.
Dumaguete and Dauin
Incredible muck diving, beautiful reefs and one of our favourite hotels, this region is an absolute gem.
Mafia Island
Little known Mafia is one of the only places you are virtually guaranteed whale sharks at the right time of year.
Palau
Located midway between the Philippines and Guam in the western part of the Caroline Islands (this eastern part is known as Micronesia), the nation's claim to fame is now its world-class diving...
Where to go when
Our travel experts have highlighted our favourite places to visit each month
From our blog
20 Dive Tips for Travel
When it comes to diving, there's no better way to learn what works well than by doing it wrong first. And after years of being a professional guinea pig in both travel and diving, Eleanor - one of our diving experts - has made enough mistakes (and crucially, learnt from them) to be able to…
Top Dive Destinations for Non-Divers
When it comes to diving, people sometimes fall into two camps: the die-hard divers who will happily dedicate their entire holiday to underwater exploring, and the land lovers who prefer to spend their time above the waves. But what happens when you're trying to plan a holiday that appeals to…
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Coming face to face with wild animals in their natural habitat and observing their behaviours has an almost universal appeal. It's why we have such a soft spot for the likes of David Attenborough and Steve Backshaw (ask the children). But while the animal kingdom above the waves is home to…
Our Top Bucket List Diving Experiences
Looking for ideas for your next diving holiday? Here are our top bucket list diving experiences to inspire your next diving adventure with Original Diving.
Find a Happy Place
These past couple of months have been the hardest yet, thanks (if that's the word) to the double dose of winter and lockdown. Here at Original Diving, we're determined to stay as positive as possible, so we asked the team to each describe their 'Happy Place' - one blissful moment from their…
When, Not If
The temporary closure of the UK's travel corridors is sad news, but it still feels like the whole country is poised and ready to head off on holiday as soon as is humanly possible. The race between vaccines and virus makes this latest lockdown feel particularly tough, but that's why we…
Boycott Black Friday... (and Celebrate Green Friday Instead)
Bored of endless Black Friday emails, ads and pop-ups? Irritated about the UK adopting this Thanksgiving-specific consumer culture from our friends in the US in the first place? We are too. Which is why, this year we are boycotting Black Friday in favour of celebrating Green Friday. This…
The Best Snorkelling in the World
When it comes to underwater pursuits, there is a whole lot to love about snorkelling - not only is it suitable for all ages and abilities and only requires minimal equipment, it also offers the chance to see a multitude of marine species closer to the surface. From the vibrant coral reefs of…
The Top Five Places To Learn To Dive
Divers are really astronauts; gliding weightless through the ocean we observe alien worlds carpeted in vast fields of colourful corals with equally bizarre, enthralling inhabitants - from the foreign clicks of dolphins communicating to minute technicolour slugs (nudibranch). And best yet,…
Longer Term, Longer Haul
What with all the recent confusion surrounding air bridges, travel corridors and quarantine, short-term travel is still very much up in the air. Or not. It's hard to keep up, sometimes. Looking further ahead, though, we believe that a year hence travel will have returned to at least a…
Virtual Diving
Some in the travel industry fear the emergence of virtual tourism; we're not in that camp. We know that seeing somewhere on a screen - even if you are able to turn your head or move your mouse to see more - is no substitute for a real dive in a gloriously remote location. What virtual…
Keep Your Distance
It's fair to say that there has been some confusion surrounding the loosening of the lockdown. We're confident that the Great British public will use their famed common sense to work things out - after all, this is the nation that elevated queuing to an art form - but in the meantime, we've…