How many places have scuba diving research on Nomadr?

190 of the 333 places we cover.

Which region has the most places for scuba diving?

Europe, with 59 places, followed by Caribbean (26) and North America (26).

Is this list a ranking?

No. We hold no scuba diving score, so places are grouped by region and listed alphabetically within each region.

Best Places for Scuba Diving

Browse every place with applicable scuba diving research in Nomadr, grouped by region and alphabetized within each group. This list is not a ranking.

Every city where we hold applicable research for this topic — 190 of our 333. We store no score for it, so this is not a ranking: cities are listed by region, alphabetically inside each region. Each region shows up to 40 cities.

How we score this

This list is not a ranking, because we hold no scuba diving score. It includes every place where our research found scuba diving worth covering, and leaves out places where it exists but isn’t a real draw. Places are grouped by region, with the largest group first, and listed alphabetically within each region; each region shows up to 40 places. Each name links to that place’s scuba diving page when we have one.

Europe (59 cities, showing 40)

Athens · GreeceGood to know: Water quality and marine life visibly improve the further southeast you go from central Athens — most serious dive centers are based well down the coast (Anavyssos, Vari, Varkiza, Lavrion, Lagonisi) rather than right in the city.
Ayia Napa · CyprusGood to know: Most Ayia Napa-area diving (Green Bay, Cape Greco, MUSAN) is easy shore or short-boat diving suitable for all levels — but the single most famous Cyprus wreck, the Zenobia, is a day-trip near Larnaca, not a local Ayia Napa dive, so budget travel time and expect a guided boat excursion rather than a casual shore dive.
Barcelona · SpainGood to know: The best-known diving (Medes Islands, Costa Brava) is not walkable or a short taxi ride from central Barcelona — budget a half-day to full-day round trip, and book ahead in July/August since the Medes Islands marine reserve caps daily diver numbers per site.
Berlin · GermanyGood to know: Scuba diving in Berlin is exclusively freshwater lake diving — expect calm, vegetated bottoms and freshwater species (pike, perch, eels, crayfish) rather than coral or tropical marine life.
Biarritz · FranceGood to know: This is Atlantic wreck-and-reef diving, not tropical reef diving — expect rocky terrain, caves and wrecks rather than coral, and water that's often cooler and choppier than the Mediterranean.
Brussels · BelgiumGood to know: Nemo 33 (in Brussels proper) is a 38-minute public-transport commute; ideal for rainy days, certification courses, and year-round warm-water training without cold-water gear.
Budapest · HungaryGood to know: Budapest's diving is a niche technical-cave specialty, not recreational scuba.
Cascais · PortugalGood to know: This is Atlantic, not tropical, diving — expect a wetsuit thicker than you'd use in warm-water destinations, and be prepared for visibility that can vary significantly day to day depending on swell and plankton.
Chania · GreeceGood to know: Almost all of Chania's headline sites (Elephant Cave, Cathedral, the wrecks) are boat-access only via a dive center's own boat — don't expect to walk in from the Old Town; you'll need to book a trip departing from the Venetian Harbor or a nearby base like Agia Marina, Almyrida, or Platanias.
Cinque Terre · ItalyGood to know: If you're staying in one of the five Cinque Terre villages, only Riomaggiore has an actual dive centre and boat departing from within Cinque Terre itself — the wider 'Gulf of Poets' sites around Portovenere, Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto require first getting to San Terenzo or Lerici (train plus bus/taxi from La Spezia), then a further short boat ride.
Copenhagen · DenmarkGood to know: Copenhagen's cold-water dives require drysuit experience or comfort with cold conditions, especially in winter months when visibility is best.
Corfu · GreeceGood to know: You do not need to book a liveaboard for Corfu — nearly all the well-known sites are reached by day boats from centres in Kassiopi, Kalami, or Paleokastritsa, or by a single-day excursion boat to Paxos or Othonoi.
Dublin · IrelandGood to know: Dublin Bay offers some of Ireland's most accessible diving just offshore, but the very best sites (Dalkey Island, wrecks) require boat access and careful tide and weather planning.
Dubrovnik · CroatiaGood to know: This is a day-boat (and partly shore) diving destination, not a liveaboard one — most named sites are reachable in well under 30 minutes from centrally based dive shops.
Edinburgh · United KingdomGood to know: Firth of Forth diving is winter-accessible year-round (unlike many UK coastal sites), making it reliable for planning.
Fuerteventura · SpainGood to know: This is fundamentally a shore/day-boat diving destination, not a liveaboard one — you can build a full week of diving from Corralejo, Caleta de Fuste or Morro Jable without ever needing an overnight boat trip.
Funchal · PortugalGood to know: Diving here is boat- and shore-based, not liveaboard — you can build a full week of diving using Funchal-based operators without ever needing an overnight boat.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen · GermanyGood to know: Walchensee has winter diving bans at steep-wall sites like Steilwand; always check current restrictions before planning winter dives.
Gdańsk · PolandGood to know: Visibility is best in winter and spring (up to 20–25 m) rather than summer; plan winter/early-spring trips if clarity is a priority.
Girona · SpainGood to know: Girona diving is boat-based from coastal villages 30–90 minutes away; not accessible from the city center itself.
Glasgow · United KingdomGood to know: There is no scuba diving in Glasgow city itself — every site listed here is a day trip (Loch Long, Holy Loch) or a multi-day trip (Sound of Mull, Oban, Scapa Flow) out of the city.
Helsinki · FinlandGood to know: Don't expect tropical-style diving here — this is cold, often murky wreck diving, and a drysuit is effectively mandatory for anything beyond the shallowest summer dips.
Hvar · CroatiaGood to know: Diving here is boat-based day-tripping, not shore diving in the usual sense — expect a 15–30 minute RIB or dive-boat ride out to the Pakleni Islands or along the coast rather than walking in from a beach.
Ibiza · SpainGood to know: Ibiza diving is boat-centered but not liveaboard territory — nearly every named site is a same-day trip of 5-45 minutes by boat from a shore-based dive center, and a couple of sites (like Cala Moli) can even be dived directly from the beach.
Innsbruck · AustriaGood to know: Lake Achensee is Tyrol's largest freshwater lake and lies between the Karwendel and Rofan mountains; the surrounding scenery is alpine and glacially carved.
Ios · GreeceGood to know: Diving on Ios is a small, seasonal operation (roughly April/May–September) centered on Mylopotas Beach — don't expect a big dive-tourism scene like Santorini; the named site list is short.
Kalymnos · GreeceGood to know: Diving here is a day-boat operation centered on Myrties/Massouri and Pothia — you are not looking at a liveaboard scene, and most named sites are a short boat ride rather than a long transfer.
Kavos · GreeceGood to know: If you're staying in Kavos specifically, be aware the famous Corfu dive sites are not nearby — they're clustered up in the northeast (Kalami/Nissaki/Kassiopi) and west (Paleokastritsa) of the island, roughly 1.5–2 hours' drive away, so a serious dive day trip from Kavos means a long transfer, not a quick shore dive.
Kotor · MontenegroGood to know: Don't expect tropical coral-reef colors here — Montenegro's appeal is wrecks, caves, tunnels and clear rocky-bottom Adriatic diving, not coral reef life.
Lagos · PortugalGood to know: This is Atlantic diving, not tropical - expect cold water (roughly 14-22°C depending on season) and pack for a 5-7mm wetsuit with hood, boots and gloves rather than a shorty.
Las Palmas · SpainGood to know: The wrecks and cavern dive directly off Las Palmas city are not casual shore dives — they require a chartered boat, calm weather/swell windows, and sometimes a minimum number of divers, so book with flexibility and expect some trips to be weather-cancelled.
Limassol · CyprusGood to know: The two most iconic Cyprus dives — the Zenobia wreck and Jubilee Shoals — are NOT located in Limassol itself; they're day-trip boat excursions (Zenobia via Larnaca, roughly 45 minutes away; Jubilee Shoals via Pissouri, roughly 30–40 minutes away), so budget extra travel time if these are on your list.
Magaluf · SpainGood to know: You don't need a liveaboard for this part of Mallorca — local dive centers based in Magaluf, Palmanova and Santa Ponsa run short boat trips (often as little as 5 minutes to the nearest reserve) to reach most named sites, and at least one popular site (Cala Penyes Rotges) is a genuine shore dive.
Málaga · SpainGood to know: The single most-recommended, reliable dive area for anyone based in Malaga is not in the city at all — it's La Herradura, about 50–55 minutes away by car — so budget for a half-day trip if you want the best visibility and marine life.
Malia · GreeceGood to know: Malia has no shore dives.
Marmaris · TurkeyGood to know: Expect a boat transfer to reach dive sites — this is day-boat diving, not shore diving, and typically not liveaboard-based; boat rides to the site can take roughly an hour each way.
Milan · ItalyGood to know: Lake Como diving is significantly different from tropical ocean diving: freshwater species, cool temperatures, variable visibility, and the need for a torch/light are standard.
Munich · GermanyGood to know: All scuba diving in and around Munich requires permits or special permissions from local authorities; strict regulations apply to Lake Starnberg in particular—work with established local dive operators to ensure compliance.
Mykonos · GreeceGood to know: All diving here is day-boat based out of small local dive centers — there is no liveaboard scene, and you shouldn't expect true shore-entry diving for most named sites; a short RIB ride is standard.
Nice · FranceGood to know: Diving out of Nice is almost entirely boat-based day trips rather than shore diving or liveaboards — book with a dive center in Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Antibes, or Cannes rather than expecting to just walk into the sea to reach the well-known sites.

Caribbean (26 cities)

Basseterre · St. Kitts and NevisGood to know: Diving here is almost entirely day-boat based with short rides from Basseterre/Frigate Bay — don't expect much true shore-entry diving, but also don't expect to need a liveaboard; a liveaboard combining St. Kitts with Saba exists for those who want it, but it's optional.
Bonaire · BonaireGood to know: Bonaire is often called the world's shore-diving capital: dive sites are marked with painted yellow stones along the coast road, and most nomads simply rent a pickup truck with a tank rack and dive whenever they like without needing to book a boat.
Bridgetown · BarbadosGood to know: Carlisle Bay's wrecks are close enough to swim to from the beach opposite the bandstand on Bay Street, but the bay has real boat traffic, so nearly all operators run this as a supervised boat dive rather than a solo shore swim.
Cabarete · Dominican RepublicGood to know: The actual dive hub for Cabarete is Sosúa Bay, about 15-20 minutes away by car — don't expect to walk into serious diving straight from Cabarete's own beach.
Castries · Saint LuciaGood to know: If you're staying in Castries itself, the truly world-class Saint Lucia diving (Superman's Flight, Anse Chastanet, the Pitons walls, Keyhole Pinnacles) is not on your doorstep — it's roughly 45–90 minutes south near Soufrière, so plan on a day-boat trip or a few nights based down there rather than expecting shore diving from the capital.
Charlotte Amalie · U.S. Virgin IslandsGood to know: Most of the well-known wreck dives (WIT Shoal II, WIT Concrete, WIT Service IV, Miss Opportunity, Cartanza Senora) are boat-only and several are unmarked on the surface, so you're relying on a local dive operator with GPS — this is not casual shore-diving territory for those wrecks.
Curaçao · CuracaoGood to know: Curaçao is one of the Caribbean's best shore-diving islands — expect to rent a vehicle and dive independently at your own pace at many sites rather than relying on scheduled boat charters, though day-boats are also widely available for the sites that need them.
Fort-de-France · MartiniqueGood to know: There are no liveaboard dive boats in Martinique — every site here, including the Diamond Rock and the Saint-Pierre wrecks, is dived as a day trip from a shore-based dive center's boat.
George Town · Cayman IslandsGood to know: You can dive extensively in George Town without ever booking a liveaboard — shore dives like Eden Rock, Devil's Grotto and Cheeseburger Reef are a short walk from dive shops, and most wall/wreck sites are 5-30 minute day-boat rides.
Kingston · JamaicaGood to know: Yardie divers is the only dive operator in Kingston, and they organize dives on Sundays depending on weather conditions.
Kingstown · St. Vincent and the GrenadinesGood to know: St. Vincent's own dive sites (Anchor Reef, Layou Wall, Bat Cave, Critter Corner, the wrecks, etc.) are all short boat rides — about 15 to 30 minutes — from dive centers near Kingstown, so you don't need a liveaboard for the main island.
Long Island Bahamas · BahamasGood to know: Long Island's diving is boat-based rather than liveaboard-based — Stella Maris (one of the oldest dive operations in the Bahamas) runs most trips from its marina, so plan around a resort/day-boat schedule rather than expecting a multi-day liveaboard.
Montego Bay · JamaicaGood to know: Diving here is boat-based but very shore-adjacent — expect short (often ~10 minute) boat rides out to sites rather than long open-ocean crossings, and there's no liveaboard scene in Montego Bay; it's resort- and day-operator-based diving.
Nassau · BahamasGood to know: The named wreck and reef sites above (Shark Arena, Bahama Mama, Cessna Wreck, James Bond Wrecks, Ray of Hope, Lost Blue Hole, etc.) are all reachable on a standard two-tank day boat from Nassau — you do not need a liveaboard to dive Nassau's core sites.
Oranjestad · ArubaGood to know: This is a day-boat and shore-diving destination, not a liveaboard one — no liveaboards operate in Aruba; nearly everything is reachable on a single-day trip from land-based operators.
Pointe-à-Pitre · GuadeloupeGood to know: The 'must-dive' Cousteau Reserve sites are on the opposite side of the island from Pointe-à-Pitre — budget for roughly 1-1.5 hours of driving each way to Bouillante/Malendure Beach on top of the boat ride itself.
Port of Spain · Trinidad and TobagoGood to know: If diving is a priority, plan to hop over to Tobago rather than expecting real diving right from Port of Spain — locally, Trinidad's own dive sites are considered a distant second to Tobago's.
Punta Cana · Dominican RepublicGood to know: This is resort/day-boat diving, not liveaboard diving - if you're picturing a liveaboard trip, that's not how Punta Cana diving works; almost everything here is a short boat ride from a beach dive shop.
Road Town · British Virgin IslandsGood to know: Nearly all diving here is boat-based day diving arranged through Road Town/Tortola dive shops — you won't be shore diving to reach these sites, but you also don't need a liveaboard for the vast majority of them, including the famous RMS Rhone.
Roseau · DominicaGood to know: Champagne Reef is the only genuine shore dive/snorkel in the Roseau area — almost every other named site requires a short boat ride into the Soufriere-Scotts Head Marine Reserve.
San Juan · Puerto RicoGood to know: If you're staying in San Juan itself, realistic shore diving is limited to a few sites around Escambrón, Ocean Park, and the Caribe Hilton beach — convenient, but visibility there (around 20 feet) is noticeably lower than the rest of the island.
Santo Domingo · Dominican RepublicGood to know: The 'Santo Domingo' diving scene really means Boca Chica — plan for a roughly 40-45 minute taxi/car ride each way from the capital's center to reach the dive shops and boats.
St. George's · GrenadaGood to know: Grenada is often called the 'wreck diving capital of the Caribbean' — the Bianca C alone regularly ranks among the world's best wreck dives, but there are 10+ named wrecks in total, not just the one famous ship.
St. John's · Antigua and BarbudaGood to know: Diving here is boat-based, not shore diving — even the closest named sites require a short boat ride (commonly 15-30 minutes) from a harbour like St. John's, Jolly Harbour, English Harbour or Falmouth Harbour, but no liveaboard is needed or commonly used in Antigua.
The Valley · AnguillaGood to know: Diving in Anguilla is organized around short day-boat trips from Sandy Ground or Shoal Bay East — you don't need a liveaboard, and most sites are 5-20 minutes away by boat.
Willemstad · CuracaoGood to know: Curaçao is genuinely one of the better Caribbean islands for independent shore diving — renting a car is the standard way nomads dive here on their own schedule, since many sites are roadside beach entries rather than needing a boat.

North America (26 cities)

Banff · CanadaGood to know: Aquatic invasive species regulations are strict and recent (effective April 2026): all scuba gear must be Cleaned, Drained, Dried, and Certified at Parks Canada inspection stations before entering any lake.
Bocas del Toro · PanamaGood to know: Diving here is genuinely day-boat/shore-accessible — most core sites are a 5-10 minute boat ride from Bocas Town, Isla Carenero, or Isla Solarte, and there is no liveaboard option in this archipelago.
Cancún · MexicoGood to know: Reef-safe (mineral/zinc-oxide) sunscreen is required, not just recommended — chemical sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate are restricted in Cancun's marine protected area, and operators enforce this at the dock.
Chicago · United StatesGood to know: Chicago-area diving is built around shipwrecks and quarry attractions, not coral or tropical marine life — set expectations accordingly.
Cozumel · MexicoGood to know: Almost all diving in Cozumel is drift diving with a boat — expect to be picked up down-current rather than swimming back to an anchor point, and to cover a lot of reef per dive with relatively little effort.
El Tunco · El SalvadorGood to know: El Tunco is a world-renowned surf destination, not a scuba-diving destination.
Isla Mujeres · MexicoGood to know: Diving here is entirely day-boat based — there's no need for (and no real availability of) liveaboards; even the furthest named sites are round-trip boat dives from Isla Mujeres.
Jasper · CanadaGood to know: This is cold freshwater alpine-lake diving, not tropical/ocean diving — expect to need a 7mm wetsuit or drysuit even in summer, and there are no reefs, walls, or drift currents to see.
Las Vegas · United StatesGood to know: This is 100% freshwater lake diving in the desert outside Las Vegas — do not expect coral, tropical fish, or ocean-clarity visibility; the appeal is historic wrecks, submerged dam-construction relics, and novelty training sites.
Los Angeles · United StatesGood to know: This is cold-water Pacific diving, not tropical diving — a 5–7mm wetsuit, hooded vest, or drysuit is standard even in summer, since water temperatures run roughly 60–70°F (16–21°C) in warm months and can drop into the mid-50s°F (13°C) in winter/spring.
Miami · United StatesGood to know: Miami diving is fundamentally a wreck-and-artificial-reef scene rather than a classic clear-Caribbean-wall destination — expect freighters, tugs, barges, army tanks and one large memorial reef more often than pristine natural coral walls.
Panama City · PanamaGood to know: Portobelo (Caribbean, 1.5 hours away) is the most easily accessible and well-protected marine reserve within reasonable day-trip distance from Panama City.
Placencia · BelizeGood to know: Nearly all diving out of Placencia is boat-based day trips, not shore diving — even sites described as 'shore accessible' mean entry from the small island's own beach once the boat drops you there, not from the Placencia mainland.
Playa del Carmen · MexicoGood to know: Diving from Playa del Carmen is entirely day-boat/day-trip based — no liveaboards are used or needed; local reefs are 5-35 minutes offshore, Cozumel's famous walls are a ferry-plus-boat day trip, and cenotes are a van transfer inland.
Puerto Escondido · MexicoGood to know: Puerto Escondido is not a dedicated, large-scale dive destination — it's a boat-based add-on to what is primarily a surf town, with a handful of small independent PADI shops rather than an established dive industry.
Puerto Vallarta · MexicoGood to know: There is no liveaboard diving based out of Puerto Vallarta — everything here, including the remote offshore pinnacles, is done as a day trip by boat, so expect long transit times (up to 90 minutes each way) for sites like El Morro and La Corbeteña rather than easy shore access.
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca · Costa RicaGood to know: Locals and repeat visitors are consistent on one point: don't book a dive package from home in advance — book once you're actually in Puerto Viejo, so you can check current sea/visibility conditions with the shop first.
Roatán · HondurasGood to know: Roatan is fundamentally a boat-diving destination — even divers based right at West End or West Bay should expect nearly every named site to require a short boat ride; only a couple of resorts (like CoCo View) offer genuine shore/house-reef access, and even then visibility on the house reef is often best only in early morning.
San Juan del Sur · NicaraguaGood to know: This is not a bucket-list dive destination — go for the novelty and convenience if you're already in San Juan del Sur for surf/nomad life, not because it rivals Caribbean or Pacific-island diving elsewhere in Central America.
San Pedro Belize · BelizeGood to know: San Pedro diving is day-boat based, not liveaboard — there are no liveaboards operating out of Ambergris Caye; dive resorts run daily speedboat trips instead.
Santa Teresa · Costa RicaGood to know: Diving here is boat-day-trip diving out of small, locally-run operators — there's no shore diving and no Santa Teresa-based liveaboard; don't confuse this with Costa Rica's famous liveaboard-only Cocos Island diving, which is a separate multi-day trip from a different part of the country entirely.
Sayulita · MexicoGood to know: There is no true shore diving at Sayulita itself — every dive trip involves being driven from the Sayulita dive shop to a marina (Punta de Mita or La Cruz de Huanacaxtle) before boarding a boat, so budget a half-day minimum even for a single dive site.
Tamarindo · Costa RicaGood to know: Nearly all diving here is boat-based day-tripping to offshore rock formations - there's no real shore-entry diving directly from Tamarindo beach itself.
Tulum · MexicoGood to know: Cenote diving and reef diving in Tulum are genuinely two different products — most visitors do both rather than choosing one, and they're booked/paid separately (cenote entrance fees are charged on top of the dive shop's guiding fee).
Utila · HondurasGood to know: There is no real shore diving on Utila — every named site, even ones just a few minutes from Utila Town, requires a boat.
Vancouver · CanadaGood to know: Don't expect shore access to feel like a beach walk-in: Porteau Cove requires a genuinely long surface swim to reach the main artificial reefs, and sites like Ansel Point and Lighthouse Park involve a real hike and a tricky, sometimes slippery entry.

Southeast Asia (21 cities)

Amed · IndonesiaGood to know: Amed diving is genuinely shore- and short-jukung-boat based — you do not need a liveaboard to dive this area, unlike some other parts of Indonesia.
Anilao · PhilippinesGood to know: Diving here is boat-based day-tripping, not a liveaboard destination — you stay at a shore resort and take short bangka rides (often under 20-30 minutes) out to sites each day, so you don't need to book a liveaboard to dive Anilao properly.
Boracay · PhilippinesGood to know: The great majority of named Boracay dive sites are 5-30 minutes by boat from White Beach — this is a day-boat/shore-diving destination, not a liveaboard hub; if you want a dedicated liveaboard (e.g. Apo Reef or other Visayan routes), you'd fly through Boracay to connect with a boat departing elsewhere.
Cebu City · PhilippinesGood to know: From Mactan-Cebu International Airport, the nearest dive site is just 10 minutes away, making Cebu highly accessible for arriving divers.
Da Nang · VietnamGood to know: There are two distinct diving areas near Da Nang: Son Tra Peninsula (close, near-shore, easy for a half-day) and the Cham Islands (Cu Lao Cham), which require a boat transfer from Hoi An and work better as a full-day trip.
Dumaguete · PhilippinesGood to know: Apo Island's original Marine Sanctuary dive/snorkel zone is currently closed for rehabilitation after typhoon damage — ask your dive shop for current status before planning a trip around it.
El Nido · PhilippinesGood to know: Diving here is a day-boat activity, not shore diving — you'll take a bangka out to sites scattered around Bacuit Bay rather than walking in from a beach.
Hoi An · VietnamGood to know: Diving here means a boat trip out to the Cham Islands (Cu Lao Cham) — there's no shore diving directly from Hoi An itself; boats depart from Cua Dai Harbour, about an hour each way.
Kaohsiung · TaiwanGood to know: Xiaoliuqiu has warm water year-round but peak season November–April offers best weather and visibility; July–August brings typhoons and heavy rain.
Koh Phangan · ThailandGood to know: Koh Phangan itself has gentle, shallow local reefs (Koh Ma, Mae Haad, Haad Yao, Haad Salad) that are genuinely shore- or short-boat accessible and great for beginners — the truly spectacular sites (Sail Rock, Chumphon Pinnacle, Southwest Pinnacle) are offshore pinnacles reached by day boat, not shore dives.
Koh Tao · ThailandGood to know: Sail Rock is the one site that genuinely requires a long transfer (over an hour each way) and is normally sold as a dedicated full-day, two-dive trip rather than a quick add-on — factor in a full day if you want to dive it.
Labuan Bajo · IndonesiaGood to know: There is no meaningful shore diving in Labuan Bajo itself — every dive site requires a boat, so budget for day-boat trips or a liveaboard rather than expecting walk-in dive access.
Lombok · IndonesiaGood to know: Diving around Gili Trawangan, Gili Air and Gili Meno is genuinely easy — dive shops are on the islands and most sites are a short 5-20 minute boat ride away, making this a great area to learn or to dive casually without a liveaboard.
Moalboal · PhilippinesGood to know: The sardine run is genuinely a shore dive/snorkel just off Panagsama Beach — you don't need a boat to see Moalboal's single most famous attraction, though it does get crowded with snorkelers, especially at midday and in high season (Nov-May).
Nusa Penida · IndonesiaGood to know: Manta rays are present year-round at Manta Point and Manta Bay, so you don't need to time a trip specifically for them — but mola mola (oceanic sunfish) are strongly seasonal, with the best chance roughly July through October when cooler upwelling water rises to diveable depths.
Penang · MalaysiaGood to know: Penang is not a shore-diving or reef-diving destination in its own right — the water right around the island is murky, so almost every 'Penang dive trip' is really a day-boat excursion out to Pulau Payar Marine Park (about 2 hours each way) or the closer SS Amherst wreck (about 30 minutes).
Phu Quoc · VietnamGood to know: Phu Quoc diving is genuinely day-boat based — you go out and come back the same day, typically 30–45 minutes each way; you do not need to book a liveaboard to dive here.
Phuket · ThailandGood to know: If your priority is the Similan Islands, Richelieu Rock, Koh Bon or Koh Tachai, plan on a liveaboard (or basing yourself in Khao Lak instead of Phuket) — these are not realistic shore or short day-boat dives from Phuket itself.
Raja Ampat · IndonesiaGood to know: If a trip's main goal is Misool or Wayag rather than the Dampier Strait cluster around Kri/Waisai, budget for a liveaboard or a stay at a resort actually based in that specific sub-region — day trips from Waisai to Misool or Wayag are not practical.
Semporna · MalaysiaGood to know: Sipadan itself has had zero overnight accommodation since 2005 — everyone dives it as a day trip from Mabul, Kapalai, or Semporna town, so factor in a boat ride (roughly 15 minutes from Mabul, up to an hour+ from Semporna) at both ends of your dive day.
Siargao · PhilippinesGood to know: Siargao diving is a day-boat affair out of General Luna, not a liveaboard destination — you won't need to book a liveaboard to dive here, but you also won't find true shore-entry diving off the beach for the main sites.

Oceania (17 cities)

Adelaide · AustraliaGood to know: The 'easy shore dive' reputation of Adelaide-area diving mostly refers to Rapid Bay and The Bluff, both about 60–90 minutes' drive from the city, not anything walkable from central Adelaide — plan a half-day or full day, not a quick lunchtime dip.
Auckland · New ZealandGood to know: The best diving in the Auckland region requires a commitment: Goat Island (1 hour north) is the closest accessible shore dive; the world-class Poor Knights Islands are 2.5 hours by car to Tutukaka plus 45–60 minutes by boat, making them a full-day expedition or liveaboard trip from the city.
Brisbane · AustraliaGood to know: There's no real 'jump in from the Brisbane CBD' shore diving — almost everything requires a boat trip from Manly Marina, a ferry from Cleveland to North Stradbroke Island, or a drive up to Mooloolaba, so budget the better part of a day for any dive trip.
Byron Bay · AustraliaGood to know: Byron Bay diving is a boat-only affair — there's no true shore-entry scuba diving here; even the closest sites require a beach-launched RIB or a bar crossing at Brunswick Heads.
Cairns · AustraliaGood to know: There is no shore diving to the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns — every dive site listed here requires a day boat or liveaboard; if you want easy shore-entry diving, Cairns itself isn't it.
Margaret River · AustraliaGood to know: The most famous named dive sites (HMAS Swan wreck, Busselton Jetty, 4 Mile Reef) are not near Margaret River town itself — they're roughly 45 minutes to an hour's drive north, near Busselton/Dunsborough, and require booking with a boat-charter operator based there.
Maui · United StatesGood to know: The two headline Maui-area experiences — Molokini Crater and the Lanai Cathedrals — both require a boat; if you want easy shore diving, base yourself around South Maui (Wailea/Makena: Ulua Beach, Turtle Town/Five Caves) or West Maui (Black Rock, Mala Wharf, Olowalu) instead.
Melbourne · AustraliaGood to know: Don't expect to dive on your lunch break from the CBD — the real diving is on the Mornington or Bellarine Peninsulas, about 1 to 1.5 hours' drive away, so plan it as a half/full-day trip rather than a quick city outing.
Nadi · FijiGood to know: Diving here is boat-based day-trip diving, not shore diving from mainland Nadi itself — you'll always take a 30-90 minute boat transfer out to the Mamanuca Islands or dive from an island resort.
Noosa · AustraliaGood to know: Diving out of Noosa itself is boat-based, not shore diving — expect a boat crossing of the Noosa Bar, which can be choppy in poor weather and occasionally causes trip cancellations.
Oahu · United StatesGood to know: Oahu is a day-boat and shore-diving destination, not a liveaboard one — you don't need to book a liveaboard here, and none of the well-known sites require one.
Palau · PalauGood to know: You do not need a liveaboard to dive Palau's most famous sites — Blue Corner, German Channel, Ulong Channel, Blue Holes and Chandelier Cave are all reachable by day boat from Koror, generally 20 minutes to just over an hour each way.
Perth · AustraliaGood to know: Perth's own metro coastline (Marmion Marine Park, Rockingham/Coogee) offers genuinely easy shore diving with no boat needed — a good option if you don't want to book a charter.
Raglan · New ZealandGood to know: New Zealand diving is accessible year-round, but water is warmer December–May.
Sydney · AustraliaGood to know: Sydney diving is cold-temperate, not tropical — expect kelp, sponge gardens and sandstone reef rather than coral, and plan on a 5mm–7mm wetsuit (with hood in winter) even in summer.
Tahiti · French PolynesiaGood to know: You don't need a liveaboard for Tahiti itself — local dive shops in Papeete, Punaauia and Paea run short day-boat trips to nearly all the island's sites, several of which are just minutes from the harbor.
Wellington · New ZealandGood to know: This is cold-water temperate diving, not tropical reef diving — expect a 7mm wetsuit or drysuit, kelp forests, and 5-10m visibility rather than crystal-clear tropical conditions.

Africa (10 cities)

Cape Town · South AfricaGood to know: This is cold-water, kelp-forest diving, not tropical reef diving — expect low-double-digit °C water temperatures year-round and strongly consider a drysuit course if you plan to dive regularly here.
Dakar · SenegalGood to know: Dakar is recognized as one of the world's largest boat cemeteries, making wreck diving a signature experience here.
Durban · South AfricaGood to know: Durban's own inshore reefs and wrecks are genuinely dived from shore or short local boat rides — you don't need to leave the city to get in the water, but visibility here is often modest, generally under 10m and sometimes far worse after rain, only occasionally opening up to 30-40m when warm Mozambique Current water pushes in close to shore.
Essaouira · MoroccoGood to know: Essaouira is primarily a wind/surf destination, so dive infrastructure is smaller than in Agadir or Dakhla.
Grand Baie · MauritiusGood to know: Diving from Grand Baie is day-boat based, not liveaboard territory — dive centers run out daily to reef and wreck sites, most within 5-25 minutes by boat, so you don't need to book a liveaboard to see the best local sites.
Jeffreys Bay · South AfricaGood to know: This is boat-based reef diving on rocky Eastern Cape reefs, not the classic coral-reef or wreck-diving experience some divers expect — think walls, gullies, pinnacles and colourful invertebrate life rather than coral gardens.
Langebaan · South AfricaGood to know: This is day-boat and shore diving, not a liveaboard destination — there's no liveaboard operating out of Langebaan; a local dive centre based at Club Mykonos runs boat trips into Saldanha Bay for most of the named sites.
Sal · Cape VerdeGood to know: Diving here is a day-boat (and occasionally shore-accessible) affair rather than liveaboard-dependent — local dive centers around Santa Maria and Palmeira run most trips within about 25 minutes by boat.
Taghazout · MoroccoGood to know: This is a boat-based, day-trip diving scene, not shore diving off Taghazout's beach and not a liveaboard destination — expect a hotel pickup, a drive to Agadir Marina, and a boat transfer before you get in the water.
Zanzibar · TanzaniaGood to know: Nearly all diving around Zanzibar (Unguja) is by day-boat — there is essentially no shore-entry diving, and this is not a liveaboard destination; liveaboards are rare and used mainly for deeper offshore trips.

South America (10 cities)

Bariloche · ArgentinaGood to know: This is cold, clear-water lake and altitude diving in the Andes — not ocean/reef diving.
Cartagena · ColombiaGood to know: This is a day-trip diving destination, not a liveaboard one — boats go out from Cartagena (or an island resort) and return the same day.
Córdoba · ArgentinaGood to know: Cordoba's diving is entirely freshwater lake and reservoir diving—no saltwater or ocean diving within reach.
Florianópolis · BrazilGood to know: This is a day-boat and shore-dive destination, not a liveaboard one — expect half-day boat trips departing in the morning from beaches like Jurerê, Canasvieiras, Barra da Lagoa or Praia dos Ingleses, not multi-day boat charters.
Galápagos · EcuadorGood to know: Diving here is genuinely split in two: if you're basing yourself on land in Puerto Ayora, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, or Puerto Villamil, you can day-boat to excellent central-island sites (Gordon Rocks, North Seymour, Kicker Rock, Cousin's Rock, Floreana's sites, etc.) without ever booking a liveaboard.
Jericoacoara · BrazilGood to know: Jericoacoara is promoted primarily as a beginner diving destination rather than an advanced/technical diving hub.
Lima · PeruGood to know: Wear a 7 mm+ wetsuit year-round; a hood and gloves are essential, especially in winter months (June–September).
Máncora · PeruGood to know: Visibility here is genuinely limited compared to major reef destinations — locals describe a good day topping out around 7 meters and an average day closer to 4 meters, so set expectations accordingly.
São Paulo · BrazilGood to know: São Paulo city itself is inland; all diving requires travel to coastal towns (1–2 hours by car to Santos, Ubatuba, or São Sebastião).
Valparaíso · ChileGood to know: This is a cold-water Humboldt Current diving destination, not tropical — expect a 5–7mm wetsuit or drysuit, gloves and hood as standard even in summer.

Middle East (9 cities)

Abu Dhabi · United Arab EmiratesGood to know: Visibility and conditions are best October-April; summer diving is possible but warmer water and lower visibility are common, per multiple Abu Dhabi dive operators.
Antalya · TurkeyGood to know: The city of Antalya itself has only modest shore diving (mainly beginner/trial sites); the standout diving (Paris Wreck, Üç Adalar, and especially Kaş) requires a day trip out of the city, so budget travel time and possibly an overnight stay if you want to properly dive Kaş.
Dahab · EgyptGood to know: Several of Dahab's best-known sites (Canyon, Eel Garden, Abu Helal/Abu Talha) can only be entered over a shallow reef flat and are only diveable at high tide with calm wind — check tide tables with your dive center rather than assuming a site is open that day.
Dubai · United Arab EmiratesGood to know: Dubai itself is a wreck/artificial-reef diving destination rather than a coral-reef one — the Persian Gulf side has lower natural coral cover and reefs here have faced heat and pollution stress, so don't expect Red Sea or Maldives-style reefscapes right off Dubai's beaches.
El Gouna · EgyptGood to know: El Gouna itself has no house reef on its own beaches — it's a purpose-built lagoon town, so every real dive here starts with a boat ride; don't expect shore diving like you'd get in Dahab.
Hurghada · EgyptGood to know: If you want genuine shore-entry diving, Hurghada is not the place — that's more Dahab's specialty.
Istanbul · TurkeyGood to know: Shipping traffic in the main Bosphorus makes central Istanbul diving impractical; locals typically dive the Princes' Islands or venture north to the Aegean for better conditions.
Manama · BahrainGood to know: Diving in Bahrain is essentially all day-boat diving out of marinas like Amwaj and Sitra — there's no liveaboard scene here, so don't expect multi-day dive boats; even the farther sites (Al Boom, Abu Thalma, Caisson) are done as long day trips.
Muscat · OmanGood to know: Diving in the Muscat area is entirely boat-based - there's no real shore diving scene here, so budget for boat trips even for a single dive.

South Asia (5 cities)

Arugam Bay · Sri LankaGood to know: Arugam Bay is primarily known for surfing, not diving — if scuba is the priority, be aware there's no strong evidence of a dedicated multi-shop dive scene in town the way there is in Hikkaduwa or Trincomalee.
Goa · IndiaGood to know: This is boat-based diving, not shore diving — every operator ferries divers roughly 40–60 minutes out to Grande Island or St. George's Island, so factor that transfer time (and possible mild seasickness) into your day.
Hiriketiya · Sri LankaGood to know: Hiriketiya Bay itself is better for beginner/discover-scuba dives and snorkeling than for serious diving — the area's more interesting sites (wrecks, artificial reef) require a short boat ride to Nilwella, Dickwella, or Tangalle.
Maldives · MaldivesGood to know: Don't assume 'diving in the Maldives' means shore diving off a beach — even resorts with a nice house reef will send you out by dhoni (local boat) for the vast majority of named sites, and the most iconic channel and pelagic sites are a real boat commute or liveaboard-only.
Pondicherry · IndiaGood to know: All scuba diving requires boat access — there is no shore diving in Pondicherry.

East Asia (4 cities)

Fukuoka · JapanGood to know: Fukuoka is not a tropical-reef destination like Okinawa — expect a mixed temperate/subtropical environment (murkier, greener water at some sites, especially after rain) rather than crystal-clear coral reef diving.
Hong Kong · Hong KongGood to know: Hong Kong diving is a genuine day-boat activity, not a liveaboard destination — trips depart from Sai Kung-area piers and most sites are reached within 30–90 minutes.
Sapporo · JapanGood to know: Most Sapporo-based divers use Lake Shikotsu (1 hour away) for convenient shore diving year-round, or book day trips to Shakotan Peninsula (1.5-3 hours) for ocean diving.
Seoul · South KoreaGood to know: Seoul is an inland city—actual scuba diving requires 2-3 hour trips to the east coast or longer travel to Jeju Island; there is no city-center or immediate shore diving

Caucasus & Central Asia (3 cities)

Baku · AzerbaijanGood to know: Permit requirement is mandatory and must be arranged one week in advance through your dive operator—noncompliance carries high fines.
Batumi · GeorgiaGood to know: This is Black Sea diving, not tropical reef diving — expect rocky/temperate scenery, gobies, blennies, turbot and horse mackerel rather than coral and colorful reef fish; manage expectations accordingly.
Kutaisi · GeorgiaGood to know: Black Sea diving is a developing recreational activity in Georgia, not a traditionally established destination — conditions and operator availability may vary.

Questions about this list

How many places have scuba diving research on Nomadr?: 190 of the 333 places we cover.
Which region has the most places for scuba diving?: Europe, with 59 places, followed by Caribbean (26) and North America (26).
Is this list a ranking?: No. We hold no scuba diving score, so places are grouped by region and listed alphabetically within each region.