The Best Scuba Diving Holidays For Beginners
🌊 Best Scuba Diving Holidays for Beginners (with Stunning Destinations)
If you’re new to scuba diving or planning your first real dive holiday after getting certified, choosing the right destination can make all the difference. Beginners thrive in warm, clear water with gentle conditions, accessible dive sites, and supportive dive schools that boost confidence and skill early on. Below are six destinations that tick all those boxes — from historic Mediterranean waters to Caribbean reef thrills and Indian Ocean paradise.
Malta – Classic Mediterranean Diving with Something for Everyone
Malta and its sister islands, Gozo and Comino, are legendary in European dive circles as a friendly and highly accessible diving destination. With excellent visibility, calm seas during the prime season (May–October), and dive sites suitable for every level, Malta is ideal for your first scuba holiday.
What Makes Malta Great for Beginners
- Shallow reefs and gentle shore dives: Many sites are easily accessed from shore or short boat rides.
- Historical wrecks close to beginner depth: Sites like the P29 patrol boat (approx. 18m) offer fascinating wreck exploration without deep dives.
- Clear water & great training conditions: Water temperatures average pleasant during the diving season with visibility often excellent.
- Add in cultural sightseeing, ancient cities, and great cuisine above water, and you’ve got a complete holiday experience.
Best for: First-time adventure divers and those wanting to combine culture with underwater exploration.
Egypt – Warm Waters, Vibrant Reefs & Friendly Dive Schools
Egypt’s Red Sea has been a staple for beginner scuba divers for decades — and for good reason. From Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada to Dahab, the region offers extremely accessible diving and a welcoming dive community.
Highlights for Beginners
- Calm, clear, warm water: Most beginner dives are in protected bays or shallow reefs, with excellent visibility.
- Big reef life & easy navigation: Expect colourful coral gardens, parrotfish, angelfish and more that make your early dives exciting without being intimidating.
- Affordable courses and dives: Egypt is great value compared to many other warm-water destinations.
- You can progress quickly from Open Water training to fun dives, including variety like day trips or night dives as your confidence grows.
Best for: Beginners wanting quality training, lots of marine life, and an easy first multi-day dive trip.
Mexico – Caribbean Calm & Rich Marine Life in Cozumel
Mexico’s dive hotspots, especially Cozumel and the Caribbean coast, are extremely welcoming for those new to diving.
What Makes it Beginner-Friendly
- Protected marine parks: Sites like Paradise Reef have gentle currents and shallow coral gardens which are perfect for new divers.
- Consistent visibility: Waters often offer excellent clarity, letting you see colourful reefs teeming with fish and turtles.
- Warm temperatures practically year round: Comfortable water makes long days of diving enjoyable.
Best for: Divers who want tropical reefs with minimal stress and plenty of underwater wildlife without strong currents.
🦈 Bahamas – Dive with Sharks & Caribbean Sea Life
If you’re a shark lover, the Bahamas is one of the most thrilling places on the planet. While some of the more advanced shark dives (e.g., Tiger Beach or oceanic whitetip spots) require good skills and can be deep or current-dependent, there are options to experience sharks safely with experienced guides.
Why the Bahamas Is Unique
- Diverse shark encounters: From Caribbean reef sharks to tiger sharks and occasional hammerheads, the Bahamas offers a variety of shark experiences guided by professionals.
- Warm, clear, tropical water: The subtropical conditions are excellent for divers at many levels.
- Reefs & walls for all levels: Many sites away from the big shark experiences are calm, shallow, and excellent for beginner fun dives.
⚠️ Note: Our shark dives are always with reputable operators who prioritise safety and environmental respect. This isn’t just a photo opportunity – it’s an educational experience about the importance of shark conservation.
Best for: Certified beginners who want to combine reef diving with the chance (with guidance) to see sharks in the wild.
Cyprus – Gentle Mediterranean Diving with Wrecks & Reefs
Cyprus is another accessible Mediterranean destination with calm water, reliable dive centres, and plenty of beginner-friendly sites.
Highlights for New Divers
- Green Bay & shallow reefs: Great for confident beginners and intro dives where you can focus on skills.
- Famous wrecks like the Zenobia: While deeper and better for advanced divers, there are plenty of shallower sites and experiences around it that buoy new divers.
- Varied underwater landscapes: From sculptures and caves to gentle reefs, Cyprus mixes fun sites with relaxed conditions.
The Mediterranean’s crystal-clear waters and summer warmth make Cyprus a great option for divers based in Europe looking to do a short flight and plenty of dives.
Best for: Beginners wanting structured dive progression in beautiful, calm, warm waters close to home.
Maldives – Tropical Paradise & Easy Lagoon Diving
Rounding out our list is the Maldives — often a dream destination for many divers. Turquoise waters, stunning coral atolls, and abundant marine life make it ideal for novice divers, especially when based at resorts with onsite dive centres.
What You’ll Love Underwater
- House reefs just off your beach: Many resorts give you direct access to coral gardens and shallow dive spots from shore.
- Perfect conditions for learning: Warm waters and gentle sites help build confidence quickly.
- Chance to see turtles, reef sharks & rays: Friendly marine life enriches every dive without feeling overwhelming.
The Maldives may be pricier than other destinations, but the ease of diving and beauty of the environment make it a bucket-list trip for first-timers and seasoned divers alike.
Best for: Beginners who want a tropical luxury dive holiday with shallow reefs and easy conditions.
🧜♀️ Planning Tips for Your First Dive Holiday
Whether you choose the crystal waters of Malta or the shark encounters of the Bahamas, a few tips make your trip smoother:
✔ Choose reputable dive schools: Look for PADI/SSI centres with great reviews and beginner-focused programmes.
✔ Time your trip right: Most destinations have peak seasons with the best weather and calm seas.
✔ Pack wisely: Bring your own mask, snorkel, and comfortable gear — it makes learning easier!
✔ Think about progression: If you’re already Open Water certified, pick destinations with lots of fun dive sites at modest depths to build experience.
Book With The UK’s Premier PADI Scuba Diving and Travel Centre
Ready to book your first big dive adventure? Whether you’re chasing colourful reef fish, fascinating wrecks, or that heart-pounding shark encounter, there’s a destination out there tailored for you. 🌍🐠
Call us on 0800 699 0243 or e-mail holidays@oysterdiving.com.