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Where to dive in January

January is peak season in the western Pacific: Raja Ampat, Palau, Truk Lagoon, Anilao and Dumaguete are all in their best months, with typical water of 26–29 °C, and so is the Maldives' Ari Atoll. Mantas are reliable at Raja Ampat, Palau, Komodo and Socorro, where the water is cooler at about 25 °C. The Red Sea drops to about 23 °C, and Malta is out of season at 16 °C.

Make this list yours: add your level, what you want to see and how warm you like the water.

Personalise for January

Top 7 places for January

  1. AnilaoPhilippines

    4 of 4 sites in season. Best November to May.

    Water 26–27°CIntermediate +Match 95

  2. Ari AtollMaldives

    3 of 3 sites in season. Best November to April.

    Water 28°CIntermediate +Reef sharksMatch 92

  3. Raja AmpatIndonesia

    8 of 8 sites in season. Best October to April.

    Water 28–29°CIntermediate +MantasMatch 91

  4. Similan IslandsThailand

    3 of 4 sites in season. Best December to April.

    Water 28°CIntermediate +Mantas likelyMatch 88

  5. Dumaguete and Apo IslandPhilippines

    4 of 4 sites in season. Best November to May.

    Water 26–27°CIntermediate +TurtlesMatch 87

  6. Revillagigedo (Socorro)Mexico

    3 of 3 sites in season. Good November to May.

    Water 24–25°CAdvancedMantas, Reef sharksMatch 85

  7. PalauPalau

    7 of 7 sites in season. Best November to May.

    Water 28–29°CBeginner +Mantas, Reef sharksMatch 81

January, by what you want

Mantas

  1. Raja Ampat, Indonesia
  2. Revillagigedo (Socorro), Mexico
  3. Palau, Palau
See the full ranking

Whale sharks

  1. Ari Atoll, Maldives
See the full ranking

Hammerheads

  1. Revillagigedo (Socorro), Mexico
See the full ranking

Wrecks

  1. Truk Lagoon, Micronesia
See the full ranking

New divers

  1. Palau, Palau
  2. Sipadan and Mabul, Malaysia
  3. Koh Tao, Thailand
See the full ranking

Warm water (28 °C+)

  1. Ari Atoll, Maldives
  2. Raja Ampat, Indonesia
  3. Similan Islands, Thailand
See the full ranking

Better another month

  • Belize atolls: best April to June; water 26–27°C in January.
  • Malta and Gozo: best May to October; water 15–16°C in January.
  • Komodo: best April to December; water 28–29°C in January.
  • Tulamben and Amed: best May to June and October to November; water 28–29°C in January.

Questions about diving in January

Where is the water warmest in January?

Of our trip bases: Raja Ampat (about 29°C), Ribbon Reefs and Osprey Reef (about 29°C), Tulamben and Amed (about 29°C), on 1991–2020 averages. Each base page shows the typical range for every month.

Where can a new diver go in January?

The best matches for a beginner diver, counting only beginner sites no deeper than 18 m: Palau, Sipadan and Mabul, Koh Tao. See all for beginners.

How do you rank these places?

By season (our site seasons and the share of calm days), weather, sites for your level and, when you set them, marine life and water temperature. Typical values are 1991–2020 averages and our site seasons. Always check local conditions with your dive centre.