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Where to dive in October

October is when Raja Ampat's season begins, and Komodo, Nusa Penida, Tulamben, Bunaken and Sipadan are still in theirs. The Coral Sea and Malta are in season too, though Malta cools to about 24 °C. Typhoons are a real risk in the Philippines: a named storm passed within 250 km of Anilao in 37% of Octobers.

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

Personalise for October

Top 7 places for October

  1. Tulamben and AmedIndonesia

    3 of 3 sites in season. Best May to June and October to November.

    Water 28–29°CIntermediate +Turtles likelyMatch 98

  2. Nusa Penida and LembonganIndonesia

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

    Water 26–27°CIntermediate +MantasMatch 94

  3. Raja AmpatIndonesia

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

    Water 29°CIntermediate +Mantas likelyMatch 93

  4. KomodoIndonesia

    The site is in season. Best April to December.

    Water 27–28°CAdvancedReef sharks, TurtlesMatch 98

  5. Malta and GozoMalta

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

    Water 22–24°CBeginner +Match 93

  6. Bunaken and LembehIndonesia

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

    Water 29°CIntermediate +TurtlesMatch 93

  7. Sharm el-SheikhEgypt

    3 of 4 sites in season. Best March to November.

    Water 27–28°CIntermediate +Reef sharks likelyMatch 90

October, by what you want

Mantas

  1. Nusa Penida and Lembongan, Indonesia
  2. Raja Ampat, Indonesia
  3. Komodo, Indonesia
See the full ranking

Whale sharks

  1. Ari Atoll, Maldives
See the full ranking

Wrecks

  1. Truk Lagoon, Micronesia
See the full ranking

New divers

  1. Sipadan and Mabul, Malaysia
  2. Malta and Gozo, Malta
  3. Palau, Palau
See the full ranking

Warm water (28 °C+)

  1. Tulamben and Amed, Indonesia
  2. Raja Ampat, Indonesia
  3. Bunaken and Lembeh, Indonesia
See the full ranking

Better another month

  • Revillagigedo (Socorro): good November to May; water 26–27°C in October.
  • Belize atolls: best April to June; water 28–29°C in October.
  • Cozumel: best April to June; water 28–29°C in October.
  • Koh Tao: best March to September; water 28–29°C in October.

Questions about diving in October

Where is the water warmest in October?

Of our trip bases: Truk Lagoon (about 30°C), Bunaken and Lembeh (about 29°C), Palau (about 29°C), on 1991–2020 averages. Each base page shows the typical range for every month.

Where can a new diver go in October?

The best matches for a beginner diver, counting only beginner sites no deeper than 18 m: Sipadan and Mabul, Malta and Gozo, Palau. 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.