Best scuba diving in November

Egypt:

Egypt is arguably the best scuba diving close to the UK (November or otherwise). The Red Sea is a treasure trove for every dive delight, from coral gardens brimming with tropical fish to wrecks filled with tiles and cargo. Whether you're certified or want to learn, this diving dream spot promises fin-tastic scuba diving in November.

If it's the big beasts you're interested in, you can expect heavy shark action, with the chance to swim with oceanic white tips and hammerheads in Daedalu. Located 50 miles east of Marsa Alam, this remote offshore reef offers some of the most remarkable dives in the Red Sea. Less than a mile wide, the reef is adorned with coral walls that teem with life. Keep your masked eyes on the blue to spot oceanic whitetips, thresher sharks, mantas and reef sharks. But the main star of the show? Hammerhead sharks, which gather here in large groups.

Those with advanced, deep-water certifications can dive the Zealot, a cargo ship dating back to the late 1880s. This wreck is deep, beginning at 75m and descending to depths of 110m. But there are many other wrecks to explore as well. Head to the southern Red Sea for pristine coral reefs featuring turtles, rays and tropical fish while diving the fascinating wrecks such as the Tien Hsing tugboat which lies on the Abu Galawa Kebira reef. In terms of the conditions, diving in November means visibility extending to 20m and water temperatures that range from 23°C to 26°C. The dream.

Recommended by Rachel Gaw

Palau:

Another destination that is year-round but shines especially bright in November is Palau which enjoys its peak season of diving (which runs from October to April). If you plan your dive trip during the new moon, you'll witness the bumphead parrotfish spawning, while if you visit during the full moon, you'll see thousands of red snappers changing colours before spawning - an utterly spectacular and rare experience. The water temperatures hover between 27°C and 30°C, requiring only a shorty, and visibility extends beyond 20m.

When it comes to the underwater offerings, Palau has it all, with 1,500 species of fish and 700 species of coral. Head to Ngemelis Island for an array of marine life including huge schools of large pelagics. We're talking sharks, tuna and mantas as well as turtles, shoals of colourful reef fish and an abundance of macro life. Dive the famous Blue Corner and Dexters wall before watching the sky turn orange as the sun sets.

And if you fancy some wreck diving? Palau has you covered with an underwater museum of WWII wrecks ranging from Japanese Zero planes to cargo ships adorned with corals. Within these blown-out walls, you'll find relics like gun platforms and bullets, as well as sunken corridors patrolled by schools of jacks, snapper and elusive leopard sharks.

The best way to explore Palau is by liveaboard. This way, you'll hit the most remote and abundant sites and live by the manta of 'eat, sleep, dive, repeat'.

Recommended by Rachel Gaw

Solomon Islands:

Since we're talking about remote and pristine sites, why not consider a holiday to the Solomon Islands? Located in the southwest Pacific, this island nation is a haven for divers seeking hidden treasures among wrecks and reefs teaming with the big and small stuff. And the cherry on top? The waters here are blissfully uncrowded and scuba diving in November means water temperatures are a delightful 27°C to 30°C and visibility can reach up to 40m.

If you're looking for coral-covered walls that buzz with life, then you're in the right place. The Solomon Islands feature dramatic coral-encrusted walls, shimmering schools of jacks and barracudas and enchanting critters like seahorses, hairy squat lobsters and mantis shrimps. And if you look into the big blue, you may be able to spot the larger marine life such as pilot whales and manta rays.

There's plenty for the history buffs to see too. The eastern Solomon Islands are littered with WWII wrecks, including around 200 ships and 600 aircraft scattered off Guadalcanal's coast. From shallow shore dives like Hirokawa Maru, Kinugawa Maru, and Kysyu Maru to deeper wrecks like Tulagi's Catalina, there is a wealth of submerged history waiting to be explored.

Recommended by Tom Barber

Tanzania:

Over in Tanzania, it's all about laid-back luxury with plenty of fish to see and sunshine to soak up. One of our favourite spots here is Mafia Island, located off the east coast of Tanzania, where divers are treated to encounters with whale sharks in the deep blue. Designated as Tanzania's first marine park, the marine life flourishes and the coral reefs are spectacular, with over 50 genera of coral and 460 species of fish. November marks the onset of whale shark season, drawing divers to interact with these majestic creatures as they migrate to the region. And with azure skies mirroring the crystal-clear waters and visibility ranging from 25 to 30m, Mafia Island is a dreamy dive destination that's hard to resist.

Close by is Pemba Island. Renowned for its pristine and diverse coral, it offers some of East Africa's best diving. And with over 320 coral species in the Pemba Channel, divers can explore virgin reefs in near solitude. To the south, dive sites like the picturesque Emerald Lagoon and Mapanduzi offer opportunities to drift along walls and witness schools of hammerheads or barracuda in the strong currents. With its unparalleled marine biodiversity and pristine underwater landscapes, diving in Tanzania in November promises unforgettable aquatic adventures.

Recommended by Charlotte Dunn

Seychelles:

Nestled in the heart of the Indian Ocean, the Seychelles archipelago comprises 115 islands, each offering a slice of paradise for scuba divers. With warm waters year-round, and temperatures typically hovering between a comfortable 25-30°C in November, it's hard to resist the allure of these virgin waters.

During the north-westerly monsoon, from November to April, the climate is hot and sticky, but the trade-off is worth it for divers, as visibility peaks at this time of year - we're talking up to 40m. Coupled with the extensive protection of these waters, the Seychelles delights dive after dive.

November also brings calm seas, allowing boats to access remote dive sites where encounters with sharks and manta rays are common. For those dreaming of swimming alongside whale sharks, the inner islands offer the best chance of sightings, particularly between September and November.

Venture further afield to the Aldabra Group, located 700 miles south off the main island of Mahé, for a truly remote diving adventure. Here, amid the Cosmoledo and Aldabra Atolls, as well as the islands of Assumption and Astove, divers can witness some true marine magic. From barracuda and anthias to dogtooth tuna and sailfish, the underwater world comes alive with a kaleidoscope of colours and movement. Among this bustling marine ecosystem, ancient coral colonies thrive, some spanning millennia, adorning dramatic drop-offs against the deep blue backdrop. So, whether you want to be captivated by schools of fish or mesmerised by coral gardens, diving in November means getting the best of the Seychelles.

Recommended by Emily Chappell

The Philippines:

Last but not least is the Philippines, which waves goodbye to its wet season in November. At this time of year, the waters are a haven for divers, and with over 7,000 islands to choose from, you're spoilt for choice. Below the surface, water temperatures range from 25 to 29°C and the visibility extends up to 30m, so you know you'll enjoy panoramic views.

Malapascua Island, sitting in the Visayan Sea, may not be the most luxurious but it's home to one of the most elusive sharks: the thresher shark. Known for their distinctive long tails, these sharks enjoy a morning swim, so be ready to kit up at 5am. But there's more. Get your camera ready for macro hunting along gently sloping reefs, keeping a masked eye out for elusive pygmy seahorses, a plethora of nudibranchs, graceful mantas and stunning soft corals. Close by, Gato Island is a marine reserve bursting with life. And for the history buffs, there's the Dona Marilyn. Resting on the sea floor for over 20 years, this former passenger ferry is now covered in marine life.

Then there's the island of Panglao, located just south of Bohol, which features gentle slopes and vibrant walls adorned with beautiful hard corals. With mild currents, drift dives are great here and you can swim alongside bustling schools of jackfish and barracuda. Meanwhile, Cabilao Island, north of Panglao and west of Bohol, boasts remarkable wall dives with the occasional sightings of large turtles and white-tip reef sharks amid the crevices and caves.

And if you truly believe the mantra that magic dwells in the muck, then head to Anilao. Renowned for its muck diving, macro photographers can capture these captivating critters before soaking up the sun in a luxury bolthole.

Recommended by Emily Chappell

Ready to book your November diving holiday? Reach out to one of our dedicated dive specialists to start planning your next escape.