Ultimate Dive Freedom: The 10 Best Shore Diving Destinations
January 1, 2025
Shore diving gives you the ultimate freedom to explore. You can go diving when you want, how you want, and without the need for boats or lengthy trips to dive sites. You simply walk into the water and start diving, whether at an idyllic beachside reef, a crystal-clear river, or a dramatic rocky coastline. Your dives can be spontaneous, and you can explore coastal ecosystems with stunning marine life right next to the shoreline. There are numerous great shore dives, and in this article, we explore ten of the best shore diving destinations in the world. We also share some top tips to help you become a skilled shore diver.
10 Best Shore Diving Destinations in the World
1. Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands
Bonaire, known as the ‘shore diving capital of the world’, is a paradise for divers of all levels. With over 60 easily accessible dive sites along its leeward coast, it offers calm, clear waters and abundant marine life. If you are looking for some of the best shore diving in the world, look no further!
The entire coast of Bonaire is a designated marine park, offering an abundance of shore diving options, but the Salt Pier is a standout. Diving here reveals a forest of pillars encrusted with sponges and corals, providing habitat for large schools of fish, tarpons, and rays. Depths range from 5 to 18 meters (16 to 60 feet), making it suitable for divers of all experience levels.
The island’s reefs are vibrant, with hard and soft corals, sea turtles, and countless tropical fish, from parrotfish to angelfish. Sites like Buddy’s Reef and 1000 Steps provide gentle slopes and walls at depths ranging from 6 to 30 meters (20 to 100 feet), making them suitable for beginners and Advanced Open Water divers alike. The best time to go diving in Bonaire is from December to April, although Bonaire’s conditions remain excellent year-round.
2. La Jolla Cove, California, USA
La Jolla Cove is one of the most famous places to go diving in California and offers some of the best shore diving in the United States. It is known for its kelp forests and diverse marine life, including sea lions, garibaldi fish, and leopard sharks.
Diving here feels like swimming through an underwater jungle, with visibility ranging from 3 to 15 meters (10 to 50 feet). The site’s depths vary between 6 to 18 meters (20 to 60 feet), catering to divers of all skill levels.
The best diving season is from May to October when the water is warmer, and visibility is at its peak. However, strong currents can be present, so an intermediate experience level is recommended.
3. Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
Diving in Sharm El Sheikh offers some of the best shore diving in the Red Sea’s rich waters. Simply stroll along the golden sand beaches into warm, blue waters full of life. Sites like Ras Um Sid are famous for their steep walls and vibrant coral gardens teeming with marine life such as lionfish, moray eels, and schools of snappers.
The depths here range from 5 to 30 meters (16 to 100 feet), making it suitable for all levels of divers. Water temperatures are warm year-round, but the best time to visit is from September to November or April to May when conditions are optimal. Calm seas and mild currents make it an excellent choice for beginners.
4. Blue Heron Bridge, Florida, USA
The Blue Heron Bridge in West Palm Beach offers some of the best muck diving in the world. This shore dive is unique due to its easy access and diversity of small marine life, including octopuses, seahorses, frogfish, and even the elusive striated frogfish.
The shallow waters, with a maximum depth of around 6 meters (20 feet), make it perfect for beginners and underwater photography. Diving here is best done during high tide to maximize visibility, which can range from 6 to 15 meters (20 to 50 feet). This is a year-round destination, but spring and fall offer the most comfortable diving conditions.
5. Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia
The combination of easy shore entry, mild currents, and spectacular underwater scenery makes Tulamben a favorite among divers worldwide and a jewel in the crown of diving in Indonesia. This sought-after destination is home to one of the world’s best shore diving experiences: the USAT Liberty Wreck.
This 120-meter (394-foot) US Army transport ship rests just 30 meters (98 feet) from the shore, at depths between 5 to 30 meters (16 to 100 feet), and is a must if you go diving in Bali.
Covered in corals and home to an array of marine life, including barracudas, bumphead parrotfish, and pygmy seahorses, the USAT Liberty is spectacular and suitable for divers of all levels. You can go diving in Tulamben all year long, though the dry season of April to September is considered the best time to visit.
Love shipwrecks? Check out these beginner-friendly wrecks: 4 Best Wreck Dives For 2023
6. Cirkewwa, Malta
Cirkewwa offers some of the best shore diving in Malta, known for its diverse dives including wrecks, underwater arches, caverns, and stunning drop-offs. Cirkewwa is home to several shore dives, including Cirkewwa Reef and Arch, the Madonna Statue, and the P29 Patrol Boat wreck. This famous wreck is accessible from shore and sits at around 35 meters (115 feet), making it suitable for advanced divers.
The clear Mediterranean waters of Cirkewwa provide excellent visibility, often exceeding 30 meters (100 feet). Marine life includes groupers, barracudas, octopuses, and nudibranchs. This destination is best suited for intermediate to advanced divers due to its depths and occasional currents. The best time to dive here is from May to October, when the water is warmest.
7. Gordon’s Bay, Sydney, Australia.
If you are diving in Australia and visiting Sydney, make sure you go to Gordon’s Bay. Located just south of the Sydney CBD, Gordon’s Bay offers a fantastic shore diving experience for divers of all levels. This sheltered bay features a self-guided underwater nature trail, teeming with local species like blue groper, wobbegong sharks, and cuttlefish.
The maximum depth here is around 14 meters (45 feet), and conditions are typically calm, making it ideal for beginners. Diving is possible year-round, but the best shore diving conditions are from December to February when the water is warmest. Gordon’s Bay is a great spot for those looking to experience Australia’s unique marine life without venturing far from the city.
8. Lighthouse Bay, Dahab, Egypt
Dahab’s house reef, Lighthouse Bay, located in the heart of the Sinai Peninsula, offers Dahab’s best shore diving - directly from the beachfront. This site is characterized by stunning coral gardens, pinnacles, and the chance to spot moray eels, rays, and even the occasional turtle.
The reef slopes down gently to depths of about 30 meters (100 feet), accommodating both novice and advanced divers. The best time to dive in Dahab is from March to May and September to November when the temperatures are more moderate. The easy access, clear waters, and diversity of marine life make it a must-dive site in Egypt.
FIND OUT MORE: Scuba diving in Dahab: Discover Egypt’s best-kept secret.
9. Dauin, Dumaguete, the Philippines.
Dauin boasts some of the best shore diving in the Philippines, with a variety of dive sites just a short walk from beachfront resorts and dive centers. It is popular among divers of all experience levels.
Diving in Dauin is renowned for its rich biodiversity, including vibrant coral reefs, sea turtles, nudibranchs, and an array of tropical fish. The area’s marine sanctuaries are well-protected, ensuring healthy ecosystems.
If you love muck diving, look no further! Several of Dauin’s muck dive sites can be accessed directly from shore. The sandy and muck bottoms around Dauin are home to a variety of unusual critters, including frogfish, seahorses, mimic octopuses, and various species of nudibranchs. All of which offers incredible macro photography opportunities.
10. Hawaii, USA.
Hawaii is home to some of the best shore diving in the world, with options for all experience levels. This destination is renowned for its stunning volcanic landscapes and rich marine biodiversity. The islands’ unique geological formations, shaped by ancient lava flows, create dramatic dive sites with underwater caves, arches, and reefs.
Popular areas like Kona and Oahu provide easy access to vibrant coral gardens teeming with life. Hawaii’s commitment to marine conservation ensures thriving ecosystems with a plethora of marine species, including green sea turtles, manta rays, and colorful reef fish. Many of Hawaii’s marine species are found nowhere else on Earth, making this a truly unique dive destination.
Top Tips to Become a Skilled Shore Diver.
- Plan Your Entry and Exit:
Always check the entry and exit points before diving. Look for safe, accessible areas, and avoid rocky or slippery surfaces.
- Check Tides and Currents:
Be aware of tidal changes and currents, which can greatly affect shore diving conditions. Ask a local dive center about the dive conditions and when to dive.
Ensure you are visible to boats and other watercraft by using a dive flag and taking a dive marker buoy on every dive.
Navigation can be challenging when shore diving. A compass will help you stay on course and find your way back.
- Stay Hydrated and Protected:
Shore diving often involves walking with gear, which can get tiring after a while. Make sure you keep hydrated and wear reef-safe sunscreen.
- Wear sturdy wetsuit boots:
Shore diving often involves walking over rocky and slippery surfaces to get to the water, so wear wetsuit boots with a hard rubber sole and good grip. We recommend the Mares Flexa DA boots.
These tips, along with choosing the right destination and equipment, will set you up for some of the best shore diving! If you want to learn more about shore diving, join the SSI Waves, Tides, and Currents specialty. You will learn all you need to go shore diving and handle the different dive conditions you might encounter.
Make the most of every shore dive!