Visit some of the destinations with the best scuba diving in July, as handpicked by the team at Bluewater Travel. There are plenty of incredible places to travel during the peak holiday season and experience excellent scuba diving, so we recommend you contact our travel experts to determine the "best" place for you to travel in July based on what you want to experience, your preferred type of diving, and what marine life you want to see. To give you some inspiration, we've summarized three of the top dive destinations to visit in July:
Are you ready to plan your July diving trip? Read on to learn more about three of our top destinations.
1. Dumaguete, Philippines
Ask Bluewater founder Scott Gietler about diving in Dumaguete, and he'll tell you all about one of his favorite places for a family dive trip. Dumaguete and Dauin are home to excellent muck diving along the coast of Negros Oriental. We love to explore Dumaguete in July as the region is less crowded than other destinations, and a wide range of dive resorts cater to all budgets. In the summer months, the waters around Dumaguete and Dauin are warm and generally calm, making them suitable for all levels of divers.
Explore the coastline's shallow sandy bottoms scattered with seagrass covered in Shaun the Sheep nudibranchs and head deeper to look for coral reefs, schools of fish, and other exciting macro life. Search for a bounty of bucket list critters, including flamboyant cuttlefish, bobtail squid, seahorses, harlequin shrimp, and pipefish. Don't miss a day trip to nearby Apo Island, home to stunning coral walls and sloping reefs where you can encounter turtles, moray eels, anemone fish, and schools of jackfish.
Dive resorts are plentiful throughout Dumaguete and Dauin and offer plenty of opportunities to dive the sites on both the mainland and around Apo Island. Some liveaboards also include dive sites around Dumaguete and Dauin on their Visayas Itineraries, but the sites are the same as those dived from land-based resorts. Hone your underwater photography skills with your macro lens to capture the unique critters along the coast, and pack your wide-angle lens to shoot the stunning reefs at Apo Island.
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2. Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Encounter exciting marine life in Isla Mujeres, an island in the Gulf of Mexico within easy reach of the United States. It's a great destination to visit in July for both divers and snorkelers, making it perfect for family travel during the summer holidays. July is also one of the months when you can see whale sharks during popular snorkeling tours.
Experience the awe of snorkeling alongside massive, majestic whale sharks around Isla Holbox either from Isla Mujeres or on a day trip from Playa del Carmen. Explore the reefs surrounding Isla Mujeres from land-based dive resorts or dive operators. If you stay in Playa del Carmen, dive the Yucatan Peeninsula's best reefs and embark on exciting trips to dive or snorkel in Mexico's renowned cenotes - another unique experience for the whole family. If you have extra time, add some nights at a dive resort on Cozumel to visit dive sites covered in vibrant coral sponges where you can encounter turtles, rays, and even sharks.
Contact us to discuss your ultimate dive trip to Mexico! Tell us what you want to see and experience, what kind of accommodation you prefer, and who you'll travel with and we will customize the perfect trip just for you!
3. Mozambique
Journey to Africa's east coast in July to explore Mozambique's underwater majesty. In the heart of the drier winter months, July produces calmer weather and the best visibility in this region of the Indian Ocean. June through October also marks the incredible humpback whale migration along Mozambique's coast, offering visitors opportunities to witness it firsthand.
Experience various dive sites and a combination of large marine life and macro critter encounters, depending on where you spend your time in Mozambique. Visit the Bazaruto Archipelago for pristine reefs boasting many marine species, including rays and sharks. Travel to the Quirimbas Archipelago to explore unique coral formations, a wreck, and encounter barracuda, rays, and reef sharks. It's also an excellent spot for seeing humpback whales. Tofo and Ponta do Ouro are two other popular dive areas in Mozambique, but they are best visited in the summer months to encounter Tofo's whale sharks and experience the best shark diving at Ponta do Ouro.
Dive Mozambique with one of the many standalone or resort-based dive operators. Expect sometimes sporty beach launches as the diving is done from Zodiacs. Traveling to Mozambique, especially from the United States, is a lengthy combination of flights, so consider making the most of your trip by combining it with some other exciting destinations. Take in breathtaking wildlife during a land safari in Tanzania, explore the shark-filled waters around South Africa, and immerse yourself in the culture, food, and history of each region.
Contact us to discuss your dream trip to Africa.
Other great Places places to dive in July
While we recommend Dumaguete, Isla Mujeres, and Mozambique, there are abundant other incredible destinations to dive in July, including Cocos Island, Sipadan, Azores, and many more. We understand that "best" is subjective and divers have different preferences. Contact our travel advisors to discuss what the "best" means to you so we can customize your best dive trip.
how to book a trip
Bluewater Travel can book you on a liveaboard or resort in the Galapagos, Cozumel, Komodo, and 40+ other destinations in the world for the same cost or less than booking any other way. We know the diving, seasons, resorts, boats, and cabins and when to go better than anyone else!
Email us or write to us in the live chat box to book a resort, liveaboard, or a Dive with Bluewater trip!
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