Where are the best places to scuba dive in March? It depends on your preferences: what you want to see, how much time you have, your level of experience, and what kind of diving conditions you like. Discuss your needs and preferences with your travel advisor to find the best place to dive in March for you. In the meantime, check out our top three recommendations for destinations to dive in March for some inspiration.
- 1. Antarctica
- 2. Belize
- 3. Bunaken, Indonesia
Are you ready to plan your March diving trip? Read on to learn more about our top 3 destinations to dive in March.
1. Antarctica
While it may not be at the top of your list when you consider scuba diving destinations, Antarctica is a great place to visit in March. If you’re ready for a challenging trek to visit one of the most untouched and spectacular landscapes in the world, Antarctica belongs on your list. We love Antarctica in March because the baby penguins are just old enough to get in the water, which increases the chance of seeing leopard seals as they are actively hunting. February and March are also the best time to see whales, and more polar ice has melted, so you can explore more of the region.
Scuba diving in Antarctica is extreme polar diving and, therefore, only suitable for experienced cold-water drysuit divers. If diving in these conditions doesn’t interest you or you aren’t qualified, enjoy the incredible topside experiences. Thrilling wildlife encounters, striking icy landscapes, and – if you’re brave enough – take a polar plunge!
Travelling to Antarctica is long and arduous, with multiple flights and several days of ocean crossing. Expedition vessels make this crossing from the southernmost tip of Argentina, Ushuaia. Vessels are generally comfortable but not luxurious - think function over amenities - and offer a range of cabin types featuring bunk, twin, or double beds. Joining a group trip to Antarctica removes the stress of what to expect and enables you to enjoy the trip while an experienced trip leader handles the logistics.
Interested in joining a group trip to Antarctica? Join our next trip:
Antarctica Deep Discovery Voyage March 2025 | Mar 10 - 21, 2025 | From $7,700 | Trip Leader: Tim Yeo
2. Belize
A much easier (and warmer) destination to dive in March, Belize has more to offer than just it’s famous Blue Hole. This Caribbean paradise has diving suitable for everyone from novices to seasoned divers and a range of dive sites, plus a ton of topside activities, making it a great place for non-divers as well!
Expect healthy coral reefs and typical Caribbean marine life such as eagle rays, turtles, eels, nurse sharks, barracudas, groupers, and a plethora of reef fish. You won’t encounter marine life diving the Blue Hole, which is marked by plunging sheer walls and not much else; however, if it’s on your bucket list you can check it off.
Explore a wider range of dive sites and maximize your time underwater from a liveaboard in Belize. If you want to enjoy a mix of diving and land-based activities, stay at a resort. Belize has plenty of accommodation options to suit your needs and budget.
3. Bunaken, Indonesia
Another great place to scuba dive in March is Bunaken, Indonesia. This region in North Sulawesi is renowned for its plunging coral walls, great visibility, and variety of marine life. March marks the beginning of the dry season in Bunaken, so the weather is generally calm and warm.
As with other areas in Indonesia, Bunaken Marine Park boasts a robust population of reef fish, including butterflyfish, batfish, schooling fusiliers, trevally, and much more. Encounters with turtles, pods of dolphins, migrating whales, and reef sharks are also possible. Wide-angle photographers will enjoy the capturing the plummeting coral walls and macro photographers can search for critters such as nudibranchs, frogfish, shrimps, and crabs.
Choose one of Bunaken’s excellent dive resorts or join a liveaboard that visits Bunaken on part of its itinerary. Some resorts in the region offer “passport” packages that include seamless surface interval transfers between resorts in Manado, Bangka, and Lembeh. These packages are a great way to experience all of the best diving in North Sulawesi during one trip.
Other Great Places to Dive in March
While we recommend Antarctica, Belize, and Bunaken as three amazing options, there are abundant other incredible destinations to dive in March, including Socorro, Bonaire, Maldives, 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 in March.
How to Book a Trip
Bluewater Travel can book you on a liveaboard or resort in Raja Ampat, Anilao, Truk Lagoon, and 40+ other destinations in the world for the same cost or less than booking any other way. We know the diving, seasons, 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!
Further Reading
Visit our sister websites, Bluewater Photo, and the Underwater Photography Guide, for additional resources:
Best Underwater Cameras in 2024
Best Underwater Cameras for Beginners
Why Smartphones Could be the Future of Underwater Photo and Video
