There are many great places to scuba dive in September, when the peak crowds dissipate, and weather conditions are stable. What destination is best for you depends on what you hope to experience during your dive holiday. Our expert travel advisors can help you plan your best dive trip in September, but we’ve come up with three recommendations to help you get inspired.
Are you ready to plan your September diving trip? Read on to learn more about three of our top destinations.
1. Bali, Indonesia
We love Bali, full stop. However, we think September is a great time to visit Bali to experience all the best diving opportunities in the best conditions, but without the astronomical crowds that visit the small island in July and August.
One of the most sought-after marine life encounters in Bali is the elusive mola mola (or oceanic sunfish), which graces the waters around Nusa Penida and Candidasa seasonally. The chances of seeing them are good in September, although some luck is required. September is also a great time to visit areas with warmer water, including the spectacular walls of Menjangan Island and the renowned muck diving around Amed.
Diving in Bali is done from land-based resorts. We recommend a dive safari, where you’ll spend time at different resorts in different regions to enjoy the incredible diversity of dive sites and marine life. Find Bali dive resorts or contact our advisors to plan your dream dive holiday in Bali.
Interested in Diving Bali in September? Join our Next Trip:
Bluewater's Ultimate Lembeh & Bali Macro Critter Workshop | Sep 9 - 21, 2024 | From $3,347
2. Moorea, French Polynesia
While not a diving trip, one of our absolute favorite places to go for marine life encounters in September is Moorea, French Polynesia. That’s why we run five consecutive group trips in Moorea annually to snorkel with humpback whales. It’s an unforgettable opportunity to witness these magnificent creatures while they congregate in Moorea to find a mate or nurse their young calves.
Humpback whales are the highlight of Moorea in September, as they only visit the region for a couple of months. However, other animals are often seen in the area at the same time, such as dolphins and sharks. You can also go scuba diving in Moorea to encounter lots of turtles, and some of the best shark diving in the world is found on the nearby islands of Rangiroa and Fakarava.
Stay at a resort and embark on daily boat excursions to snorkel with the whales. You’ll need to be a good swimmer; humpback whales move quickly, and the boats give them at least 100 meters of space. To learn what to expect, check out our 2023 trip recap to learn more about snorkeling with humpback whales in Moorea.
Join our Next Trips to Snorkel with Humpback Whales:
Close Encounters with Humpback Whales in French Polynesia 2024 | Throughout Aug 31 - Oct 5, 2024 | From $3,750
Close Encounters with Humpback Whales in French Polynesia 2025 | Throughout Aug 30 - Oct 4, 2025 | From $3,750
OR learn about diving in French Polynesia and book online at the best price!
3. Lembeh Strait, Indonesia
Head to the Lembeh Strait, Indonesia’s critter capital if you want to focus on macro diving in September. Its remote location ensures the region doesn’t feel crowded even when there are plenty of visitors in the area. September is the dry season in Lembeh, so the weather is generally favorable, and the water temperatures are warming up.
Macro life in Lembeh is so profound it would be easier to name the species you don’t have a chance of seeing. Underwater photographers are delighted with subjects such as pygmy seahorses, flying gurnards, ghost pipefish, flamboyant cuttlefish, bobbit worms, stargazers, nudibranchs, frogfish… the list goes on and on.
Pick one of Lembeh’s excellent dive resorts, which cater to photographers and boast guides with some of the keenest eyes in Indonesia. Some resorts have multiple locations in North Sulawesi, enabling you to visit Bunaken, Bangka, and Manado with easy transfers between each resort. These “mini safaris” appeal to divers who are interested in a combination of muck, reef, and wall diving.
Interested in Diving Lembeh in September? Join our Next Trips:
Bluewater's Ultimate Lembeh & Bali Macro Critter Workshop | Sep 9 - 21, 2024 | From $3,347
Lembeh Macro Critter Workshop | Sep 17 - 24, 2024 | From $2,153
Other great Places places to dive in September
While we recommend Bali, Moorea, and Lembeh as our top three, there are abundant other incredible destinations to dive in September, including Alor, Bonaire, the Red Sea, 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 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
