Best Places to Dive in August
17 July 2026
The best diving in August is in the Maldives, the Galapagos and the Red Sea, with peak manta season, whale sharks and warm water shark diving. Indonesia's Komodo is also in strong season. Here is where to plan your scuba diving in August, and why.
Quick answer
The best diving in August is the Maldives for peak Hanifaru mantas, the Galapagos for whale sharks at Darwin and Wolf, and the warm Red Sea for offshore sharks. Indonesia's Komodo is also in strong season.
Photo: Jaine et al., CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons.
Best places to dive in August at a glance
| Destination | Why August | Highlights | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maldives | Peak manta season (Hanifaru Bay) | Mantas, whale sharks, reef sharks | Open Water and up |
| Galapagos | Peak whale shark season | Whale sharks, hammerheads, Galapagos sharks | Advanced, strong currents |
| Egypt | Warm water, offshore sharks | The Brothers, Daedalus, oceanic whitetips | Advanced for offshore reefs |
| Indonesia (Komodo) | Komodo strong season | Mantas, big fish | Advanced recommended |
Maldives: peak mantas
August is one of the best months of the year to be in the Maldives, and the high point of the diving year for manta rays. Baa Atoll's Hanifaru Bay draws large numbers of feeding manta rays, sometimes joined by whale sharks. The seas turn green with plankton in the south-west monsoon, and that plankton is exactly what pulls the mantas in to feed. Whale sharks are also reliable year-round in South Ari Atoll. See the best time to dive the Maldives, our guide to whale sharks in South Ari Atoll, and compare Maldives liveaboards.
Galapagos: whale shark season
August is one of the best months for the Galapagos. Large whale sharks, most of them pregnant females, patrol Darwin and Wolf, alongside big schools of hammerheads and Galapagos sharks. The water is cooler in this season, so bring thermal protection. It is an advanced destination with strong currents. Read where to see whale sharks and compare Galapagos liveaboards for August.
Egypt and Komodo
The Red Sea stays warm in August, around 28 to 30 C, and the best offshore chances are for oceanic whitetips and hammerheads on the Brothers, Daedalus and Elphinstone route, which needs Advanced level. The northern routes add the famous wrecks. In Indonesia, Komodo continues its strong manta and big-fish season, though Raja Ampat is out of season until October. Compare Egypt liveaboards.
Plan your August trip
Deciding where to dive in August comes down to the marine life you want: mantas in the Maldives, whale sharks in the Galapagos, or offshore sharks in the Red Sea. Pick the route that matches your dive level, then give yourself enough days on the water for conditions to come good. DiveScanner compares real, current prices from every operator and agency for each boat, so you find the best August departure without checking each booking site yourself. Looking either side of the month? See July and September.
Compare August liveaboard tripsDiving by month
FAQ
Where is the best diving in August?
The best diving in August is the Maldives, where Hanifaru Bay reaches its peak manta season, the Galapagos, where whale sharks gather at Darwin and Wolf, and the Red Sea, which stays warm with strong shark diving on the offshore reefs. Indonesia's Komodo is also in good season.
Is August a good month for diving?
Yes. August is peak manta season in the Maldives, peak whale shark season in the Galapagos, and a warm, strong month for shark diving in the Red Sea.
Where can you see whale sharks in August?
The Galapagos at Darwin and Wolf, and South Ari Atoll in the Maldives.
Where is the manta season best in August?
Hanifaru Bay in Baa Atoll in the Maldives.
When is the best manta season in the Maldives?
The south-west monsoon peak around August to November, centred on Hanifaru Bay in Baa Atoll.
Sources and planning notes
This guide uses established seasonal patterns for each destination. Wildlife sightings vary year to year with plankton, current and weather, so always check the current itinerary and conditions before booking. Questions? Contact us at [email protected].