Best Places to Dive in February
February keeps the peak season rolling in South-East Asia and the Maldives, with settled weather and excellent visibility. It is also one of the best months for big sharks in the Bahamas, where the winter aggregations are still strong.
Quick answer
Raja Ampat, Thailand and the Maldives are all at their best in February, and the Bahamas shark season continues. Choose by marine life and dive level.
Photo: Marion Kraschl, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Best places to dive in February at a glance
| Destination | Why February | Highlights | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raja Ampat | Peak season: calm and clear | Mantas, reef sharks, biodiversity | Advanced recommended |
| Thailand | Peak Andaman season | Similan, Surin, Richelieu Rock, early whale sharks | Open Water and up |
| Maldives | Dry season, strong visibility | Whale sharks, reef sharks, pelagics | Open Water and up |
| Bahamas | Winter shark season | Tiger Beach, hammerheads at Bimini | Advanced for shark dives |
Raja Ampat and Thailand at their best
February conditions are hard to beat in Indonesia liveaboards Raja Ampat and on Thailand liveaboards Similan routes: calm seas, warm water and superb visibility. Thailand also brings the first realistic chance of whale sharks at Richelieu Rock as the season builds.
Maldives dry season
The Maldives stays dry and clear in February. It is a great all-round month for reef sharks, turtles, pelagics and the year-round whale sharks of South Ari. Compare Maldives liveaboards.
Bahamas sharks
The Bahamas winter shark season is still strong in February, with Tiger Beach and Bimini's hammerheads the highlights. See tiger shark diving and Bahamas liveaboards.
Plan your February trip
Pick the route that matches your dive level and the marine life you most want to see, 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 February departure without checking each booking site yourself.
Compare February liveaboard tripsDiving by month
FAQ
Where is the best diving in February?
Raja Ampat, Thailand and the Maldives for peak-season reef and pelagic diving, plus the Bahamas for winter sharks.
Can you see whale sharks in Thailand in February?
It is possible. February is early in the Andaman whale shark window at Richelieu Rock, with chances improving towards March and April.
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].