Best Places to Dive in May

May is when the Red Sea comes into its own and the Maldives begins its manta season. Warm water, building shark action offshore in Egypt, and the first plankton of the Maldives south-west monsoon make it a strong month for big animals.

Photo: NOAA National Marine Sanctuaries, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Best places to dive in May at a glance

Egypt: the reefs heat up

May is one of the best months to start Egypt's offshore shark season, with warm water and grey reef sharks and oceanic whitetips building on the Brothers, Daedalus and Elphinstone. Compare Egypt liveaboards and read about famous Red Sea wrecks.

Maldives: mantas begin

As the south-west monsoon arrives, plankton starts to draw manta rays to the Maldives, building towards the famous Hanifaru Bay season. South Ari's whale sharks continue year-round. See the best time to dive the Maldives and Maldives liveaboards.

Komodo

Indonesia's Komodo season strengthens through May, with mantas and big fish on strong currents. Browse Indonesia liveaboards.

Plan your May 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 May departure without checking each booking site yourself.

Diving by month

FAQ

Where is the best diving in May?

Egypt for warm water and a building offshore shark season, and the Maldives as its manta season begins with the south-west monsoon.

When does Maldives manta season start?

It builds from around May as the south-west monsoon brings plankton, peaking later in the year at Hanifaru Bay.