Maldives
Best overall months to dive: Jun–Nov
The Maldives is a nation of around 1,190 low coral islands grouped into 26 atolls in the central Indian Ocean, and one of the world's best-known diving destinations. Diving runs year-round, but the two monsoons shift conditions and marine life around the atolls through the year. The country is famous for reef mantas and whale sharks: Baa Atoll's Hanifaru Bay hosts one of the largest manta feeding aggregations on the planet during the southwest monsoon. For now only Baa Atoll is populated here; other atolls will follow as separate regions.