Scuba Diving in March - Top 3 Destinations

Where are the best places to scuba dive in March? It depends on your preferences: what you want to see, how much time you have, your level of experience, and what kind of diving conditions you like. Discuss your needs and preferences with your travel advisor to find the best place to dive in March for you. In the meantime, check out our top three recommendations for destinations to dive in March for some inspiration.

1. Antarctica
2. Belize
3. Bunaken, Indonesia

Are you ready to plan your March diving trip? Read on to learn more about our top 3 destinations to dive in March.

While it may not be at the top of your list when you consider scuba diving destinations, Antarctica is a great place to visit in March. If youre ready for a challenging trek to visit one of the most untouched and spectacular landscapes in the world, Antarctica belongs on your list. We love Antarctica in March because the baby penguins are just old enough to get in the water, which increases the chance of seeing leopard seals as they are actively hunting. February and March are also the best time to see whales, and more polar ice has melted, so you can explore more of the region.

Scuba diving in Antarctica is extreme polar diving and, therefore, only suitable for experienced cold-water drysuit divers. If diving in these conditions doesnt interest you or you arent qualified, enjoy the incredible topside experiences. Thrilling wildlife encounters, striking icy landscapes, and if youre brave enough take a polar plunge!

Travelling to Antarctica is long and arduous, with multiple flights and several days of ocean crossing. Expedition vessels make this crossing from the southernmost tip of Argentina, Ushuaia. Vessels are generally comfortable but not luxurious - think function over amenities - and offer a range of cabin types featuring bunk, twin, or double beds. Joining a group trip to Antarctica removes the stress of what to expect and enables you to enjoy the trip while an experienced trip leader handles the logistics.

Interested in joining a group trip to Antarctica? Join our next trip:

Antarctica & South Georgia Trip 2028 | Trip Leader: Tim Yeo

A much easier (and warmer) destination to dive in March, Belize has more to offer than just its famous Blue Hole. This Caribbean paradise has diving suitable for everyone from novices to seasoned divers and a range of dive sites, plus a ton of topside activities, making it a great place for non-divers as well!

Expect healthy coral reefs and typical Caribbean marine life such as eagle rays, turtles, eels, nurse sharks, barracudas, groupers, and a plethora of reef fish. You wont encounter marine life diving the Blue Hole, which is marked by plunging sheer walls and not much else; however, if its on your bucket list you can check it off.

Explore a wider range of dive sites and maximize your time underwater from a liveaboard in Belize. If you want to enjoy a mix of diving and land-based activities, stay at a resort. Belize has plenty of accommodation options to suit your needs and budget.

Another great place to scuba dive in March is Bunaken, Indonesia. This region in North Sulawesi is renowned for its plunging coral walls, great visibility, and variety of marine life. March marks the beginning of the dry season in Bunaken, so the weather is generally calm and warm.

As with other areas in Indonesia, Bunaken Marine Park boasts a robust population of reef fish, including butterflyfish, batfish, schooling fusiliers, trevally, and much more. Encounters with turtles, pods of dolphins, migrating whales, and reef sharks are also possible. Wide-angle photographers will enjoy the capturing the plummeting coral walls and macro photographers can search for critters such as nudibranchs, frogfish, shrimps, and crabs.

Choose one of Bunakens excellent dive resorts or join a liveaboard that visits Bunaken on part of its itinerary. Some resorts in the region offer passport packages that include seamless surface interval transfers between resorts in Manado, Bangka, and Lembeh. These packages are a great way to experience all of the best diving in North Sulawesi during one trip.

While we recommend Antarctica, Belize, and Bunaken as three amazing options, there are abundant other incredible destinations to dive in March, including Socorro, Bonaire, Maldives, and many more. We understand that best is subjective and divers have different preferences.

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!

Visit our sister websites, Bluewater Photo, and the Underwater Photography Guide, for additional resources:

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