Scuba Diving in Europe

Diving in Europe offers an incredible variety of underwater experiences, from volcanic seascapes to historic wrecks and ice-cold fjords. Four of the top destinations—Azores, Malta, Iceland, and Norway—each offer something unique for divers.

The Azores, a remote Portuguese archipelago, is a paradise for pelagic encounters. Its deep waters attract majestic blue sharks, mobula rays, and even sperm whales. The submerged volcano of Princess Alice Bank is a bucket-list dive, offering encounters with massive schools of fish in the open ocean. For guided trips in the region, check out Portugal Dive.

Read about diving the Azores Islands and check out a great land-based option, Espiritu Azul.

Malta is a haven for wreck and cave divers. The island’s rich history has left behind incredible sunken ships like the Um El Faroud, as well as fascinating underwater cave systems such as the Blue Hole in Gozo. With warm waters and excellent visibility, Malta is perfect for all levels of divers. 

Read about scuba diving in Malta.

Iceland offers one of the most unique dives in the world—the Silfra Fissure. Here, divers can glide between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates in water so clear it feels like flying. Read more about diving Iceland.

For adventurous cold-water diving, Norway boasts deep fjords, kelp forests, and stunning shipwrecks. Lofoten and Saltstraumen offer thrilling drift dives, while orca encounters in the Arctic waters are truly unforgettable. Read more on Norway scuba diving.