Your starting point for scuba diving: learn to dive, choose your gear, and find your next dive destination.
Region guide · 4 destinations
Scuba diving in the United States covers almost every kind of diving there is: cold-water kelp forests on the Pacific coast, the only living coral barrier reef in the continental US, freshwater springs, volcanic reefs in the middle of the Pacific and offshore reefs in the Gulf. All of it is reachable without a passport for American divers.
At a glance
The four destinations on this page have little in common underwater. California is temperate and green, with water that calls for a thick wetsuit or a drysuit. Florida is subtropical, with coral reefs, wrecks and crystal-clear springs. Hawaii is tropical and volcanic, with many fish found nowhere else. And Texas offers Gulf of Mexico reefs and wrecks far offshore, plus inland lakes and springs that many Texans use for training.
Diving close to home has real advantages. You can take your course locally, dive more often, and build experience before a big overseas trip. Many divers do the theory and pool sessions near home and then finish their open-water dives on vacation. Our guide on how to learn to scuba dive explains how that works.
The destinations
California is the home of kelp forest diving. Giant kelp grows in tall underwater forests full of fish, including the bright orange garibaldi, California's state marine fish. Catalina Island, the Channel Islands and Monterey Bay are the best-known areas. The water is cold for much of the year, so a 7 mm wetsuit with hood and gloves, or a drysuit, is standard.
California scuba diving guideFlorida has more variety than any other state. The Florida Keys have the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States, plus wrecks such as the Spiegel Grove off Key Largo. Southeast Florida has easy shore and drift dives, and North Florida's freshwater springs offer gin-clear water. Caverns and caves need specialist training.
Florida scuba diving guideHawaii's reefs grow on young volcanic rock, so the diving features lava tubes, arches and ledges. A large share of the reef fish are found only in Hawaii. Off the Kona coast of the Big Island, the night dive with manta rays is one of the most famous dives in the world. Green sea turtles are common on all the main islands.
Hawaii scuba diving guideThe Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, far offshore in the Gulf of Mexico, protects healthy coral reefs that are usually reached on multi-day boat trips. Off South Padre Island, the Texas Clipper was sunk as an artificial reef. Inland, lakes and spring-fed pools are popular for training and weekend dives, so check the current access rules before you go.
Texas scuba diving guidePlanning
Exposure protection is the biggest difference between these destinations. In Hawaii and the Florida Keys in summer, a 3 mm wetsuit is usually comfortable. North Florida's springs stay cool all year, so many divers wear 5 mm or 7 mm there. In California, a 7 mm wetsuit or a drysuit is standard, and diving in a drysuit needs its own training. Our scuba gear for beginners guide explains how to choose.
Shore diving, walking in from a beach or entering from rocks, is common in California, Hawaii and parts of Florida. It is cheap and flexible but needs good entry and exit technique, attention to surf and surge, and a careful look at conditions before you go in. Boat diving reaches offshore reefs and wrecks and usually comes with a guide and a briefing. If you are new, start with guided boat dives or a local dive center's shore dives.
Springs, lakes and quarries are a big part of American diving. Fresh water is less buoyant than seawater, so you will usually need less weight. Lakes at altitude need adjusted dive planning, which is a specialist skill. Overhead environments such as caverns, caves and the inside of wrecks need dedicated training beyond an entry-level course.
Flying home and driving over high mountain passes after diving both lower the pressure around you. Allow enough time between your last dive and the trip home. The scuba diving safety guide gives the commonly used guidelines.
Questions
It depends on what you like. For coral reefs and wrecks, the Florida Keys. For volcanic reefs, turtles and manta rays, Hawaii. For kelp forests, California. For offshore Gulf reefs, the Flower Garden Banks off Texas. Each has its own full guide linked above.
Yes. Certifications from the major training agencies are recognized by dive centers around the world. Many Americans train locally and then dive in the Caribbean or further afield.
Not necessarily. Many divers use a 7 mm wetsuit with a hood, gloves and boots, especially in summer and in Southern California. A drysuit keeps you warmer for longer and in colder months, but it needs its own training.
The Caribbean is a short flight from most of the US.