Europe might not be the first place that comes to mind for world-class scuba diving, but the continent is home to Europe's diverse underwater landscapes. These locations boast abundant marine life, including stunning wrecks, vibrant marine life, underwater caves, and crystal-clear waters. Whether you’re looking for thrilling cave dives in the Mediterranean, cold-water wrecks in the North Atlantic, or marine-rich reefs in the Canary Islands, scuba diving in Europe offers incredible variety for all levels.

If you’re wondering where to find the best scuba diving in Europe, this guide will take you through 12 must-dive destinations that will leave you in awe.

1. Azores, Portugal – A Volcanic Diving Wonderland

The Azores are one of the best places for scuba diving in Europe, offering crystal-clear waters, volcanic seascapes, and incredible pelagic life. These remote islands in the middle of the Atlantic attract manta rays, blue sharks, and even sperm whales. The underwater lava formations, caves, and shipwrecks make for a diverse diving experience. Liveaboard trips give you access to some of the most remote and spectacular dive sites.

📍 Where to Dive: Princess Alice Bank, Formigas Islets, Dom João de Castro Bank
🦈 Top Species to See: Manta rays, blue sharks, dolphins, barracudas, groupers
📅 When to Visit: July to October for the best visibility and marine life encounters

Sperm whale -Cachalot- Azores Portugal — Sperm whale -Cachalot in Azores Portugal | Photo by Thierry Eidenweil

Suggestions For Scuba Diving Experiences in Azores

2. Malta & Gozo – Europe's Best Wreck Diving

Malta and its sister island Gozo are wreck diving capitals with sunken WWII planes, submarines, and ships lying in incredibly clear Mediterranean waters. These islands are home to famous dive sites, such as the Blue Hole in Gozo, which is a bucket-list dive featuring a dramatic underwater archway leading to the open sea. Advanced wreck diving courses are available for divers wanting to explore deeper wrecks.

📍 Where to Dive: Blue Hole (Gozo), HMS Maori (Malta), P29 Wreck

🦈 Top Species to See: Moray eels, octopuses, barracudas, seahorses

📅 When to Visit: May to October for warm water and calm conditions

Two people swimming in Deep Blue Hole at the World Famous Azure Window in Gozo Island — Deep Blue Hole in Gozo Island | Getty Images

Suggestions For Scuba Diving Experiences in Malta & Gozo

3. Lofoten Islands, Norway – Arctic Diving at Its Finest

For those looking for thrilling cold-water diving, the Lofoten Islands in Norway offer an experience like no other. Expect dramatic kelp forests, WWII shipwrecks, and encounters with diverse marine life, including orcas, wolf fish, and sea eagles. Wear a drysuit—water temperatures can drop below 5°C!

📍 Where to Dive: MS Hamburg Wreck, Trollfjorden, Ballstad

🦈 Top Species to See: Orcas, wolf fish, sea eagles, cod, anemones

📅 When to Visit: January to March for orca diving, June to September for better visibility

Two Orcas swimming on the surface of the ocean in Lofoten — Orcas in Lofoten | Photo by Dianne Maddox

4. El Hierro, Canary Islands – The Galápagos of Europe

El Hierro is a lesser-known gem of the Canary Islands but offers some of the best diving in Europe, featuring stunning underwater landscapes. The marine reserve around La Restinga features deep drop-offs, volcanic caves, and huge schools of fish, making it a haven for underwater photographers. The strong currents here attract larger pelagic species, making every dive unpredictable and exciting.

📍 Where to Dive: El Bajón, La Restinga Marine Reserve, Tenerife

🦈 Top Species to See: Eagle rays, trumpetfish, dolphins, turtles

📅 When to Visit: June to November for the best visibility and warm water

Four Eagle Rays Swimming — You can see Eagles rays in Canary Islands | Getty Images

Suggestions For Scuba Diving Experiences in Canary Islands

5. Silfra Fissure, Iceland – Dive Between Two Continents

The Silfra Fissure is one of the most unique dives in the world, allowing you to swim between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates in water so clear you can see over 100 meters ahead. While there’s little marine life, the geological formations are unlike anything else on Earth. You’ll probably need a drysuit certification, as water temperatures hover around 2–4°C.

📍 Where to Dive: Þingvellir National Park
🌊 Top Features: Crystal-clear glacial water, dramatic rock formations
📅 When to Visit: Year-round, but best visibility in winter

Underwater photo of Rock Formations in Silfra Fissure — Rock Formations in Silfra Fissure | Photo by David Marfil

Suggestions For Scuba Diving Experiences in Silfra Fissure, Iceland

6. Medes Islands, Spain – A Mediterranean Marine Reserve

Located off the Costa Brava, the Medes Islands are a protected marine reserve with colorful coral reefs, shipwrecks, and underwater caves. It’s one of the best places for scuba diving in Europe for spotting large groupers, octopuses, and barracudas. Night diving here is spectacular, revealing bioluminescent plankton and nocturnal creatures.

📍 Where to Dive: La Vaca, Carall Bernat, Dofi Cave

🦈Top Species to See: Groupers, scorpionfish, eagle rays

📅 When to Visit: May to September for warm water and best marine life activity

An Scorpion Fish very well camouflaged with the Ocean Rock Formations — Scorpion Fish can bee spotted at Medes Islands

Suggestions For Scuba Diving Experiences in Spain

7. Scapa Flow, Scotland – Europe's Best Wreck Diving Spot

Scapa Flow is Europe’s most famous cold-water wreck diving site, home to the sunken German fleet from World War I. These warships, resting at depths of 30–45 meters, provide thrilling penetration dives for experienced divers. This is an advanced wreck diving location, so wreck certification is highly recommended.

📍 Where to Dive: SMS König, SMS Markgraf, F2 Wreck
🦈Top Species to See: Conger eels, crabs, cod, starfish
📅 When to Visit: April to October for better visibility

A Conger eel buried in a hole at the bottom of the ocean — Conger eel at Scapa Flow | Jess, Getty Images

8. Blue Grotto & Calabria, Italy – Cave Diving Heaven

Italy’s Blue Grotto offers some of the best cave diving in Europe, with stunning underwater rock formations, caverns, and glowing blue waters. Some caves require special certifications, so check with dive centers before booking.

📍 Where to Dive: Capri, Ustica, Sardinia
🦈Top Species to See: Moray eels, nudibranchs, colorful sponges
📅 When to Visit: April to October for warm waters and calm conditions

A Cave with water in Blue Grotto, Italy — Blue Grotto, Italy | Photo by Adam Smigielski

Suggestions For Scuba Diving Experiences in Italy

9. Santorini, Greece – Volcanic Dive Dream

Santorini’s a best scuba diving in Europe stunner—its caldera dives mix volcanic caves with Aegean marine life. The 1950s wreck Nea Kameni and 100-foot viz make it a European beach dive gem. Usually affordable at €40–50 per dive!

📍Where to Dive: Caldera, Nea Kameni, Thirasia Island.

🦈Top Species to See: Sea turtles, sponges, barracuda, nudibranchs.

📅When to Visit: May to October—September’s 75°F water is golden!

Person Scuba Diving Near Sea Turtle, Great Barrier Reef — Sea Turtles can be seen in Santorini | Getty Images

Suggestions For Scuba Diving Experiences in Greece

10. Côte d’Azur, France – The French Riviera Underwater

The French Riviera isn’t just for sunbathing, it’s also one of the best scuba diving spots in Europe. From vibrant reefs to historic wrecks, this region offers a variety of dive sites.

📍Where to Dive: Lérins Islands, Villefranche-sur-Mer

🦈Top Species to See: Groupers, octopus, sea turtles

📅When to Visit: June to September for warm waters and optimal conditions.

Man in Black Diving Suit in Water next. toa sea turtle — Sea Turtle at Côte d’Azur, France | Photo by Graham Henderson

11. Croatia – The Adriatic Gem

Croatia’s Adriatic coast is a hidden gem for divers, with its clear waters, vibrant reefs, and historic wrecks. The island of Vis is particularly famous for its underwater caves, marine life, and numerous dive sites.

📍Where to Dive: Bisevo Island, Vis Island, Istria, Dalmatia, Split

🦈Top Species to See: Groupers, octopus, sea turtles

📅When to Visit: May to October for the best diving conditions.

Two Scuba Divers swimming in the ocean — The Adriatic Gem | Photo by Rich Carey

Suggestions For Scuba Diving Experiences in Croatia

Diving in Europe: Tips and Essentials

Europe offers a treasure trove of scuba diving experiences, from exploring ancient shipwrecks to swimming alongside vibrant marine life. Whether you’re drawn to the crystal-clear waters of the Canary Islands or the historic wrecks of Malta, planning your diving trip carefully can make all the difference.

Where Will You Dive First?

Europe is home to some of the best scuba diving destinations in the world, attracting scuba divers with its volcanic landscapes, wreck dives, marine-rich reserves, and Arctic adventures. Whether you’re a beginner looking for clear waters and colorful reefs, or a seasoned diver craving deep wrecks and strong currents, scuba diving in Europe offers something for every adventurer.

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Best Scuba Diving in Europe: Top 12 Dive Spots