Central America

Belize

Belize diving feels like stepping back into a classic Caribbean scene, before the crowds found every quiet corner. We head here for the barrier reef, the second largest in the world, which delivers consistent wall dives and healthy, sprawling coral. Out at Lighthouse Reef Atoll, the Blue Hole is the obvious draw, and we've done it, but Half Moon Caye's vertical drops and resident sharks are often more memorable. Glover's Reef Atoll is our pick for liveaboards, offering truly remote diving and a slower pace. The dry season, roughly December to May, generally means calmer seas and better visibility, making it the sweet spot for exploring Belize's underwater tapestry.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is really a tale of two very different diving experiences, and to be honest, it’s all about Cocos Island. Yes, the mainland Pacific coast out of Guanacaste has its moments, with schooling mobula rays and the occasional whale shark if you’re lucky, but we find the real draw here is that remote, rugged island. Cocos is an honest-to-goodness pelagic magnet, a place where you dive into hundreds of hammerheads circling overhead, the water thick with them. We’re talking big animal action, often with some current to contend with, so it's best for experienced divers. Forget the Caribbean side; that's more for mellow reef dives if you happen to be in the area, but it won't be the main reason you fly all this way. If you want those epic, bucket-list encounters, save up for a liveaboard to Cocos; it’s an investment, but the payoff is substantial.

Guatemala

Guatemala might not be the first country that springs to mind for diving, and that’s precisely why we love it. Forget your typical Caribbean reef dives here; what makes Guatemala truly special is the one-two punch of Lake Atitlan’s otherworldly freshwater landscapes and the Rio Dulce’s brackish, mangrove-lined Caribbean stretches. We’d suggest focusing your efforts on Lake Atitlan, particularly for the sheer novelty of diving among submerged Mayan altars and volcanic rock formations - it’s a cooler, darker experience than most, certainly unique. The best time for the lake is really year-round, but aim for the dry season from November to April for the clearest conditions on the Caribbean side. It’s not about big pelagics or technicolour coral, but about diving into history and geology, finding those Bearded Gobies or a Trumpetfish hiding amongst the roots.

Honduras

Honduras. Not just the Bay Islands, though we’ll get to them. We’re talking about the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, one of the biggest living things on the planet, and Honduras has a prime chunk of it. Think drift dives over walls covered in gorgonians, spotting juvenile drum fish dancing in crevices, or maybe a quick glance at a passing eagle ray. Roatán gives you those classic Caribbean reef dives and access to walls, generally calm and a great place to warm up your fins. But if you’re looking for a bit more adventure, Utila is where many divers head for the chance of encountering whale sharks, especially in the spring and late summer. For something a little quieter, Guanaja still feels untouched, with healthy coral and fewer boats. We’d suggest hitting it between February and September for the best conditions across the islands.

Nicaragua

Nicaragua often gets overlooked for its flashier neighbours, but we think that's part of its charm. If you're looking for uncrowded sites and a truly relaxed vibe, the Corn Islands are where you need to be. Especially Little Corn, which has that perfect backpacker-friendly feel. The reefs here are surprisingly healthy, with good visibility most of the year. We’ve had some fantastic encounters with schools of French grunts and chalk bass, and if you’re lucky, you might even spot a lemon shark cruising by. Dive into the warm Caribbean waters and leave the crowds behind, it’s a refreshing change of pace.

Panama

Panama’s a country that genuinely delivers on the "two oceans in one trip" promise, and that’s a big part of its appeal. We’d suggest focusing your time on either the Caribbean side’s Bocas del Toro for relaxed reef diving and incredible macro, or hitting the Pacific’s Coiba National Park for bigger pelagic encounters. Coiba often brings in whale sharks and manta rays, especially in the dry season from December to May, while Bocas has those nudibranchs and frogfish tucked into every crevice year-round. Don't expect dramatic coral walls everywhere, but what’s there is healthy, and the sheer variety across both coastlines makes for a really diverse trip. Just be aware of the currents in Coiba, they can be strong, but they also bring in the good stuff.