Where to dive in January
Choose Malpelo for schooling sharks if you have the experience for deep, exposed dives. Raja Ampat offers more reef variety alongside mantas and wobbegongs. South Africa and Jardines de la Reina are other shark-diving options this month.
Malpelo
A demanding trip for schooling sharks. The best time to dive here is January — April.
Read the Malpelo guide →4 destinations for January
Listed in overall rank order.
Malpelo
A demanding trip for schooling sharks.
Malpelo is an isolated rock in the eastern Pacific. The draws are scalloped hammerheads, Galápagos sharks, silkies and large morays. Expect negative entries, deep dives and strong current. Check the operator’s experience requirements before booking.
- Best months
- January — April
- Go for
- Hammerhead schools · Galápagos sharks · Silkies
Raja Ampat
Coral, mantas and reefs full of fish.
Raja Ampat has anthias above soft coral, baitfish under jetties, wobbegongs beneath ledges and mantas at cleaning stations. A Solitude Adventurer cruise director recommended November for the anchovy schools. It is a good month to consider if you want to see the reefs busy with feeding fish.
- Best months
- November — February
- Go for
- Diverse coral reefs · Mantas · Wobbegongs
Aliwal Shoal + Protea Banks
Shark dives off an exposed coast.
A warm-season week can bring bull sharks, tigers, oceanic blacktips and hammerheads. Expect surf launches, current and changing visibility. Be comfortable with rough boat rides and open-water pickups before choosing this trip.
- Best months
- January — February
- Go for
- Bull sharks · Tiger sharks · Hammerheads
Jardines de la Reina
Caribbean reef sharks and large groupers.
Protection has helped Jardines retain large groupers, Caribbean reef sharks, silkies and healthy coral. It is a strong choice for Caribbean diving. The Pacific destinations higher on this list offer more of the large-animal variety this ranking favours.
- Best months
- January — March
- Go for
- Caribbean reef sharks · Silkies · Goliath grouper