Where to dive in September
Cocos is my first September choice for schooling hammerheads and large schools of fish. Galápagos is another option, though recent sightings deserve a close look before booking. Princess Alice Bank offers devil-ray dives with a long, weather-dependent boat ride.
Cocos Island
Schooling hammerheads, far offshore. The best time to dive here is September — October.
Read the Cocos Island guide →3 destinations for September
Listed in overall rank order.
Cocos Island
Schooling hammerheads, far offshore.
The crossing takes roughly a day and a half, and the wet season can be rough. Divers come for hammerheads gathering above cleaning stations. Marble rays, whitetips and large schools of fish add plenty to the dives; whale sharks are a possible bonus.
- Best months
- September — October
- Go for
- Hammerhead schools · Whale sharks · Marble rays
Galápagos
Hammerheads and whale sharks in cold currents.
Darwin and Wolf are known for hammerheads, whale sharks, Galápagos sharks and turtles. Sightings depend on the currents and water temperature. This ranking was lowered after reports of warmer water in 2026; ask operators for recent dive logs before committing.
- Best months
- August — October
- Go for
- Hammerheads · Whale sharks · Galápagos sharks
Princess Alice Bank
Devil rays above an Atlantic seamount.
Chilean devil rays gather above Princess Alice Bank, often circling divers in blue water. Tuna and jacks add to the dives. The offshore boat ride is long and weather can cancel it, so leave spare days in your trip.
- Best months
- July — September
- Go for
- Schools of devil rays · Tuna · Blue-water seamount