Honduras
Whale sharks and untouched reef — diving the Bay Islands, with some of the healthiest reef in the Caribbean, in my experience.
Utila is the dive island of the Bay Islands of Honduras, and it is where I have seen some of the healthiest reef in the Caribbean, in my experience. It is also one of the most reliable places in the world to see whale sharks, which turn up through the season to feed on the plankton blooms. The diving is easy and inexpensive, the island is laid-back and unpretentious, and the reef sits close enough to shore that you can be in the water within minutes of leaving the dock. It is the kind of place you go to dive, and then keep diving.
Time your trip for the whale shark season, when the Bay Islands plankton blooms bring them in close to shore.
Dive reef that is in better nick than the Great Barrier Reef — healthy coral, plenty of life, and sites minutes from the dock.
Days 1–2
Fly into Roatán or San Pedro Sula, ferry to Utila, settle in and a check dive on the house reef.
Days 3–6
Two-tank mornings on the reef, whale shark boat trips in season, and night dives on the south side.
Day 7
A final morning dive, then the ferry back and the flight home.
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MaldivesStayed on both ends of it, twice — laid-back house reef diving at Kuredu and pure overwater luxury across four resorts.
EcuadorThe trip that still tops the list — a liveaboard to Wolf and Darwin for orcas, mola mola, marine iguanas and curious sea lions.
ThailandIslands, currents and quiet coves — diving and island-hopping across Koh Lanta, the Phi Phi Islands, Koh Samui and the Similans.