Best Places to Dive in October
If you head to the right spot during October, you can expect encounters with some of the biggest animals in the sea (fancy swimming with blue whales?!) October is the first month that various species of whales, such as humpbacks and even the enormous blue whale, can be spotted in Baja, Mexico. Tradewinds drop in the Seychelles in October, and the great water conditions and pleasant weather make this a perfect time to visit. Diving off Hawaii’s Big Island is fantastic onboard the Kona Aggressor II and is one of the few places you can dive with manta rays in the dark. Australia might be known for its Great Barrier Reef, but from late July to early November, visiting Rowley Shoals in Western Australia is an absolute must for any dive fanatic.
Have a Whale of a Time in Mexico
October means the start of whale-watching season in Baja, Mexico! Not just a single species of whale either. Minke, humpback, pilot, orcas, and even blue whales appear in Mexico from October to April. Being in the water with these animals is a humbling and exhilarating experience, and swimming beside these enormous yet gentle creatures is one you will truly never forget.
Diving in Baja and the Sea of Cortes is fantastic; every dive is action-packed. Diving legend Jacques Paul Cousteau coined the Sea of Cortes as the ‘world’s aquarium,’ and it’s easy to see why. The vast array of marine megafauna is astounding, and on a Mexican liveaboard, you’ll have the opportunity to encounter various species of whale, dolphin, and playful Californian sea lions. October is the last month most liveaboards visit the Sea of Cortes before the season changes, and from November onwards, Socorro is the flavor of the month (and offers more chances to dive with humpback whales!)
Dive with mantas in the dark in Kona
A whopping 20% of Hawaii’s marine life is found nowhere else in the world, and the Big Island of Hawaii provides habitat to a huge amount of this marine life. The Kona Aggressor II offers weeklong dive trips off Kona, located on the Big Island of Hawaii. The Big Island's volcanic underwater topography makes a striking backdrop for the unlimited dives during a Kona Aggressor II liveaboard. Huge craters, bommies, and lava tubes will keep you enthralled dive after dive, as will the marine life.
Kona is among the few places to dive with manta rays at night. Manta rays are often called the ballerinas of the sea, and as you watch them dance around you in your torch beam as they feed on plankton, you’ll have to pinch yourself to make sure you’re not dreaming. On one trip, the Kona Aggressor II team reported seeing 46 mantas on a single night dive! Kona is also home to many species of endemic butterflyfish, which make excellent subjects for underwater photography enthusiasts.
Visit Australia’s best-kept secret
Rowley Shoals, located 300 kilometers off Broome, Western Australia, is home to marine biodiversity that rivals the Great Barrier Reef. Rowley Shoals has one of the shortest dive seasons, beginning at the end of July and finishing early November.
Rowley Shoals is essentially three coral atolls, home to hundreds of species of fish and marine life. The coral here is abundant and thriving. Sites such as ‘Jimmy Goes To China,’ a 40-meter wall covered with enormous gorgonian fans and black corals, and ‘Tiger Alley’ (where it’s not uncommon to see numerous shark species) will delight and thrill divers.
Seychelles is spectacular
Two opposing trade winds govern the Seychelles Islands' weather pattern. In April and October, these winds drop, resulting in wonderful conditions above and below the water. The warm air temperature and lack of wind, combined with the warmer water temperatures and excellent visibility, mean October is one of the best months to visit the Seychelles. Island hopping onboard a liveaboard is the best way to see the Seychelles. Some liveaboards, such as the Sea Shell, require no dive certification and combine snorkeling, diving, and sightseeing all in one trip. You’ll visit uninhabited islands and beautiful beaches where you can snorkel right offshore and dive with the fantastic marine life in the area. From June to December, whale sharks visit the Seychelles, so along with perfect weather during October, you may have the chance to swim with the biggest fish in the sea.
