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A diving holiday doesn’t have to cost thousands of euros. With the right choices for destinations, accommodation and dive packages you can enjoy underwater worlds full of coral and tropical fish without going over budget. Discover how to plan smart and save money.
Why diving can be affordable
Diving is known as a relatively expensive type of holiday. That doesn’t always have to be the case. Destinations in Asia, the Caribbean and the Red Sea offer excellent options for diving holidays at lower prices than many European locations. The combination of cheap flights, affordable accommodation and competitive dive schools makes these places accessible, so anyone can explore beneath the surface.
The cost of a diving holiday depends on several factors. Your flight, travel period, type of accommodation and number of dives together determine your total budget. By choosing these elements carefully, you keep your costs manageable. An average week of diving costs between 800 and 1200 euros, including travel and accommodation.
‘ Ko Tao in the Gulf of Thailand offers the lowest rates for dive courses worldwide. ’
Top destinations for affordable diving
A few locations around the world really stand out for offering the best value for money. These places do not only have beautiful dive sites, but also low costs for accommodation and daily living.
Egypt: the Red Sea as a budget-friendly paradise
The Red Sea near Hurghada is known for its crystal-clear water, colourful reefs and historic wrecks. You can earn a dive certificate here for a few hundred euros in three to four days. A full week of diving costs around 800 to 1000 euros, including flights and accommodation, plus equipment and guidance. Package holidays often start at 567 euros. The short flight time from Europe and the proximity of dive sites to the coast make Egypt ideal for anyone who wants to dive quickly and cheaply.
Thailand: Ko Tao as the dive school of Asia
Ko Tao in the Gulf of Thailand offers the lowest rates for dive courses worldwide. A PADI Open Water course here costs a few hundred euros, which is significantly less than in many other countries. Single dives cost between 40 and 60 US dollars per session. As an island base it offers reefs with plenty of fish and coral for beginners. Local food and simple accommodation keep your daily costs low. The combination of affordable diving and tropical island life makes Thailand a top destination for budget travellers.
Philippines: Cebu for beginners
The Philippines, and Cebu in particular, offer a range of reefs and dive sites for novice divers. Prices for diving are similar to those in Thailand. Accessibility from Europe is good. You will find many small dive schools here that offer personal attention at sharp prices. The local infrastructure is geared towards backpackers and budget travellers, which keeps accommodation and meals affordable.
Mexico: Cozumel for underwater experiences
Cozumel on Mexico’s Caribbean coast combines rich marine life with favourable prices. The island is known for its strong currents and varied sea life, but also offers sheltered locations for less experienced divers. Prices for dive packages are lower than on many other Caribbean islands while quality remains high.
Bonaire and Curaçao: shore diving without boat costs
Bonaire and Curaçao in the Caribbean offer a unique option for budget travellers: shore diving. You dive directly from the coast without having to hire a boat, which significantly reduces costs. A complete trip costs about 1000 to 1200 euros, including flights and accommodation. Hire a car so you can flexibly reach different dive sites. This gives you the freedom to dive independently without relying on scheduled boat trips.
How to save smartly on your diving holiday
The right moment makes a difference – and so do the right choices. That’s how your diving holiday becomes affordable. With advance planning and conscious decisions you keep more of your budget for extra dives or a longer stay.
Book early and compare thoroughly
Take time to compare flights, hotels and dive packages. Dive school websites often show combination deals that are cheaper than separate bookings. Last-minute deals can sometimes give you discounts of 20 to 30 percent, but offer less choice in timing and accommodation. Booking early gives you more control and often better prices for popular periods.
Choose accommodation with dive facilities
Hotels and resorts often work together with dive schools and offer packages that combine accommodation and diving. This is usually cheaper than booking everything separately. Avoid luxury resorts if your budget is limited. Simple guesthouses or hostels with dive facilities offer everything you need without unnecessary costs.
Get your diving certificate on location
If you don’t yet have a diving certificate, consider taking your course at your holiday destination. In Egypt or Thailand a PADI Open Water course costs a few hundred euros; the same course in the Netherlands often costs twice as much. This way you combine your training with your holiday and save a substantial amount.
Travel in the low season
Peak months are the most expensive. Outside those months you’ll find lower prices for flights and accommodation. The dry season differs per destination. In Thailand, April and May fall outside the busiest period. The water remains clear and diving conditions are good. Check the local climate to avoid arriving in the rainy season.
Minimise boat costs
Choose shore dives wherever possible, so you avoid the costs of boat trips. At destinations where boat trips are necessary, bundle your dives in package deals. Many dive schools offer discounts if you book five or ten dives at once.
Hidden costs to watch out for
Not all costs are visible when you first book. Some only become clear later. Work out your total expenses in advance to avoid unpleasant surprises.
- Equipment hire: dive schools often charge separately for the rental of weights, air tanks and guides. Ask for the total price in advance.
- Park fees: some dive areas require an entrance fee or day pass for national parks. This can amount to 10 to 20 euros per day.
- Car hire: on islands such as Bonaire and Curaçao, a hire car is essential for shore diving. Include these costs in your budget.
- Tips: in some countries it is customary to tip dive guides and boat crew. Allow for 5 to 10 percent of your total diving costs.
- Insurance: travel insurance that covers diving is essential. Check whether your existing policy covers diving to a certain depth, or take out specialist dive insurance.
‘ The low season not only offers lower prices, but often also quieter dive sites with less crowding under water. ’
When diving is cheapest
Timing largely determines what you pay. The low season not only offers lower prices, but often also quieter dive sites with fewer people under water.
In Egypt the summer months July and August are hot but cheaper than winter. For Thailand, April and May are ideal: the water is clear and prices are lower than in the peak season from November to February. In the Philippines the most favourable weather and lowest prices are usually between March and May. Mexico offers affordable diving holidays outside the main US holiday periods.
Pay attention to local public holidays and school holidays in the destination countries themselves. These can affect availability and prices, even outside the European holiday periods.
Alternatives for non-divers
Your travel companions may not dive, but still want to join the holiday. Fortunately there are affordable alternatives. Snorkelling costs only a fraction of diving and still offers impressive underwater experiences. Many dive destinations have shallow reefs that are perfect for snorkellers.
Destinations such as Bonaire and the Red Sea offer excellent snorkelling opportunities. You can snorkel straight from the beach, keeping costs low while everyone enjoys the underwater life. Also consider combination trips where you alternate diving with other activities – for example desert trips in Egypt or island-hopping in Thailand.
Practical preparation for your trip
Good preparation prevents unnecessary expenses and disappointment on the spot. Set aside some time a few weeks before departure and check the following points.
Documents and regulations
Check the visa requirements, as each country has its own rules. Egypt requires a visa that you buy on arrival or apply for online. Thailand offers visa-free access of up to 30 days for many nationalities. Check the latest travel advice from your foreign office and see if there are any special conditions.
Medical considerations
Make sure your diving medical certificate is still valid and check the expiry date. Some dive schools will ask to see it, especially for deeper dives. Take your diving certificate and logbook with you as proof of your experience and certification.
Equipment
Hire heavy equipment such as weight belts and air tanks locally to avoid extra baggage fees. Do take your own mask and fins if they fit you well, as this greatly improves your comfort under water. A dive computer is a worthwhile investment if you dive regularly, though rental is also possible.
‘ It is possible to dive for a full week among reefs teeming with life for around 1000 euros. ’
Experiences from other travellers
Divers praise Ko Tao for its easy entry level and affordable fun dives. The cheap courses attract many people and the lively backpacker atmosphere is popular. The island is especially loved by younger travellers. Egypt scores highly with those interested in wreck diving without having to invest large sums – it is possible to dive for a full week among reefs teeming with life for around 1000 euros.
Experienced divers recommend shore diving on Curaçao as a major money-saver, but they do warn about the cost of car hire. Work out those costs in advance and compare them with boat trips at other destinations, so you know whether shore diving is truly cheaper. Group trips and dive clubs sometimes offer extra discounts through joint bookings.
Discover more on Traveler Tips
Budget diving holidays are just one way to travel consciously and affordably. There are many more options. On the Traveler Tips website you’ll find extensive information about nature holidays, travel destinations and practical tips to help you plan your next trip. Discover routes and planning tools, as well as reliable advice to help you travel smarter. Explore the possibilities and plan your next adventure with confidence.
Frequently asked questions
Affordable European dive destinations that are easy to reach by car or train include the Mediterranean coast of France (Côte d’Azur, Marseille), Spain (Costa Brava, northern Costa Brava around Estartit/Medes Islands) and Italy (Liguria, Elba). Slovenia and Croatia on the Adriatic coast also offer relatively cheap dive spots with clear water and campsites or simple accommodation. Malta and Gozo are attractive if you take your car on the ferry from Italy, with plenty of shore dives and reasonably priced dive centres. In all these regions you can cut costs by travelling outside the peak season, choosing simple accommodation and focusing on shore diving instead of boat diving.
You will usually save the most on accommodation and dive packages by booking them separately and comparing locally, instead of going through a tour operator. You can also save a lot on flights by being flexible with your travel dates and looking for separate tickets. Further savings are possible on equipment hire (only bringing essential personal gear) and on expensive boat trips by doing more shore dives. Finally, you often avoid hidden package charges and commissions by booking directly with local dive schools.
Look on diving forums (e.g. Duikforum.nl, Reddit r/scuba) and review sites such as Google Reviews and Tripadvisor, searching specifically for budget destinations like Hurghada, Ko Tao or Cebu and filtering by price and ratings above roughly 4 stars. In reviews, pay particular attention to comments on safety, equipment maintenance, group size and personal guidance. Compare complete packages (accommodation + diving) from several dive centres and ask by email for an itemised quote, including equipment rental and any surcharges. If in doubt, choose centres with recognised certifications (PADI/SSI), clear communication and recent positive reviews, even if they are slightly more expensive than the very cheapest option.
Choose simple guesthouses, hostels or pensions close to the dive school or station to save on transport costs, and ask about package deals including diving or breakfast. Book outside the peak season and compare prices across several platforms; sometimes booking directly with the property by email or WhatsApp is cheaper than using major sites. Save on food by eating where the locals eat: street food, small warungs or local markets are often much cheaper than restaurant areas by the beach or in tourist hotspots. Choose accommodation with a shared kitchen or fridge so you can prepare simple breakfasts and lunches yourself.
Start by choosing an affordable diving region (for example the Red Sea, Ko Tao, Cebu) and then look for places there with plenty of shore diving so you stay flexible in terms of time and budget. Next, check which well-known sights are within travel distance (temples, historic towns, national parks) and build your route around a few “dive bases” with day or multi-day side trips. Plan rest days between dive days for cultural excursions and to keep travel time down, for example 2 days of diving – 1 day of sightseeing – travel – repeat. Finally, use local forums and reviews to find dive schools that also offer excursions or tips for nearby highlights, so you can still adjust your plans on the spot.
