Your Summer Dive Diary

By Venetia

Published 20 May 2025

Yacht Expedition Designer

A seasoned Yacht Expedition Designer with a lifelong passion for travel, specialising in complex logistics and immersive experiences across remote marine and polar regions, equally skilled diving vibrant reefs or leading expeditions above the Arctic Circle.

Best Places to Dive: Your Summer Dive Diary

From May to October, explore the planet's most extraordinary marine worlds aboard Pelorus dive yachts. This is luxury charter diving reimagined - with access to private submersible yachts, curated conservation experiences, and the best dive sites in the world. Whether you’re free diving with manta rays off Kona, wreck diving in the Galápagos, or exploring volcanic reefs in French Polynesia, each expedition is tailored for discerning explorers.

Here’s where to go...

Galápagos Islands

In the Sea

Dive into one of the most unique marine ecosystems on Earth, where volcanic arches, rocky reefs, and nutrient-rich currents attract vast schools of snapper, playful sea lions, and graceful mobulas. Pinnacle sites bring thrilling encounters with hammerheads, silky sharks, and whale sharks, while marine iguanas forage nearby, undisturbed.

Above the Water

Explore otherworldly lava fields, kayak along mangrove-lined coves, and hike to viewpoints where endemic wildlife roams freely. Join researchers to tag whale sharks or support rewilding efforts with the Galápagos tortoise, each moment deeply rooted in conservation.

What to charter

HERMES, the first ultra-luxury catamaran in the region, offers the perfect platform for exploration. With expert naturalist guides a and an eco-conscious design, she delivers an experience that’s as immersive as it is indulgent.


Solomon Islands

In the Sea

Explore the extraordinary underwater world of the Solomon Islands, where volcanic formations, arches, and light-filled caves create a dramatic backdrop for diving. Swim through immense schools of barracuda, snapper, and jackfish, and encounter reef sharks, mantas, turtles, and even the occasional dugong. Dive WWII wrecks like the USS Aaron Ward and a Japanese seaplane, now transformed into thriving reefs. From pristine coral gardens and seagrass-rich habitats to the world’s only active underwater volcano, this is a destination like no other, culminating in the breathtaking beauty of the largest saltwater lagoon on Earth.

Above the Water

Venture inland to discover hidden waterfalls, stay in traditional Melanesian leaf houses, and paddle into biodiverse rivers where saltwater crocodiles linger. Join local rangers to support conservation efforts or immerse yourself in Solomon Islands culture through sacred shrines, spirited storytelling, and age-old village traditions. Whether hiking volcanic peaks or navigating jungle-fringed waterways, adventure continues well beyond the shoreline.

What to charter

SURI is your launchpad for it all, boasting one of the charter world’s most impressive collections of water toys and tenders.

Norway

In the sea

Discover the majestic underwater world of Norway, where sheer cliffs plunge into icy fjords and nutrient-rich Arctic waters teem with life. Glide through lush kelp forests alive with schools of fish, curious seals, and vibrant ecosystems. Explore submerged WWII shipwrecks - German destroyers and Allied merchant vessels - now transformed into thriving artificial reefs. Marvel at unique coral species and soft sponges, and if you’re lucky, snorkel alongside orcas and humpbacks as they gather to feast on herring in the winter months. From vertical underwater walls to crystal-clear drop-offs, Norway offers a dive experience as dramatic as its landscapes.

Above the water

Paddle through glassy fjords, hike glacier trails at Jostedalsbreen, or conquer Norway’s granite peaks with expert rock climbers. Step back in time at historic fishing villages like Henningsvær and Reine, and immerse yourself in Viking culture at Spurkeland Viking Farm. Encounter seabird colonies at Runde Island, cycle the Atlantic Highway, or take on the icy surf. Unwind in a traditional sauna with panoramic views of the fjords, or savor a wild beach barbecue with freshly caught seafood cooked over a bonfire.

What to charter

SURI provides the ultimate base for your Norwegian adventure, with unmatched water toys and tenders ready to take you from serene fjords to the raw beauty of Arctic waters.


French Polynesia

In the Sea

Plunge into some of the best dive sites in the world, where warm currents sweep through vibrant coral channels teeming with marine life. Drift dive alongside blacktip, grey reef, and lemon sharks, or take on thrilling currents where tiger sharks, jacks, and barracuda gather in vast schools. Explore crystal-clear lagoons ideal for free dive fins and macro photography, or opt for a manta ray night dive beneath starlit skies in turquoise shallows.

Above the water

Above water, experience French Polynesia’s rich culture and wild beauty. Paddle traditional outrigger canoes, explore jungle-covered motus, and unwind on remote sandbanks fringed with palms. Whether you’re sailing across lagoons or sampling local flavors on deck, this is luxury yacht living in its purest form.

What to charter

THE BEAST, with her rugged build and amphibious tender, offers unparalleled access to French Polynesia’s remote dive spots. She carries a full onboard dive centre, sport fishing tender, and all the toys you need to explore land and sea.

Cocos Island

In the sea

Remote, rugged, and wildly alive Cocos Island is a magnet for serious divers seeking the best dive sites in the world. Descend into nutrient-rich waters where schools of hammerhead sharks, manta rays, whale sharks, and silky sharks gather around pinnacles and dramatic arches. Explore wreck diving sites and cleaning stations where large pelagics cruise just meters away, offering some of the most thrilling scuba diving with sharks on the planet.

Above the water

Above the surface, jungle-covered peaks and towering waterfalls offer a cinematic backdrop for Zodiac adventures and wildlife tracking. Kayak into secret coves, hike through dense rainforest, and enjoy night dive swims under star-filled skies.

What to charter

KONTIKI WAYRA is the perfect platform to access this remote marine wilderness. With two tenders for diving or excursions, an expansive inflatable dock, and a seapool, there's no shortage of water activities.


Spice Islands, Indonesia

In the Sea

The Spice Islands are where untouched biodiversity meets rich maritime history. Beneath the surface, dive into some of the best dive sites in the world, from vibrant coral walls to muck diving hotspots teeming with rare macro life. Spot pygmy seahorses, ghost pipefish, and swirling barracuda, or take on night dive swims where mandarinfish emerge to mate in twilight currents. These waters are ideal for both luxury liveaboard diving and underwater photography, with crystal-clear visibility and warm tropical seas.

Above the water

Above water, the region’s spice-laden history comes alive in Banda Neira’s colonial ruins and age-old nutmeg plantations. Trek volcanic ridgelines, meet with local islanders, and paddle through mangrove forests rich with birdlife. Whether you’re snorkelling in remote coves or enjoying sundowners on deck, this is one of the most captivating corners of Indonesia.

What to charter

LAMIMA is a Indonesian phinisi yacht built for intimate explorations. With just three generous suites, a dive station, and dedicated onboard guides, she’s tailored for discerning traveler's looking to explore at their own pace. Her elegant design, sustainable ethos, and ability to reach remote Spice Island anchorages make her an exceptional choice for a luxury dive charter.

Diving Yacht Charter FAQ’s

For the discerning diver, the best dive sites in the world include Darwin and Wolf Islands in the Galápagos (home to schooling hammerheads and whale sharks), Cocos Island’s nutrient-rich pinnacles (for thrilling shark encounters), and the coral atolls of French Polynesia, known for dramatic drift dives with manta rays and sharks. Chartering a luxury dive yacht with Pelorus ensures you access these bucket-list destinations with private guides and exclusive moorings.

From May to October, luxury yacht diving charters are best experienced in the Galápagos Islands, Solomon Islands, French Polynesia, and Indonesia’s Spice Islands. These regions offer calm seas, optimal visibility, and abundant marine biodiversity. A private dive yacht allows you to explore uninhabited reefs and lesser-known dive sites, away from the crowds, with a bespoke itinerary designed by Pelorus Expedition Designers.

Most dive organizations set the minimum age for junior open water certification at 10 years. However, aboard a luxury liveaboard diving yacht, children can also enjoy supervised snorkeling, free diving, and marine life experiences designed to foster ocean stewardship, making it ideal for family dive vacations. Our expert dive instructors tailor activities to all ages and skill levels.

Some of the best places to scuba dive for big pelagic encounters include the Galápagos (hammerheads, sea lions, whale sharks), Cocos Island (huge schools of scalloped hammerheads), and Rangiroa, French Polynesia (tiger sharks, barracuda). Aboard a private luxury dive charter, you can dive these iconic sites with flexibility, using custom tenders and state-of-the-art equipment directly from your yacht.

On a luxury yacht charter for diving, your experience extends far beyond the water. Between dives, explore remote islands by kayak or paddleboard, snorkel pristine lagoons, join conservation tagging projects, hike volcanic trails, or relax in a deck Jacuzzi with panoramic ocean views. With Pelorus, every day aboard your private dive yacht offers curated adventure luxury.

Start planning your ultimate diving adventure


Speak to our Expedition Designers to craft your bespoke diving experience - or create something entirely unique in a destination of your choice.