In the heart of the Mediterranean, Malta’s limestone cliffs plunge into clear blue water, revealing one of the most concentrated wreck-diving zones in the world. Here, wartime ships, tugboats, and aircraft sit upright on white sand, transformed into artificial reefs teeming with barracuda and scorpionfish. The HMS Maori, sunk during WWII, and the P29 patrol boat are two of the island’s must-dives, both reachable from shore. Between dives, divers can enjoy Malta’s sunshine, history, and easy ferry connections from mainland Europe.

Best time to dive: May to October for warm water and calm seas.

Midway between Europe and America, the Azores rise from the Atlantic like emerald peaks surrounded by sapphire seas. The volcanic islands are a magnet for large pelagics — blue sharks, mobulas, and schools of tuna cruise through cobalt-blue depths. Dives at Princess Alice Bank and Formigas Islets offer true wilderness diving where the ocean feels endless. Flights from Lisbon make access simple, yet once you’re underwater, it feels a world away.

Best time to dive: July to September for peak marine life and warm currents.

Off the Orkney Islands, Scapa Flow is steeped in history. The cold, clear waters shelter the sunken remains of the German WWI fleet — massive steel hulks now draped in marine life. It’s a dive into both history and ecology, where plumose anemones bloom like ghostly gardens across gun turrets and hulls. Getting there is easy via ferry or flight from mainland Scotland, but the conditions require skill and a sense of adventure.

Best time to dive: May to October, when weather windows are best.