With so many great dive destinations around the world from which to choose, deciding where to go on your next trip can feel daunting. Throwing a dart at a map and heading wherever fate leads you might sound like a thrilling notion, but for most of us, a successful dive trip requires a bit more planning to ensure a fun and successful experience, both for us and the family and friends we travel with.

Budget
For most divers, budget is the first thing to consider when deciding where to go. Once you know how much money you have allotted for your trip, do some research into your top three destinations to figure out the total costs of airfare, accommodations and diving for your entire stay. Knowledge is power, and once you have a real number to look at for each of your preferred destinations, you’ll be in a much better position to decide which is the right one, right now.

Diving Style
Some divers want to plunge into the abyss, riding fast drifts along deep walls. Some are all about wrecks or caves. Others prefer to max out their bottom time looking for exotic fish in shallow coral gardens. Don’t just assume that a destination is right for you simply because a lot of divers go there. Spend the time to find out what types of diving exist at your destination so you can have the underwater experience that best fits your diving style and level of certification.

Time
The amount of time you have for your trip is another vital deciding factor. If you have only one week for a dive vacation, don’t spend two or three days of your trip in transit to and from a destination halfway around the world. Instead, look for spots closer to home, within a short flight or drive, to maximize your dive time. Of course, the opposite is also true. If you find yourself in the enviable position of having a significant amount of time to travel, take advantage by venturing farther off the beaten path than you normally would.

Season
Every dive destination has high and low seasons. For some, the seasonal changes can be dramatic. In Mexico’s Sea of Cortez, for example, water temperature can be warm enough for a shorty wetsuit in the summer, but require a full 7 mm suit with hood and gloves (or even a drysuit) in the winter. And temperature changes aren’t the only thing to consider. If you’re eyeing a certain animal encounter, check to make sure you’re hitting the right time of year. Some spots have storm considerations, like hurricane season in the Caribbean or monsoon season in the Indo-Pacific. You may find great deals on airfare and accommodations during these times, but cross-check them with the seasonal conditions to make sure your dives won’t get blown out.

Ease of Diving
If you hope to spend your trip doing four or five dives a day, you might want to choose a destination with unlimited beach diving over one where the best dive sites are an hour away by boat. Or for the ultimate in dive-site accessibility, consider destinations served by liveaboard boats. You’ll see less of your topside surroundings, but you’ll wake up each morning already moored to your next dive site for the first of many dips.

Travel Companions
A great dive trip requires more than just a great destination; you also want happy family or friends enjoying it with you. Be sure to consider what your travel companions want for their vacation too. If they are fellow divers, you can plan your trip around spending time together underwater. And if you have nondivers traveling with you, look for a spot that has activities they’ll enjoy while you’re off blowing bubbles, whether that means splurging for a resort with a golf course or a spa, or picking an island with great hiking or beaches in addition to beautiful reefs.