Hey nielsb! Always good to see another diver on FT.

From your listing, I see you are based in the UK. I would think that the Red Sea would be the closest, terrific, hot weather, diving. Never been, but it is nearing the top of my list. Red Sea is supposed to be incredible.

Don't know anything about diving the Mediterranean, Azores, Canary. You?

Next closest would be the Caribbean.

Another assumption I'm making is that you are not a US citizen. LUCKY YOU! You can go to Cuba and dive there. The reefs on the S. Central side of the island are virtually untouched. Plus you could have (what my friends who have gone tell me) is a great vacation.

Most beautiful coral reefs I've seen are in the Turks.

Most sharks have been the Bahamas; dozens of Caribbean reef sharks have followed some of our dives.

I love the island of Puerto Rico (my fave in the Caribbean) and the diving on the SW and NE coast is great.

For Central America/Mexico there is Cozumel, Raotan, Belize (all supposed to be great).

Would not recommend the US as our reef system is not near as impressive as those mentioned above (IMO).

Your other choice is heading east to places such as Great Barrier (the best/my fave) to the Andaman Sea off Thailand.

Of course Philippines, Guam, and the other islands of Micronesia are reported to be great.

Got any specific questions, shoot and I'll try to answer on areas I've been to.

By all means, tell us where you went and how it was!