Nassau, Bahamas

You might recognize the tropical scenery as the setting for Jaws: The Revenge. But don’t expect to spot any gargantuan great white sharks trolling the coral, although tigers, hammerheads, and Caribbean reef sharks are common. The Bahamas abound with dive operators, but Stuart Cove’s Shark Adventure is just a 40-minute boat ride from Nassau, making it perhaps "the easiest place to spend some quality time with sharks," in Doubilet's opinion. Expect to see upwards of 40 reef sharks on a four-hour afternoon dive, which culminates in a live feeding. Best time to go: Year-round; water is warmest June-Sept. (80-86 degrees F) and coldest January-March (70-73 degrees F). Daily trips start at just $140 per person, including tanks and some other equipment.

For more information: Stuart Cove