This paper proposes an offline path planning method based on the Improved Quantum Particle Swarm Optimization (IQPSO) algorithm for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) in the underwater environment. The spherical modelling method is adopted to represent irregular underwater obstacles as spheres with a specified radius. Then, the IQPSO algorithm is developed to solve the problem of the limitations of the convergence and optimization ability of the traditional Quantum Particle Swarm Optimization (QPSO) algorithm and to identify the best path for AUVs. In this algorithm, to satisfy the three factors of path safety, path length and angle change of the path point, the fitness function is constructed to achieve multi-objective optimization. A smooth path is designed using the cubic spline interpolation algorithm. Different scenes or the same scene with different obstacles are designed to verify the effectiveness of the algorithm. The simulation results show that compared with PSO algorithm, QPSO algorithm, EGA algorithm and DENPSO algorithm, the path generated by IQPSO algorithm in various scenes is shorter, smoother and more stable. INDEX TERMS AUV, improved QPSO algorithm, multi-objective optimization, path planning.