Diving and Snorkeling in Southeast Asia
Not only are the warm waters in Southeast Asia filled with interesting marine species, wrecks and geological formations, but the diving here is inexpensive when compared with diving in other world regions. Whether you come to the region to get PADI certified or you want to further your skills on a liveaboard, Southeast Asia can cater to your diving needs.
The region’s most popular and well-facilitated dive sites are in Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia, with Indonesia’s Bali and Thailand’s Similan islands firm favorites. Great visibility coupled with the remarkable underwater plant and animal life makes the region a global hotspot for divers and snorkelers.
Similan islands, Thailand: Offshore from Phuket, the unspoiled Similans are a popular spot for liveaboards. The pristine islands, clear waters, white sand beaches and world-class diving here rarely disappoint.
Raja Ampat islands, Indonesia: The diverse marine life here is perhaps the Raja Ampat islands’ main draw, with the area allegedly featuring the greatest marine biodiversity on the globe. Interesting dive sites such as Bird’s Head Peninsula, Kri Island, Fak Fak, Misool Island and Triton Bay add to the appeal.
Sipadan - Borneo, Malaysia: Sipadan Island’s 10-plus dive sites are compact in nature and sit side by side, providing easy access. The shallow waters and wall diving here are the chief appeals, but the resident turtles and barracuda also draw crowds.
Koh Tao, Thailand: A popular place to learn to dive, with dive sites just a short way offshore, Thailand’s Koh Tao features numerous inexpensive dive operators. The Chumphon Pinnacle is a highlight, while there are also lots of lovely, quiet spots for snorkelers.
Komodo Island, Indonesia: Named after the resident komodo dragons, this Indonesian island caters to divers with its diverse underwater life. The primary draw here is the lack of crowds, meaning you can enjoy the sea life without rubbing shoulders with others.
Liberty Shipwreck – Bali, Indonesia: Attracting wreck divers from around the globe, the USAT Liberty lies between 6 and 30m below the water’s surface offshore from Bali’s Tulamben beach. The eerie wreck is today a playground for colorful coral and fish.
Koh Phi Phi, Thailand: Devastated in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Phi Phi has remerged to offer an even more sophisticated network of dive operators. Dives to suit all levels can be arranged here.
Koh Lanta, Thailand: Offering a quieter diving scene than Koh Tao and Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta is a laid-back island that is yet to see the large-scale developments of elsewhere. The manta rays at Hin Daeng and Hin Muang draw attention here.
Nha Trang, Vietnam: Boasting a huge white sand beach and an increasingly sophisticated tourist scene, Nha Trang is Vietnam’s number one dive resort. Known for its calm waters and dive sites that are close to the shore, the resort is growing in popularity each year.
Donsol, Philippines: Those in search of the elusive whale shark may like to try the waters at Donsol, where these graceful creatures reside. As one of the best dive spots in the country, Donsol is no longer a secret.