Bored of the usual holiday destinations? Feel as though you’ve seen it all? Consider embarking on a whole new journey underwater! Here are some of the best scuba diving sites in Asia that are listed according to skill level for an exciting holiday. Plus some tips & tricks you’ll need to know before planning your next trip.
Beneath the surface of the world’s oceans lies a whole new world with so much to explore. From wildlife and reefs that will make you feel like a life-sized Nemo, to shipwrecks and sunken war artefacts, getting bored is hardly an option. Every dive brings you to different sights and encounters and there’s a special serenity when you feel like just a small speck in the ocean.
There are plenty of popular dive sites all around Asia that have a little bit of everything, depending on your interests. From locations with reliable dive schools and certification courses to sites that will take you up close and personal with marine life, you don’t have to travel far to explore the ocean.
If you’re looking for great deals to book your next dive trip, consider looking on Klook via YouTrip Perks for awesome packages from established companies for convenience and great deals! With your YouTrip card, you can enjoy up to 5% cashback on the activities that you purchase. So without further ado, scroll down below and check out the best scuba diving sites in Asia for your next adventure 👇
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Preparing For Your First Scuba Diving Trip:
1. Certification
Scuba diving is an adventurous sport that requires some level of basic training and certification. So the first step to diving is to enroll in a scuba diving certification course, such as the PADI Open Water Diver course. You can choose to take the course at a local dive centre in Singapore, which includes classroom-style theory lessons with pool training, or go abroad and get your certification over the span of a few days.
YouTrip’s Guide To The Best Scuba Diving Sites In Asia: Find out more here
2. Destination
After you’ve decided on your certification course, you should choose a dive destination that suits your needs, your skill level, your preferences, and of course your budget. But don’t worry we’ve got you covered with more tips on how to pick a diving trip destination for you later on in this article so be sure to read on!
3. Health
There are a number of health risks involved in scuba diving, so you might want to consider consulting your doctor to make sure you’re physically fit for diving, especially if you have any sort of underlying medical history. Also, consider travel insurance to put your mind at ease throughout your trip. If you’re looking to purchase insurance, get savings of up to 65% from HLAS Travel Insurance with our HL Assurance x YouTrip Travel Insurance promotion.
YouTrip’s Guide To The Best Scuba Diving Sites In Asia: Find out more here
4. Dive Insurance
You should also consider getting dive insurance to cover any potential dive-related incidents or equipment loss. Depending on your dive school or dive operator, some may require you to present proof of dive insurance before you embark on any trips out.
5. Equipment
As a beginner, there are several key pieces of equipment you would have to own or rent while on a dive:
- Mask
- Snorkel
- Fins
- Wetsuit or Drysuit
- Buoyancy Control Device (BCD)
- Regulator
- Dive Computer
- Pressure Gauge
- Weight System
- Dive Boots
While having your own equipment may be more suited to your dive style, comfort, and hygiene preferences, it may not be the most economical decision, especially on your first dive. Most dive schools and centres would have equipment available for rent, so we’d recommend going on a few trips with rented equipment before you take the plunge and get your own.
6. Environmental Awareness
Protecting marine life while scuba diving is important to preserve underwater ecosystems. Do your own research to find out more about the diving spot you are headed to, and read up on responsible diving practices. Some of the general rules of thumb include:
1️⃣ Maintaining good buoyancy control to avoid accidentally touching or damaging coral reefs
2️⃣ Avoiding physical contact with marine life including animals and coral reefs, and leaving everything as you find them (no souvenirs!)
3️⃣ Choosing responsible dive operators that prioritise responsible diving practices
YouTrip’s Guide To The Best Scuba Diving Sites In Asia: Find out more here
Factors To Consider When Choosing The Right Dive Site:
1. Environment
You should first consider the kind of environment you’d prefer when planning for your trip. If it’s your first time, we recommend places with calmer and warmer waters. You should also consider the kind of marine life you’d want to see and the physical environment of the place you’d want to explore. The accessibility of the site is important too so that you don’t end up spending too much just getting to the dive site.
2. Budget
Scuba diving can be relatively affordable, but the costs can add up. Besides the costs for dive certification courses, equipment rental, and the costs of dive excursions, you should also take into consideration the costs of flight tickets, accommodations, and the general costs of living.
3. Certification
It’s better to choose a more reputable dive school, especially if you intend to get your diving certification while abroad. For ease of mind and better quality checks on equipment, it would probably be safer to spend a little more on a more reputable dive operator.
If you’re looking for your next travel destination for scuba diving, here are some suggestions for every skill level!
Best Scuba Diving Sites in Asia According To Skill Level
✅ For Beginners:
1. Koh Tao, Thailand
Image credits: Hotels.com
Koh Tao, also known as ‘Turtle Island’ is a beautiful gem located in Thailand. The small tropical paradise is known to be one of the best scuba diving destinations, attracting underwater enthusiasts from all over the world. There are affordable dive training courses from beginner open water certifications to advanced levels like Rescue Diver and Dive Master costs.
Koh Tao is also known for its beautiful marine life, offering regular encounters with sea turtles, reef sharks, and whale sharks. There are a variety of dive sites like shallow coral gardens, underwater pinnacles, and even a shipwreck (the HTMS Sattakut) for you to explore and discover. Koh Tao’s warm and clear waters make it a great spot for beginners to dip their toes in and try diving. Even if you’re not too keen on getting a diver’s license, you don’t have to worry about missing out and head out on snorkelling tours instead!
Besides scuba diving, Koh Tao is also known for its beautiful pristine beaches, hiking trails to viewpoints like John-Suwan Rock and exciting nightlife around its iconic Sairee Beach.
📅 Best Time of the Year to Go: December to April
YouTrip’s Guide To The Best Scuba Diving Sites in Asia: Check out flights to Koh Tao here
2. Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia
Image credits: ZuBlu
Tulamben is a small fishing village on the coast of Bali, Indonesia. It’s not one of the most well-known tourist places, but it’s a hidden gem that attracts divers looking for an off-the-beaten-path experience.
Tulamben is where the USS Liberty, a World War II cargo ship, was sunk during the war. It rests just meters from the shoreline, making it accessible to divers of all levels. The shipwreck is adorned with colourful corals and an abundance of marine life like reef fish, snappers, and bumphead parrotfish. Beyond the shipwreck, there are plenty of beautiful drop-offs and coral gardens to explore. With dive sites that are directly accessible to shore, diving in Tulamben is even more convenient because you can explore the waters at any time without the need for boat trips. It might help you save on costs too.
Besides scuba-diving, you can also enjoy the beaches and local coffee plantations. Or go hiking at Mount Agung and explore the Tirta Gangga Water Palace that’s just a short drive away.
📅 Best Time of the Year to Go: May to September
📍 Tirta Gangga Water Palace: HHQQ+836, Jalan Raya Abang Desa Adat Jl. Raya Tirta Gangga, Ababi, Kec. Abang, Kabupaten Karangasem, Bali 80852, Indonesia
🕐 Opening Hours: 6 AM – 7 PM
YouTrip’s Guide To The Best Scuba Diving Sites in Asia: Check out flights to Bali here
✅✅ For Intermediates:
3. Similan Islands, Thailand
Image credits: Sunrise Divers
Just off the western coast of Thailand, The Similan Islands is a remote archipelago in the Andaman Sea. It’s pretty secluded and attracts mainly intermediate divers who are drawn to its marine life and beautiful coral reefs. The islands are home to some of the world’s top dive sites like Richelieu Rock, Koh Bon, and Elephant Head Rock. It also hosts diverse marine life like colourful reef fish, reef sharks, turtles, manta rays, and whale sharks. The water is also exceptionally clear, with visibility often exceeding 30 meters. It’s a great place to hone your underwater photography skills.
Given its secluded location, there isn’t too much else to do on the islands. But, even if you’re not too keen on going scuba diving, you can opt to go island hopping or snorkelling to explore wildlife on the island instead.
📅 Best Time of the Year to Go: November to May (only open to tourists then)
YouTrip’s Guide To The Best Scuba Diving Sites in Asia: Check out flights to Phuket here
4. Malapascua Island, Philippines
Image credits: Klook
If you’re looking for great dive sites and a unique holiday experience, Malapascua Island is the place to be. It’s known to be one of the few places in the world with regular thresher shark sightings especially in the wee hours of the morning at Monad Shoal. Besides the sharks, there are also creatures like nudibranchs, seahorses, and frogfish to get up close with. There are also other underwater caves and cleaning stations (which sharks use as a way to clean themselves) for the brave and adventurous to explore!
Besides scuba diving, there are also beautiful white beaches to relax on, nearby islands like the Gato Island and Kalanggaman Islands to explore, glorious sunset views, and the chance to get to know Filipino culture and cuisine.
📅 Best Time of the Year to Go: November to April
YouTrip’s Guide To The Best Scuba Diving Sites in Asia: Check out flights to Cebu here
✅✅✅ For Advanced:
5. Sipadan Island, Malaysia
Image credits: Sabah Travel Guide
With its rich marine biodiversity and stunning underwater landscapes, Sidapan Island is located off the eastern coast of Malaysia and is a top-notch diving location for advanced divers. Sites like Barracuda Point, South Point, and the famous Sipadan Drop Off are known to have some of the most breathtaking underwater views to explore. Marine life you can expect to see are schools of barracuda, trevally, hawksbill turtles, as well as reef sharks, hammerheads, and whale sharks for shark enthusiasts.
There are also underwater tunnels, caves, and overhangs to explore that require a bit more skill to navigate through, making it more suitable for advanced divers to explore. Sidapan Island also allows divers to go drift diving, where strong currents carry divers along reef walls which can be pretty challenging yet extremely rewarding and exciting.
Besides diving and its beaches, Sidapan Island is also home to turtle hatcheries to learn more about conservation efforts, as well as cultural experiences to learn more about the Bajau Laut community.
Because Sidapan Island is protected by governing laws, dive permits are necessary and limited so it’s best to plan ahead and book your trip in advance!
📅 Best Time of the Year to Go: April to December
📍 Sipadan Kapalai Resort: Kapalai, Pulau Sipadan 91000 Malaysia
YouTrip’s Guide To The Best Scuba Diving Sites in Asia: Check out flights to Tawau here
6. Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Image credits: Sabah Travel Guide
Hailed as the epicentre of marine biodiversity, Raja Ampat is located in Indonesia’s West Papua. It’s pretty remote and secluded but boasts a colourful underwater world unlike any other in the world. It’s home to 1,500 species of fish and more than 600 species of hard corals, making it home to one of the highest numbers of marine biodiversity on the planet. Other sorts of marine life include reef sharks, manta rays, pygmy seahorses, and schools of fish.
With years of healthy upkeep, the coral reefs in Raja Ampat are also known as the ‘Amazon of the Seas’, with vibrant coral gardens and underwater pinnacles that are unlike any other in the world. While the waters of Raja Ampat are open to divers of all levels, it’s particularly attractive to more advanced divers to check out sites like Cape Kri, Blue Magic, and Sardine Reef with their deep walls, intricate caves, and dramatic underwater seascapes.
Other than diving, the island itself is an untouched paradise waiting to be explored. There are different landscapes that will bring you through lush jungles and Papuan villages around the island. The waters surrounding the island are crystal-clear and will make for a great snorkelling island adventure!
📅 Best Time of the Year to Go: October to April
📍 Sipadan Kapalai Resort: Kapalai, Pulau Sipadan 91000 Malaysia
YouTrip’s Guide To The Best Scuba Diving Sites in Asia: Check out flights to Sorong here
It’s Time To Dive Into Adventure!
After all the adventures in different parts of the world, it’s time to discover what lies under! If you’re looking for something new and exciting to embark on, or a new sport to pick up, consider scuba diving and the adventures the sport will take you on. And as usual, while you’re considering your destination options and booking flights and accommodation, be sure to use your YouTrip card while checking out, and make use of our great YouTrip Perks deals to maximise your savings and make use of great deals! As Sebastian would say, darlin’ it’s better, down where it’s wetter, under the sea!
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Under the sea ~
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