If you’re an avid scuba diver, then visiting Asia to scuba dive should be a part of your bucket list. Asia is home to many of the world’s best dive spots. Keep reading to see some of our favourite dive sites in Asia. These are all dive sites that are a must visit!
Similan Islands, Thailand
One of our favourite dive sites to visit for beginners and intermediates is the Similan Islands, we recommend bringing your family or friends that want to try scuba diving here. The currents are weak to moderate, with plenty of surrounding dive sites to explore. We recommend visiting late October to early May, as that’s the most ideal condition to scuba dive. If you’re lucky, you may even spot manta rays or whale sharks swimming nearby. If you prefer easier and more gentle conditions, then consider heading towards the east coast where conditions are less challenging due to the surrounding granite boulders, and corals that acts as a barrier. As this dive site is only accessible by liveaboard, be sure to book your tickets in advance!
Koh Tao, Thailand
Considered one of the most popular dive sites in Thailand, it offers over 25 different dive sites to explore and conquer. The water is always calm and clear which makes it the ideal location for all scuba divers, no matter your experience. With so many dive sites, you’ll have to do more research on which dive site to visit as it depends on your experience level. If you want to get scuba certified, then this is your place! It is the world’s second most popular place to get scuba certified, with hundreds of different diving courses to pick from.
Layang Layang, Malaysia
If you’re a fan of hammerhead sharks, then consider visiting Layang Layang in Malaysia. Famous for being home to vast schools of hammerhead and manta rays, if you’re lucky you might spot an enormous school of hundreds of these magnificent creatures swimming around. It is recommended that you visit during their mating season in April to May, where you’ll have a higher chance of meeting them. If you’re not a fan of these creatures, then you can also explore the pristine clean coral gardens.
Tubbataha, Philippines
Considered one of the best places to dive in the Philippines by ready dive, it is also one of the most biodiverse scuba diving destination due to it being located in an isolated and protected marine park that can only be accessed by Tubbataha liveaboard. Due to how isolated it is, it is one of the healthiest and least exploited areas of the reef in the world. You won’t be disappointed visiting here due to the incredible marine biodiversity, and wide variety of marine animals that live here. You can find sea turtles, manta rays, pristine clean coral gardens, and even various shark species.
Banda Islands, Indonesia
Another dive site that is located in a very remote location is the Banda Islands. Getting here can be a pain, but is secretly a blessing in disguise as it is home to of the world’s most healthy reef system. It is bursting with marine life, home to thousands of different marine lives, you can find all kinds of marine life including spinner dolphins, orcas and various whale species. Diving conditions are usually comfortable, with mild yet calm waters. The visibility is also excellent, and is generally a dive site recommended for intermediate and experienced divers.
