Southeast Asia Diving and Snorkeling
Southeast Asia boasts many world-class diving locations that are chiefly found in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Everything from daytrips to dive master courses on liveaboards can be had at realistic prices.
The warmth and clarity of the waters in this region of the world, as well as the obligatory abundance of marine life, is what makes diving here so popular. There are numerous types of hard and soft corals and a massive variety of fish, including manta rays and whale sharks.
Those traveling to Thailand should head for the west coast for the Similan Islands and the south coast for Koh Lanta, while the main dive regions in Indonesia are Raja Ampat, Bali and Komodo, and Sipadan in Malaysian Borneo.
Similan islands, Thailand
Located 100kms northwest of Phuket, the nine islands of the Similans offer the best diving in Thailand and possibly the region as a whole. These granite, jungle-clad islands feature clear blue tropical seas, fine beaches and some fantastic diving where liveaboards are very popular.
Raja Ampat islands, Indonesia
Second perhaps only to the Similans for sheer variety of marine life, the Raja Ampat islands, west of Papua, feature pristine coral reefs and the greatest marine biodiversity in the world at the Bird’s Head Peninsula. Other noted dive sites include Kri Island, Misool Island, Fak Fak, and Triton Bay.
Sipadan - Borneo, Malaysia
Sipadan Island is a tiny dive mecca known for its wall diving and shallow diving. Some of the dive sites are so close that one can enter one and exit on another. There are 11 sites in all here including: Drop Off, Barracuda Point, Turtle Cavern, oral Gardens, White Tip Avenue, Turtle Patch, and South Point.
Koh Tao, Thailand
Good for learning to scuba dive due to the close proximity of dive sites, Koh Tao, located in the Gulf of Thailand, is very popular. Chumphon Pinnacle is the biggest dive site and there is also a shipwreck here, while the nightlife is also good.
Komodo Island, Indonesia
Famed for its dragon, Komodo island in Indonesia is also well known for its spectacular diving. Perhaps the best part about diving in Komodo Island, apart from the fantastic underwater life and fine backdrop, is the remoteness and lack of other divers.
Liberty Shipwreck, Indonesia
Those visiting the island of Bali might like to dive its best site and one of the most famous wreck dive sites in the world. Lying submerged off the northern Tulamben Beach the USAT Liberty wreck (the stern at six metres and the bow at 30m) is home to an astonishing variety of coral and marine life.
Phi Phi, Thailand
Although the resorts and reefs were trashed by the December 2004 tsunami, the Phi Phi archipelago has bounced back and is as popular as ever with scuba divers. The scenic islands lie in the Andaman not far off the southern coast of Thailand, with Phi Phi Don having the tourist infrastructure and phi Phi Leh fine diving.
Koh Lanta, Thailand
Not far from Phi Phi, Koh Lanta also boasts spectacular dive sites including the much ballyhooed Hin Daeng and Hin Muang with their many manta rays. Daytrips are particularly popular in Koh Lanta.
Nha Trang, Vietnam
Vietnam’s Nha Trang is the only established scuba diving mecca along its lengthy coastline. The dive sites are only a 30-minute trip from the buzzing town and the sea is deadly calm in season. Whale Island resort and Phuc Quoc Island nearby are also worth a look.
Donsol, Philippines
Donsol in the Philippines is now a huge attraction and one of the country’s best dive sites, best known for its whale sharks.
