Top Scuba Diving Destinations in Southeast Asia
Our last post about the top ten scuba diving locations in Malaysia was so popular and got some great feedback that it got us thinking; what are the best scuba diving spots in Southeast Asia? Well, we sat back and put on our thinking caps and came up with he following list, we hope you enjoy. As usual, we have limited it to places we have been, so again there may be some notable diving locations that are missing, such as Palau which we would have been visiting had it not been for the global COVID-19 pandemic. So, sit back and enjoy our countdown of the best Scuba diving locations in southeast Asia:
7) Bali, Indonesia
Bali is a great destination for scuba diving, it offers some great dives for almost all levels and you can also head there with friends & family who don’t dive as there is more than enough topside to keep them all occupied while you explore the underwater world. For those that want to stay topside and not venture into the underwater world there are the cultural delights of Ubud with its lush green paddy fields and temples some of the highlights. There are also plenty of beaches for those that want to top up their suntan as well. But for those of us who want a little more adventure there is some great scuba diving to keep even the most hardcore dive addict happy. From the gentle delights of Padang Bay, where I was lucky enough to see my first rhinopias scorpionfish and there is clear water with little current to the notorious topsy turvy current of Crystal Bay at Nusa Penida there really is something for everyone here. Nusa Penida is a real highlight and unmissable if you are diving Bali, if you get the season right you have chance to see the famous Mola Mola or sunfish, the largest boney fish in the ocean to the Manta Rays that frequent a cleaning station at the aptly named Manta Point there is some seriously good diving here. The other must dive spot is at Tulumben where the famous Liberty ship wreck is a dive to be enjoyed by all. A shore dive and accessible by open water divers as well as advanced the wreck was left over from world war II and slid into the ocean after an earthquake in the 1960’s it is in remarkable condition and is home to a wide variety of life from reef sharks to bumped parrotfish. In summary Bali is a great spot to combine a bit of diving with a great topside holiday as well.
6) Anilao, Philippines
Pygmy Seahorse, Anilao, Philippines
Scuba diving in the Philippines was born in Anilao back in the 1970’s when the sport was emerging as a popular pastime. A mere 3 hours by car or bus from the capital Manila, Anilao is probably the most accessible diving location in the Philippines and doesn’t necessitate additional internal flights or boats so is a great option if you are limited on time & budget. The real reason to dive ANilao is for the world class macro opportunities is throws up and is famous for. All sorts of small weird and wonderful creatures can be found from pygmy seahorses to frogfish and all sorts of Nudibranchs it is know to be an underwater photographers heaven. Unlike in Bali, there isn’t much else to do here part from Scuba dive, if you’re looking for a bit more of a party then maybe trying the nearby Puerto Galera where there is little but more nightlife for those who wish to indulge a bit more. Diving here is pretty easy but the water can be a lot colder than other areas in southeast Asia so make sure you pack that full length wetsuit and not just a pair of board shorts and a rash like I did - I soon relented and changed into a wetsuit after the first dive!!
5) Similan Islands & Richleau Rock, Thailand
The Similan Islands in Thailand are possibly the best location to dive within the popular Southeast Asian tourist hotspot and if you stretch the boundary and include Richleau Rock which technically is part of the Surin Islands then it is a must go destination! Richleau Rock itself is famous for regular sightings of whale sharks and manta rays which is enough to entice most people to here. The Similan Islands themselves are also a great destination by themselves and a great way to try liveabord diving for those who are interested and want an easy introduction.
The islands are open from October to May and are incredibly popular with live aboards due the distance from Khan Lak. You’ll normally take a 2 hr speedboat ride to meet up with the boat you’ll be staying on and begin diving almost immediately. the waters are crystal clear and full of life. Even better is Richleau Rock, another hr or so beyond the Similans. Here it is not uncommon to see whale sharks and manta rays,the last time I went I nearly had a manta bump into me, it was so close! If you’re heading to the west coast of Thailand it’s probably best avoiding the overcrowded tourist trap of Phuket and and diving around the Phi-Phi islands but head down to Khao Lakand head out for a few days Ona liveaboaord - it’s great value and great fun.
4) Atauro Island, Timor-Leste
If you’re looking for somewhere a little bit more off the beaten track then you could do worse than heading to Atauro Island in Timor-Leste. As southeast Asia’s newest country, having gained independence from Indonesia, it is less developed than many of the tourist traps found in Thailand but that just adds to its charm. Atauro island is about an hours boat ride from the mainland but offers some of the most pristine scuba diving found anywhere in the region and also offers the tantalising chance to see whales, including the largest animal on the planet the blue whale, at the right time of year.
The diving at Atauro is something quite special, pristine corals like you have never seen before make the trip worth it. A few years ago it even set a record for bio-diversity surpassing the records previously set at Raja Ampat! From colourful nudibranchs to whales this place has it all. It’s only a matter of time before this place opens up a bit more so worth going before it changes for the worse.
3) Komodo, Indonesia
Komodo is serious diving territory and not to be taken lightly, but for those brave souls that do it is a rewarding trip never to be forgotten. Famous for its dragons on land which draw in tourists from far and wide, the real magic here happens underwater and its worth exploring the area via a live aboard to ensure you get to access the best dive sites out there. When talking to others about diving in Komodo, one topic always crops up in conversation and that is the current! Lets be honest, the current here are strong and unpredictable and it is worth making sure you are comfortable in these sorts of changing conditions as they can change at the drop of a hat. But if you are happy in these sorts of conditions then the diving here is spectacular, reef sharks, turtles, manta rays and even dolphins can be seen. Some dives are even dived just for their currents such as the aptly named shotgun too. Above the water you can also combine a trip to one of the islands to see the famed dragons which is definitely doing.
2) Raja Ampat, Indonesia
What can be said about Raja Ampat that hasn’t been said before? It is a seriously beautiful part of the world above and below the water and has the feeling of being somewhere untouched. It won’t stay lie this forever so make sure you get in fast. The diving here is seriously special, when we visited back in 2018 we were greeted by numerous turtles, lots and lots of reef sharks as well as the wonderfully named woebegone shark too. There really is all sorts of life here from macro subjects such as nudibranchs and pygmy seahorses all the way through the the huge oceanic manta rays as well. Unfortunately we didn’t get to witness them during our stay, but its another reason to make the trip back there at some point. We stayed on land at bungalows in the north of the area, but probably the best way to explore Raja is via liveaboard so you get to see some of the amazing sites int he southern Missol area as well. One word of warning, while the currents aren’t as strong and unpredictable as in Komodo, they can be pretty strong so worth making sure you’re comfortable in these conditions - around the time of a full moon some dive sites aren’t accessible so worth making sure you get some good advice from your guides.
1) Sipadan, Malaysia
Sipadan is Malaysia top diving spot and rightly sits here atop of our list. We may be biassed, but it is an amazing place to scuba dive and offers a truly unforgettable experience. Located just off of Malaysian Borneo, Sipadan is home to such an amazing variety of life it barely seems feasible! Schools of barracuda swirl around you at the famous Barracuda Point, thousands of jacks back out the sun at South Point all while reef sharks patrol up and down the reef and turtles are literally everywhere. Seeing a turtle is the highlight of most dive trips, seeing one over the course of a 3 day trip is always talked about, but at Sipadan things are ramped up a few notches, it isn’t uncommon to see upwards of ten turtles on a single dive and they can be huge! But its not just turtles and barracuda, there is often a chance of seeing something a bit bigger such as a whale shark, manta ray or even if you’re incredibly lucky a hammerhead shark. We were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of one at south point one time and even though i didnt manage to get a photo the memory is etched in my mind!
As if all the big fish action isn’t enough, Sipadan is close to Pulau Mabul & Kapalai so when you’re not diving at Sipadan, you can get up close and personal with all the macro subjects here. Mabul is partially famous for its macro diving and photographers will be in their element here. So, for this reason Sipadan sits at the top of our list of best scuba diving destinations in southeast asia as you get the best of both worlds - pelagic fish and colourful macro, what’s not to like?