DIVE DESTINATIONS IN ASIA

Oceans can charm even the most cynical people. And the oceans in Asia are home to almost 75% of the entire planet’s coral species.

Scuba diving in Asia can take you to areas that host a large variety of marine life- you can dive in the South China Sea, the Pacific or the Indian Ocean or plunge into the Coral Triangle- the area where these waters mix to form the epicenter of biodiversity.

The diving choices here are as vast and exciting as the countries in this region- wreck diving at historic shipwrecks, wall diving on offshore pinnacles from a liveboard or shore diving on a house reef.  From rare sharks to schools of colorful fish, you’ll find everything here!

Well, we’re sure now you just can’t wait to start exploring these places. Given the plethora of options, it can be difficult to pick a dive destination. Let us make it easier for you. Here are our favorite dive destinations in Asia:- 

Raja Ampat, Indonesia 

Raja Ampat (Four Kings) is one of the most unique dive locations and has the world’s highest recorded species of fish and corals- over 537 different kinds of corals and 1074 recorded species of fish!

From pygmy seahorses to manta rays, a dive can find a variety of species here. However, Raja Ampat exposes you to strong currents and hence, not all dive sites here are open to novice divers. For example, the best time to dive the Magic Mountain is when the current is running. So, a diver has to be prepared based on his training, experience and certification levels- It is advisable that you are adept at drift diving.

Another thing that has to be kept in mind while planning to dive here is the fact that there is no reliable hyperbaric chamber in Papua and if things go wrong, you are a long way from medical help. Therefore, one has to plan his/her dives as non-decompression dives.

Phi Phi Islands, Thailand

Located in between Phuket and the west coast of the mainland, Phi Phi Islands are home to Thailand’s most colorful and densely populated dive sites named Koh Bida Nok and Koh Bida Nai.

You are likely to encounter blacktip sharks, eels, turtles, octopus, bearded scorpion fish and schools of snappers. You can also spot leopard sharks, banded sea snakes, pipefish and seahorses.

With shallow parts, the islands are also good for snorkelers to get up close with marine life. 

Nha Trang, Vietnam

Vietnam is a relative newcomer as a dedicated dive destination and perfect for budding divers to get certified in its calm waters.

Hon Mun, a Marine Protected Area, paints a picture of heaven at just 6m with hundreds of fish swimming around corals. Dive deeper at around 10m and you’ll need a dive torch to discover secret creatures in the caves under the sea.

While Nha Trang may not be a diver’s paradise, it’s a spectacular destination for novice divers. 

Tioman, Malaysia 

Malaysia’s location in the enthralling Coral Triangle makes it one of the most beautiful places to dive on Earth.

Located in the Coral Triangle, Malaysia’s Tioman is one of the most bio-diverse areas where the Pacific and Indian Oceans meet.

Surrounded by various coral reefs, Tiger reef is one of the most impressive highlights for scuba divers coming from around the planet.

With an underwater pinnacle from 10 to 24m, covered in coral, you can find sea turtles at certain dive spots in Tioman. 

Grande Island, Goa 

Goa- the sunshine state of India is all about clubs, shacks, and the beaches! Is that what you think? If yes, think again because Grande Island is going to change your perception.

A popular dive destination in India, Grande Island attracts scuba enthusiasts, beginners and advanced divers alike, from all over the world.

Amongst the popular dive sites here is the S.S. Rita. The 130m cargo ship encountered rough weather somewhere in the 1950s and sunk into the Goan waters. Starting at a shallow depth of 4m with a max depth of 16m, S.S. Rita is home to a variety of Fan Corals, Nudibranch, Puffer Fish, Fusiliers, Bat Fish, Angel Fish, a few resident Groupers and several reef critters.

Not far away from S.S. Rita, there is another dive site, great for beginners and certified divers alike- Bounty Bay.  With depth ranging from 3m to 7m, the bottom here is a mix of gravelly and sandy. Bounty Bay is home to Scorpion Fish, Puffer Fish, Angel Fish, Snappers, Trigger Fish and Butterfly Fish. Golden Trevallies have also been spotted here.

Diving at these destinations is a thrilling experience; however, not paying attention to proper safety precautions can turn this adventure into a life-threatening one. Right from planning to dive to check the gear and the equipment, obeying all diving instruction, not panicking underwater and not diving beyond your limit- safety is an integral part of scuba diving.

And when it comes to safety, Scuba Evolution India, a PADI 5Star and IDDR (Instructor Development Dive Resort), located in Anjuna, makes sure that our divers have not just a safe but a fun experience!

Whether you want to dip your toes in the sea or get certified in scuba diving, do it with us and embark on a dive journey to the most beautiful dive destinations in Asia.

So what are you waiting for! The sun, the sand, and the water await your presence and assure you a mind-blowing experience.