Asia’s Top 3 Scuba Dive Sites
Sarah Richard – World Wanderer
Scuba diving is fast becoming one of the most popular adventure sports around, attracting 1 million new divers each year, all ready to explore the beauty of our oceans. Hongkongers are luckier than many as we are living in and around the Pacific Ocean and so close to the ‘Coral Triangle’ where some of the best scuba diving in the world lies. So what are you waiting for? Grab your fins and let us show you 3 of the best scuba diving sites in Asia
Wakatobi, Indonesia
Image Courtesy of Kick The Grind TV
Located at the world’s epicentre of coral reef biodiversity and a designated UNESCO Marine Biosphere Reserve it’s no wonder diving in Wakatobi will greet you with some of the greatest variety and diversity of marine life in the world. Not only that, but the water in this ocean looks like glass, enabling the eye to see through the water to over 15m – a truly mesmerising experience. Then, when below the surface, you can see 850 different species of coral compared to somewhere like the Caribbean where there are only 70 species present. Voted one of the best places in the world to dive, it’s not hard to see why.
Who to dive with: Wakatobi Dive Trip
Best time to dive: In Wakatobi you can enjoy diving 365 days a year. There is no period or season unsuitable for diving. The climate is drier than in other parts of Indonesia, and the location is nicely protected by the surrounding reefs and islands.
Malapascua Island, Philippines
Image Courtesy of Little Mermaid Dive Resort
If you’re looking for the big animals Malapascua is your place! Famous for being the only place in the world to see thresher sharks there is also a huge diversity of marine life that calls Malapascua home including; hammerhead sharks, whitetip sharks, mandarin fish, countless nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses, frogfish, cuttlefish, endless crustacean species, beautiful unspoilt coral gardens and much more.
Who to dive with: Little Mermaid Dive Resort
Best time to dive: There are three distinct seasons in Malapascua. Spring from February to May; Summer from June – September and Winter “Rainy” Season starts from October – January. The ‘rainy season’ officially starts in June and ends January and the ‘typhoon’ season officially starts in July and ends in October.
Sipadan, Malaysia
Image Courtesy of Seaventures Dive Rig
Sipadan, the little island off the east coast of Borneo is the number one reason why divers go to Malaysia. Formed over thousands of years by living coral growing on top of an extinct volcano, it lies in one of the richest marine habitats in the world. Deep water currents well up against the walls of this world famous oceanic island bringing in the nutrients which support an incredible ecosystem where the sheer abundance of sea life can be astounding. Its high numbers of turtles, grey and whitetip reef sharks, and large schools of bumphead parrotfish, barracuda and trevally are famous the world over.
Who to dive with: Seaventures
Best time to dive: The dive season is year-round but the best conditions for diving at Sipadan are thought to be from April to December when surface conditions are normally calm. Any time is a good time at Sipadan, but if you have the freedom to choose then April to December is the best time to plan a visit.
There are literally thousands of dive sites around the world, but these are my top 3 within Asia (and I haven’t even touched Australia yet). I get asked all the time where to go for the best diving, so it kind of made sense to write it down. Enjoy, and happy splashing!
Sarah Richard is a 26 year old professional world wanderer. 4 years ago she left the UK and everything that offered her security and routine in exchange for a constant life of excitement and adventure. And she is still living it now. Through out working as a Dive Master, freelance writer,running her blog (coffeewithasliceoflife.com) and working along the way she now leads a life as a full time digital nomad. So follow her in her travels, in which ever country in the world she choses, and learn how you can do it too.