Scuba diving in Asia

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Spotted Moray Eel in Sabang (Philippines).

This page is an overview of scuba diving in Asia, primarily of dive destinations. Check individual destinations for operators and accommodation.

[edit] Destinations

[edit] India

[edit] Andaman and Nicobar

The untapped potential here is huge, but for now diving is centered around Havelock Island, and while it's great you leave satisfied yet hungering for what you didn't see but know is out there. As tourism on the islands increase massive amounts of new dive sites should start to appear.

[edit] Lakshadweep Islands

[edit] Goa

A popular sea side vacation destination in India. The dive season is between mid October to mid May. Diving is not possible during the monsoons in India ( June till mid October ) The water temperature is between 27 to 30 degrees. The local diving here consists of dives sites around Grande Island, just off the coast near Vasco Da Gama. The dives are mostly in the 12 to 16m range, and the visibility varies through the season, with an average of around 5-6 m. Marine life is abundant, with many species of reef fish, and hard and soft coral,and several shipwrecks to dive.

There are several dive centers operating in Goa, and they offer local dives,conduct PADI courses, and organize dive trips to Pigeon Island (also known locally as Netrani Island) in the neighboring state of Karnataka.

[edit] Karnataka

Pigeon or Netrani Island

There are currently no local dives centers here,and all diving at this location is organized by dive centers based in Goa. Pigeon Island ( Netrani Island ) lies about 10 km off the coast of Murudeshwar in Karnataka.It is a 4 hour drive from Goa, or can be reached by Konkan Railway, with Bhatkal being the nearest station. The visibility here is generally in the 15-20m range and the dive sites are between 10 to 30m. Marine life is spectacular, with huge schools of Jacks, Barracuda, Triggerfish and Fusiliers.

Sadly, a large rock on the seaward side of the island is often used by Naval ship and aircraft for target practice, resulting in the island being off limits for diving whenever this is happening.

[edit] Indonesia

[edit] Bali

Menjanan Island, Tulamben (USS Liberty wreck) and Amed located along the north shore, offer some of Asia's most pleasant and accessible shore diving through wrecks, walls and reefs. Divers visiting Bali often base themselves out of Lovina to access the sites.

Scuba Diving combining local knowledge of diving in Bali with personal attention and the highest levels of professional PADI diving instruction, to ensure that each of our divers (guests? friends?) has the most memorable of diving experiences under Bali's magical waters.

[Bali diving]http://www.lovinadive.com trips are adjustable to any level of diving experience, whether you're just starting out or have been diving all over the world. Offers diving trips for photographers with specialist macro photography guides.

• bali diving (diving in bali with a professional dive master), : Jalan Raya Banyualit Lovina (Menjangan, tulamben, amed, PJ, secret bay, pemuteran), : +628123842415, : info@lovinadive.com, Website: www.lovinadive.com US$55 - US$75

[edit] Manado

Wall diving at Bunaken

[edit] Papua

[edit] Japan

Coral reefs on Ishigaki, Japan

The southern islands of Okinawa have great diving, but prices are steep: you can expect to pay upwards of $100 for two dives.

[edit] Okinawa

[edit] Miyako Islands

[edit] Yaeyama Islands

Manta rays, hammerheads and mysterious underwater ruins.

[edit] Malaysia

[edit] Perhentian Islands

[edit] Redang

[edit] Tioman

Splendid coral, fish, turtles and reef sharks off the Malaysian East Coast

[edit] Sipadan

Reef diving on a wall that descends 600m into the ocean

[edit] Maldives

Deep in the middle of the Indian Ocean, the entire country is built on coral reefs and has some of the best diving on the planet. Prices for accommodation and diving services are expensive, though, and currents can be strong on the outer reefs.

[edit] Philippines

[edit] Boracay

The most popular place in the Philippines to become certified. Quality beginner diving as well as a few good intermediate dive sites.

[edit] Sabang

(also commonly refered to as Puerto Galera) Macro (i.e. small life) heaven. Approximately thirty dive sites that feature a dazzling variety of small sea life with the occasional shark, ray and/or turtle. Several sites are drift dives and often turn into (strong) current dives with the best diving (for coral and small life) being at 20m or 60 feet.

[edit] Panglao

Home of the Alona Beach - A mix of relaxation and diving. Dive the islands of Balicasag, Cabilao and Pamilacan from here.

[edit] Thailand

[edit] Ang Thong National Marine Park

A short hop from Ko Samui

[edit] Similan Islands

70 km due west of Phang Nga. Widely regarded as Thailand's best diving. Best accessed via liveaboard or a lengthy boat ride from Khao Lak

[edit] Ko Tao

Great for beginners and almost certainly Asia's most popular place to get certified

[edit] Krabi

Ko Lanta, Ko Phi Phi, etc — less than 10 dive sites but most are certainly worth a visit with several sites rivaling the Similan Islands. All diving is located well off the coast, requiring a boat.

[edit] Pattaya

[edit] Itineraries

See One month of Southeast Asian diving and culture for a possible trip.

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