Aisa’s rating of destinations - Diving & Snorkeling

There are numerous places in Asia to exhibit your passion for the deep sea, and to celebrate the spirit of exploration & adventure in the underwater realm!

Maldives
Bali, Indonesia | Borneo, Malaysia | Phuket, Thailand
Koh Phi Phi, Thailand | Lombok, Indonesia | Tioman, Malaysia | Perhentian, Malaysia
Goa, India | Nha Trang, Vietnam | Sanya, China | Bintan, Indonesia

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Maldives | Aisa’s rating

Maldives is voted one of the top 10 dive sites in the world. Aisa thinks it’s probably the best in Indian Ocean, if not in Asia!

The water are very clear and warm throughout the year, and marine life is abundant and you will find amazingly diverse fish species. The reefs form exciting labyrinths for you to explore! North Male atoll and South Ari atoll provide reliably good diving around the atoll walls. If youare particularly interested in seeing turtles (and mantas), head to the Turtle Head Point!

When it comes to diving, every season has its charm in Maldives. From December to March, the water visibility is the best (can be as deep as 50 meters) and the humidity is very low, and it’s considered the best season to dive. During the south-west monsoon seasons from May to August, and the visibility is reduced. But you are likely to meet whale sharks in May. Night dives is fun as the reefs get active at night. However there are not many or interesting shipwrecks there.

While diving in Maldives is world standard, it can be expensive, comparing to other Asian tropical destinations. One tank scuba dive and equipment rental can cost over US$100.

Bali, Indonesia | Aisa’s rating

There is a fascinating WOII shipwreck in Tulamben area on Bali’s northeast coast. It’s a US Army commissioned transport vessel, USAT Liberty. It was torpedoed by the Japanese in 1942. The 120m long wreck rests at a depth of 3 to 29 meters, and it’s easily accessible from the beach. The wreck is completely covered by coral and surrounded by thousands of fish. It’s an underwater wonderland of marine life! Suitable for all levels of divers and snorkelers.

Menjangan island National Marine Park has at least 8 different dive sites around the island. It’s a place with beautiful reefs and corals and it’s on the list to become a world heritage site.

Another good dive spot is Amed, where you can find bigger fish.

Borneo, Malaysia | Aisa’s rating

Sipadan Island is on the east coast of Borneo. There are vibrant white beaches. Sipadan Island is one of the top 10 dive sites in the world, so be prepared to see great amazing marine life! (The other two top 10 dive sites in Asia are Maldives and Similan Islands of Phuket in Thailand).

Phuket, Thailand | Aisa’s rating

There are several coral islands to the south of the Phuket, e.g., Similan Islands to the north west and Phi Phi Island to the south east. And there are a great variety of local dive sites around Phuket, e.g., Koh Racha Yai, Shark Point, Anemone Reef.

Aisa recommends a day trips to Similian Island for diving and snorkeling from Phuket. The Similan Islands lie about 100s km Northwest of Phuket and were declared a National Park in 1982. It is rated as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world, with white beaches and spectacular dive sites in warm, clear waters. (The other two top 10 dive sites in Asia are Maldives and Sipadan Island of Borneo in Malaysia).

Borneo, Malaysia | Aisa’s rating

Sipadan Island is on the east coast of Borneo. There are vibrant white beaches. Sipadan Island is one of the top 10 dive sites in the world, so be prepared to see great amazing marine life! (The other two top 10 dive sites in Asia are Maldives and Similan Islands of Phuket in Thailand).

Perhentian, Malaysia | Aisa’s rating

Like Tioman, Perhentian is great fro diving and snorkeling. Many came to take the diving course in Perhentian. Perhentian is a great place to see sea turtle or shark, particularly blacktip shark. The sharks are harmless unless provoked. The best place to see sharks is between Shark Point and the Teluk Dalam large beach. Sharks are usually seen cruising the bottom of the reef. For turtles, best place is the middle of the beach in front of Perhentian Island Resort, where the sandy bottom is covered with algae.

Goa, India | Aisa’s rating

The Marine life in the Goa is abundant. The best diving season Goa is from October to May, when water is calm and skies are cloudless. The visibility ranges from five meters to ten meters. There are Spanish and Portuguese shipwrecks in Goa underwater world.

Tioman, Malaysia | Aisa’s rating

Tioman is a water sport heaven. It is surrounded by numerous coral reefs with diverse marine life great for diving and snorkeling. The water is so clean, it’s almost pristine! There are large turtles, different marine lives, a few shipwrecks and some massive boulders underwater. Visibility is about 30 meters.

Nha Trang, Vietnam | Aisa’s rating

Na Trang is good for diving from mid-January to mid-October, and there are nearly ten diving spots. The cost is probably the lowest in Asia. It can be roughly US$20 per dive.

Koh Phi Phi, Thailand | Aisa’s rating

Diving and snorkeling are great in Koh Phi Phi. There are abundant coral reefs and great marine life. Visibility ranges from 10 to 25 meters.

Sanya, China | Aisa’s rating

Yalong Bay is a popular spot for divers. It costs US$30-50 per dive.