Discover Asia's 10 Best Scuba Diving Spots with Indonesia on Top

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The underwater world holds breathtaking beauty worth exploring. One of the best ways to explore this beauty is through scuba diving.

Asia is one of the best places for scuba diving. This region offers colorful coral reefs and a wide variety of marine life.

According to Timeout Travel and Traveloka, here are some of the best scuba diving spots in Asia. It turns out that Indonesia dominates.

Recommended Scuba Diving Spots in Asia

1. Raja Ampat, Indonesia

Not without reason, Raja Ampat in Southwest Papua is included in this list. Dubbed as the world's center of coral reef biodiversity by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), this cluster of islands is home to more than 1,300 species of fish and 530 types of coral. The richness of its underwater nature ensures an extraordinary scuba diving experience for travelers.

2. Komodo Island, Indonesia

The allure of Komodo Island in East Nusa Tenggara is not limited to its giant monitor lizards, try exploring its underwater world. Divers have the chance to encounter various marine life, including manta rays, sharks, and schools of small fish. However, it is important to note that the currents in the waters around Komodo Island tend to be strong, so previous diving experience is crucial.

3. Gili Trawangan, Indonesia

Gili Trawangan in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, often becomes a favorite destination for diving enthusiasts. In addition to its stunning white sandy beaches, this area also offers a perfect underwater paradise.

Travelers will be greeted with a colorful coral reef expanse with a school of fish swimming around it. If lucky, divers can encounter turtles and even manta rays, making it one of the best scuba diving spots in Southeast Asia.

4. Wakatobi National Park, Indonesia

Diving enthusiasts visiting Southeast Sulawesi cannot miss the sensation of diving in the waters of Wakatobi National Park. There are more than 50 dive points in this national park. Divers also have the opportunity to meet turtles, reef sharks, and large schools of fish.

5. Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, Philippines

Similar to Indonesia, as an archipelagic country, the Philippines has several of the best scuba diving spots, one of them is Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this natural park is home to more than 360 species of coral. In addition, while exploring Tubbataha Reefs, tourists can find manta rays, tiger sharks, and turtles.

6. Malapascua Island, Philippines

Visit the waters of Malapascua Island to observe thresher sharks in their natural habitat. However, travelers need to have intermediate to advanced diving skills to go to these waters. Malapascua Island can be visited all year round.

7. Coron Island, Philippines

If Malapascua has thresher sharks, Coron captivates divers with its shipwrecks. Timeout Travel mentions that there are at least 10 Imperial Japanese Navy ships to be found in the waters of this island.

Apart from being a magnet for inquisitive souls, these shipwrecks are also an ideal home for various marine life, including crocodilefish, grouper, barracuda, and more.

8. Similan Islands, Thailand

The waters of the Similan Islands have a host of interesting things to discover. Dive into its eastern coast to find a flat coral reef expanse. Meanwhile, its western coast is home to giant granite boulders that evoke awe. Similan is not only one of the best spots to encounter whale sharks.

9. Mergui Archipelago, Myanmar

Covering at least 800 islands, the Mergui Archipelago offers unmatched underwater views through its colorful coral reefs. Its diverse marine life is also a draw, including sharks and rays. To encounter both, tourists can plan their dives between February and May.

10. Ishigaki, Japan

Ishigaki concludes the list of the best scuba diving spots in Asia. Many divers visit these waters for one thing only, to encounter manta rays that often appear between May and October.

However, if you expect to see colorful coral reefs, Ishigaki is not a destination to visit because most of the coral reefs in Japan have experienced bleaching. Despite that, Ishigaki remains a favorite location for divers to find various marine life, especially manta rays.

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