Christmas Island

An island of unique and natural wonders, Christmas Island boasts an impressive number of endemic species. Coral reefs surround the island and some of the longest and most magnificent drop-offs in the world can be found just off the coast of the island. Plate corals, anemones and large pelagics such as trevally and tuna tend to frequent the reefs along with the occasional whale shark.

Tubbataha

Diving at Tubbataha is quite often a magical experience, with dramatic underwater topography that needs to be seen to be believed. This protected marine park is only reachable by liveaboard and is one of the more popular sites for liveaboard routes in the area. Well-renowned for its impressive marine biodiversity, sightings of mantas, sharks and sea turtles are all very common at Tubbataha.

North Sulawesi

Diving in North Sulawesi is an absolute must!

Tulamben

On the north east shores of Bali lies one of the most famous wreck sites in the world: the USS Liberty. Renowned for being the only vessel to get hit by a tornado and then experience the wrath of an active volcano, the wreck is now home to innumerable bumphead parrotfish and garden eels. Other great sites nearby include an incredible drop-off at Kubu and a number of reefs housing a variety of critters. Tulamben dive sites are certainly an underwater photographer’s dream.

Pemutaran, Lovina

Diving in Pemutaran, Lovina is great.

Padang Bai

Great macro diving opportunities and a wonderful variety of fish life can be seen in Padang Bai, one of Bali’s top diving destinations!

Menjangan Island

Diving in Menjangan Island is great.

Lembongan, Penida

The island of Nusa Penida offers spectacular scuba diving opportunitites as it is surrounded by strong, nutrient-dense currents and pristine coral reef. Crystal Bay, considered one of the top diving destinations in Bali, is nearby and hosts the awe-inspiring Mola Mola cleaning station.

Candidasa

Diving in Candisdasa is great.

Amed

Amed is a well-kept secret with great opportunities for muck diving enthusiasts. Situated between Selang and Tulamben, the dive sites at Amed are known to have healthy coral reefs, great wall sites and a variety of macro life.

Nuweiba

Not many places offer divers the chance to reach their diving destination of choice by camel safari or exciting jeep ride, but in Nuweiba that’s just part of the thrill! The excitement continues underwater with an incredible scene – spectacular reefs and an array of macro life are what Nuweiba is all about. Underwater photographers return year after year to capture images of nudibranch, stonefish, frogfish and a variety of seahorse species.

Marsa Alam

Marsa Alam is one of the main access points to the magnificent southern Red Sea and all of the underwater wonders it holds. With pristine reefs covered in soft and hard coral species and an array of colours thanks to a huge variety of fish, the dive sites are an exciting experience for any level.

Hamata

Over 80 different coral species have been discovered at the many dive sites at Fury Shoal, so Hamata is definitely a destination to add to the list for coral enthusiasts. With over 35 dive spots to choose from, divers are unlikely to be disappointed, especially when considering the huge varieties of marine animals that inhabit the area.

Eilat

Eilat is known for superb visibility and is a pleasant diving or snorkelling experience for all levels. The waters are calm and temperate and the underwater life is magnificent. Pristine corals in every variety are also on display and make for a colourful and interesting backdrop.

Dahab

Dahab is the home of adventure! Whether you choose to spend your days on an exciting jeep safari, climb aboard a camel or dive into the magnificent ocean right from the shore, Dahab is unlikely to disappoint. Adrenaline junkies return here each year to dive at the world-famous Canyon dive site as well as the beautiful Blue Hole.

Aqaba

The fringing reef in Aqaba is perfect for divers and snorkelers alike. With over 20 spots easily accessible from the shore and an incredible 25km long coastline, divers are treated with easy access to an abundance of vibrant, healthy corals and diverse marine life. The underwater landscape on offer is also an interesting one with steep walls, deep canyons and pinnacles adding to the thrill.

Whitsunday Islands

The Whitsundays boast an impressive group of 74 stunning islands relatively close to the Outer Great Barrier Reef. With unmatched beauty available both above and below the water, divers won’t know where to spend more of their time – on the magnificent beaches or taking in the kaleidoscope of colours on display below the water’s surface.

Townsville

The SS Yongala wreck is easily one of the best wreck dive sites in Australia and is easily accessed by boat or liveaboard from Townsville.
The nearby Magnetic Island is also very popular with divers, and for good reason!

Port Douglas

When looking to access the superb dive sites of the Outer Great Barrier Reef, Port Douglas is a popular base for many divers. The Agincourt Ribbon Reefs boast some of the most pristine and healthy ecosystems throughout the whole reef environment and are sure not to disappoint.

Cairns

Cairns is used as a popular gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, which proudly holds the title of the world’s biggest coral reef. Cairns also boasts a beautiful lagoon for swimming and great snorkelling opportunities.

Subic Bay

Diving in Subic Bay is great.

Puerto Galera

The magnificent marine park in Puerto Galera offers some of the best and easily accessible scuba diving sites in the Philippines. Puerto Galera is certainly one to add to the diving bucket list!

Donsol

Known to many as the ‘Whale Shark Capital’, Donsol boasts frequent sightings of whale sharks. What makes this site an even bigger diver magnet is the chance to interact with large numbers of these magnificent creatures – sometimes as many as 20 whale sharks can be gathered in the area at one time. Divers flock to Donsol to try their luck at getting up close and personal with the ocean’s biggest fish.

Coron, Palawan

Palawan presents a spectacular underwater landscape complete with beautiful atolls covered in a great variety of corals. The fringing reefs are teaming with life just waiting to be visited by avid divers.

Boracay Island

For those wishing to start or expand their diving qualifications, it hardly gets better than Boracay Island, considered by many to be one of the world’s best scuba diving classrooms. With crystal clear waters and a long-stretching sandy beach, the island is also popular with non-divers.

Bohol Island

Critters, coral walls and colourful marine life are just some of the things that divers can expect to see in Bohol. The large expanses of coral gardens are in great condition and provide homes to an array of critters as well as great reef life of the larger variety.

Ningaloo Reef

There’s never a dull moment at Ningaloo Reef off the west coast of Australia. Dolphins, mantas, turtles and migrating whales are just some of the magnificent creatures divers have the chance to spot, not to mention the odd-looking dugong. The reef is considered by many to be one of the best areas to meet a massive whale shark up close in its natural habitat. Smaller fish of the tropical variety can also be expected, including small critters.

Great Barrier Reef

Easily one of the best diving locations on earth, the Great Barrier Reef is home to an abundance of incredible marine life, pristine coral reefs and unbelievable underwater beauty. For many, the Great Barrier Reef is at the top of their diving bucket list, and for good reason. Some of the many main attractions are Osprey Reef, Cod Hole and Ribbon Reefs and many divers choose to explore this natural wonder by liveaboard.

Hurghada

The underwater graveyard of Sha’ab Abu Nuhas is the stuff of legends, giving divers the chance to explore a number of wrecks all in one location. Hurghada is also home to impressive drop-offs and excellent reef diving opportunities, all within an hour’s boat ride.

Sharm El-Sheikh

Sharm El-Sheikh is a legendary diving location for every type of diver – from the novice to the experienced and from the wreck diving enthusiast to the avid underwater photographer. Easily boasting some of the best diving in the world, the Ras Mohammed Marine Park is home to many sites that should be on your “must-see” list.

Malapascua

Malapascua Island boasts a unique thresher shark cleaning station which is the reason so many divers flock to this area in the Philippines. Aside from these long-tailed beauties, divers can also spot large manta rays and smaller creatures such as the mandarinfish, which is best spotted on a night dive.

Anilao, Batangas

Easily one of the top sites for underwater photographers, Anilao boasts pristine reefs and amazing diversity when it comes to critters. There are also larger fish to be seen in their masses and interesting-looking nudibranchs to observe.

Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta is very popular with divers opting for underwater adventures in the southern region of the Andaman Sea. With crystal clear waters and unbelievable marine diversity, Koh Lanta is a superb location. The island is also great for beach-goers and those looking for complete relaxation.

Phuket

Aside from being hugely popular with tourists from all over the world, Phuket is very convenient for scuba divers wishing to hop aboard a liveaboard and explore the fantastic sites surrounding the Similan Islands. These dive sites are some of the most popular in Thailand and many come to Phuket just to explore the diving at the Similan Islands.

Koh Phi Phi

The hugely popular dive sites at Phi Phi Islands are certainly something to write home about, with an array of underwater plant life adding an extra special element to the sites. With large sea fans, sea whips, soft corals and even black coral species, divers can enjoy swimming through the rocky underwater landscape complete with caves, walls and overhangs.

Khao Lak

Khao Lak is home to some of the most fascinating dive sites Thailand has to offer. Not only does the area boast plenty of colourful marine species, but manta rays and leopard sharks can often be seen, adding to the excitement.

Surin Islands

The Surin Islands boast numerous dive sites that could take up an entire day or two of non-stop, fantastic diving. Richelieu Rock is one site in particular that is not to be missed, especially for whale shark sightings!

Similan Islands

The Similan Islands are what Thailand diving is all about. Offering the greatest variety of sites including coral reefs, rocky outcrops and more, the sites boast regular sightings of lion fish, moray eels and scorpion fish. Colourful reef fish such as angel fish, trigger fish and butterfly fish contribute to the fantastic underwater scene.

Koh Tao

For those wishing to learn how to scuba dive, or progress their scuba qualifications, Koh Tao is a top pick for many visitors. Not only are there loads of dive centers to choose from, but it is one of the cheapest places in South East Asia for receiving dive qualifications.

Perhentian Islands

The Perenthians Islands are home to many dive sites that boast an abundance of wonderful species including the rare and protected hawksbill and green turtles. Other notable sightings include the colourful bumphead parrotfish and black tip reef sharks.

Langkawi

Impressive sights abound at Langkawi Island, known for its interesting underwater rock formations and magnificent reefs teaming with marine life. No matter your diving qualification, there is something for everyone. Many divers choose to access these great sites from the highly acclaimed Pulau Payar Marine Park.

Tioman

Take a boat trip to the island of Tioman and you won’t be disappointed! With a variety of dive sites scattered around the island, some up to a 2 hour boat ride away, the sites offer something for every diver’s preference. You could opt for interesting macro life, swim-through opportunities or even shark and turtle sightings at a number of the sites.

Lankayan

Lankayan Island boasts an array of magnificent colours with many soft and hard coral species as well as numerous juvenile reef fish adding to the fantastic underwater display. As it is a nesting site for hawksbill and green turtles, these wonderful creatures can quite often be seen gracefully gliding around the dive sites surrounding the island.

Layang Layang

Layang-Layang boasts an abundance of wonderful marine life including manta rays, hawksbill turtles, barracuda and tuna, however the main attraction during April and May is definitely the pairs of odd-looking hammerhead sharks who come to the area to mate. Layang-Layang is also known for its magnificent coral walls descending into the depths below, some extending as far down as 2000 metres!

Mataking

Aside from the magnificent clear waters and interesting underwater plant life, Mataking Island is home to an impressive range of large pelagic species. Strong currents surrounding this island near Sipadan brings great sightings of hammerhead sharks, manta rays, grey reef sharks and eagle rays.

Kapalai

Highly ranked as one of the world’s best macro diving locations, Kapalai in Malaysia is not to be missed. This sandbar lies beneath a luxurious diving resort that stretches out over clear, turquoise waters, making it a scuba diver’s paradise and well worth a visit.

Mabul

An abundance of interesting macro life can be found lurking in Mabul, and for this reason it is known as one of the world’s top muck diving sites by muck diving enthusiasts all over the globe. You’ll see every critter imaginable at this fantastic macro dive site, making Mabul an undeniable addition to the diving bucket list.

Wakatobi

There’s just no telling what amazing creatures you’ll find in the dive sites surrounding Wakatobi National Park – new species are discovered on a fairly regular basis! With 4 beautiful islands surrounded by immaculate coral reef, both reef and wall diving in Wakatobi is considered some of the best in the world. Brightly coloured reef fish and odd-looking critters are plentiful here.

Komodo

Komodo National Park boasts the presence of the famous Komodo dragon and is easily one of the world’s top diving destinations! In the waters of this protected area, a variety of fantastic marine animals thrive in a visually stunning environment. Everything from the very big to the very small can be seen in these waters, from whales, dolphins, sharks and turtles to manta rays, Napolean wrasse and an array of interesting-looking critters.

Gili Islands

Magnificent diving all throughout the year can be found in the reefs surrounding the highly popular Gili Islands of Air, Meno and Trawangan in South East Asia. With a wide variety of underwater life to be seen in near-perfect diving conditions, the Gili Islands is guaranteed to be a great diving experience!