From coral colonies to schools of fish, there is so much beauty to be discovered when scuba diving. Check out some of our favourite destinations that are a must-visit for any keen diver.
Malaysia
Malaysia offers world-class diving suitable for all levels of diver. The country is divided into two parts: Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia (or Malaysia Borneo). The former offers diving March-September while the latter can be dived year-round; both have sites that are suited to beginners as well as more experienced divers. Turtle fans should head to the islands of Peninsular Malaysia, which are regularly frequented by green sea turtles and hawksbill sea turtles; a lucky few may also be able to spot a leatherback sea turtle! Green sea turtles can also be seen in East Malaysia, as well as whitetip sharks and schools of barracuda.
Indonesia
Comprising over 17,000 islands – which are home to 15% of the world’s coral reefs and more than 3,000 different species of fish – Indonesia is a diver’s paradise. The region is highly regarded for its variety; with deep trenches, World War II wrecks and endless varieties of marine life to discover. Bali is, arguably, the most famous of the islands and diving in Nusa Penida is a truly spectacular experience, where there’s mola mola, manta rays and colourful coral colonies to be discovered. The archipelago of Raja Ampat is also a must for any diver; home to 540 types of coral and over 1,000 species of coral fish, the islands are as diverse as they are beautiful.
Dominican Republic
From sunken ships to cave systems, the Dominican Republic’s vast coastline offers many exciting scuba diving opportunities. June to September is when the waters are most clear and calm – particularly on the northern coast – but those who visit from around December to April are often able to spot beautiful humpback whales, which migrate near the island to calve and begin a new mating season. The Samana Peninsula is a popular region and offers easy access to wrecks, caves and coral formations.
Egypt
Egypt’s Red Sea first attracted scuba divers in the 1950s and has since developed into one of the most popular dive destinations in the world for its calm and clear waters, colourful corals, intriguing wrecks and wealth of marine life. Sharm El-Sheikh on the north of the Red Sea has over 30 local dive sites to explore as well as different liveaboard options; dolphins, grey reef sharks, tuna and barracuda can all be spotted on dives. Hurghada is another great spot, particularly for wreck enthusiasts, where they can visit the incredible Thistlegorm and Giannis D sites.
Antigua & Barbuda
In addition to white sandy beaches and Caribbean cuisine, the islands of Antigua & Barbuda offer incredible scuba diving throughout the year. Cades Bay along the south coast of Antigua is a designated underwater park, stretching for around seven miles, while English Harbour offers opportunities to see a wide variety of corals and marine life, including eagle rays and reef sharks. Also not to be missed is the Andes: a shipwreck located in shallow waters where the lighting provides excellent opportunities for keen underwater photographers.
Japan
Historic temples, unique culture, delicious cuisine and fantastic dive sites; Japan is a country that has it all. The southern Okinawa islands in particular have some of the best scuba diving opportunities in the country. Comprising of 160 islands, 49 of which are uninhabited, Okinawa’s crystal clear waters and subtropical temperatures are just some of the reasons that scuba divers visit time and time again. Caves, tunnels and wrecks are all common throughout the islands, whilst there are also shivers of graceful hammerhead sharks.
Green Fins Japan coming soon - watch this space!
The Maldives
Despite comprising around 1,200 islands, the Maldives is 99% water and 1% land, so the best way to truly enjoy them is below the surface. The aqua blue Indian Ocean waters are teeming with marine life, including mighty whale sharks and majestic manta rays. Within the atoll lagoons, divers will encounter pinnacles of rock which provide a home to an array of soft, colourful corals and different species of fish. Not to be missed is Fotteyo Kandu, Vaavu Atoll, where divers can explore caves and overhangs to discover reef sharks, tuna and schools of snapper.
The Philippines
The 7,107 islands of the Philippines offer incredible underwater opportunities for all diving abilities and experience levels. There are over 1,200 marine species and 400 types of coral in the Philippines, as well as thousands of different dive sites, most of which are around the Luzon and Visayas regions. In the former, divers can expect plentiful macro life and a number of WWII wrecks, while the latter is known for its thresher sharks in addition to huge schools of fish and lush coral colonies.
Thailand
It’s no secret that Thailand offers some of the best scuba diving in the world. The Andaman Sea along the west coast is rich in marine life; divers can often see hawksbill turtles, leopard sharks and blacktip reef sharks as well as an array of fish, including angelfish and clownfish. Hin Daeng and Hin Muang are popular dive spots and are where divers can encounter manta rays, whale sharks and soft, colourful corals. Along the east coast, the Gulf of Thailand offers calm waters which are great for beginners, particularly in Koh Tao.
Through our global implementation of the Green Fins initiative – which Reef-World leads in partnership with the UN Environment Programme – we are protecting coral reefs in stunning dive destinations like these all around the world. The programme is currently active in 11 countries (and counting!) with around 600 members globally. Dive and snorkel operators who are members of the Green Fins initiative are dedicated to protecting coral reefs through environmentally-friendly dive and snorkel practices.