Hottest Diving Destinations in Asia

Did you know that the Philippines‘ Puerto Galera and Anilao made it to the list of Asia Pacific’s hottest diving destinations?

Blessed with warm water, tropical climates and an abundance of interesting dive sites – from pristine coral reefs to sunken warships – locations throughout Asia Pacific welcome divers from around the world that come to explore new sites or return to old favorites.

“Many of the world’s best dive sites are located in Southeast Asia,” says Chris Mitchell, dive journalist and co-author of Thailand’s Underwater World. “There are an endless number of sites for all levels of diver. Bali’s amazing Menjangan Island, the plethora of rare marine life along the coastline of Anilao, Philippines, and the Maldives, where you can be in your resort an hour after touchdown and diving the next morning , are some of my favorites.”

Most diving locations in Asia offer PADI courses from beginner to master levels at great prices, and the food, scenery and cultural experience can’t be beat, no matter which country you visit. To wrap everything up nicely,Agoda.com’s comprehensive hotel offerings throughout the region will ensure guests spend less time worrying about their accommodation and more time concentrating on where to take the next great dive.

Here are seven of Asia’s best sites for diving, and a few hotel suggestions to maximize the enjoyment of any trip.

Ko Lanta, Thailand

Located in Thailand’s famous province of Krabi, Ko Lanta is not as crowded or as built up as other hotspots in the area – yet. Drawn by warm, clear water, and plenty of great dive sites, visitors can choose a speedboat to get in several different dives in one day, or opt for a slowboat that heads to a single spot but offers a more social experience with your fellow divers.

Suggested Hotels
Pamper yourself with 5-star luxury at the award-winning Pimalai Resort and Spa (5*) in Kan Tiang Bay.

http://www.agoda.com/pimalai-resort-spa/hotel/koh-lanta-th.html

Stay at the Lanta Cha Da Resort (5*), which offers a variety of rooms amid a lush expanse of garden in the shade of swaying palm trees.

Puerto Galera & Batangas, the Philippines

The turquoise water and endless reefs have long drawn divers to the tropical archipelago of the Philippines, which offers a nearly limitless number of sights above and below the water. A strong maritime transport culture ensures easy trips to many of the best sites, be it a small group excursion or a large party dive.

Suggested Hotels
The Atlantis Dive Resort (5*) in Puerto Galera lies within a pristine UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and offers a diverse range of reef dive sites for every skill level.

http://www.agoda.com/atlantis-dive-resort/hotel/puerto-galera-ph.html

If staying at the Eagle Point Resort (3*), you’ll be in the middle of some of the Philippines’ best dive sites, all noted for their abundant, colorful marine life.

http://www.agoda.com/eagle-point-resort/hotel/batangas-ph.html

Whitsunday Islands and Lizard Island, Australia

Australia needs no introduction as one of the world’s top diving destinations. The unparalleled Great Barrier Reef and almost 60,000km of combined island & mainland coastline provide an astounding number of sites to dive, from old shipwrecks to (caged) encounters with Great White Sharks.

Suggested Hotels
Visit Daydream Island Resort and Spa (4.5*) to get the most out of the legendary Whitsunday Islands and its dozens of world-famous dive sites.

http://www.agoda.com/daydream-island-resort-and-spa/hotel/whitsundays-au.html

A stay at Lizard Island Resort (5*) will reward you with close-up marine encounters as you hand-feed huge but docile Potato Cod at the world famous Cod Hole.

http://www.agoda.com/lizard-island-resort/hotel/great-barrier-reef-au.html

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Seemingly crafted specifically for scuba divers, Bora Bora’s signature coral reef encircles a pristine volcanic lagoon filled with marine life. Most pleasingly, there’s only a 3° difference between average low and high water temperature throughout the year, making diving a perfect pastime any time of year.

Suggested Hotels
The Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa (5*) offers access to the island’s best diving spots and is a member of Green Engage, the group’s worldwide sustainability program that regulates environmental impact.

http://www.agoda.com/intercontinental-bora-bora-resort-thalasso-spa/hotel/bora-bora-island-pf.html

After diving with manta rays, lemon sharks and turtles at the Bora Bora Pearl Resort (4*), you can work with the on-site tattooist to design a traditional Polynesian tattoo.

http://www.agoda.com/bora-bora-pearl-beach-resort-and-spa/hotel/bora-bora-island-pf.html

Bali and Lombok Indonesia

Indonesia’s iconic island of Bali and its neighbor Lombok are smack in the middle of one of the most beautiful parts of the country. As the world’s largest island archipelago, it’s no surprise that it also has some of the bestscuba diving anywhere.

Suggested Hotels
On Bali, stay at the Mimpi Tulamben Dive Resort (3*), which offers easy access to dozens of top dive sites, including the island of Menjangan with its large reef flats and slow currents.

http://www.agoda.com/mimpi-tulamben-dive-resort/hotel/bali-id.html

On Lombok, stay at the Vila Ombak Hotel (4*), situated on one of the Gili Islands, a popular area with divers of all levels who come to dive with sharks, manta rays, and turtles.

http://www.agoda.com/vila-ombak-hotel/hotel/lombok-id.html

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

The area around Kota Kinabalu offers plenty of great diving spots in some of Asia’s most colorful waters. Whether you stick to diving just offshore, go northeast up the coast and explore the tip of Borneo, or head southwest to dive down to Labuan’s four famous wrecks, there’s something here for every level of diver.

Suggested Hotels

If you’re staying at the award-winning Bunga Raya Island Resort (5*), the activities don’t have to stop when you’re done diving. The beautiful blue bay that the hotel looks over is perfect for kayaking, and for a fun jungle trek, all you have to do is turn 180° and start walking.

http://www.agoda.com/bunga-raya-island-resort/hotel/kota-kinabalu-my.html

Time spent at the Gaya Island Resort (5*) means truly getting away from it all. Only accessible by boat, guests have easy access to amazing dive sites in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, as well as thick forest and deserted beaches on neighboring islands.

http://www.agoda.com/gaya-island-resort/hotel/kota-kinabalu-my.html

The Maldives

If one were to describe the perfect tropical paradise, chances are it would exist in the Maldives. Stunning blue water, endless white sand…and then things start to get really beautiful once you head underwater. The biggest draws are colorful coral and a staggering amount of marine life – everything from friendly fish to manta rays to the gigantic whale shark.

Suggested Hotels
Boasting one of the best-equipped dive schools in the country, Bandos Island Resort (4*) can provide support, equipment and transport to any of the top dive locations nearby.

http://www.agoda.com/bandos-island-resort-spa/hotel/maldives-islands-mv.html

The Adaaran Prestige Vadoo (5*) offers a variety of special dive packages, and training courses are available from beginner’s introduction to a four day PADI rescue diver course.

http://www.agoda.com/adaaran-prestige-vadoo-resort/hotel/maldives-islands-mv.html

The above-mentioned hotels are recommended by Agoda.com, an online hotel booking site. You will find these fantastic hotel deals in some of the best scuba diving destinations in Asia Pacific. Check them out at www.agoda.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/agoda.