A single journey into these destinations’ underwater worlds can fascinate any seasoned or novel diver. From colorful corals to dramatic drop-offs, shallow reefs teeming with different kinds of fish, to witnessing majestic thresher sharks, scuba diving in Bali and Phuket is an adventure one must experience even once in a lifetime aside from other water activities.
And these are some of the reasons why Agoda, one of the world’s leaders in digital travel platforms, has recently announced Bali as the top scuba diving destination in Asia, with Phuket coming in a close second.
Let’s look deeper into what makes these two destinations the top regions for scuba diving and a few of their most popular dive spots.
The Top Scuba Diving Destination in Asia: Bali, Indonesia
Based on booking data, Agoda named Bali Asia’s top scuba diving destination in 2024. But Bali’s place at the top is more than just data; the island has the goods to back it up. With a rich marine biodiversity, warm temperatures all year round, clear visibility, and various dive spots for all skill levels, the island offers everything for every dive experience.
While Balinese life is packed with natural beauty and a vibrant culture, its underwater world is just as majestic. The most popular sites include the Tulamben USAT Liberty Shipwreck, located off Bali’s northeastern coast. A shallow dive site, it is now home to a rich marine ecosystem where divers can find anything from sponges to more significant marine life, such as sea turtles and giant trevally.
Other popular dive sites in Bali include Menjangan Island, which features abundant shallow coral reefs and deep wall dives. Another popular site is the Seraya Secrets, near Tulamben Bay, where the USAT Liberty Shipwreck is found. Seraya Secrets is famous for muck diving, which emphasizes the exploration of the bottom of the ocean floor, where rare and unique marine creatures thrive.
Coming in Close at Second Place: Phuket, Thailand
Coming second to Bali as Asia’s top scuba diving destination is Phuket, Thailand’s biggest and most popular island. Though it’s mostly known for its powdery sand beaches and thrilling nightlife, what’s beneath the waters fascinates visitors the most.
Phuket’s nearby islands of Similan are home to stunning underwater landscapes, where vibrant coral reefs abound. Offering diverse marine life and excellent visibility, a boat trip to these islands is necessary for scuba diving enthusiasts visiting Phuket.
Other notable spots in Phuket include Shark Point, dubbed as one of Thailand’s richest coral reefs, as well as Anemone Reef, where abundant fields of anemone cover the area’s shallower parts. What’s found underneath captivates divers, including leopard sharks, snappers, parrotfish, trumpet fish, and so much more.
Related articles: Top 10 Phuket Best Beaches
Three Other Top Destinations in Asia
Agoda also added three other destinations to the list, each offering its distinct offering of stunning underwater landscape that plenty of marine life calls home.
Here are the three other top scuba diving destinations in Asia:
Okinawa, Japan
Okinawa is the only destination not found in the Southeast Asian region. However, it still offers clear waters, a diverse range of dive sites, and a well-established scuba diving infrastructure. Some of Okinawa’s top dive spots include The Blue Cave in Cape Maeda, offering diverse marine life that includes sea turtles and colorful reef fish. Miyako Island, another of Okinawa’s top dive spots, has a rich marine life biodiversity, exceptional coral reefs, and clear water visibility.
Cebu, Philippines
The island of Cebu in the Philippines has long been a favorite among scuba diving enthusiasts. The island of Malapscua, for example, located to the north of Cebu, is world famous for its thresher shark sightings, and the town of Moalboal in the south is popular among dive enthusiasts for its renowned sardine run.
Nha Trang, Vietnam
The last designation on Agoda’s list is Nha Trang, a coastal city in Vietnam that offers accessible stunning dive spots and diverse marine life. The Hon Mun Island is the top dive spot in the area, featuring exceptional coral gardens, good visibility, and clear waters.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’ve never scuba dived before or are already a divemaster, you’ll discover that Bali and Phuket, and the other destinations on Agoda’s list, have plenty of awe-inspiring dive spots to fascinate and leave you in wonder. These islands are a must on your scuba diving destination bucket list, offering everything from shallow reefs to deep drop-offs that bring you an underwater world like no other.
When planning your next holiday in Bali or Phuket, book a scuba diving adventure with your concierge. The Luxury Signature presents Phuket luxury villas and Bali holiday rentals that offer scuba diving adventures that suit your skill level or diving goals. Look at our curated selections of the most extraordinary luxury villas in these destinations and begin your journey of underwater exploration.
Step away from life on land and experience the mesmerizing underwater worlds of Bali and Phuket, where coral reefs, deep walls, and marine life bring you the true beauty of the aquatic world.
Related article: Phuket vs Bali: Which Tropical Destination is Right For You
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Featured Image: All4Diving
The Luxury Signature represents and manages reservations of the finest villa rentals in Southeast Asia, specializing in some of the most stunning destinations including the islands of Phuket and Samui in Thailand, and Bali, Indonesia.
