Top 20 Dive Sites South East Asia

Indonesia

• Raja Ampat: The undisputed champion of marine biodiversity, Raja Ampat is a pristine paradise with the highest concentration of marine life on the planet. Dive sites are packed with vibrant corals, immense schools of fish, and a variety of sharks and manta rays. It's often best explored via a liveaboard.
• Komodo National Park: Famous for its land-dwelling dragons, Komodo's underwater world is equally spectacular. Strong currents fuel a diverse ecosystem, making it a thrilling destination for experienced divers seeking manta rays, sharks, and pristine coral gardens.
• Lembeh Strait: The "muck-diving capital of the world," Lembeh is a macro photographer's dream. The volcanic black sand seabed is home to an incredible collection of rare and bizarre critters, including mimic octopus, hairy frogfish, and a multitude of nudibranchs.
• Wakatobi: Located in Sulawesi, Wakatobi is renowned for its untouched reefs and luxurious eco-resorts. The protected marine park offers fantastic visibility and a huge variety of coral species and reef fish, perfect for both macro and wide-angle photography.
• Bali: A diverse destination, Bali offers a range of diving experiences. The USAT Liberty wreck in Tulamben is a famous shore dive, while sites like Nusa Penida are known for their strong currents and opportunities to see manta rays and the elusive mola mola (ocean sunfish).
• Derawan Islands: Located off the coast of Borneo, this hidden gem offers a stunning mix of pelagic and macro encounters. Highlights include the jellyfish lake on Kakaban Island and reliable sightings of manta rays and whale sharks.
• Banda Islands: Once the center of the global spice trade, the remote Banda Islands offer pristine, uncrowded diving. The area is known for its healthy reefs, huge schools of fish, and opportunities to see hammerhead sharks and other large pelagics.

Philippines

• Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park: This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a remote marine park accessible only by liveaboard. It boasts some of the most pristine and biodiverse reefs in the world, with huge numbers of sharks, turtles, and other pelagic species.
• Sipadan Island: Though geographically in Malaysia, Sipadan is a pinnacle in the Coral Triangle. Its steep walls, immense schools of barracuda and jackfish, and a huge population of sea turtles make it a must-visit. Due to conservation efforts, access is limited and requires a permit.
• Coron Bay: A historical diving mecca, Coron is famous for its WWII Japanese shipwrecks. Divers can explore over a dozen wrecks, which have become artificial reefs teeming with marine life.
• Malapascua: This small island is globally recognized as one of the best places to reliably see thresher sharks. Divers visit Monad Shoal to witness these graceful creatures at a cleaning station in the early morning.
• Apo Reef: The second-largest contiguous coral reef system in the world, Apo Reef is an incredible liveaboard destination. Its protected waters are home to a huge number of reef sharks, turtles, and a vibrant, healthy reef ecosystem.
• Anilao: Located in Batangas, Anilao is a premier destination for macro and "critter" diving. Its rich waters are perfect for photographers, with a huge variety of nudibranchs, frogfish, and other small, fascinating creatures.

Malaysia

• Mabul & Kapalai: Just a short boat ride from Sipadan, these islands are famous for their world-class muck diving. They offer a perfect complement to Sipadan's pelagic action, with opportunities to see frogfish, flamboyant cuttlefish, and mimic octopus.
• Layang Layang: This remote oceanic atoll in the South China Sea is a mecca for shark diving, particularly for its seasonal sightings of scalloped hammerhead sharks. The deep walls and strong currents attract large pelagic species.

Thailand

• Similan Islands: A national park in the Andaman Sea, the Similan Islands are a classic liveaboard destination. The area is known for its large granite boulders, clear water, and a high chance of spotting whale sharks and manta rays.
• Koh Tao: Often called the "PADI Open Water certification capital," Koh Tao is an excellent spot for beginners. It offers calm, shallow dive sites with vibrant reefs and a wide range of marine life, including sea turtles and reef sharks.
• Phi Phi Islands: Made famous by the movie "The Beach," these islands offer spectacular scenery both above and below the water. The diving features impressive limestone karsts, colorful soft corals, and a chance to see leopard sharks and other marine life.
• Hin Daeng & Hin Muang: These dive sites, a bit further from Koh Lanta, are famous for their stunning soft corals and opportunities to see large pelagics. They are considered two of Thailand's best deep-water sites.

Timor-Leste & Vietnam

• Atauro Island, Timor-Leste: An emerging dive destination, Atauro Island is located in the heart of the Coral Triangle and is gaining a reputation for its pristine, untouched reefs and exceptional biodiversity. It's a great spot for those looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure.

Source Pics: E. Garcia / PH / PG

References: https://blog.padi.com/best-diving-destinations-in-southeast-asia/