Best Destinations to Discover Asia's Underwater World

Several seas and oceans border the Asian continent, and as a result, Asia offers a wide range of diving destinations. Rich and highly diverse, its coral reefs are true havens for countless colorful marine species ? a real feast for the eyes. Apart from the diving spot of Koh Tao in Thailand, here are two diving destinations that should not be missed during a trip to Asia for those wanting to discover its underwater wealth and beauty.

The Atolls of the Maldives

The Maldives are often considered the ultimate diving destination ? and for good reason. Ranked among the most beautiful destinations in the world, the Maldives, with its countless atolls, has everything to offer travelers who venture there, especially when it comes to exploring its seabed. Each of the 26 atolls features magnificent diving spots. In the Maldives, manta rays are the undisputed stars of the underwater world. Emblems of the archipelago, they are easily encountered during a dive in the Ari Atoll, located in the westernmost part of the Maldives, between January and April ? and in Vaavu as well as North and South Malé from May to December. A tip for spotting them: follow the movements of migratory fish that feed on plankton, their primary food source. The Ari Atoll is also renowned as a prime site for shark watching, where you can encounter grey sharks, whale sharks and hammerhead sharks. The latter travel in schools and can be spotted during early morning dives around the Rasdhoo Atoll.

The Oceanic Island of Sipadan, Malaysia

Located in East Malaysia, Sipadan is a small island off the coast of Borneo, close to the Indonesian border. It is one of the most acclaimed diving spots on the Asian continent. It is easily accessible via Tawau Airport, which offers direct connections to the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur. Once in Tawau, travelers can reach Sipadan by boat to enjoy the sun, white sandy beaches, and above all the turquoise, crystal-clear waters. The seabed is renowned for the richness of its fauna ? hundreds of fish species have been recorded ? as well as for its magnificent corals. During a dive at Sipadan, you may encounter: a spiraling tornado formed by thousands of barracudas, numerous sea turtles, schools of giant bumphead parrotfish, and an underwater cave housing a turtle graveyard. One of the unique features of this Malaysian diving destination is that just 30 m from the beach, you can already observe impressive drop-offs where the seafloor plunges from 2 m to 600 m deep.

Scuba diving sessions are an opportunity to treat yourself to a luxury holiday experience. An extraordinary activity, it gives travelers the chance to discover and connect with marine life. Whether in the Maldives or Malaysia, various diving centers as well as luxury hotels offer courses and diving sessions to adventurous visitors. So grab your masks, wetsuits and fins!