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Best diving destinations in Asia

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Maldives
Coral atolls, lagoons and overwater villas
9.2
Spread over 34,700 square miles of ocean, 1,192 coral islands form 26 atolls. Land totals just 115 square miles and the highest natural point is 7.9 feet. Reefs host 187 coral species and whale sharks. Bleaching in 2016 killed up to 95 percent of coral around some islands.
Highlights:
  • 🌌 Watch a glowing beach at night on Vaadhoo Island
  • 🦈 Snorkel with reef sharks and manta rays at Hanifaru Bay
  • 🏝️ Stay in an overwater villa surrounded by turquoise lagoon
Similan Islands
Thailand's underwater paradise
7.1
Named from a Yawi word meaning nine, the national park actually has 11 islands. Thailand established it in 1982 in the Andaman Sea off Phang Nga Province. The park covers about 54 square miles with only 10 of land. It closes every year from 16 May to 15 October.
Highlights:
  • 🌄 Climb Sail Rock for panoramic island views
  • 🏖️ Relax on the white sand of Donald Duck Bay
  • 🤿 Dive among colorful coral reefs and tropical fish
Sipadan
Crystal reefs and untouched tropical paradise
9.3
Living corals built Malaysia's only oceanic island atop an extinct volcanic cone that rises about 1,970 feet from the seabed. Sabah Parks limits daily dive permits. Green and hawksbill turtles nest there and an underwater cave holds turtle skeletons. Resorts closed in 2004 when the marine park was declared.
Highlights:
  • 🌱 Explore Tuan Rimba mangrove trails on foot
  • 🐢 Snorkel with turtles near Banggi Island
  • 🤿 Dive the crystal reefs at Sipadan's Blue Hole
Raja Ampat
Vibrant coral reefs and lush tropical islands
8.9
A marine recreation park covering four marine areas was designated here in 2009. Scientists have recorded 537 coral species, about 75 percent of the world's known total. The archipelago lies off the northwest tip of New Guinea. Researchers call it the global epicentre of tropical marine biodiversity.
Highlights:
  • 🌋 Explore Tofua volcano crater for panoramic sea views
  • 🚤 Kayak through crystal lagoons surrounding the hidden islands
  • 🐠 Snorkel at Manta Point, witness majestic manta rays
Indonesia
Volcanoes, temples, rice terraces and coral reefs
8.5
About 130 active volcanoes mark an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands on the Ring of Fire. Its reefs form part of the Coral Triangle, which holds more than 76 percent of the world's reef-building coral species. Pollution and destructive fishing have reduced coral diversity on some reefs. Coastline totals 33,999 miles.
Highlights:
  • 🐠 Snorkel with manta rays around Nusa Penida
  • 🏄‍♀️ Relax on Bali’s white-sand beaches and surf perfect waves
  • 🌋 Watch the sunrise over Mount Bromo’s smoking crater
Palawan
Paradise of Lagoons and Limestone Cliffs
8.2
Tubbataha Reefs dive trips run from mid-March to mid-June when seas are calmest. Visibility reaches about 100 to 148 feet. Access is by liveaboard only, about ten hours from Puerto Princesa. At Coron, Japanese ships bombed on 24 September 1944 now rest at 33 to 131 feet.
Highlights:
  • 🏝️ Go island hopping around the turquoise waters of Coron Bay
  • 🛶 Explore the Puerto Princesa Underground River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • ⛵ Sail through the limestone cliffs and lagoons of El Nido
Philippines
7,641 islands of tropical wonder
6.5
A 22,549 mile coastline, fifth longest in the world, wraps about 7,641 islands. Philippine waters hold over 3,200 fish species and 121 are endemic. The country is an important part of the Coral Triangle. Typhoon season runs mostly from July to October, so plan dives outside it.
Highlights:
  • 🛶 Cruise the emerald lagoons of El Nido, Palawan
  • 🦈 Dive with whale sharks in Oslob, Cebu
  • 🏖️ Relax on the powdery white sands of Boracay
Komodo National Park
Dragons, Pristine Reefs and Wild Beauty
7.3
Currents in the Sape Strait are among the strongest in the world. They feed manta rays, whale sharks and eagle rays. Well-known sites include Manta Alley, Crystal Rock, Castle Rock, Batu Bolong and Yellow Wall. Marine waters cover 60 percent of the 669 square mile park. Hire experienced guides.
Highlights:
  • 🤿 Snorkel with graceful manta rays at Manta Point
  • ⛰️ Hike to Padar Island’s summit for breathtaking views
  • 🦎 See Komodo dragons in their natural habitat on Komodo Island
Borneo
Wild rainforests meet unique wildlife
7.9
Kakaban's lake in the Derawan Islands holds millions of stingless jellyfish. The archipelago has 31 islands off East Kalimantan and hosts Indonesia's largest green turtle nesting site. Borneo is the world's third-largest island and Indonesia holds about 73 percent of it. Divers reach the islands through East Kalimantan.
Highlights:
  • 🦇 Explore unique limestone caves in Gunung Mulu National Park
  • 🦧 See orangutans up close at Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary
  • 🏔️ Climb Mount Kinabalu for unforgettable summit views
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