For those of you who are looking for really special and exciting diving, you can be sure that you will find it here in Southeast Asia. Southeast Asia or sometimes the Far East basically has everything. Unfortunately, however, it is rarely or almost never in the same place. Here you can find everything from beautiful romantic white beaches and golden sunsets, to different culture, fantastic food, colorful history, friendly smiling people, great shopping and beautiful nature. Above all, you will find diving in absolute top class in some of the countries here.
In Indonesia and Filippi Erna you will find thousands of islands. Both countries are large island kingdoms with over 16.000 and 7.600 islands respectively to experience. Some places are easy to combine with each other during your diving holiday. Others may be more difficult but anything is possible if you have the time.
Indonesia is a large country and with its over 16 islands, so it is not surprising that the country can offer perhaps the best diving in the world. The marine life is both spectacular and extremely varied. Here you can dive and make daily trips to vibrant reefs and exciting wrecks around Bali. You can dive from a luxury live board in the Banda Sea or be at a nice resort in Raja Ampat. Why not visit one of the world's absolute best diving resorts – Wakatobi? or a visit to the island of dragons - Komodo.
Timor is part of a small island and a country of its own. Here you will find fantastic reefs with lots of fish. Migrating whales are also common here. A fairly new destination for diving trips.
Indonesia:
Indonesia has a lot of great diving to offer. Some of the most talked about and famous places are; Bali, Komodo, the Moluccas with Ambon and Halmahera and Sulawesi. They are all real top destinations. However, there is more here, for example; Alor, Borneo, West Papua, Lombok and Sumbawa. But there are more places.
Philippines:
Why not plan so-called "island hopping". It is a very popular and popular travel option in the Philippines.
In the Philippines you will find several very good destinations for diving.
Anilao and Puerto Galera which are further north. Cebu, Cabilao Island, Moalboal, Coron, Bohol, Leyte, Romblon, Malapascua and Anda are all located in the more central parts. A little further south in the Philippines you will find diving paradises such as Dumaguete (Dauin), Cagayancillo and Sipalay.
Here is also the fantastic Tubbataha reef located in the middle of the Sulu Sea. The reef is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and it can only be accessed by liveaboard for a few months a year.
Timor
For those looking for something extra exciting and a bit odd but with species-rich waters and a chance to see whales, East Timor is an exciting destination. We recommend that you have some travel experience to go here. A nice mix of big and small in almost pristine waters.
When is the best season
The season for diving in Southeast Asia is year round. You generally get the best diving during the period from October to June. Then it is not as hot and humid as it is during the summer. However, this varies depending on which part or parts of this region you visit. Bali, Lombok, Komodo and Alor for example have the best diving and the most stable weather in April to early December.
In these countries you will experience beautiful corals, dolphins, colorful and strange fish, turtles, octopuses and strange invertebrates. You can meet several different species of sharks. Including the magical whale shark, the world's largest fish. Marine life is rich and displays a diversity that you won't find anywhere else in the world.
On your trip to one of these countries, you have the option of staying on land in a hotel or resort, You can also choose a liveaboard. You also have the option of making combinations. Both the Philippines and Indonesia have something for everyone. Both countries are wonderful to travel around in. Both countries offer fantastic diving and are normally ranked as the world's best and second best countries for diving travel.
