WHEN to dive WHERE in SEA?

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Wow never heard of this place....it looks like a mini Maldives!! It's not cheap by any stretch....but it does look stunning.
What is the diving like??

Never been there either. Like to know from those who have been there.
 
If it's "Coral Triangle" then Thailand and Vietnam should be deleted and the Solomons added. Why not just delete the damn title and include whatever you want. :)

I agree. Let's not get hung up on the title of the thing.

Let's put whatever countries this board has expertise on. I'm more than happy to add back Japan, Taiwan, and Korea, along with Solomons, E. Timor, and PNG if the contributors feel they have expertise on the diving conditions in those areas. Or they can add them.

- Bill
 
Why not just delete the damn title and include whatever you want. :)

I like that idea. I didn't deleted the message per se, but slightly edited it, and am waiting for a better title suggestion if you have one ^^

Similarly even though Japan fits none of the proposed cut offs I wish it could have stayed, just bc I would love an informed, accessible reference for diving conditions in different areas there. :wink:

OK, since it looks like there is some interest in the area, I've added it back. There is quite some information on diving in Japan here, and I have added a message in that thread inviting people there to come participate here. Let's see where that brings us.
 
I like that idea. I didn't deleted the message per se, but slightly edited it, and am waiting for a better title suggestion if you have one ^^

OK, since it looks like there is some interest in the area, I've added it back. There is quite some information on diving in Japan here, and I have added a message in that thread inviting people there to come participate here. Let's see where that brings us.

One suggestion, we can call it "where to dive in SE Asia ++", where to dive in "ASEAN +", or where to dive in the "extended coral triangle". I would not get hung up on geopolitical or regional issues. For example, I work with an ASEAN hazards NGO that has ASEAN governmental support. Japan, China, and a few western countries are closely involved, but we we still use ASEAN for the description. For all we know, if we expand to Japan and the Solomon's, we might further expand to French Polyensia. When I come up for air, I will carefully look over the spreadsheet. Great effort to all.
 
OK, since it looks like there is some interest in the area, I've added it back. There is quite some information on diving in Japan here, and I have added a message in that thread inviting people there to come participate here. Let's see where that brings us.

Great link Melanie - thank you. Hopefully some folks with first hand expertise with participate.

In terms of diving seasons, I found this which gives a peak season months.

Scuba Diving in Japan
The peak season for diving begins at the end of the rainy season in mid-July and runs until early to mid-September when the hot weather ends.
The off season runs from December through March and April.
The Kuroshio Current also flows northward on the Pacific side of Japan and warms the seas as far north as Tokyo, usually around May.
 
Japan is a very large country when it comes to diving as it is chain of islands that runs North-South. So we have ice diving in the north and subtropical areas in the south.
Okinawa is the southern most prefecture and stretches from the main island of Okinawa to Yonaguni in the southwest.
Okinawa diving is year round with the different seasons bringing different critters.
Jan-Mar is humpback whale season in the main island and Kerama islands with the giants of the sea coming in for calving and mating. This allows for numerous sightings and even chances to snorkel with these guys. (Water temp 20-22C)
Also in Jan - April we have the schooling hammerheads in Yonaguni- huge schools come visit this tiny islands that is actually closer to Taiwan than any place in Japan (Water temp 24-26C)
Starting in April water temps will rise to 29-31C by June and diving in Okinawa concentrates on colorful reefs and crystal clear water with lots of variety of sea life.
The main islands of Okinawa are: Okinawa, Miyako, Ishigaki,Iriomote, and Yonaguni
There are also numerous smaller islands with great diving: the Kerama Island group, Tonaki, Kume, Aguni, Ie, Iheya, Hateruma, and the numerous small islands around Ishigaki/Iriomote area.
As you travel north of Okinawa Yoron and Amami island both have outstanding diving year round.
 
I am a bit confused with the diving seasons in Japan. From what I read, it seems that summer is the peak season for travelling to Japan, but it is also typhoon season (especially Aug.-Sep.). How would that impact diving?
 
NEW PAGE ON THE SPREADSHEET

I added a second page on the spreadsheet, hoping that the experts will chime in as they did so wonderfully on the first page.

SEA (and more) Dive Calendar

Now I'm trying to get AN OVERVIEW (not a complete picture!) of what kinds of dives are found at the various areas. I structured columns for Reefs, Walls, Muck, Macro Muck, Pinnacles, Mantas common, and a few other things guaranteed to create differences of opinion :swordfight:


I filled in a few cells that I have experience with -- a strikingly small number! -- and I invite those with more experience to add, change, change the structure or approach, or simply tell me it's a stupid idea, stop making trouble, and spend more time on FaceBook instead :coke:


Thanks in advance. Hope it's helpful.

- Bill
 
Banda Sea I would change as I found plenty of muck around - I may be wrong but I would think most LOBs visit Ambon and Banda Neira where you will find muck diving.
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/swift/

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