Hello, my buddy and I love diving in sites with little current and plenty of diverse and colourful marine life. Examples of places we would keep going back to are the Red Sea and Cozumel. I would like to know where in Asia - or anywhere in the world for that matter (as we are willing to travel!) - you would recommend for divers like us. We have heard so much about awesome diving in Bali, Komodo, etc in Indonesia but the strong currents is a big no-no for us. What about Raja Ampat, Sipidan, and places in the philippines? Would love to have your recommendations! Thank you in advance.
Easy but awesome diving in Asia?
- Thread starter ange2014
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Current makes the coral reefs lively and also bringing in pelagic to hunt for food. Soft corals need mild current to bring in food. While the big sea fans thrive on stronger current.
Diver and current has love and hate relationship.
Diver and current has love and hate relationship.
For easy awesome diving you’ll struggle to find better than Dauin (south of Dumaguete) in the Philippines. I’ve gone back to Liquid Dumaguete, a very nice family-run dive resort, but there are others too, with varying degrees of luxury. Most of the diving is easy-access shore diving with a mixture of muck and coral sites. Apo Island is a boatride away, with beautiful walls and reefs (and some sites sometimes with currents).
A good introduction for scuba diving in Philippines is Anilao + Puerto Galera.
Manado(Northern Sulawesi) in Indonesia is also exceedingly good, there are three areas to choose from and they are quite close to each other. Entry through Singapore which is a big plus.
Manado(Northern Sulawesi) in Indonesia is also exceedingly good, there are three areas to choose from and they are quite close to each other. Entry through Singapore which is a big plus.
You can find macro stuff at no current sites like those suggested (Anilio, Dauin etc). But to see the big stuff like Mantas, Sharks etc they are drawn to current. Hence locations like Komodo and Raja Ampat the best sites often have strong currents. You can manage strong currents as long as you are not kicking against them. It take some practice and experience but you learn.
We went to Puerta Gallera in the Phillipines last summer, and liked it so much we are going again in summer 2026. The summer months are best because there are smaller crowds, (and the prices go down) the water is warmer and the seas are flat. The resorts offer up to 5 dives a day; each dive is separate, that is, the boat does the dive, returns to shore, does the 2nd dive, returns to shore, etc. for all 5 dives. If you want to skip a dive go ahead; sleep in one day and miss the 8am dive but do the 10am dive,, etc. It is great. The diving is exceptional, TONS of different corals and TONS of fish. Most dives 50-60 ft. The most know resort is Atlantis, but I would not use it - it is too expensive compared to El Galleon Dive Resort which is next door. You see both their boats on the water right next to eachother, so they do the exact same dive sites. Despite El Galleon being less expensive the rooms are fine, the food excellent, the staff friendly, the diving exactly the same. No reason to pay more. Check out both their websites, but I'm telling you, IMO it makes no sense to pay more for Atlantis. The prices on their website are often negotiable; especially if you book with them directly (no travel agent fees) and if you're willing to wire-transfer them a deposit and only pay the balance with a credit card when you checkout. Send them an email to arrange your stay, I wouldn't book it directly from the website. Also, there is a nearby town via a 5 minute walk. Perfect for choosing dozens of restaurants if you want something different from the resort, lots of shops, supermarkets (to fill up the mini fridge with snacks and beverages) etc.
Puerta Gallera is about a 3 hour drive from the Manila airport. The resorts can offer you a van to take you to and from. You pay for the van, and it holds 5-6 people. So if you're traveling with a group you can all split the cost of the van. If you're traveling alone the van is expensive, but the resort can give you recommendations for public transportation that would cost an individual a lot less.
I strongly recommend it!
Puerta Gallera is about a 3 hour drive from the Manila airport. The resorts can offer you a van to take you to and from. You pay for the van, and it holds 5-6 people. So if you're traveling with a group you can all split the cost of the van. If you're traveling alone the van is expensive, but the resort can give you recommendations for public transportation that would cost an individual a lot less.
I strongly recommend it!
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