Hi, I've had a trawl of the forum for the answer to this question but struggling to choose a location from all the brilliant and detailed information on here. I'd really appreciate some advise on where to dive in South East Asia.
I'm part of a group of friends going to Sarawak, SE Asia for our medical elective in August and September. We are 2 divers (1 novice PADI OW, 1 more experienced PADI AOW) and 2 non-divers (looking to do their PADI OW out there, possibly 2 other non-divers coming who would like to snorkel).
We'd like to get in 3-4 days of diving at the start of September, looking to do rescue diver, AOW, and OW courses whilst there. The OW qualified member the group would like to stay on to dive for another 3-4 days.
We were thinking of Mabul/Sipadan area, but the UK government advises against all but essential travel at the moment which means we'd rather find somewhere else to go, also our travel insurance won't cover us for going to an area against the government's advise. Which is very disappointing so we're now on the hunt for somewhere else.
We've got quite a wish list; we're looking for somewhere accessible from Kuching/KK or KL on a budget flight (or 2), somewhere with a decent instructors to give confidence to the new divers, and to give all of us good training. The diving the divers are after isn't anything too specific, it just needs to be spectactular! Beyond wanting good vis and breath taking marine life, ideally including turtles and the more variety the better. Maybe some more challenging dives for the more experienced diver.
Above the water we're not too fussed about a party scene, and would prefer a tranquil beach with a friendly dive community up for a couple of drinks in the evening. Budget accommodation (just needs to be clean, dorms would be fine, we're not planning on being in there much apart from to sleep), so probably land based dives.
Wherever we go needs to be safe for a lone traveller, the guy staying on, (we know safety on the streets of London is probably worse than many of the places in SE Asia but it needs to feel safe with a friendly community of divers around). He'd be happy to jump on a boat to another place for the extra days or stay on.
People on here have mentioned a lot of places including but not limited to; Komodo, Lembongan, Tulamben, Tubbataha, Raja Ampat, Similan, Derawan, Mergui and the Gilis to name a few and too be honest we're in need of some advise both on where to go and if there are any recommendations for a lodge and drive company/school that's be great. We're all renting equipment.
Please help us! (and thank you in advance
I'm part of a group of friends going to Sarawak, SE Asia for our medical elective in August and September. We are 2 divers (1 novice PADI OW, 1 more experienced PADI AOW) and 2 non-divers (looking to do their PADI OW out there, possibly 2 other non-divers coming who would like to snorkel).
We'd like to get in 3-4 days of diving at the start of September, looking to do rescue diver, AOW, and OW courses whilst there. The OW qualified member the group would like to stay on to dive for another 3-4 days.
We were thinking of Mabul/Sipadan area, but the UK government advises against all but essential travel at the moment which means we'd rather find somewhere else to go, also our travel insurance won't cover us for going to an area against the government's advise. Which is very disappointing so we're now on the hunt for somewhere else.
We've got quite a wish list; we're looking for somewhere accessible from Kuching/KK or KL on a budget flight (or 2), somewhere with a decent instructors to give confidence to the new divers, and to give all of us good training. The diving the divers are after isn't anything too specific, it just needs to be spectactular! Beyond wanting good vis and breath taking marine life, ideally including turtles and the more variety the better. Maybe some more challenging dives for the more experienced diver.
Above the water we're not too fussed about a party scene, and would prefer a tranquil beach with a friendly dive community up for a couple of drinks in the evening. Budget accommodation (just needs to be clean, dorms would be fine, we're not planning on being in there much apart from to sleep), so probably land based dives.
Wherever we go needs to be safe for a lone traveller, the guy staying on, (we know safety on the streets of London is probably worse than many of the places in SE Asia but it needs to feel safe with a friendly community of divers around). He'd be happy to jump on a boat to another place for the extra days or stay on.
People on here have mentioned a lot of places including but not limited to; Komodo, Lembongan, Tulamben, Tubbataha, Raja Ampat, Similan, Derawan, Mergui and the Gilis to name a few and too be honest we're in need of some advise both on where to go and if there are any recommendations for a lodge and drive company/school that's be great. We're all renting equipment.
Please help us! (and thank you in advance
