What is your Fav Diving in Asia? I need Ideas

[candy jade]

:05: I would love to know some of your favorite places to dive? I was Planning to go to Thailand first then Vietnam. At this point I'm open to anywhere just want the best diving. Going for a month in Feb next year. I hear Maylaysia is good. Thanks Guys
xxx Candy

 

[Kevrumbo]

Wow, if I had a month's paid vacation in SE Asia:
http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=1817763&postcount=5
http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=1579585&postcount=12

 

[Ringo]

February is a great time to dive at The Similan and Surin Islands, southern islands Hin Daeng/Hin Muang in Thailand. To dive these sites the best way is via a Liveaboard cruise, although there are also daytrips to Hin Daeng/Hin Muang.

 

[Batfish]

February is one of the best months for the west coast of Thailand and also for the Mergui Archipelago. There are enough dive sites to keep you busy for a month if you have enough money

You've got the Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock, Surin Islands, the Mergui Archipelago (Myanmar), Hin Daeng, Hin Muang, Phi Phi, all the local Phuket sites (Shark Point, Racha Islands, King Cruiser Wreck, Anemone Reef, Koh Doc Mai) and more.......

Thailand Dive Sites

Mergui Archipelago Dive Sites

Malaysia - well, the No.1 attraction is Sipadan of course. February is not the best month there, the weather can be unsettled and visibility is not the best, but nevertheless the resorts are quite busy and the diving is still great. At Mabul you also have excellent muck diving (looking for strange critters).

Sipadan Dive Sites

Mabul Dive Sites

Further afield, but still in Asia, you have Raja Ampat. Becoming more popular, but not so easy to get to and rather devoid of rampant tourism. Raja Ampat is just to the east of North Sulawesi, part of West Papua, Indonesia, formerly called Irian Jaya. Not been myself, but people say it is an amazing area to dive and explore.

Raja Ampat Dive Sites

There's some food for thought..

 

[jiveturkey]

I love Thailand but my favorite is Malaysia. Sipadan is excellent and you can do very well on peninsular malaysia as well. Both Redang and the perhentians are very good and really cheap. If you are travelling just to dive, you'd be better off staying in T-land or malaysia. Vietnam is a fascinating place to travel to but the diving alone doesn't warrant a trip IMO.

 

[alanw]

S/E Asia is a great diving destination. I have been going there every year for the past 7 years. Just returned last week from Manado - North Sulawesi ( my 3rd time there). Dived Bunaken national park. Great walls. Then spent a few days in Lembeh Straits - Kangkangan Bay Resort- for some excellent muck diving. Last year I went to Sangalaki off the east coast of Indonesian Borneo. Great diving, but poorly managed resort.

Of coarse Sipidan and Kapali are also up there with the best. My best however is Layang Layang, about 400km N/W of Borneo in the South China Sea. Excellent visability due to it's remote location, and great for seeing the big stuff. Never seen so many Hammerheads in my life.

I am not done with the region yet. Would still like to do Rajah Empat and Komodo. If you are passing through Bali, the diving there is also worth while, but not just for diving, as there is a lot more to see and do there.

Another supurb dive destination is Wakatobi off the s/e coast of Sulawesi. Remote island with pristine reefs ( best soft coral I have ever seen!). Only one operator there and the resort is 5*. You could combine this with a trip to Bali or Komodo.

So many places, so little time!

 

[Santa]

S/E Asia is a great diving destination. QUOTE]

I second Alan. I did all my courses at Bunaken and some 80-odd dives in that area alone without ever once loosing the rapture. Living is cheap, basic and unspoiled, diving relaxed and absolutely world class. Perfect. The shop guys I work with swear by Komodo as well and I'm dying to go.

SOUTH-EAST A-SI-A!
SOUTH-EAST A-SI-A!!
SOUTH-EAST A-SI-A!!!

...err..sorry

 

[Bubble Junky]

Check out Bali and the Gilis in Indonesia too

 

[candy jade]

:sappy: :sappy: Thanks everyone.
Being from Aussie would not go to Bali. We lot a lot of poeple over there to bombs and coming from coogee knew afew. There are so mony other places to go. I'll go look up Bunaken. Borneo has always intrested me. Did you do the Ape thing . Oranatung. Love to see fish and apes, that would be great.
Malaysia Gets good votes every where.
I am looking into all and thank you all so much.