Where is the best solo shore diving on the planet?

[Searcaigh]

For me it has been the Saudi coast of the Red Sea.

The majority of my 700+ dives there were shore dives, and access was easy, but that was back in the 90s and 2000s.

 

[slim4412]

Marsa Shargra in Egypt. It's 1 of 3 sites run by Red Sea Diving Safari
It's a small diving village. Unlimited diving and the allow solo dives during the day. The reefs are amazing and really looked after.
I've done a handful of solo dives on the reefs there as I've just certified but looking to go again this year!

 

[34109411]

So just curious why you'd come here and ask us what we do or think?

 

[splash8]

I would argue based on his criteria a car would not be required. Could spend a month out by West Punt, followed by a month close to town, and a month down east. Then he could get away with a bike.

Allwest is a phenomenal deal...not sure policy on solo diving; truck rental plus oceanfront accommodations...have searched bonaire & other curacao locations & haven't found anything close

 

[splash8]

I go solodiving in Indonesia next week, so after that I can tell you my experiences. But at least the hotel+unlimited diving is not that expensive.

In Malta you also can do easy solodiving, but need a car. And on Malta itself the traffic is horrible. On Gozo it is better. Zeeland in the Netherlands is also a good place to do solodiving. But it can also be done in France in the caves in the Lot area or Jura, no problems there.

Where in Indonesia is awesome shore diving?? I've always heard live aboard but LOVE shore diving and it's cheaper!

 

[Germie]

Where in Indonesia is awesome shore diving?? I've always heard live aboard but LOVE shore diving and it's cheaper!

Bali

 

[Paul Desmarais]

1. Where is the best solo shore diving on the planet?

2. Where is the best solo BUDGET shore diving on the planet?

Bonaire is probably tops. The friction point being that it's priced according to western standards. Example, renting a vehicle there (a truck probably as the car rental places I've seen on-line prominently display "not for diving") is easily ballpark $2,000 a month. Just a scooter, monthly, is $400. Rent another grand or more. So on and so forth.

I believe Indonesia and the Philippines have laws against solo diving. I know that people do rent tanks in Amed, Bali, Indonesia, and do solo dives, but I'd like to stay within the legal framework.

Thailand. This is the only place I can think of. I believe it does allow solo diving, the caveat being that of having one's own gear (I do), and simply renting tanks as needed simplifies the matter. Kata Reef in Phuket is an easy, quality, shore dive. Koh Tao of course.

We all have our preferences for doing the things we do. I'm a bachelor and I love doing me, solo and free. Just want a nice inexpensive place to step out when the mood strikes, blow some bubbles in a beautiful, safe-ish environment, and carry on with the rest of my day. Not really interested in what the world at large does, or thinks. May pick up a solo diver qualification at some point if I can see it providing some value somewhere. Am leaning towards Koh Tao at the moment...

There are places in Egypt (Marsa Shagra, Marse Nekkari, Sharm El Naga, Taba, and Wadi Lahmi) that allow solo diving from shore with cert.