Where should a beginner dive in Asia?

[emmapet]

Hi scuba experts! I have very recently attained my PADI Open Water Diver certification with my fiance and life buddy!! We are travelling through SE Asia from August - October and are thrilled at all the amazing diving opportunities this part of the world offers. So far the trip will be taking us to Malaysia (Perhentian Island Kecil), Thailand (Krabi & Koh Tao), Cambodia, Vietnam (Nha Trang), Laos (landlocked), Philippines (Puerto Galera, Palawan) and Singapore.

Any tips, DM and/or resort suggestions, must sees, must-not sees, advice for a novice diver in the wilderness? Peaceful naturalist diving and simple wreck diving interests me. I am very "wet behind the ears" and still learning the basics, but am keen to hone my skills and see some mind blowing underwater life. We're also open to getting our Advanced certification while we're there, so suggestions on where a good spot to do that would be brilliant.

I really look forward to any suggestions and advice.

Thanks all!! Happy diving.

 

[The Drizzle]

Hello.

First of all south east asia has some great places to dive! your trip sounds amazing! I have dived extensively in Thailand and Koh Tao has some decent diving - the prices are extremely cheap and the island itself is beautiful. I doubt you will find a cheaper place to get your AOW certification. Whilst Chumphon Pinnacle and Sail Rock are a couple of great dive sites they most certainly aren't the best that thailand has to offer. If you are near Krabi its worth heading over to Koh Phi Phi or Koh Lanta and diving Hin Daeng or Hin Muang. There is a manta cleaning station there and manta rays are seen there regularly. Phi Phi is somewhat of a party island where as Lanta is more relaxed. Phi Phi has some great local diving and a king cruiser wreck which are worth checking out. Lanta has Koh Haa close by which is fantastic diving also. Whilst on Thailand if you have the time / funds i would definitely try to get over to the west coast of Thailand and get on a live aboard heading out of Koh Lak to the Similan's (it is breathtaking!)

I personally wouldn't bother diving in nha trang - Vietnam is over fished. I was new to diving and very excited about diving nha trang and found it quite expensive and overall very disappointing diving.

I am very jealous that you are going to dive the Philippines and Malaysia. I would love to dive those locations - i hope you have a whale shark encounter in the Philippines!

I dont know how far you two have travelled to get to south east asia or how flexible your plans are but it worth doing some research on a live aboard in Komodo National Park in Indonesia. Highly recommended!

No matter what from where you have said you plan to go i am positive that you will have your mind blown by the underwater environment!

 

[Scott Guidry]

emmapet -

You can download the PADI app to your phone and there is an option for "Dive Shop Locator". You can use this for finding good dive shops around the world.

I have not been toSome of the places that you have mentioned, but I have been to Singapore several times. There is really no diving there at all, due to all the shippiing traffic in the straits. Thus creating a very unpleasureable experience in the water with all the fuel and waste in the water. I suggest going to Sentosa Island for a day and enjoy the tiny beach (though small it's still a good time). Phillipines, I have been to as well and you will find the diving there much more pleasureable. Malaysia ( I went to Kotakinabalu) and the diving there was great. Cannot remember the name of the dive shop to save my life, but it was the only one in town and on the main road. Hope this helps out a bit. Enjoy your travels and dive safely!

Cheers!

 

[Chakz]

Emmapet

Not sure if you can add Indonesia to your itinerary, but if you can, the Bunaken Marine Park in Manado is a good bet.

Safe diving!

 

[kaerius]

I dont know how far you two have travelled to get to south east asia or how flexible your plans are but it worth doing some research on a live aboard in Komodo National Park in Indonesia. Highly recommended!

While I will echo your advice concerning Thailand(west coast is better, phi phi/koh lanta, but koh tao has good and above all, very easy diving, no current, lots of sand bottom between reefs, night dives can be particularly rewarding), Komodo is not a place I would recommend for beginners, due to the currents. I've met a lot of experienced divers who have called Komodo the most difficult diving they've done. So a caution is in order there.

 

[Searcaigh]

Hi emmapet,

I am sure you are aware that the NE monsoon starts around October, by then you need to be in the Philippines and away from Malaysia's east coast.

I can't comment much about Thailand as it has been almost 20 years since I last dived there but I have dived frequently off Redang Islands south of Perhentian Islands and from what I understand they have much better diving than Perhentian.

Further down is Tengol Island and that has been recommended to me from several sources.

Contrary to what has been mentioned above about Singapore, there is diving in that area at Pulau Hantu and also close by an island in Indonesia.

Puerto Galera is good, some really interesting critters around there, not been to Palawan yet but I believe the dugongs are worth diving with as are some of the wrecks.

 

[emmapet]

Thanks so much for the reminder about the monsoon. We will well and truly be in the Philippines by October - maybe even home in Australia by then. I will seek out the dugongs in Palawan. Thanks so much for your tips Searcaigh!

---------- Post added June 28th, 2013 at 04:25 PM ----------

Wow, thanks so much for that. We are definitely not at advanced diving level yet and looking to avoid tricky areas, so thanks for the heads up kaerius!!

---------- Post added June 28th, 2013 at 04:44 PM ----------

Sounds like Indo should be added to the itinerary! Manodo keeps coming on to my radar, so thanks all for those and the other location ideas. I will also look in to the PADI app for dive shops. That will help a lot, especially in the less busy/developed areas.

Thanks for the Nha Trang tip The Drizzle. I was pretty excited about Vietnam diving, but it sounds like I could focus energy and funds towards other locations in SE Asia.

All this advice is brilliant. Thanks so much. Now to hit the net and start researching/booking

 

[kathydee]

If you are heading to the Philippines then certainly spend some time on Apo Island, Check out the liberty lodge. Tulamben in Bali Indonesia also comes to mind as a perfect place for a new diver . I second Bunakan (dive with living colors, inexpensive bungalows at the indonesia partner next door Lorenzo II)

My first 100 dives were spent blissfully diving SE Asia! Enjoy!

 

[WhiteSands]

Phuket is really nice for diving, there is current at some places but its beautiful there.

Pulau Redang and Perhentian in Malaysia are pretty beginner friendly with lots of sandy bottoms, but the diving wasn't so good at Redang. But the beaches were beautiful though.

Try to avoid Tioman as the currents can be very strong sometimes.

Crystal Bay in Indonesia (Nusa Penida) should be avoided in August - September as its quite a dangerous place to dive, even for experienced divers, because of sudden down currents.

 

[Wingy]

When you are in Krabi check in with Poseiden dive centre - not PADI but (IMO) the best op in Krabi - there are other Padi shops but some often use PDCs boat. You can do the King Cruiser wreck and Phi Phi islands from there. Depending on time and weather you may also get in Hing Daeng and Hing Maung with PDC - Poseidon Dive Center Scuba Diving Ao Nang Krabi Thailand