Where should a diver go to get the most out of their extreme tourist adventure? Let’s explore the most popular pilgrimage spots for divers, starting from the eastern coast of Southeast Asia and moving westward, following the sun. Let’s begin with Vietnam.
Diving in Vietnam
Not long ago, this distant, war-torn country was a kind of “terra incognita” for tourists. Nowadays, it is a popular destination for beach and extreme holidays on the Pacific coast. Vietnam attracts divers with the lowest diving prices in the world and unique diving spots.
Diving in Vietnam
Most coastal hotels offer diving services; however, there are a couple of places that are particularly popular: Phu Quoc and Nha Trang.
Phu Quoc (Phu Quoc)
Vietnam’s largest island, located off its southern coast and surrounded by the waters of the Gulf of Thailand. Divers from around the world flock here, especially between November and May.
The northern coast boasts coral reefs with their incredible marine flora and fauna, as well as pearl farms. Additionally, remnants of World War II shipwrecks can be found in this part of the island, which often attract increased interest among divers.
Pearl farm off the coast of Phu Quoc
World War II era shipwreck
The southern waters of the island are full of caves, grottoes, and rocky walls. Here, divers can encounter more than just colorful reef fish – rays and sharks also swim through these waters.
Nha Trang (Nha Trang)
This city in central Vietnam and its surrounding islands are known for their professional approach to organizing diving tours. Prices for completing a full initial training course and the first dives are affordable, and instructor professionalism is top-notch. The most interesting sites in this area include Hon Mun Island and a scattering of small islets around it.
Map of Nha Trang
The best underwater visibility conditions occur from February to October. Local waters are famous for their incredible biodiversity, which still attracts scientists who continue discovering fascinating new underwater species.
Underwater Son Doong cave and its unique flora and fauna
Nha Trang diving
Where you shouldn’t go for diving: Phan Thiet and Mui Ne. These locations are more suitable for kite surfers.
Diving in Thailand
Cross over to the western part of the Indochina Peninsula, and you’ll find yourself in Thailand—a recognized paradise for tourists. There’s no shortage of places for dive tours here, so let’s examine two routes: Pattaya and Phuket.
Pattaya (Pattaya)
We are again on the shores of the Gulf of Thailand. Around the globally recognized tourist hub of Pattaya, there are chains of islands perfect for diving.
Pattaya dive map
“Nearby” Islands — Ko Lan, Ko Sak, and Ko Krok are easily visible from the mainland, and getting to them takes no more than an hour. These islands boast well-developed tourist infrastructure, with an abundance of dive clubs. These spots are great for beginner and experienced divers alike.
Diving in Pattaya
Drift diving enthusiasts, in particular, will enjoy the underwater currents near Ko Lan Island, created by tidal flows.
“Far” Islands (there are quite a few) are located 18 to 25 kilometers from the city. They serve as nature reserves, protected by the country’s navy. Human traces, both on land and in the sea, are minimal. The untouched marine life makes this area particularly interesting. However, getting there on your own is unlikely—finding a suitable group for a dive safari is necessary.
Pattaya diving
Phuket (Phuket)
An island in the Indian Ocean, Phuket is a top-tier global seaside resort. Naturally, everything here is equipped for divers of all experience levels.
Racha Yai Island is an ideal place for learning the basics of scuba diving. There are no heavy waves or strong currents here. The seabed is gently sloping and sandy, complemented by various hard coral formations.
For dives at Racha Noi, significant diving experience is required due to the strong currents in this area. However, the real charm lies in the possibility of encountering a giant manta ray in these waters.
The Phi Phi Islands are the furthest away, with a sea journey taking about 3 hours. But it’s well worth the trip—here, the beauty of the underwater fauna compensates for the effort. Besides the numerous colorful coral fish, you can also spot turtles, moray eels, reef sharks, leopard sharks, and, with some luck, even a whale shark.
Bali
From the coasts of Indochina, we head south, crossing the equator to arrive at the Sunda Archipelago on the island of Bali. Diving here is possible everywhere, but the most popular dive sites are located on the northwestern and eastern coasts.
Dive sites of Bali on the map
A popular center for divers is Tulamben, known for its site that includes the wreck of the American ship Liberty, torpedoed in 1943. The wreck is home to thousands of tropical fish species.
The highest density of marine life can be found in Cemuluk, where dives can be done directly from the beach. Unique hard corals, which cannot be found anywhere else, inhabit these waters.
Mola-Mola fish near the island, a frequent encounter for divers
Off the coast of Menjangan Island, a protected area, you can enjoy excellent underwater visibility (up to 40 meters). The seabed is tiered and abundantly covered in marine vegetation. Vertical drop-offs here range from 30 to 50 meters in height. The waters are rich with various corals, mollusks, and exotic parrotfish. Nearby, the remains of the sunken ship Anker rest on the seabed.
Bali Diving
Sri Lanka
Returning to the northern hemisphere, we arrive on the island of Sri Lanka, often still referred to by its colonial name, Ceylon. Today, it is one of the most popular diving destinations. Renowned for its excellent infrastructure, it offers a variety of training courses for divers of all skill levels, with certifications that are globally recognized. Dive centers are well-equipped with modern gear and staffed by qualified professionals.
There are numerous excellent diving spots across the island, with Hikkaduwa being the main hub, though Arugam Bay, Dickwella, Kalpitiya, Weligama, and Trincomalee are also popular. Unawatuna, in particular, stands out. This small tourist village remains largely untouched by commercial overdevelopment. A large bay is protected from storms by chains of coral reefs, making it a great spot for underwater excursions.
Sri Lanka reef
Napoleon Reef is a perennial favorite among divers. The underwater life here is astonishing in its diversity, captivating even seasoned scuba enthusiasts. Clownfish, giant groupers, angel fish, pufferfish, seahorses, and starfish—naming them all is impossible.
Rangoon
For those looking for thrilling experiences, exploring the remains of sunken ships offers an intriguing option. For example, there’s the ancient British steamer Rangoon.
Goa
On the western coast of India, the waters of the Arabian Sea offer great diving opportunities with consistently warm water temperatures (averaging around 28°C). The most favorable period for diving spans from early March to October.
Admittedly, many divers mention reduced visibility in the local waters—about 8 to 12 meters—but that is perhaps the only drawback.
A unique feature of Goa’s diving sites is the abundance of sunken ships from various historical periods, ranging from ancient Spanish galleons to 20th-century military and commercial vessels. Rumors persist among divers about the many unexplored wrecks in these waters, fueling ongoing searches for treasure and ancient artifacts.
The most popular dive center in Goa is Grande Island, equipped with all the necessary infrastructure. Numerous routes here cater to both beginners and experienced divers. “Suzy’s Wreck”, featuring the remains of a sunken ship, “Sheltered Bay”, ideal for beginners with plentiful fish and turtles, and “The Floating Rock”, a challenging route frequented by experienced divers. This area is home to large rays, sharks, and the mysterious “Sailor’s Grave”, as well as the Amma-Gamma Reef, known for its stunning array of underwater flora and fauna.
Goa diving
The waters around Agatti Island enjoy a good reputation, offering diving opportunities for all skill levels. Its main advantage is excellent visibility, reaching up to 30 meters, as well as the vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life.
Mexico
We pass by the alluring waters of the Red Sea, turbulent in today’s times due to political reasons, cross the Atlantic, and reach the shores of Mexico.
Dive map of the Mexican coast
This country is a truly unique destination for lovers of extreme leisure. Not only does its location allow for dives into the waters of two great oceans, but it also offers a genuinely unique type of diving: cenote diving.
Mesoamerican Barrier Reef
Stretching along Mexico’s Atlantic coast is a massive barrier coral reef (the second-largest in the world after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia). Among this reef is the island of Cozumel—a favorite spot for divers.
barrier reef Belize
In the surrounding waters, there are over 150 officially registered dive sites, catering to every taste and level of experience.
The variety of shallow areas, sudden drop-offs into the depths, vertical walls, grottoes, and tunnels, combined with the vibrant marine life teeming in these waters, make this a dream destination for scuba enthusiasts.
For those seeking something exotic, the ocean floor here also boasts a deliberately sunken military destroyer.
Diving in Yucatán: Cenotes
A truly unique offering for thrill-seekers is cenote diving in the Yucatán Peninsula. These are massive, labyrinthine underground water reservoirs of karst origin—wells, lakes, caves, and even rivers.
cenotes
These extreme routes have only been developed relatively recently but have already gained worldwide popularity. The most famous sites are Dos Ojos and Chac Mol.
For instance, the cave system at Dos Ojos extends over 200 kilometers. The freshwater is renowned for its exceptional clarity, almost comparable to air, and at the boundary where it meets the salty seawater, one can observe an unbelievable light effect known as the halocline.
Halocline in cenotes
A halocline is the boundary between two layers of water with sharply differing salinity levels. Due to the significant difference in salt content, the water has varying density, refracting light—appearing as an underwater “mirage.” The sensation during such dives is extraordinary, as if the diver is in zero gravity in an uncharted cosmic realm.
Mexico’s “Galápagos”
Going further west, we once again encounter the boundless expanses of the Pacific Ocean. Located 250 miles off the coast of Mexico is Socorro Island.
Socorro Island
Many who have been fortunate enough to visit describe it as the best diving spot in the world. This comes as no surprise—such diversity of large marine animals is rarely found elsewhere.
Mexico Socorro Island
Tours to the island are limited by weather conditions—they are available only from November to June. However, during this time, it’s possible to see large groups of manta rays that aren’t afraid of humans and willingly accompany divers.
These waters abound with large sharks, including spotted, Galápagos, tiger, and hammerhead sharks. Dolphins frolicking in large pods often make appearances as well.
Humpback whale
But perhaps the most memorable adventure is the chance to encounter humpback whales. These magnificent creatures make a stop near these islands from February to April during their thousands-of-miles-long migrations.
