Banda Islands, Indonesia

Located 180 km southeast of Ambon and surrounded by the deep Banda Sea, these islands of Molucca region are known for its reefs and untouched marine life. With atleast 30 diving sites, this destination is popular among professional divers. Interesting topography of the spectacular archway in Hatta Island or the anomaly regrowth of hard corals on the lava flow will make your dive memorable. Get ready to encounter hammerhead sharks, dogtooth tunas and mobula rays here.

Tubbataha Reef, Philippines

Located in the middle of the Sulu Sea, you'll need to do a liveaboard to get there, making it one of the least crowded diving spots in the Philippines. You will be amazed with a topography of caves, crevices, and overhangs that create a wild and dramatic underwater landscape. Declared as World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1993, one can spot sharks, hawksbill, green turtles and small reef fish congregating here. March to early June are the best months to explore Tubbataha Reef.
 

Malapascua, Philippines

Malapascua is famous for the almost certain chance to spot the thresher shark in their natural habitat. Infact these resident thresher sharks boosted the island to fame. Apart from these species, you can explore vibrant healthy reefs and discover an array of intriguing critters. Macro diving is pretty popular here too and one can sight seahorses, cuttlefish, pipefish and others on the seabed.

 Ambon Island, Indonesia

Situated in the Moluccas, the legendary Indonesian Spice Islands, Ambon Island is known as one of the world’s premier muck diving destinations. Home to some iconic species like the vividly coloured rhinopias scorpion fish, nudibranch, mimic and blue ring octopus, harlequin and marble shrimp, bamboo sharks, and bobtail squid. Known to be photographer’s paradise, divers eagerly capture these beautiful marine creature in their camera. Divers can explore the wreck of an enormous cargo ship – SS Duke of Sparta.
Suggested Read : Unique Adventures in Asia

                                                                                                             Photo: Ben Beskie

Sipadan Island, Malaysia

Known to be a marine paradise, this diving site is renowned among divers for its rich underwater biodiversity, pristine reefs and sudden drop offs into the deep blue. One can witness a hypnotic barracuda vortex and swim inside a huge school of whirling jackfish, angelfish, triggerfish, morays and gobies. The lush forests and white sand beaches rest on top of a prehistoric volcano rising 600 meters from the seafloor that makes this site unique. 
 

Layang Layang, Malaysia

Known for its scalloped hammerhead sharks, scuba divers folk together to this destination for spotting these marine species. Layang Layang is an atoll of 13 linked coral reefs with calm shallow lagoon on one side and a deep drop-off into the open ocean on the other. Apart from the famed hammerhead sharks, one can also spot manta rays, thresher sharks, whale sharks, melon headed whales and orcas here.


                                                                                                            Photo: Ruklay

Similan Islands, Thailand

Located of the west coast of Thailand, through the years Similan diving safaris has become one of the main activities on this island. Extravagant marine life and pristine underwater landscape attracts divers from around the world to this exotic location. With great underwater visibility one can sight marine wildlife like whale sharks, manta rays, sharks and millions of colourful tropical fish. Late October to early May happens to be the best diving season here. 
Suggested read : 10 things to do in Thailand
 

Mergui Archipelago, Myanmar

Mergui Archipelago’s underwater world is an uncharted territory. Scuba enthusiast liveaboard to this destination seeking complete solitude and explore this undiscovered dive sites. With over 800 ruggedly forested islands, surrounded by white sand beaches, sailing the Mergui would result in exploring a number of underwater caves. You may encounter some indigenous species like whale sharks, manta rays, grey reef sharks, white-tip reef sharks, tawny nurse sharks, octopus, squid and cuttlefish; along with seahorses, moray eels, snappers, thorny boxfish and wentil wrap snails. 
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