1. Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced diver, Raja Ampat is without a doubt one of the top diving locations in the world.
One of the world's richest marine diversity can be found in Raja Ampat. Stingrays, mime octopus, phantom pipe fish, and orangutan crabs are just a few of the creatures you can find there.
Raja Ampat also features a large diversity of corals, with more than 500 species. Cape Kri, Mioskun Island, Koh Island, Fam Islands, and Wayag Islands are some of the islands and the most well-known diving locations.
The record of marine species spotted in a single dive is kept at Cape Kri, one of the most significant dive locations. Gerald R. Allen observed 283 species while doing so.
Other dive spots include Blue Magic, which has a rich marine diversity, and the islet Batu Lima, which is near to Biodiversity Resort.
2. Komodo National Park, Indonesia
Indonesia's Komodo National Park is a well-known natural preserve. There are numerous diving shops scattered all around the Komodo region.
You can dive more effectively in the nearby smaller islands thanks to these dive shops. Visitors to this location will be able to take in breathtaking views from both above and below the ocean.
There are roughly fifty dive sites in Komodo that will allow you to have a special encounter with marine life.
Additionally, you will get to see the well-known Komodo dragons. Like the majority of tourists, you can choose to stay at the Labuan Bajo dive center or the dive shop in Flores.
You'll have easier access to dive sites if you do this. One more of our top 7 diving locations is Komodo.
3. Barracuda Point, Sipadan Island, Malaysia
In the Coral Triangle, which includes Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, the Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste, the location is situated. It is a region where 76% of the world's coral species are found.
The sea and coral reefs surrounding Sipadan presently make up a total of 16,846 hectares of a park. Sharks cruise along on a coral wall while barracudas encircle you. Here, you may expect to see a lot of large things.
An underwater meadow with white tips, turtles, grouper, jacks, bumphead parrotfish, and of course the barracuda that gives it its name is occasionally blasted by powerful currents.
4. Richelieu Rock, Thailand
The Surin Islands, which are 60 kilometers from the mainland, have some of Thailand's best diving. Richelieu Rock is the most well-known diving location in the Surin archipelago. With good reason—it is a top-notch dive location. The rock is located 80 kilometers northwest of Khao Lak and 10 kilometers from the closest island. From 30 meters below the surface, a pinnacle rises. The dive is stunning.
A sanctuary for many odd little organisms like sea horses, frogfish, harlequin shrimp, ghost pipefish, and nudibranchs, it is covered in vibrant soft corals. The reef is visited by whale sharks, manta rays, tuna, and giant barracuda due to its secluded location, thus it offers more than just the thrill of seeing one of them.
5. Tubbataha, Palawan, Phillippines
Tubbataha Reef Marine Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is located in the Sulu Sea. There are numerous marine species there. The location has two coral atolls, a virgin coral reef with parallel walls, and large lagoons. From March through June, liveaboards are used to travel there (the nearest inhabited islands are 128 km away). The sea is between 25 and 27 C. Strong currents are possible.
The Philippines features some of the best diving in the world. According to marine biologists, the waters around the Philippine Islands serve as a significant nursery for marine life.
There are numerous pelagic fish, including tunas, schools of jacks, barracudas, whale sharks, reef sharks, hammerheads, and grey reefs. The reef, turtles, and manta and eagle rays are all incredibly colorful.
6. Apo Reef, Philippines
Apo Reef is located 26 nautical miles off the western coast of Mindoro. This 27,469-hectare toll, which is a part of the National Integrated Protected Area system, is referred to as a "mini-Tubbataha." large or apo-mayor A beautiful reef of hard corals surrounding Apo is teeming with surgeonfish, anthias, fusiliers, and other Technicolor reef species.
Divers descend the precarious walls on the island's northeastern side in search of the elusive hammerhead sharks. Manta rays and schools of bumphead parrotfish are among the main inhabitants of Apo-Menor.
7. Similans, Thailand
Similans reminded me of the first time I saw the Grand Canyon. calm white sand beaches with emerald-colored sea with a 60-meter visibility. The primary factors that make this a top diving location are the abundance of soft corals, sea fans, and fish. Seasonal pelagics inhabit this area. Manta and whale shark sightings are quite rare, despite the fact that there have been many of them. The plankton bloom in March and April offers the best opportunity of spotting them.
Snorkeling in the Similans is unmatched for those who do not dive under water. In fact, you can frequently witness a greater variety of marine life in the protected shallow sections due to the drift currents on many of the islands.
Source: costaricadiveandsurf.com, divein.com, scubatravel.co.uk
