Southeast Asia, as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, possesses many beautiful spots in marine areas, which many of them are perfect places for scuba-diving.
The region is blessed with warm tropical water and rich biodiversity, attracting travelers with scenery that almost looks magical.
Ko Tao: The Turtle Island from Thailand
Ko Tao is an island in the Gulf of Thailand. It is also called Turtle Island, as its name represents: koh means “island”, and tao means “turtle”. It belongs to the Surat Thani Province, located approximately 70 kilometers from the mainland.
This island is one of the most well-known spots for scuba diving in Thailand, offering turquoise and clear water, warm tropical temperature, and colorful, eye-catching cora reefs to explore. Here, spots that you should never miss for diving are Sail Rock, Chumphon Pinnacle, and Southwest Pinnacle.
Other than scuba diving, Ko Tao is also perfect for activities like snorkeling, rock climbing, hiking, sailing, etc. Additionally, this island becomes a home to diverse marine life, including coral reefs, sea turtles, sharks, and many tropical fishes.
Hon Mun Island: Black Island from Vietnam
Hon Mun Island is located in Nha Trang Bay, Khanh Hoa Province, part of the Hon Mun Marine Protected Area in Vietnam. It is also called as Black Island due to the distinctive black rock from the sea, creating an iconic natural scenery, even if the overall color of its water looks crystal-clear blue.
For scuba diving, this place offers popular dive sites such as Madonna Rock, Mama Hanh, and Sea Horse Bay, each with its own characteristics. Madonna Rock features diverse coral reefs and abundant fish life, Mama Hanh is perfect for more relaxed dives, while Sea Horse Bay offers calmer water, perfect for diving experience with meditation.
This island is famous for its rich and diverse marine life, including more than 350 coral species and colorful tropical fish like butterflyfish, parrotfish, etc. It is also inhabited by other marine creatures such as starfish, shrimp, crabs, sea turtles, and so on.
Apo Island: The Volcanic Gem from the Philippines
Apo Island is a volcanic island located about 7 kilometers off the southeastern tip of Negros Island in the Philippines. The name apo here means “elder” or “respected ancestors” in the Visayan languages. This island is considered a protected marine reserve under the National Integrated Protected Area Act (NIPA).
Famous for its snorkeling and diving spots, Apo Island features calm and clear waters, said to be one of the best dive sites in the world. It offers many experiences from shallow coral gardens to deeper dives including caves, walls, and reefs. Its popular dive sites are Rock Point East to West, Coconut Point, and also Chapel.
The marine life here is rich and diverse. It has around 400 species of corals, big-eyed jacks, hump-head wrasses, hammerheads, manta rays, and tuna. Not to mention, the island is surrounded by pristine white sand and many unique rock formations.
These three islands are considered among the best marine wonders you can see in Southeast Asia. Each represents the natural beauty from their own country, serving as valuable assets that must be carefully preserved by the people and government. This region still holds so many stunning marine wonders ready to explore.
