[Asian Travel] When it comes to diving, many people recommend the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, but considering budget and time constraints, it might not be possible to visit this premier diving destination. However, there are plenty of amazing dive spots across Taiwan’s main island and outlying islands, as well as in nearby Asian countries. With crystal-clear waters and rich marine life, the beauty of the underwater worlds in these 5 Asian countries is not to be missed!
Asian Travel: Top Dive Spots in Taiwan
Taiwan Dive Spot #1 | Penghu Diving
The recently popular Penghu Fireworks Festival will kick off on April 18th! Those planning to go are surely organizing their itineraries. When visiting Penghu, don’t miss the chance to try diving. The most natural beach in all of Penghu is located at Shili Beach — its white sands formed from coral and shell fragments, paired with crystal-clear waters, is truly stunning!
Nearby, beneath the sea, lies an underwater art installation that combines coral reef restoration — the underwater mailbox. Don’t forget to send a postcard home when in Penghu; it’s a souvenir from Taiwan’s first underwater mailbox.
Taiwan Dive Spot #2 | Green Island Diving
Popular dive sites on Green Island include Dabaisha, Chaikou, and Shilang. Among them, the Shilang area is surrounded by a ring-shaped coral reef and enhanced by the flow of the Kuroshio Current, resulting in an exceptionally rich variety of marine life, with coral species far surpassing those found in other dive zones on the island.
While diving, you can see the famous living coral — the Big Mushroom Coral. Though damaged and toppled by a typhoon, its porous corals and soft corals continue to grow, showcasing vitality and new marine species. Just as Penghu has the first underwater mailbox, Green Island boasts Taiwan’s deepest underwater mailbox. Though not made of coral, its seahorse and heart-shaped designs are very popular among divers.
Taiwan Dive Spot #3 | Kenting Diving
Kenting is a favorite water activity destination for many. Whether sunbathing on the sunny beach, playing in the sand, or trying various water sports, you’ll never get bored. Of course, in Kenting, you also shouldn’t miss the chance to dive and dance with the fish.
Located a bit away from the bustling area, Wanlitong is covered with stony corals, soft corals, and clusters of sea fans. It has been designated as a marine protected area, making it a peaceful and pristine dive spot where you can fully enjoy the beauty of the underwater world.
At Houbihu, the largest harbor in Hengchun, a marine resource conservation demonstration zone, it has long been a popular spot for snorkeling and diving. When diving here, you’ll find the fish are friendly and you may even spot the massive giant grouper. Feeding fish while diving adds a special thrill to the experience.
Taiwan Dive Spot #4 | Orchid Island Diving
Orchid Island is Taiwan’s only tropical rainforest island, and with its coast largely featuring erosional landforms, it offers numerous dive spots that are suitable for year-round diving. Notable spots include Frog Rock on the west coast, the Airport Outer Reef, Red Head Wreck, and on the east coast, Jade Maiden Rock, Mother Hen Rock, and Twin Lion Rock. However, diving difficulty varies by area, so be sure to understand the conditions in advance and dive with a buddy.
Taiwan Dive Spot #5 | Xiaoliuqiu Diving
Pingtung’s Xiaoliuqiu is Taiwan’s only coral island and is unaffected by monsoons all year round. Diving here not only offers great weather, but the biggest highlight is getting up close to green sea turtles. For those who prefer not to get in the water, you can opt for a semi-submarine to admire the marine life through the clear waters from the cabin, spotting green sea turtles through the glass.
Those joining snorkeling or diving tours can swim alongside green sea turtles in the ocean, but remember these are protected animals — no touching allowed. Enjoy your fun while helping protect these gentle creatures!
Asian Travel: Japan Dive Spots
Japan Dive Spot #1 | Okinawa Kerama Islands
The waters of the Kerama Islands sparkle thanks to their white sandy bottoms, and six-tenths of Japan’s coral grows here. As a habitat for sea turtles, the combination of coral, turtles, and colorful fish creates a breathtaking view — a must-see when vacationing in Okinawa!
Japan Dive Spot #2 | Okinawa Blue Cave
One of only two blue cave landscapes in the world, one is located on Italy’s Capri Island, and the other is right here in Okinawa. When sunlight shines into the cave, the white limestone sand on the seabed reflects the light, giving the cave an mysterious blue glow. Diving in such a dreamy and unique Blue Cave is definitely a must-do water activity when visiting Okinawa!
Japan’s Top Dive Spots #3 | Okinawa’s Minna Island
For travelers considering Okinawa’s outlying islands but worried about long travel times, Minna Island is a great choice for a diving experience. This one-star island in the Michelin Travel Guide is just a 15-minute boat ride away and is surrounded by coral reefs.
Minna Island boasts numerous dive sites, where you can see colorful fish, various species of sea turtles, and even coral reefs that resemble the shape of whales. With water so clear it’s almost transparent, the scenery is stunning whether you’re swimming in the sea or gazing from the pristine white beaches.
Asian Travel: Malaysia’s Top Dive Spots
Malaysia’s Top Dive Spots #1 | Sipadan Island
Once voted the most beautiful dive spot in the world, Sipadan Island requires visitors to take a domestic flight and then drive to reach it. Additionally, Malaysia has designated Sipadan Island as a permanent marine protected area, with no accommodation available on the island—you can only come here for diving. Despite the somewhat inconvenient transport and lodging, the marine scenery of Sipadan Island is absolutely worth it!
Once you dive into the sea, you’ll be amazed by the rich coral and fish life, along with the vibrant colors on display. Apart from swimming with sea turtles, being surrounded by schools of fish is the highlight of diving—groups of humphead parrotfish, barracudas, and jackfish swirl around divers, creating a truly unique diving experience and view. No wonder divers from all over the world are drawn here.
Malaysia’s Top Dive Spots #2 | Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park
Tunku Abdul Rahman is Malaysia’s first island national park, consisting of five islands: Gaya Island, Sapi Island, Mamutik Island, Manukan Island, and Sulug Island. Among them, Manukan Island is the most popular and well-equipped; Gaya Island is the closest to Kota Kinabalu and features beaches, pebble beaches, and mangrove ecosystems, with well-preserved coral reefs across the island. Except for Sulug Island, all five islands offer azure waters and coral views, making them perfect for diving!
Malaysia’s Top Dive Spots #3 | Pulau Payar
Located in Langkawi, Pulau Payar is also a marine park where you can choose to dive from the shore or take a boat to an offshore platform. Either way, you can fully enjoy underwater diving, playing with lively fish, and admiring the marine scenery. After having fun, you can relax on the beach or the platform for some sunbathing—it’s a full-day dive destination. But remember, this area is a protected zone, so never feed the fish and be a nature-loving diver.
Asian Travel: South Korea’s Top Dive Spots
South Korea’s Top Dive Spots #1 | Jeju Island
In recent years, the number of tourists visiting Jeju Island has been steadily increasing. There’s Mount Halla loved by hikers, the UNESCO World Heritage Site Seongsan Ilchulbong, as well as amusement parks and cafes favored by young people. For those who love water activities, Jeju also offers a diving destination in Seogwipo. With colorful fish swimming about, giant seaweed forests, and vibrant coral reefs, Jeju Island offers a complete range of experiences from sea to mountain.
Asian Travel: Thailand’s Top Dive Spots
Thailand’s Top Dive Spots #1 | Similan Islands
The Similan Islands are a Thai island national park made up of nine archipelagos and have been ranked among the top ten dive spots in the world by National Geographic. Here you can admire the gradient colors of the sea and get up close with fish!
However, only two of the nine islands have accommodation, and the dive sites of the Similan Islands are relatively far away, so liveaboard diving is the most common option. You can choose the number of days to join and stay on the boat with other divers. Life on a liveaboard is non-stop diving, but while onboard, you can exchange diving experiences with others and make new dive buddies.