7 top diving sites in Asia that offer underwater thrills of a lifetime

You’ll probably agree with us that our vast oceans are like a distinctive universe of their own, where some of the most beautiful – and strangest-looking – things in the world are floating around waiting to be discovered. Blessed with year-round sunshine and the sheer variety of marine creatures, it goes without saying that we have some of the most spectacular dive sites in this part of the globe. Would you stay in this luxury island hotel resort for US$2,000 per night? Asia is home to attractions including sharks, whales and sunfish, so here’s a list of our 7 top diving locations in the region to add to your bucket list. 1. Komodo Island, Indonesia View this post on Instagram We spent last week diving and exploring Komodo, a little piece of paradise . . . #floresindonesia #komodo #komodoisland #padar #padarisland #indonesia #wonderfulindonesia #backpacking #dametraveler #ladiesgoneglobal #sheisnotlost #wearetravelgirls #paradise A post shared by Evelyn (@evelynoome) on Aug 27, 2018 at 9:30am PDT About 400km (250 miles) away from the tourist magnet Bali, this location is probably best known as the habitat of the Komodo dragon, the world’s largest living lizard. Need a break? 5 most rewarding trips in Asia you can take this year What you may not know is that Komodo is also one of the most vibrant diving sites on the planet, as it harbours a wide variety of marine life – from dolphins, dugongs, eagle rays, mantas, sunfish, and whales to blue-ringed octopus, ghost pipefish and pygmy seahorses. 2. Raja Ampat Islands, Indonesia View this post on Instagram Hi! Everyone! #rajaampat A post shared by chiku_uw (@chiku_uw) on Apr 3, 2018 at 4:59am PDT This collection of four larger islands and more than 1,500 islets is located off the northwestern tip of Indonesia’s West Papua province. Raja Ampat, the crème de la crème of diving destinations, holds the highest recorded diversity of fish and coral on Earth – an astounding 537 coral species and 1,074 fish species, according to The Nature Conservancy. 5 beautiful Malaysian islands that offer travellers a slice of paradise A common sighting here are the fusilier fish, which swim as part of a slick group – moving in a zigzag pattern at such high speeds that it appears as if they are moving in perfect unison. 3. Pulau Sipadan, Malaysia View this post on Instagram thanks for swimming with me #malaysia #malaysian #borneo #sipadan #island #nationalpark #intotheblue #ocean #sea #safetheplanet #stopplasticpollution #protectouroceans #divingday #divegirl #diving #scubadiving #underwater #barracuda #barracudas #schooloffish #welivetoexplore #backpacking #wanderlust #travel #travellers #goodvibesonly #stayandwander #goplayoutside A post shared by Isi (@isieasyy) on Aug 11, 2018 at 6:44pm PDT Sipadan, situated on the island of Borneo in eastern state of Sabah, is Malaysia’s only oceanic island and has been rated as one of the top diving sites in the world. Here – one of the most bio-diverse regions on Earth – you will be treated to a visual feast by nature as it is not uncommon to see sharks, turtles and schools of fish, such as barracudas and jacks swimming around at any given time. 5 chic wellness retreats where you can take a break from the grind of Hong Kong If luck is on your side, you might even spot hammerhead or thresher sharks; this exciting encounter is what entices scuba divers to travel to Sipadan from all over the world. Another of its unique features is the “turtle tomb” – an underwater limestone cave with many narrow tunnels and chambers containing the remains of green sea turtles that become trapped and drowned. 4. Shark Point, Thailand This treacherously titled location, just off the coast of Phuket – known to the locals as Hin Musang – is suitable for all diving abilities – particularly those with an adventurous inclination. Shark Point is where cuttlefish, morays, scorpionfish, snappers and squid, as well as reef and leopard sharks, congregate amid the hard and soft corals. The shark species found here are considered safe to swim with, but diving at this spot is definitely not for the faint-hearted. For US$85 million, you can buy this private Bahamas paradise 5. Mergui Archipelago, Myanmar View this post on Instagram Mergui blue How do you like this kind of Monday blue? Thanks @davidvandriessche for the great photo! - - - - - #burmaboating #sailing #merguiarchipelago #yacht #yachting #asia #burma #myanmar #ocean #indianocean #adventure #holiday #vacation #travel #islands #nature #oceanview #outdoors #lifestyle #vsco #vscocam #getaway #vacationtime #boatlife #travelawesome #photooftheday #instasailing #sailboat #sailingyacht A post shared by Burma Boating (@burmaboating) on Jun 5, 2017 at 1:57am PDT This archipelago, made up of about 800 islands, remains something of a hidden diving gem tucked away from the rest of the world. Nevertheless, it is popular among seasoned exploratory divers as it features huge boulders, caverns, tunnels and drop-offs. 10 Instagrammable travel experiences you can’t miss This rugged diving spot is known for its proliferation of sharks, manta rays, barracudas, tuna and red lionfish. 6. Soneva Fushi, Maldives View this post on Instagram When you are at Soneva Fushi Maldives, take a free dive in to its house reef, it’s going to incredibly adventurous! #sonevafushi #maldivity #lalumitravels #Maldives #Мальдивы #马尔代夫 #Malediven #Maldive #몰디브 #Maldivas #VisitMaldives #storyofmaldives #SunnySideofLife #vacation #holidays #summer #maldivesresorts #maldivesislands #indianocean #tlpicks #SoloTravelers #FamilyTravels #Traveling #Travelers #Traveler #Exploring #Explorer #Wanderer #Wanderlust #TravelBug A post shared by MALDIVES (@maldivity) on Aug 31, 2018 at 11:04am PDT If you are looking for a luxury diving holiday then this private island is the answer. Start your day with adrenaline-pumping dives in the morning before retreating to indulgent spa treatments in the afternoon and delectable – and sustainable – fine dining in the evening. Here, fusiliers, jacks, mantas, snappers and tuna are found in abundance while the honeycomb moray eel, nurse shark and stingray occasionally pay a visit. Would you stay in this luxury island hotel resort for US$2,000 per night? 7. Kerama Islands, Japan View this post on Instagram 今日は、いつも来てくれるミサキと初めての#体験ダイビング のリナちゃんと#慶良間諸島 にダイビング 波はちょっとありましたが、#お天気最高 海中から出産した友達にメッセージ おめでとう㊗️ また、遊びに来てね . お問い合わせは HP️https://www.mahaloha-okinawa.jp/ もしくはインスタのDMでお願いします(^^) . お知らせ MAHALOHAポイント始めました 7ポイント貯めると、 ご新規のお客様→ミニプレゼントあり（シュノーケル、スキンダイビングは除く） リピーターのお客様→2回目よりずっと¥500割引（シュノーケル、スキンダイビングは除く） 詳しくは、HPをご覧くださいって A post shared by 沖縄ダイビング MAHALOHA (@nobu_mahaloha) on Sep 16, 2018 at 4:22am PDT When it comes to Japan, Tokyo, Osaka and Hokkaido are probably the first things that spring to mind – yet diving in the country may not cross your mind at all. However, the Kerama Islands, located southwest of Okinawa, play host to more than 70 diving sites. They are largely well protected thanks to the local communities, which respect and safeguard the natural oceanic ecosystem around the islands while embracing tourism at the same time. Typical sights here include the cuttlefish – known to many as chameleons of the sea – as well as larger sea creatures such as humpback whales and manta rays. Want more stories like this? Sign up here . Follow STYLE on Facebook , Instagram and Twitter