Seven Best Dive Sites in the World: Southeast Asia to Red Sea

Traveloka Team
25 May 2024 - 6 min read

Are you planning a dive getaway for your summer? Look no further than these seven best dive sites in the world. Summer has always been the perfect season to dive into the marine world as the water is clearer than ever and the visibility is at its best. At each destination, you will surely find unique underwater treasures and awe-inspiring ocean biodiversity. Be you a seasoned diver or a newbie looking to plunge into the depths for the first time, each site promises a memorable experience. Check out the ultimate guide to the best diving on the planet! From locations, each unique marine life, to access to each spot!

1. Fakarava South Pass

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Nestled in the Tuamotu Islands of French Polynesia, Fakarava is not just any dive site—it’s an underwater city bustling with life. Stretching for 60 kilometres, the dive site is renowned for its “Wall of Sharks,” where hundreds of reef sharks gather, creating a spectacle unlike any other. Feel the floating and warm waters through your skin while watching those majestic creatures. Don’t ask about the coral, it’s a huge vibrant garden with gorgeous fishes in it.

Currently, there are eight diving spots you can visit, Topdive, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Tetamanu Pass, Garuae Pass, Dive Spirit Fakarava, Enata Diving Center, O2 Fakarava, Kaina Plongée. Each will assist and make your dive experience an unforgettable adventure.

How to get to Fakarava: To reach Farakava, you can catch a flight from Tahiti Airport. Once you arrive, arrange to rent a car or bicycle or use a local tour to venture into the lagoon by boat. Along the way, you'll be greeted by the serene sea and warm and friendly locals.

2. Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat, located in Indonesia's West Papua province, is often described as the 'Last Paradise on Earth.' The archipelago's name translates to 'The Four Kings,' referencing the main islands of Misool Barat, Misool Timur, Salawati, and Waigeo. Divers are treated to an explosion of biodiversity. Tucked away in Coral Triangle, the dive site is home to over 75% of the world’s coral species, the vibrant underwater landscapes are a kaleidoscope of colour.

Currently, about 22 dive sites are registered around Raja Ampat; 19 ocean dives, 19 reef dives and 4 drift dives. The marine life is also very diverse, ranging from pygmy seahorses to majestic manta rays. All in all, Raja Ampat should be your once-in-a-lifetime journey into the heart of marine biodiversity.

How to get to Raja Ampat: To reach Raja Ampat, you first need to take a plane from Jakarta or Makassar heading to Sorong. From Sorong, a small plane will take you to Waisai, the capital of Raja Ampat district. Or, if you are into ocean views, you may take a ferry from Sorong Harbour to the islands.

Flight to Sorong

Fri, 9 May 2025

Super Air Jet

Jakarta (CGK) to Sorong (SOQ)

Start from Rp 2.482.800

Wed, 30 Apr 2025

Lion Air

Makassar (UPG) to Sorong (SOQ)

Start from Rp 1.720.200

Sun, 18 May 2025

Super Air Jet

Manokwari (MKW) to Sorong (SOQ)

Start from Rp 766.600

3. Wolf And Darwin Islands

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Diving in the Galápagos Islands is like stepping onto the set of a wildlife documentary, and Wolf and Darwin islands are the stars of the show. These remote outposts are a haven for pelagic species. You can swim alongside whale sharks, hammerheads, and even the elusive dolphins. The currents can be challenging, but they bring rich nutrients that attract a dazzling array of marine life. It's a thrilling dive that puts you face-to-face with some of the ocean's most iconic creatures in crystal-clear visibility.

How to get to Wolf And Darwin Islands: You can take a flight from Ecuador to Galapagos.Yet, to visit Wolf and Darwin Islands, you need to be on a liveaboard scuba diving boat. The islands are quite private and regular Galapagos cruises or land-based options won't let you dive there. Only a few cruises allow diving, and they are live-aboard boats with diving itineraries. One of the best cruises you might consider is The Calypso Galapagos Yacht.

4. Richelieu Rock

Back in Southeast Asia, Thailand's Richelieu Rock is often hailed as the best dive site in the Andaman Sea. 45 kilometres from the mainland, this horseshoe-shaped reef is a magnet for marine life, especially during the plankton blooms that attract filter-feeding whale sharks. The rock itself is a riot of colour, with soft purple corals and anemones where seahorses and ghost pipefish hide. It's a macro photographer's dream, with a cast of colourful characters that make each dive here a treasure hunt.

How to get to Richelieu Rock: Take a plane to Phuket Airport and once you arrive in Khao Lak, you may continue your journey to the dive sites by hiring a car, liveaboard or speedboat. Day tours are also available during mid-November to mid-April. In just 1 hour, you get to experience the best dive sites in Thailand.

Surin Islands Day Tour | from Phuket or Khao Lak

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5. Anemone City

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The name says it all, Anemone City is a bustling metropolis of marine life. Nestled in the heart of the Red Sea, discover the vibrant underwater wonderland teeming with life. Swim among fields of swaying anemones inhabited by clownfish, vibrant coral gardens, and schools of colourful reef fish as you explore this picturesque dive site. Anemone City is also perfect for divers on all levels, featuring clear visibility around 10-30m/32-98ft and an average depth of 40m or 131 feet. The clarity of the water and the sheer density of life make every dive here a spectacle, a kaleidoscope of movement and colour that captivates and enchants.

How to get to Anemone City: to reach this astonishing underwater spot, you need to take a flight to Sharm el Sheikh International Airport and continue the trip to Ras Mohammed National Park. From the airport, you can take a taxi or car hire to the 20-kilometre-away national conservation. Once you arrive there, you may continue to the dive site by 4WD land tour or a boat cruise.

6. Apo Island

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Apo Island, a gem in the Philippines, offers a dive experience that feels like entering a perfectly balanced ecosystem. The community's efforts in marine conservation have made this island a model for underwater sanctuaries worldwide. There are 12 dive sites you can choose to explore, some of them are Largahan, Baluarte, and Coconut Point. Diving here, you encounter turtles grazing on seagrass, jackfish swirling in tornado-like formations, and nudibranchs that dazzle with their intricate patterns. It's a place where nature thrives, a testament to the beauty that exists when the ocean is respected and protected.

How to get to Apo Island: You can take a flight to Manila and proceed to Dumaguete City. After that, you may continue by taking an arranged transfer from Dumaguete City to Apo Island. In Dumaguete City, there are two types of boats you can choose from: an expensive one and a public boat. Your driver will take you for 30 minutes to Malatapay, Dauin. Once from Malatapay, a boat will take you directly to Apo Island.

Flight to Dumaguete City

Fri, 23 May 2025

Cebu Pacific

Manila (MNL) to Dumaguete (DGT)

Start from Rp 1.076.802

Sat, 24 May 2025

Philippine Airlines

Manila (MNL) to Dumaguete (DGT)

Start from Rp 1.249.503

Sat, 24 May 2025

Cebu Pacific

Manila (MNL) to Dumaguete (DGT)

Start from Rp 1.258.749

7. Poor Knights Island

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Poor Knights Island, off New Zealand’s North Island, is an explosion of marine biodiversity, thanks to its protected status and subtropical currents. This dive spot is like jumping into a living documentary, where every nook and cranny holds a new marvel. The water clarity here is unreal, offering views of vibrant kelp forests swaying in the currents, schools of fish that shimmer like liquid silver and encounters with curious sea creatures that are not shy to greet you. With underwater archways and tunnels to navigate, every dive feels like an adventure through a hidden world. It’s an underwater Eden, teeming with life and colour, waiting to be explored.

How to get to Poor Knights Island: The best way to reach The Poor Knights Islands is by air and landing at the nearby Tutukaka airport, Whangarei. You can continue by boat from almost any port in the Hauraki Gulf and Northland.

There you have it, the seven best dive sites in the world, solid proof that the ocean holds wonders that surpass even the wildest of imaginations. Each dive spot offers a unique glimpse into the heart of our blue planet. These places remind us of the beauty and fragility of the marine world and the importance of preserving them. So, if you are on your itinerary preparing fascinating trips in the marine wonderland, be sure to book your flights and accommodations through Traveloka! Explore Traveloka for great deals on activities, flight, and hotel. Visit Traveloka for more information!

In This Article

• 1. Fakarava South Pass
• 2. Raja Ampat
• 3. Wolf And Darwin Islands
• 4. Richelieu Rock
• 5. Anemone City
• 6. Apo Island
• 7. Poor Knights Island

Flights Featured in This Article

Fri, 9 May 2025
Super Air Jet
Jakarta (CGK) to Sorong (SOQ)
Start from Rp 2.482.800
Book Now
Wed, 30 Apr 2025
Lion Air
Makassar (UPG) to Sorong (SOQ)
Start from Rp 1.720.200
Book Now
Sun, 18 May 2025
Super Air Jet
Manokwari (MKW) to Sorong (SOQ)
Start from Rp 766.600
Book Now
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