| This article describes some of the better | | | | the coast of Khao Lak which was hit badly by |
| dive sites in South East Asia. As a scuba | | | | a Tsunami 2006. Nine granite islands made up |
| diver, you will probably know that scuba | | | | the Similan islands. These islands are |
| diving in South East Asia has always been | | | | covered by luxuriant tropical rainforests |
| very popular because of its vast species of | | | | surrounded by pristine white beaches and |
| marine life and rich diversity of colorful | | | | turquoise blue water. |
| corals. | | | | |
| | | | This area is a protected national park. Below |
| As a matter of fact, there are many world | | | | the water lie a sprawling underwater garden |
| class dive sites in this region and with its | | | | of deep canyons, coral gardens, huge granite |
| excellent underwater visibility, South East | | | | boulders, caves and walls. Liveaboard scuba |
| Asia is indeed a scuba diver's haven. So, | | | | diving is the norm here. |
| here are some of the top dive sites in South | | | | |
| East Asia many of which I have dived in | | | | Sipadan Island in Malaysia was made famous by |
| several times. | | | | Jacques Cousteau's documentary entitled Ghost |
| | | | Of The Sea Turtles. This is an oceanic island |
| We shall start with Indonesia and of course, | | | | which is not connected to any continental |
| the island of Bali cannot be left out. | | | | shelf that rises about 2000 ft on an awesome |
| Perhaps the most dived site in Bali is the | | | | limestone pinnacle and mushrooms out at the |
| Liberty wreck. The wreck was a US army | | | | surface. |
| logistic ship sunk by Japanese submarine | | | | |
| torpedoes during the last world war. | | | | Many dive magazines have named Sipadan as one |
| | | | of the best dive sites in the world and |
| Liberty wreck lies in the depth of about 10m | | | | reported to have the largest variety of soft |
| (32ft) to 30m (100ft) over 120m (385ft) of | | | | corals in the world. At Sipadan, scuba divers |
| the sea bed. Divers can see guns, toilets, | | | | will encounter exciting drift dives, |
| ship anchor chain among other things of a | | | | fascinating coral formations, turtles, |
| typical shipwreck. The wreck is heavily | | | | lobsters, barracudas and even various species |
| encrusted with corals and brightly decorated | | | | of sharks. |
| with gorgonian sea fans and sea anemones. | | | | |
| | | | Manado, northen Sulawesi, Indonesia is the |
| Scuba divers will also encounter large | | | | gateway to world class dive spots in the |
| schools of trevally and more than 400 species | | | | Bunaken National Park. Muck diving, meaning |
| of marine fishes and even exotic colonies of | | | | diving for little critters on the seabed in |
| elusive garden eels. | | | | Manado bay is the norm here. In this part of |
| | | | Indonesia, you will encounter exhilarating |
| Similan island in Thailand is another | | | | wall dives, drop offs, huge napoleon wrasse, |
| interesting dive site. Similan is located off | | | | reef sharks and also another shipwreck. |