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