Best diving spots in SE Asia

[Moose016]

I am going to be spending a month in SE Asia (flying in and out of Bangkok) but will probably be making trips to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam as well. are there any particularly good dive sites not to miss? I won't be doing a live aboard or anything but I do want to get some diving in. My only confirmed stops so far are Koh Samui/Koh Phangan and Phuket, I will pass through Krabi on the way. If anyone has any good suggestions for diving in any of the 4 countries please let me know. I will mainly be doing top side activities but would like to fir in 5-7 days of 2 tank dives, shore or boat. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks

 

[lanshark]

I would strongly recommend a 3 or 4 day liveaboard in the Similan island's Thailand (out of Phuket via shuttle to Khao Lak (pretty cheap)) I did it the first time I went to Thailand, I was there for a month as well. I did a 4 day excursion to Cambodia spending 2 days at the Ruins (Angkor Wat, Bayon, Tah Prom etc) and then bussed it to Phom Pehn (2 days) and flew back to Bangkok.

I Did the Bus from Bangkok to Popeit, then a taxi to Siam Reap ( <-- that part was a blast). Then caught a Bus to Phnom Penh and spent 2 days there and then flew back to Bangkok.

I can't comment on Laos or Vietnam, but I would limit myself to 3 of 4 based on only having a month. Probably Laos as it's available from Northern Thailand.

Above all, Enjoy (and respect) the culture...

Lanshark...

 

[itempleton]

Of these countries Thailand has the best diving. Assuming you'll be in season (Oct-May?) I also recommend a 3-4 day liveaboard to the Similan Islands (with Surin Islands, Richelieu Rock, etc).

 

[Moose016]

Thanks for the info, I'll look into a liveaboard in the Similan islands for a few days. My travel dates are Nov 13-Dec 12. I guess I'll try to get all my diving in while I'm in Thailand.

 

[kathydee]

If you can make arrangements, it's worth a side trip to Sipadan in Malaysia Borneo.

N Laos has beautiful jungle trekking

 

[Luko]

Andaman sea, South West coast of Thailand is definitely your best bet. A Similan/Richelieu LOB on 4 days would be fine.

As for the other places :
- Gulf of Siam (Samui Tao) would not the best period for. If you want the best beaches in Thailand head down south for Ko Lipe area.
- Forget Cambodia for diving, really tame besides that there's better to do sightseeing and traveling topside Cambodia than hanging around in Sihanoukville. The only reason to go on the coast would be colonial Kep and the gloomy abandoned Bokor hill casino.
- Off season in Nha Trang/ Vietnam but don't miss boat rides in the Mekong delta, the longer the better.
- No diving in Laos... no worries, Luang Prabang über-zen atmosphere really grows on you.

 

[vladimir]

I will echo the recommendation to make it up to Richelieu Rock, since you'll be in the nighborhood, but you'll still be missing the best diving in Southeast Asia. Komodo is a favorite, but tough to get to without a liveaboard. Lembeh, Bali, and Sipadan are all accessible to the land-based diver, however. There is fabulous land-based diving in Papua New Guinea, and the terrestrial environment is amazing. Of course, it depends on what you're into. Full moon parties have their appeal, I guess, but the chance to see a world that is largely untouched by western society is rapidly disappearing.

 

[downunder diver]

Lembeh and north sulawesi are great and as kathydee recommended, if the opportunity for sipadan arises take it, well worth it. Hope you have a great trip.

 

[kathydee]

Lembeh and north sulawesi are great and as kathydee recommended, if the opportunity for sipadan arises take it, well worth it. Hope you have a great trip.

I'll second N Sulawesi: Lembeh & Bunakan

 

[lommnb]

if possible you can go to sanya in china
that's a good place for divers not very far from Vietnam