While scuba diving may not be the first thought that pops into your head when big city destinations in South East Asia are mentioned, you may be surprised by their thriving diving communities and easy access to some of the world’s best diving spots. If you find yourself in one of these destinations, whether it’s at the start or the end of a holiday, on business, or even on a stopover for a few days, make sure you check out some of the amazing diving on offer.
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, affectionately known as KL, is the capital and biggest city in Malaysia with an estimated urban area population of more than 7 million people. It is a lively city famous for amazing cuisine, shopping and a skyline dominated by towering skyscrapers, including the Petronas Towers. The PADI Dive Shops in Kuala Lumpur offer a gateway to some of the best diving in the region including Sipadan, Mabul, Semporna, Tioman and the Perhentian Islands. KL is also known as a great location to stock up on dive equipment.
Find out more about diving in Malaysia or locate a PADI Dive Shop in Kuala Lumpur.
Jakarta
This mega-city has the second biggest urban area population in the world, after Tokyo, with over 32 million inhabitants. Located on the north-west coast of Java, Jakarta is the cultural and economic powerhouse of Indonesia. Many visitors are amazed by the incredible diving located from Jakarta including around Palau Seribu which is just an hour by boat. Jakarta is also a great location to begin your adventure to the countless dive locations that make up Indonesia including Bali, Gili Islands, Lombok and many more incredible locations.
Learn more about diving in Indonesia or locate a PADI Dive Shop in Jakarta.
Bangkok
Famous around the world as a favorite travel destination due to its shopping, food and rich culture, Bangkok is a city everyone should visit at least once. It has an urban area population of more than 15 million people and is situated on the northern tip of the Gulf of Thailand. This city has access to some of the most popular diving areas in the region through trips and connections to Samae San, Pattaya, Koh Tao, Koh Phangan, Koh Samui as well as Phuket and the west coast of Thailand. Bangkok is also a popular hub to shop for dive equipment.
Find out more about diving in Thailand or locate a PADI Dive Shop in Bangkok.
Singapore
This city state offers an amazing mixture of cultures and inhabitants from all around the world. Singapore is a unique destination with an estimated urban area population of about 5 million people. Well-known for its shopping, cuisine and hotels, Singapore is also known as the business hub of Asia. There is a well-established and growing community of passionate divers that call Singapore home. There are also a few local sites to explore the underwater if you are limited with time or it’s a great hub to plan a longer dive trip to surrounding countries.
Discover more about diving in Singapore and locate a PADI Dive Shop.
Manila
If you’re looking for the perfect city to start your scuba diving journey, look no further than Manila. Located in the southeast, Manila is the capital city of the Philippines with a dense population of about 24 million people. From sky scrapping buildings to five star accommodation and history, Manila offers something for everyone. With an abundance of dining options available, you can choose from street food carts, five star restaurants and everything in between. When it comes to diving, Anilao is a favorite region with its great muck diving. You can also find stunning coral reefs in Mainit Point, wreck diving in Subic Bay, and unique marine life all around. You can easily access some renowned diving spots such as Puerto Galera, Palawan, Cebu, Subic Bay and Batangas.
Don’t miss out on the amazing diving in the Philippines and locate a PADI Dive Shop in Manila.
Next time you are in a big city destination, make sure you check out the diving on offer as it may be closer (and more amazing) than you think! To find out more about any major dive destination, visit the PADI destination page and contact a PADI Dive Shop today.
