IslaScuba.com: an independent guide to the islands divers travel to, from the Caribbean to the Coral Triangle.
The Coral Triangle is a roughly triangular area of ocean that takes in the waters of Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and the Solomon Islands. It holds around three-quarters of the world's known coral species and more reef fish species than anywhere else. For divers, that means extraordinary color and the chance to see something new on almost every dive.
The region suits every kind of diver. There are gentle reefs and cheap courses for beginners, fast current dives in channels for experienced divers, sunken wartime fleets, and the world's best "muck diving", where photographers search sand and rubble for frogfish, nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses and mimic octopus.
Thailand is not part of the Coral Triangle, but its Andaman Sea islands and the Gulf of Thailand are among the most popular places in the region to learn to dive, so we cover them here too.
Island by island
The "Four Kings" islands off the western tip of New Guinea have some of the highest marine biodiversity ever recorded. Expect dense schools of fish, manta rays, wobbegong sharks and reefs covered in soft coral. Visitors buy a marine park entry permit. Most diving is from liveaboards or small island resorts, and currents can be strong.
Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is famous for its dragons on land and for powerful currents underwater. Channels between the islands bring sharks, mantas and huge numbers of fish. The current is what makes the diving so rich, so it is best for divers with some experience.
At Tulamben on Bali's north-east coast, the USAT Liberty, a US Army cargo ship torpedoed in 1942, lies just off a stony beach and is reached by a short swim from shore. Across the strait, Nusa Penida has manta ray cleaning stations and, mostly in the cooler months from about July to October, the chance of seeing an oceanic sunfish (mola mola).
The Lembeh Strait is the best-known muck-diving destination in the world, with volcanic sand slopes full of unusual small animals. Nearby, Bunaken National Marine Park offers steep, colorful walls. Many trips combine the two.
With more than 7,000 islands, the Philippines has something for everyone. Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, a UNESCO site in the Sulu Sea, is reached only by liveaboard during a short season. Malapascua is known for thresher sharks at Monad Shoal, Moalboal for its huge sardine schools, Anilao for macro life and Coron for Japanese ships sunk in a US air raid in September 1944.
Sipadan is a small oceanic island that rises from deep water off the coast of Borneo. It is known for large numbers of green and hawksbill turtles, swirling schools of barracuda and jacks, and walls that start right at the edge of the island. A daily permit limit keeps numbers down, so book ahead with a licensed operator.
Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand certifies large numbers of new divers every year, thanks to calm bays and many dive schools. On the Andaman side, the Similan Islands National Park has granite boulders and clear water, and Richelieu Rock is known for whale shark sightings in season. The Similans close for the southwest monsoon from about mid-May to mid-October.
Monsoon winds decide the best time to visit, and they affect each area differently, so there is good diving somewhere in the region all year. A few rules of thumb:
Schedules change from year to year, so check with operators before booking. Our island dive trip planning guide covers liveaboards versus resorts, insurance and packing. If you are just starting out, see which of these places appear in our list of the best islands for beginner divers.
Many reefs here are protected, and local communities rely on them for food and income. Pay park fees, choose operators that brief divers on reef etiquette, and keep your hands off the coral. Photographers should never move or handle animals to get a shot, and guides should not use pointers to push creatures into position.
Questions
Muck diving means diving over sand, silt and rubble rather than coral reef to find small, unusual animals such as frogfish, ghost pipefish, nudibranchs and octopus. Lembeh Strait and Anilao are the best-known places for it.
Koh Tao in Thailand is known for low-cost Open Water courses. Prices change, so compare a few schools and choose one with small groups and well-kept equipment.
Some sheltered sites are easy, but many famous dives have current. Newer divers enjoy it most after logging some dives elsewhere and with a guide who chooses sites carefully.
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