Diving Options in Asia

photographer Krishna creations,Dreamstime








Here are some resources on diving in Asia. I'm no expert as I've only been on an assisted dive in Bohol, Philippines but after that experience I want to get my licence. Also, with some dismal reports that coral reefs will be a thing of the past in 50 years, now is the time to go.

Here are some great reads and beautiful pictures.

Cheap Dives in Asia and many more articles Divehappy

Lots of info on diving, seems to be focused on Thailand but has stuff about other Asian destinations. Finsonline Magazine

Top destinations in Asia, also has a top 100 dive sites for the world - if you're interested. Scubatravel

This site has a very active forum discussing 'Dive Questions' relating to Asia. Dive Forum on Asia

Learning to Dive in Taiwan. I've snorkeled in Green Island, Lanyu and Kending, Green Island was surprising good. I saw loads of fish and pretty good corals. Apparently for diving Lanyu is as good as Green Island. Taiwan Dive

Cheap Air Flights Asia

Accustomed to cheap flights in Europe, I was initially disappointed when I moved to Asia in 2005. Taipei is a destination rather than a hub of cheap flights in Asia. It wasn't until 2007 that I discovered cheap flights in Asia and that was primarily through 'attitude travel' website.

Attitude Travel - Asia

They list airlines that are considered cheap. I've used some of the Indian airlines they've listed. Whilst not dirty cheap, they do provide an affordable alternative to a one or two day train ride. For many of the tickets in India the added-on costs were more than the ticket cost, hence no dirty cheap deals.

Since then, the list of airlines have increased alot. Airasia seems to be the leading cheap airline in Asia now, oftering numerous flights from Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok to destinations in SE Asia, China, India and even London.

For expats and travellers, these airline open up huge possibilities for travel in Asia, especially SE Asia. They have opened up much of Indonesia

Lion Air (Indonesian Airline) flies from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore to many destinations in Indonesia. Though I found their website frustrating to use and therefore haven't been able to provide any details on prices.

Some prices from Airasia (food is extra but can be prebooked at a 20% discount) click here to go to Airasia

Kuala Lumpur to Manado (Sulawesi) $105 return (I think with tax included) for flying in a month time.

KL to Guilin (China) $268 return (in one month time)

KL to Hong Kong $265 return (in one month time)

KL to Kochi (Kerela, India) $160 return (in one month time)


I get the feeling that most cheap airlines are primarily regionally focused i.e. SE Asia, the Indian Subcontinent. Attitude Travel said that Airasia has opened several SE Asia to India routes but that others have done this before and failed. I remembered trying to get a NOK flight back from India to Thailand but that route had already closed down.

I will do more investigating into cheap flights in Asia. There's plenty of choice and with time and patience these airlines will open up new distinations for you.