Agoda.com, Asia’s leading hotel booking, is offering fantastic hotel deals in some of the best scuba diving destinations in Asia Pacific.
Blessed with warm water, tropical climates and an abundance of interesting diving sites – from pristine coral reefs to sunken warships – locations throughout Asia Pacific welcome divers from around the world that come to explore new sites or return to old favorites.
Most diving locations in Asia offer PADI courses from beginner to master levels at great prices, and the food, scenery and cultural experience can’t be beat, no matter which country you visit. To wrap everything up nicely, Agoda.com’s comprehensive hotel offerings throughout the region will ensure guests spend less time worrying about their accommodation and more time concentrating on where to take the next great dive.
Here are seven of Asia’s best sites for diving, and a few hotel suggestions to maximize the enjoyment of any trip.
Ko Lanta, Thailand
Diving in Asia Pacific Easier With Agoda.com
Located in Thailand’s famous province of Krabi, Ko Lanta is not as crowded or as built up as other hotspots in the area – yet. Drawn by warm, clear water, and plenty of great dive sites, visitors can choose a speedboat to get in several different dives in one day, or opt for a slowboat that heads to a single spot but offers a more social experience with your diving buddies.
Suggested Hotels
After a fun day of scuba diving, pamper yourself with 5-star luxury at the award-winning Pimalai Resort and Spa (5*) in Kan Tiang Bay.
Guests say: “This is a perfect place for a romantic couple, great scenery, great villa and perfect service.” – Tradsin, Thailand
http://www.agoda.com/pimalai-resort-spa/hotel/koh-lanta-th.html
Diving in Koh Lanta? Stay at the Lanta Cha Da Resort (5*), which offers a variety of rooms amid a lush expanse of garden in the shade of swaying palm trees.
Guests say: “Very good hotel, everything is perfect. Personal, kind and respectful staff, peaceful place, romantic for a couple.” – Jean, France
http://www.agoda.com/lanta-cha-da-resort/hotel/koh-lanta-th.html
Puerto Galera & Batangas, the Philippines
The turquoise water and endless reefs have long drawn divers to the tropical archipelago of the Philippines, which offers a nearly limitless number of sights above and below the water. A strong maritime transport culture ensures easy trips to many of the best sites, be it a small group excursion or a large diving party.
Suggested Hotels
The Atlantis Dive Resort (5*) in Puerto Galera lies within a pristine UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and offers a diverse range of reef sites for diving in every skill level.
Guests say: “Overall I had a great time, the staff in the dive center were fantastic.” – Sharla, UK
http://www.agoda.com/atlantis-dive-resort/hotel/puerto-galera-ph.html
If staying at the Eagle Point Resort (3*), you’ll be in the middle of some of the Philippines’ best diving sites, all noted for their abundant, colorful marine life.
Guests say: “Fantastic. I stayed for 3 nights. Captured the beautiful sunset both at the restaurant and at the balcony in our room. It was so relaxing, no stress at all.” – Mary, Norway
http://www.agoda.com/eagle-point-resort/hotel/batangas-ph.html
Whitsunday Islands and Lizard Island, Australia
Australia needs no introduction as one of the world’s top diving destinations. The unparalleled Great Barrier Reef and almost 60,000km of combined island & mainland coastline provide an astounding number of sites perfect for diving, from old shipwrecks to (caged) encounters with Great White Sharks.
Suggested Hotels
Visit Daydream Island Resort and Spa (4.5*) to get the most out of the legendary Whitsunday Islands and its dozens of world-famous diving sites.
Guests say: “This was an amazing resort. The staff were always smiling and extremely friendly. They had a living reef all around the resort with sharks, all kinds of fish and sting rays.”
http://www.agoda.com/daydream-island-resort-and-spa/hotel/whitsundays-au.html
A stay at Lizard Island Resort (5*) will reward you with close-up marine diving encounters as you hand-feed huge but docile Potato Cod at the world famous Cod Hole.
Guests say: “A paradise for snorkeling around the island. The staff in the sports club are very kind and passionate about their job.” – Changliang, China
http://www.agoda.com/lizard-island-resort/hotel/great-barrier-reef-au.html
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Seemingly crafted specifically for scuba diving, Bora Bora’s signature coral reef encircles a pristine volcanic lagoon filled with marine life. Most pleasingly, there’s only a 3° difference between average low and high water temperature throughout the year, making diving a perfect pastime any time of year.
Suggested Hotels
The Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa (5*) offers access to the island’s best diving spots and is a member of Green Engage, the group’s worldwide sustainability program that regulates environmental impact.
Guests say: Thanida from Thailand praises the hotel for its superb atmosphere and amazing location – perfect for diving.
http://www.agoda.com/intercontinental-bora-bora-resort-thalasso-spa/hotel/bora-bora-island-pf.html
After diving with manta rays, lemon sharks and turtles at the Bora Bora Pearl Resort (4*), you can work with the on-site tattooist to design a traditional Polynesian tattoo.
http://www.agoda.com/bora-bora-pearl-beach-resort-and-spa/hotel/bora-bora-island-pf.html
Bali and Lombok Indonesia
Indonesia’s iconic island of Bali and its neighbor Lombok are smack in the middle of one of the most beautiful parts of the country. As the world’s largest island archipelago, it’s no surprise that it also has some of the best scuba diving anywhere.
Suggested Hotels
In Bali, stay at the Mimpi Tulamben Dive Resort (3*), which offers easy access to dozens of top diving sites, including the island of Menjangan with its large reef flats and slow currents.
Guests say: “The staff were very pleasant and helpful, the dive center had good equipment for hire and the dive guide was excellent.” – John, Australia
http://www.agoda.com/mimpi-tulamben-dive-resort/hotel/bali-id.html
After diving in Lombok, stay at the Vila Ombak Hotel (4*), situated on one of the Gili Islands, a popular area with divers of all levels who come to dive with sharks, manta rays, and turtles.
Guests say: “One of the best places to stay in Gili Trawangan. It has a nice beachfront location and cozy outdoor atmosphere. The room was clean and staff were friendly and helpful.” – Audrey, Australia
http://www.agoda.com/vila-ombak-hotel/hotel/lombok-id.html
Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
The area around Kota Kinabalu offers plenty of great diving spots in some of Asia’s most colorful waters. Whether you stick to diving just offshore, go northeast up the coast and explore the tip of Borneo, or head southwest to dive down to Labuan’s four famous wrecks, there’s something here for every level of diver.
Suggested Hotels
If you’re staying at the award-winning Bunga Raya Island Resort (5*), the activities don’t have to stop when you’re done diving. The beautiful blue bay that the hotel looks over is perfect for kayaking, and for a fun jungle trek, all you have to do is turn 180° and start walking.
Guests say: “We were wonderfully impressed by the view and the surroundings. The infinity pool and the beach were amazing and the water in front of the resort was crystal clear.” – Dong, Canada
http://www.agoda.com/bunga-raya-island-resort/hotel/kota-kinabalu-my.html
Time spent at the Gaya Island Resort (5*) means truly getting away from it all. Only accessible by boat, guests have easy access to amazing diving sites in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, as well as thick forest and deserted beaches on neighboring islands.
Guests say: “We had an excellent stay from beginning to end. The staff were friendly and helpful. The rooms were fantastic – spotless and comfortable. The quality of the food is very high.” – Neil, UK
http://www.agoda.com/gaya-island-resort/hotel/kota-kinabalu-my.html
The Maldives
If one were to describe the perfect tropical paradise, chances are it would exist in the Maldives. Stunning blue water, endless white sand…and then things start to get really beautiful once you head diving underwater. The biggest draws are colorful coral and a staggering amount of marine life – everything from friendly fish to manta rays to the gigantic whale shark.
Suggested Hotels
Boasting one of the best-equipped diving schools in the country, Bandos Island Resort (4*) can provide support, equipment and transport to any of the top dive locations nearby.
Guests say: “My seventh stay. The dive center and team are great – reef dive and the night dive are fantastic, with very professional staff.” – Edward, UK
http://www.agoda.com/bandos-island-resort-spa/hotel/maldives-islands-mv.html
The Adaaran Prestige Vadoo (5*) offers a variety of special dive packages, and training courses are available from beginner’s introduction to a four day PADI rescue diver course.
Guests say: “Scuba diving is amazing and the island has its own dive point with friendly and experienced staff. All in all a great holiday destination and the hotel exceeded our expectations.” – Ji-Xiang, Australia
http://www.agoda.com/adaaran-prestige-vadoo-resort/hotel/maldives-islands-mv.html
With Agoda.com’s latest offerings, you no longer need to worry about breaking the bank over hotel accommodations the next time you fancy a trip to one of these diving destinations.
Planning on taking a diving trip soon? Connect with Agoda.com for special deals on hotels worldwide at www.agoda.com.
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Diving in Asia Pacific Easier With Agoda.com