10 Best Diving Spots in Southeast Asia for Beginners

New to scuba diving? Southeast Asia is the perfect place to get started. With warm waters, excellent visibility, and a huge variety of marine life, it's a beginner diver’s paradise. The region is home to world-famous dive schools and relaxed underwater environments ideal for learning. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the ten best beginner-friendly diving locations, share what makes each one special, and give you tips on how to start your underwater journey safely and confidently.

Top 10 Beginner-Friendly Dive Sites

1. Koh Tao, Thailand: Known as the budget diving capital of the world, Koh Tao is ideal for beginners thanks to its affordable courses, reliable dive shops, and safe, shallow bays. The visibility is good, the waters are warm year-round, and dive conditions are generally calm. You’ll find colorful coral reefs, friendly groupers, and even the occasional reef shark.
2. Tulamben, Bali (Indonesia): Tulamben is home to the USAT Liberty wreck — one of the best shore-accessible wreck dives globally. It lies at just 5-30 meters depth, making it perfect for beginner divers to explore without boat trips. The wreck is teeming with marine life like bumphead parrotfish, moray eels, and nudibranchs. The lack of strong currents and easy navigation makes this site great for first-time underwater adventurers.
3. Perhentian Islands, Malaysia: These islands offer some of the most laid-back diving in the region. With easy shore entries, low currents, and abundant marine life, they’re great for new divers. Expect to see turtles, reef fish, and sometimes even small blacktip reef sharks. Local dive shops are well-rated, and many offer beginner-focused programs.
4. Nusa Lembongan, Indonesia: This small island near Bali is famous for manta ray sightings. While currents can be tricky at some sites, there are many shallow cleaning stations where beginners can observe majestic manta rays hovering peacefully. The dive schools here are accustomed to training first-time divers and often offer refresher or Discovery dives in calm areas.
5. Moalboal, Philippines: Moalboal is known for its sardine run — millions of sardines swimming together near the shore. It’s an unforgettable sight and accessible even for Open Water students. The coral reefs here are also ideal for beginners due to minimal current and gradual slope. Expect vibrant soft corals, sea turtles, and even mandarin fish if you dive at dusk.
6. Gili Islands, Indonesia: These islands are a backpacker favorite for a reason. Dive shops are abundant, and the reef systems around Gili Trawangan, Gili Air, and Gili Meno are excellent training grounds. You’ll find relaxed drift dives, coral gardens, and plenty of turtles. Many dive schools offer multi-day Open Water packages that include accommodation and dives.
7. Apo Island, Philippines: A model for marine conservation, Apo Island offers calm dive conditions and stunning biodiversity. It’s a great spot for beginners to practice buoyancy and marine life ID. Many sites here start shallow and gradually descend, giving new divers a chance to build confidence. Expect to see schools of jacks, sea snakes, and healthy coral reefs.
8. Mabul & Kapalai, Malaysia: While Sipadan is nearby and reserved for more experienced divers, Mabul and Kapalai are gentle alternatives. Known for macro photography and sandy-bottom dives, these sites are ideal for those interested in nudibranchs, pipefish, and frogfish. The diving is mellow, often done from resorts with built-in dive platforms.
9. Padang Bai, Bali (Indonesia): Located on Bali’s east coast, Padang Bai offers a mix of reefs and muck diving perfect for learners. Sites like Blue Lagoon and Jepun feature calm waters, artificial reefs, and abundant fish life. The easy conditions make it a great place to practice dive skills and spot clownfish, lionfish, and even blue-spotted stingrays.
10. Coron, Philippines: Coron is famed for its WWII wrecks, many of which sit at shallow depths. For beginners, there are several accessible sites like Lusong Gunboat, ideal for exploring while still staying within Open Water limits. Calm lake dives like Barracuda Lake are also a great experience for newbies due to their thermal layers and surreal underwater scenery.

Tips for Beginner Divers in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is one of the most accessible and enjoyable regions to begin your diving journey. But even in paradise, preparation and mindset matter. Here are some key tips for new divers:

• Choose reputable dive schools: Always go with certified dive centers with good reviews and experienced instructors. Look for shops affiliated with PADI, SSI, or NAUI.
• Start with easy conditions: Avoid strong currents or deep dives at first. Shore dives, sandy bottoms, and shallow reefs are ideal starting points.
• Check your gear: Familiarize yourself with how your equipment works before entering the water. Test your mask fit, adjust your BCD, and ensure your regulator is working smoothly.
• Practice buoyancy early: Mastering buoyancy control will make your dives more comfortable and environmentally friendly. You’ll also use less air and enjoy the dive more.
• Stay relaxed and communicate: It’s normal to feel nervous. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and signal to your instructor if you feel uncomfortable underwater.
• Keep diving: The more you dive, the more confident you’ll become. Consider doing your Advanced Open Water course or enrolling in specialty dives once you’re ready.

Related Articles

If you’re interested in diving around the world, consider these related articles:

• Best Places to Scuba Dive: Top Global Dive Destinations.
• 8 Must-Visit Manta Ray Diving Destinations Around the World.
• Exploring the Most Spectacular Dive Sites in the Maldives.