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Catch wonderful marine life like sea turtles, manta rays, and whale sharks in these budget-friendly dive websites only a brief getaway from Singapore!
Sure, Singapore does have a number of diving websites like Ghost Island and Sisters’ Islands Marine Park the place we will catch glimpses of gorgeous corals and fishes. However there are some epic experiences that we simply can’t get right here at dwelling — like say getting near whale sharks and manta rays 😲
Fortunately although, Singapore is a wonderful gateway to a few of the most spectacular scuba diving locations within the area! One of the best half? You don’t have to interrupt the financial institution to fulfill your inside mermaid 🧜🏽♀️
Photograph credit score: Lachlan Ross by way of Pexels
With flights slightly below S$500 (sure, round-trip), these 5 budget-friendly dive websites will certainly have you ever craving on your subsequent low cost getaway from Singapore.
We’ve researched the very best occasions to attain low cost flight tickets, the seasons for optimum diving situations, and in addition consolidated all of the dive spots onto a map. With all this info at your fingertips, you’ll be chope-ing your annual depart by the point you attain the tip of this text!
Dive into your favourite place: Donsol | Nusa Lembongan Free Mp3 Obtain Maldives | Koh Tao | Malapascua
1) Dive with Whale Sharks in Donsol, Philippines
Spherical-trip fare: From ~S$270 (incl. worldwide and home)
Flight from Singapore: ~5hrs (SIN-MNL-DRP)
Enjoyable reality: Grownup Whale Sharks typically feed close to the floor! Photograph credit score: Olgaga by way of Unsplash
Donsol, Philippines is a first-rate spot to marvel on the magnificent Whale Sharks. These massive fish are elusive however generally seem in massive numbers throughout the suitable season to feed on vitamins in Donsol Bay. Actually, there have been sightings of as much as 18 of them directly in Manta Bowl — a dive web site off the coast of Donsol, close to Ticao Island!
Finest diving season: Typically, November to June is Whale Shark season. However February to Might has essentially the most studies of sightings. Monsoon additionally normally stretches from December to June when visibility may not be the very best. Whereas this clashes with Whale Shark season, the great factor is these mild giants typically swim up close to the floor so that you’ll nonetheless have a transparent view of them in the event you snorkel as a substitute!
Photograph credit score: @jordisark by way of Instagram
There are various Whale Shark dive websites the place they’re lured in with baits. Whereas this implies you’re assured a 100% sighting of the whale sharks, this might negatively have an effect on the ecosystem and generally even the protection of the whale sharks as they get reduce by the boat’s propeller blades.
At Donsol, eco-tourism is taken significantly and in the event you’d prefer to tick one thing off your bucket listing in an moral manner, be part of us for our subsequent dive expedition to Donsol! Or in the event you’re already planning your personal dive journey, bear in mind to e-book tickets early to snag low cost flights.
The right way to get right here: Fly to Manilla (from ~S$220 round-trip in February) then take a home flight (from ~S$50 round-trip) to Bicol Worldwide Airport. From there, you’ll have to depend on taxis, jeepney, or minibuses to get Donsol. The experience takes ~3 hours! Or e-book a visit with us and allow us to settle that for you!
Learn additionally: 5D Whale Shark Diving Expedition, Donsol Philippines
2) Dive With Mola Mola in Nusa Lembongan, Bali
Spherical-trip fare: From ~S$200
Flight from Singapore: ~2hr 45mins (SIN-DPS)
A Mola Mola or Sunfish! Photograph credit score: @danielbotelhophotographer by way of Instagram
Ever heard of Mola Mola or Ocean Sunfish? As their title suggests, they like to swim close to the floor to bask within the solar. However what’s wonderful about these creatures is that they’re HUGE — having the ability to develop as much as 3m lengthy and weigh as much as 2kg! No surprise they’re topped the biggest bony fish on the planet.
However for one thing so massive, it’s truly fairly uncommon to identify them as they normally spend most of their lives deep within the ocean. Fortunately although, you’ll be able to nonetheless catch them at Crystal Baya dive web site in Bali not that removed from Nusa Lembongan.
*Observe: It’s finest to have a minimum of an Superior Diving Certification as these majestic beauties are generally discovered at depths of 30 to 40m!
Photograph credit score: Legend Diving
Finest diving season: Go to between Might to October when there’s much less rain and waters are calmer. Monsoon in Bali lasts from November to March, throughout which, horizontal visibility would possibly drop to a low of ~10m. However when waters are clear, visibility can go as much as 40m! The Mola Mola additionally tends to desire colder waters so there’s a greater likelihood to identify one when there’s a dip in water temperature!
*Professional-tip: Water temperatures can fluctuate fairly a bit (20°C to twenty-eight°C) so make sure you ask the dive centre for an appropriate wetsuit to maintain you heat!
Spherical-trip flights could be as little as ~S$200 in July. However even throughout peak vacation seasons, flight costs have a tendency to remain ~S$450 if you are going to buy tickets early!
The right way to get right here: Fly from Singapore to Lord Ngurah Rai Airport. From there, take a Gojek to Sanur Harbour. Be sure to’ve pre-booked your ferry tickets previous to leaving Singapore!
Learn additionally: 11 Finest Adventurous Issues to Do in Bali Different Than Chilling
3) Dive With Sharks, Rays, and Turtles in Maldives
Spherical-trip fare: From ~S$400
Flight from Singapore: ~4.5hrs (SIN-MLE)
Hawksbill Turtle in Maldives. Photograph credit score: Scubaspa Maldives by way of Fb
Maldives is dwelling to an array of “bucket-list” marine life coveted by divers. A few of that are Manta Rays, Whale Sharks, Hammerhead Sharks, and 5 out of the world’s seven species of sea turtles just like the hawksbill. This ocean-locked nation can be frequented by many species of dolphins like noticed dolphins, so maintain an eye fixed out in the event you’re within the deep blue right here as a pod would possibly simply zip previous!
There are additionally 26 atolls (ring-shaped coral reefs) surrounding the Maldives, every with its personal distinctive panorama. However out of those 26, the Central Atolls is much less crowded because it’s away from touristy resort areas within the North and South.
Photograph credit score: Surfatoll by way of Fb
Finest diving season: Typically, Maldives’ tropical waters (~27°C to 30°C) supply crystal clear visibility at 20 to 40m all year long. Whereas skies are clearest and seas are calmest from December to Might, the very best time of yr to see Manta Rays and Whale Sharks is from August to November.
Set an alert for flight costs to Maldives as there are just a few days in every month the place costs can drop to ~S$400, round-trip. Though costs spike on the finish of the yr, it’s nonetheless potential to get low cost flights beneath S$500 in September and October.
The right way to get right here: Fly into Male (Velana) Worldwide Airport. From there, take both a ferry or speedboat to Male Metropolis. This switch must be pre-booked, so make preparations together with your resort previous to arrival!
4) Dive Amongst Vibrant Reefs in Koh Tao, Thailand
Spherical-trip fare: From ~S$140
Flight from Singapore: ~1.5hrs (SIN-KBV)
Photograph credit score: @alvautin.media by way of Instagram
Koh Tao, Thailand, has an unlimited array of marine animals and heat tropical waters (~27°C to 29°C) year-round — making it a super vacation spot for a budget-friendly scuba dive web site close by Singapore!
The island has over 20 dive spots and the waters right here supply sightings of various creatures, starting from small Nudibranches (a sort of sea slug) to sleek Inexperienced Turtles, and spectacular Nice Barracudas.
Plus, the shallow coral reefs (as much as ~15m deep) make a superb backdrop for that first dunk within the deep blue so we’d suggest getting an Open Water Diving Certification in Koh Tao in the event you’re new to diving 😉
Photograph credit score: Koh Tao Divers by way of Fb
Finest diving season: In the course of the months of March to June, divers might have an opportunity to come across magnificent Whalesharks! Whale Sharks have been identified to frequent Sail Rock whereas barracudas are sometimes noticed at Chumphon Pinnacle, White Rock, and HTMS Sattakut Wreck dive websites.
*Professional-tip: Keep away from travelling in the course of the Singapore faculty holidays to attain low cost flight tickets (from ~S$140 round-trip)!
The right way to get right here: Fly into Krabi Worldwide Airport then take a taxi to Lomprayah Ticket Workplace. From there, hop on a ferry to Koh Tao. Ferry rides (~S$50) are roughly 6 hours a method and have to be pre-booked!
5) Dive With Thresher Sharks in Malaspascua, Phillippines
Spherical-trip fare: From ~S$300
Flight from Singapore: ~4hrs (SIN-CEB)
A Thresher Shark in Malaspascua, Philippines. Photograph credit score: SDM adventures
Malapascua, Philippines is the place you’ll discover deep-dwelling Pelagic Thresher Sharks all yr spherical. So that you’re assured an encounter with a big creature of the deep when diving right here. Plus, horizontal visibility is normally 15 to 30m, which is fairly first rate.
Finest diving season: In the course of the months of December to Might, when the water is barely cooler (~25°C), divers might spot Hammerhead Sharks. There might be 50 to 200 sharks in every faculty of Hammerhead throughout this era!
*Professional-tip: It’s finest to have an Superior Diving Certification when diving in Malapascua as the best depth to come across sharks is between 20 to 30m.
Photograph credit score: @drone_in_my_backpack by way of Instagram
Regardless that flight costs might spike a little bit in the course of the peak sighting season (~S$300 – S$480), round-trip tickets are nearly all the time beneath S$500 all year long.
The right way to get right here: Take a flight from Singapore to Mactan-Cebu Worldwide Airport. Pre-book a shuttle (~S$135, round-trip for 1-3pax) to Maya Port. There, purchase a ferry ticket from one of many many suppliers alongside the port (~PHP200) for a 35-minute experience to Malapascua island.
Learn additionally: What to Do in Cebu, Philippines — 10 Epic Experiences That Are Surprisingly Reasonably priced
Tips about Planning an Epic Scuba Diving Getaway
If you happen to’re now itching to make a fast getaway to one among these budget-friendly dive websites, the very first thing to do is change on that value alert for first dibs on the most affordable flight ticket out!
When you get a ping on low cost flight tickets, bear in mind to examine the dates towards the very best occasions to go to the dive web site you’re planning to go — making an allowance for peak marine life sighting seasons, monsoon seasons, and peak vacation seasons. And all the time take into account that with all these variables, recognizing wildlife isn’t a complete assure. So go together with excessive hopes and low expectations 😉
Additionally, don’t neglect to examine the extent of diving certification wanted as some dive websites require minimally an Superior Diving Certification!
Photograph credit score: Tripadvisor
Sure, there’s actually a whole lot of analysis concerned however one can by no means be too meticulous relating to planning an epic scuba diving getaway. That being stated, it truly is rather more fuss-free to affix an expedition led by consultants and native guides. And better part is, these guided journeys assist you to meet like-minded people, rating!
If that appears like your factor, maintain an eye fixed out on our Instagram and Fb pages for updates on our subsequent dive expedition!
Know of extra budget-friendly dive websites? Share them with us within the feedback under!
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