Catch superb marine life like sea turtles, manta rays, and whale sharks in these budget-friendly dive websites only a brief getaway from Singapore!
Yes, Singapore does have a number of diving websites like Pulau Hantu and Sisters’ Islands Marine Park the place we are able to catch glimpses of lovely corals and fishes. But there are some epic experiences that we simply can’t get right here at residence — like say getting near whale sharks and manta rays 😲
Thankfully although, Singapore is a superb gateway to a few of the most spectacular scuba diving locations within the area! The better part? You don’t have to interrupt the financial institution to fulfill your inside mermaid 🧜🏽♀️
Photo 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 instances 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 top of this text!
Dive into your favorite location: Donsol | Nusa Lembongan | Maldives | Koh Tao | Malapascua
1) Dive with Whale Sharks in Donsol, Philippines
Round-trip fare: From ~S$270 (incl. worldwide and home)
Flight from Singapore: ~5hrs (SIN-MNL-DRP)
Fun truth: Adult Whale Sharks typically feed close to the floor! Photo credit score: Olgaga by way of Unsplash
Donsol, Philippines is a primary spot to marvel on the magnificent Whale Sharks. These massive fish are elusive however typically seem in massive numbers throughout the suitable season to feed on vitamins in Donsol Bay. In truth, 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!
Best diving season: Generally, November to June is Whale Shark season. But February to May has probably the most experiences of sightings. Monsoon additionally often stretches from December to June when visibility won’t be the very best. While this clashes with Whale Shark season, the nice factor is these light giants typically swim up close to the floor so that you’ll nonetheless have a transparent view of them in case you snorkel as an alternative!
Photo credit score: @jordisark by way of Instagram
There are many Whale Shark dive websites the place they’re lured in with baits. While this implies you’re assured a 100% sighting of the whale sharks, this might negatively have an effect on the ecosystem and typically even the security of the whale sharks as they get lower by the boat’s propeller blades.
At Donsol, eco-tourism is taken critically and in case you’d prefer to tick one thing off your bucket checklist in an moral approach, be a part of us for our subsequent dive expedition to Donsol! Or in case you’re already planning your individual dive journey, keep in mind to ebook tickets early to snag low-cost flights.
How 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 International Airport. From there, you’ll have to depend on taxis, jeepney, or minibuses to get Donsol. The trip takes ~3 hours! Or ebook a visit with us and allow us to settle that for you!
Read additionally: 5D Whale Shark Diving Expedition, Donsol Philippines
2) Dive With Mola Mola in Nusa Lembongan, Bali
Round-trip fare: From ~S$200
Flight from Singapore: ~2hr 45mins (SIN-DPS)
A Mola Mola or Sunfish! Photo credit score: @danielbotelhophotographer by way of Instagram
Ever heard of Mola Mola or Ocean Sunfish? As their identify suggests, they like to swim close to the floor to bask within the solar. But what’s superb about these creatures is that they’re HUGE — with the ability to develop as much as 3m lengthy and weigh as much as 2kg! No marvel they’re topped the most important bony fish on the planet.
But for one thing so massive, it’s really fairly uncommon to identify them as they often spend most of their lives deep within the ocean. Thankfully although, you may nonetheless catch them at Crystal Bay, a dive web site in Bali not that removed from Nusa Lembongan.
*Note: It’s finest to have a minimum of an Advanced Diving Certification as these majestic beauties are generally discovered at depths of 30 to 40m!
Photo credit score: Legend Diving
Best diving season: Visit between May to October when there’s much less rain and waters are calmer. Monsoon in Bali lasts from November to March, throughout which, horizontal visibility may drop to a low of ~10m. But when waters are clear, visibility can go as much as 40m! The Mola Mola additionally tends to choose colder waters so there’s a greater likelihood to identify one when there’s a dip in water temperature!
*Pro-tip: Water temperatures can fluctuate fairly a bit (20°C to twenty-eight°C) so make sure you ask the dive centre for an acceptable wetsuit to maintain you heat!
Round-trip flights will be as little as ~S$200 in July. But even throughout peak vacation seasons, flight costs have a tendency to remain ~S$450 if you are going to buy tickets early!
How to get right here: Fly from Singapore to Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport. From there, take a Gojek to Sanur Harbour. Make positive you’ve pre-booked your ferry tickets previous to leaving Singapore!
Read additionally: 11 Best Adventurous Things to Do in Bali Other Than Chilling
3) Dive With Sharks, Rays, and Turtles in Maldives
Round-trip fare: From ~S$400
Flight from Singapore: ~4.5hrs (SIN-MLE)
Hawksbill Turtle in Maldives. Photo credit score: Scubaspa Maldives by way of Facebook
Maldives is residence to an array of “bucket-list” marine life coveted by divers. Some 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 preserve a watch out in case you’re within the deep blue right here as a pod may simply zip previous!
There are additionally 26 atolls (ring-shaped coral reefs) surrounding the Maldives, every with its personal distinctive panorama. But out of those 26, the Central Atolls is much less crowded because it’s away from touristy resort areas within the North and South.
Photo credit score: Surfatoll by way of Facebook
Best diving season: Generally, Maldives’ tropical waters (~27°C to 30°C) provide crystal clear visibility at 20 to 40m all year long. While skies are clearest and seas are calmest from December to May, 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 a couple of days in every month the place costs can drop to ~S$400, round-trip. Although costs spike on the finish of the yr, it’s nonetheless potential to get low-cost flights below S$500 in September and October.
How to get right here: Fly into Male (Velana) International Airport. From there, take both a ferry or speedboat to Male City. This switch must be pre-booked, so make preparations along with your resort previous to arrival!
4) Dive Amongst Colourful Reefs in Koh Tao, Thailand
Round-trip fare: From ~S$140
Flight from Singapore: ~1.5hrs (SIN-KBV)
Photo credit score: @alvautin.media by way of Instagram
Koh Tao, Thailand, has an enormous array of marine animals and heat tropical waters (~27°C to 29°C) year-round — making it an excellent 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 provide sightings of various creatures, starting from small Nudibranches (a kind of sea slug) to sleek Green Turtles, and spectacular Great Barracudas.
Plus, the shallow coral reefs (as much as ~15m deep) make a wonderful backdrop for that first dunk within the deep blue so we’d advocate getting an Open Water Diving Certification in Koh Tao in case you’re new to diving 😉
Photo credit score: Koh Tao Divers by way of Facebook
Best diving season: During the months of March to June, divers might have an opportunity to come across magnificent Whalesharks! Whale Sharks have been recognized to frequent Sail Rock whereas barracudas are sometimes noticed at Chumphon Pinnacle, White Rock, and HTMS Sattakut Wreck dive websites.
*Pro-tip: Avoid travelling throughout the Singapore college holidays to attain low-cost flight tickets (from ~S$140 round-trip)!
How to get right here: Fly into Krabi International Airport then take a taxi to Lomprayah Ticket Office. From there, hop on a ferry to Koh Tao. Ferry rides (~S$50) are roughly 6 hours a technique and have to be pre-booked!
5) Dive With Thresher Sharks in Malaspascua, Phillippines
Round-trip fare: From ~S$300
Flight from Singapore: ~4hrs (SIN-CEB)
A Thresher Shark in Malaspascua, Philippines. Photo credit score: SDM adventures
Malapascua, Philippines is the place you’ll discover deep-dwelling Pelagic Thresher Sharks all yr spherical. So you’re assured an encounter with a big creature of the deep when diving right here. Plus, horizontal visibility is often 15 to 30m, which is fairly first rate.
Best diving season: During the months of December to May, when the water is barely cooler (~25°C), divers might spot Hammerhead Sharks. There may very well be 50 to 200 sharks in every college of Hammerhead throughout this era!
*Pro-tip: It’s finest to have an Advanced Diving Certification when diving in Malapascua as the best depth to come across sharks is between 20 to 30m.
Photo credit score: @drone_in_my_backpack by way of Instagram
Even although flight costs might spike slightly throughout the peak sighting season (~S$300 – S$480), round-trip tickets are virtually at all times below S$500 all year long.
How to get right here: Take a flight from Singapore to Mactan-Cebu International 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 trip to Malapascua island.
Read additionally: What to Do in Cebu, Philippines — 10 Epic Experiences That Are Surprisingly Affordable
Tips on Planning an Epic Scuba Diving Getaway
If you’re now itching to make a fast getaway to certainly one of these budget-friendly dive websites, the very first thing to do is swap on that value alert for first dibs on the most affordable flight ticket out!
Once you get a ping on low-cost flight tickets, keep in mind to verify the dates in opposition to the very best instances to go to the dive web site you’re planning to go — considering peak marine life sighting seasons, monsoon seasons, and peak vacation seasons. And at all times remember the fact that with all these variables, recognizing wildlife isn’t a complete assure. So go along with excessive hopes and low expectations 😉
Also, don’t neglect to verify the extent of diving certification wanted as some dive websites require minimally an Advanced Diving Certification!
Photo credit score: Tripadvisor
Yes, there’s really lots 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 far more fuss-free to hitch an expedition led by specialists and native guides. And better part is, these guided journeys mean you can meet like-minded people, rating!
If that seems like your factor, preserve a watch out on our Instagram and Facebook pages for updates on our subsequent dive expedition!
Know of extra budget-friendly dive websites? Share them with us within the feedback under!