Scuba diving is an exciting and rewarding adventure that allows you to explore the underwater world and discover its wonders. However, choosing the right time to go diving can make all the difference in your experience. In this cheatsheet, we'll provide you with all the information you need to plan your next scuba diving trip, including the best times to go, what to expect, and some pros and cons of each location.
Best Times to Go Scuba Diving - Bali, Indonesia
Bali is a popular scuba diving destination with diverse dive sites and rich marine life. The best time to go diving in Bali is during the dry season, from April to November. During this time, you can expect good visibility, calm seas, and warm water temperatures.
Pros:
Diverse dive sites, from shallow reefs to deep wrecks
Rich marine life, including manta rays, sharks, and turtles
Warm water temperatures, around 26-29°C (79-84°F)
Good visibility, up to 30 meters (100 feet)
Suitable for all levels of experience
Cons:
Some dive sites may be crowded during peak season
Some locations may have strong currents, which can be challenging for beginners
Best Times to Go Scuba Diving - Gili Trawangan, Indonesia
Gili Trawangan is a small island located off the northwest coast of Lombok, Indonesia. It's known for its crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, and diverse marine life. The best time to go diving in Gili Trawangan is during the dry season, from April to November. During this time, you can expect good visibility, calm seas, and warm water temperatures.
Pros:
Diverse marine life, including turtles, rays, and reef sharks
Warm water temperatures, around 26-29°C (79-84°F)
Good visibility, up to 30 meters (100 feet)
Suitable for all levels of experience
Easy to access from Bali or Lombok
Cons:
Some dive sites may be crowded during peak season
Some locations may have strong currents, which can be challenging for beginners
Best Times to Go Scuba Diving - Alor, Indonesia
Alor is a remote and unspoiled diving destination located in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. It's known for its pristine reefs, diverse marine life, and challenging diving conditions. The best time to go diving in Alor is during the dry season, from April to December. During this time, you can expect good visibility, calm seas, and warm water temperatures.
Pros:
Pristine reefs and diverse marine life, including manta rays, sharks, and critters
Warm water temperatures, around 26-29°C (79-84°F)
Good visibility, up to 30 meters (100 feet)
Challenging diving conditions, suitable for experienced divers
Remote and unspoiled location, away from the crowds
Cons:
Limited accommodation options and infrastructure
Some dive sites may have strong currents, which can be challenging for beginners
Best Times to Go Scuba Diving - Dayang, Malaysia
Dayang is a small island located off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It's known for its clear waters, healthy coral reefs, and diverse marine life. The best time to go diving in Dayang is during the dry season, from March to September. During this time, you can expect good visibility, calm seas, and warm water temperatures.
Pros:
Healthy coral reefs and diverse marine life, including nudibranchs, moray eels, and reef sharks
Warm water temperatures, around 26-29°C (79-84°F)
Good visibility, up to 30 meters (100 feet)
Suitable for all levels of experience
Easy to access from the mainland
Cons:
Limited accommodation options and infrastructure
Some dive sites may have strong currents, which can be challenging for beginners
Best Times to Go Scuba Diving - Tioman, Malaysia
Tioman is a popular scuba diving destination located off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It's known for its crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, and diverse marine life. The best time to go diving in Tioman is during the dry season, from March to October. During this time, you can expect good visibility, calm seas, and warm water temperatures.
Pros:
Diverse marine life, including turtles, rays, and reef sharks
Warm water temperatures, around 26-29°C (79-84°F)
Good visibility, up to 30 meters (100 feet)
Suitable for all levels of experience
Easy to access from the mainland
Cons:
Some dive sites may be crowded during peak season
Some locations may have strong currents, which can be challenging for beginners
Best Times to Go Scuba Diving - Redang, Malaysia
Redang is a beautiful island located off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It's known for its clear waters, white sandy beaches, and diverse marine life. The best time to go diving in Redang is during the dry season, from March to October. During this time, you can expect good visibility, calm seas, and warm water temperatures.
Pros:
Diverse marine life, including turtles, rays, and reef sharks
Warm water temperatures, around 26-29°C (79-84°F)
Good visibility, up to 30 meters (100 feet)
Suitable for all levels of experience
Easy to access from the mainland
Cons:
Some dive sites may be crowded during peak season
Some locations may have strong currents, which can be challenging for beginners
Best Times to Go Scuba Diving - Lembeh, Indonesia
Lembeh is a world-renowned muck diving destination located in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. It's known for its unique and bizarre marine life, including frogfish, seahorses, and nudibranchs. The best time to go diving in Lembeh is during the dry season, from March to October. During this time, you can expect good visibility, calm seas, and warm water temperatures.
Pros:
Unique and bizarre marine life, suitable for macro photography
Warm water temperatures, around 26-29°C (79-84°F)
Good visibility, up to 20 meters (66 feet)
Suitable for all levels of experience
Easy to access from Manado
Cons:
Limited accommodation options and infrastructure
Some dive sites may have strong currents, which can be challenging for beginners
Best Times to Go Scuba Diving - Tenggol, Malaysia
Tenggol is a remote and unspoiled diving destination located off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It's known for its pristine reefs, diverse marine life, and challenging diving conditions. The best time to go diving in Tenggol is during the dry season, from March to September. During this time, you can expect good visibility, calm seas, and warm water temperatures.
Pros:
Pristine reefs and diverse marine life, including manta rays, sharks, and critters
Warm water temperatures, around 26-29°C (79-84°F)
Good visibility, up to 30 meters (100 feet)
Challenging diving conditions, suitable for experienced divers
Remote and unspoiled location, away from the crowds
Cons:
Limited accommodation options and infrastructure
Some dive sites may have strong currents, which can be challenging for beginners
In addition to the above information, it's important to consider the following factors when planning your scuba diving trip:
Dive certification requirements: Some dive sites may require divers to have a certain level of certification, such as Advanced Open Water or Rescue Diver. It's important to check the requirements for each location before planning a trip.
Equipment rental and purchase: For those who don't have their own diving equipment, it's important to research the availability and cost of rental equipment at each location. Some locations may also have dive shops where equipment can be purchased.
Safety precautions: While scuba diving is generally safe, there are always risks involved. It's important to follow safety guidelines, such as diving with a buddy, checking equipment before each dive, and staying within the limits of your certification level.
Environmental considerations: Scuba diving can have an impact on the marine environment, so it's important to follow responsible diving practices, such as not touching or disturbing marine life, and avoiding the use of single-use plastics.
Travel insurance: It's always a good idea to have travel insurance that covers scuba diving, in case of accidents or emergencies.
This guideline is best for Singaporean diver, beginner and advanced, share and save this blog as we will update it from time to time.
I hope you found this cheatsheet helpful in planning your next scuba diving trip. Happy diving!
About the Author: MaryJo Lee
SSI Dive Master / SSI Swim Instructor
MaryJo Lee is an SSI Dive Master and SSI Swim Instructor with a passion for exploring the underwater world. With years of experience diving in some of the world's most beautiful destinations, she believes that scuba diving is not just a sport, but a way to connect with nature and create lasting memories.
As a dive professional, MaryJo is committed to providing personalized and safe diving experiences for dive enthusiasts. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced diver, she will guide you on an unforgettable journey, helping you discover the beauty and wonder of the ocean.
Dive into the wonders of the underwater world with MaryJo, and let her help you create unforgettable experiences and lasting bonds.
