The Pacific Islands and Asia offer great year round diving. Although the language barriers can cause difficulties for some visitors, the majority of people know bits and pieces of several languages including English. The hospitality on these islands is wonderful, and the low prices make it possible to be involved in a variety of activities in addition to diving while on your scuba diving vacation.

Pacific Islands

Fiji is a dream vacation come true. Beautiful oceans surrounding this amazing island make the diving experience unique and memorable. Between July and November the animal life in the surrounding waters really begins to become more active, so this is one of the best times of the year to visit. Lomaivitis between Viti Levu and Vanua Levu is a favorite dive for photographers. The cave swim through rises from 3,000 feet and sharks, rays, and other animals can be found in the area.

Papua New Guinea has other popular dives in the Pacific Islands. The Duke of York Islands, a group of 13 coral islands, offers one of the most interesting dives in the world. Two Tanks, the home of two Japanese World War II tanks, offers the experience of exploring these tanks that are still completely intact under 15 feet of water. Suzie's Bommie, a coral dome surrounded by animal life and three ships that were sunk as artificial reefs, is also a very popular dive for visitors.

Asia

From the middle of December to the middle of March, typhoon season is over, and Asia is wonderful place to visit. The Phillippines actually have some of the best diving in the world. The Tubbataha Reefs in the Sulu Sea have been awarded the World Heritage Site status. This area has the largest coral atoll in the Sulu Sea and is home to over 400 species of coral and 2,000 species of fish.

Shark Point in Thailand is also a favorite dive for experienced divers. There is an extensive reef system with thousands of species of plants and fish, including Leopard Sharks and Moray Eels. Before visiting Thailand for diving, however, you should check to be sure that it is not monsoon season, because the entire weather patterns are controlled by monsoons.