Best Scuba Diving Destinations And Schools In Asia For Kids!
Learn How To Scuba Dive In Asia, Get Your PADI Certification, And Enjoy Scuba Destinations With Kids
Want more? Below are 10 handy hotels/resorts in Asia where you can travel with the kids and they can get their PADI diving certifications. Handy? We sure think so! Please note that the minimum age for diving is 10 years old, and kids under 15 years old can earn PADI Junior Open Water Diver certification.
| Destination | Minimum Age | Certification Levels | Dive Highlights | Resort Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bali (Lotus Bungalows) | 10 years old | PADI Junior Open Water Diver (under 15), PADI Open Water Diver (at 15) | Wide range of dive sites including shipwrecks, sand slopes, drop-offs, and reefs. Opportunity to swim with manta rays, sharks, and colorful marine life. | Lotus Bungalows |
| Koh Samui (Anantara Rasananda) | 10 years old | PADI Junior Open Water Diver (under 15), PADI Open Water Diver (at 15) | Dive spots include Sail Rock, Angthong National Marine Park, and Koh Tao. Possibility to encounter barracuda, trevally, jacks, whale sharks, and various coral formations. | Anantara Rasananda |
| Pulau Tioman (Berjaya Tioman Resort) | 10 years old | PADI Junior Open Water Diver (under 15), PADI Open Water Diver (at 15) | Crystal-clear waters, coral reefs, and diverse marine life including turtles, reef sharks, moray eels, and colorful fish. | Berjaya Tioman Resort |
| Cebu Island (Plantation Bay Resort & Spa) | 10 years old | PADI Junior Open Water Diver (under 15), PADI Open Water Diver (at 15) | Underwater caverns, freshwater cave diving, and shallow shipwrecks. Abundance of marine life including reefs, walls, and caves. | Plantation Bay Resort & Spa |
| Maldives (Vilamendhoo Island Resort) | 10 years old | PADI Junior Open Water Diver (under 15), PADI Open Water Diver (at 15) | Manta ray and whale shark diving opportunities. Channel and thila dives in South Ari Atoll. Rich marine biodiversity. | Vilamendhoo Island Resort |
| Redang Island (The Taaras Beach & Spa Resort) | 10 years old | PADI Junior Open Water Diver (under 15), PADI Open Water Diver (at 15) | Multiple dive locations with hard and soft corals. Encounter turtles, reef sharks, moray eels, and a variety of fish species. | The Taaras Beach & Spa Resort |
| Bangka Island (Murex Bangka Dive Resort) | 10 years old | PADI Junior Open Water Diver (under 15), PADI Open Water Diver (at 15) | Private white sand beach with impressive reef for snorkeling and diving. Marine life includes sharks, snapper, coral, seahorses, and more. | Murex Bangka Dive Resort |
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Scuba Diving In Pulau Tioman With Kids: November - February
Pulau Tioman is located on the east coast of peninsular Malaysia and surrounded by numerous coral reefs is a popular scuba diving spot. It has tropical weather, clear crystal water, and great white sandy beaches, which provide the relaxing environment you need to calm your stressful nerves down. It's almost a year-round location to visit except during the monsoon season from November to February due to high water currents. Scuba diving can be arranged through the following resorts:
Scuba Diving Stays That Are Popular With Families In Pulau Tioman:
- Berjaya, www.berjayahotel.com
- Japamala, www.japamalaresorts.com
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Scuba Diving In Koh Samui, Thailand With Kids: December-August (Dry Season)
Koh Samui and the surrounding islands have some of the best dive spots. From Sail Rock, Angthong National Marine Park, Southwest Pinnacle, Chumphon Pinnacle, and Koh Tao, among others. Enjoy your underwater world and see what fantastic sea life you will discover. Scuba diving can be arranged through the following resorts & schools:
Scuba Diving Stays That Are Popular With Families In Koh Samui:
- Anantara, phangan-rasananda.anantara.com
- The Dive Academy, www.thediveacademysamui.com
- Discovery Divers, discoverydivers.com
- Silent Divers, silentdivers.com
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Scuba Diving In Lombok, Indonesia With Kids: April-November Is Best
For big fish and diverse marine life away from the crowds, Lombok is an excellent choice for families! Top areas for diving in Lombok include Belongas Bay, Kuta, Tampah, and Gerupuk Bay with diving options including caverns, walls, and gentle reef dives packed with turtles and clear water. Lombok offers diverse dive sites, including the famous Gili Islands, where you can explore stunning coral formations, and encounter turtles, reef sharks, and a wide array of marine species. It's advisable to check local weather forecasts and consult with dive operators in Lombok for the most accurate and up-to-date information before planning your scuba diving trip. For ease, book a stay at Novotel Lombok which has a PADI-certified dive center on site (Scuba Froggy) and can arrange dives, Bubble Maker for the kids, and snorkeling too.
Scuba Diving Stays That Are Popular With Families In Lombok:
- Novotel Lombok, www.novotellombok.com
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Scuba Diving In The Maldives With Kids: Year-Round Scuba Diving
Pack up the kids and head to this island paradise! Dive, surf, and snorkel in crystal clear water, swing in a hammock on white sandy beaches and bask in the warm golden sunshine after a day of diving. The Maldives has become one of the world's best scuba diving destinations because of its pearly white beaches and stunning coral reefs. The Maldives is renowned for its exceptional scuba diving opportunities, offering a year-round diving season due to its warm tropical climate. It has numerous scuba diving sites, rich with marine life. Scuba diving can be arranged through the following resorts:
Scuba Diving Stays That Are Popular With Families In The Maldives:
- Holiday Inn, www.maldives.holidayinnresorts.com
- Club Med, www.clubmed.com.hk
- Anantara, dhigu-maldives.anantara.com
- Constance, www.constancehotels.com
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Scuba Diving In Okinawa, Japan With Kids: June-August Is Peak Scuba Diving Season
You would not imagine it, but Japan is an excellent spot for scuba diving and other aquatic fun for the family. Kerama Islands is a mere ferry ride away from Naha Okinawa. Take a day to dive or snorkel into the crystal clear waters around the Kerama Islands. Travel through stunning coral reefs, catch tropical fish, and keep an eye out for sea turtles. These waters are also the home of humpback whales who are known to migrate to the warm waters of Kerama to give birth and raise their calves. Beginners and experienced divers are welcome! Scuba diving can be arranged through the following companies:
Scuba Diving Stays That Are Popular With Families In Okinawa:
- Veltra City Discovery, www.veltra.com
- Diving School Marea Okinawa, marea-oki.jp
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Scuba Diving In Redang Island, Malaysia With Kids: March-October Is Peak Diving Season
Visiting Redang is ideal for those with active tykes who are competent swimmers. Viewed as one of the top vacation destinations in Malaysia, the island is open for tourism from March until October. Be prepared to see some amazing sea creatures such as sea turtles, friendly sharks, and puffer fish. The diving season in Redang Island is influenced by the monsoon seasons in the region. These crystal-clear waters are a treat for any scuba-loving family. Scuba diving can be arranged through the following resorts:
Scuba Diving Stays That Are Popular With Families On Redang Island, Malaysia:
- Redang Island Resort, https://www.redangislandresort.com/
- The Taaras, https://www.thetaaras.com/
- Laguna Redang, www.lagunaredang.com
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Scuba Diving In Cebu, Phillipines, Malaysia With Kids: December-May
Cebu is a small island in the Philippines. It has become very popular over the past few years with families. It is great for water sports, diving, and relaxing on their white sandy beaches. From underwater caverns, and freshwater cave diving to shallow shipwrecks, Cebu is a must to dive. Scuba diving can be arranged through the following resorts:
Scuba Diving Stays That Are Popular With Families In Cebu, Philippines:
- Plantation Bay, plantationbay.com
- Sipalay Easy Diving, www.sipalay.com
- Shangri-La, www.shangri-la.com
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Scuba Diving In Bali With Kids: Year-Round Scuba Diving With Dry Season As Peak!
Bali has some great water surrounding it. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or just a beginner, there are some great schools no matter what your level. You might even see the odd shipwreck or two! Bali is a year-round diving destination with warm temperatures. During the colder months, the water is around 29°C, so you don’t have to worry too much about getting chilly, and the dry season in Bali runs from April to October. Scuba diving can be arranged through the following schools:
Scuba Diving Stays That Are Popular With Families In Bali, Indonesia:
- Scuba Bali, scubali.com
- Bali Scuba, www.baliscuba.com
- Adventure Scuba Diving, www.adventure-scuba-diving.com
- Bali Diving, www.balidiving.com
- Bali Ocean, www.baliocean.com
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Scuba Diving In Phuket, Thailand With Kids: November-April (Dry Season)
Around Phuket are many islands which have some great places to dive. This is the place to come if you want to get your PADI. There are some top-notch schools here, waiting to help you discover the ocean below. In Phuket, the diving is mostly done as day trips by boat. Because most dive sites are situated offshore and are only accessible by boat. There are also a few dive sites that can be reached directly from the beach or with the longtail boat. Scuba diving can be arranged through the following schools:
Scuba Diving Schools That Are Popular With Families In Phuket, Thailand:
- Aussie Divers Phuket, www.aussiediversphuket.com
- Sunrise Divers, www.sunrise-divers.com
- Sea Fun Divers, www.seafundivers.com
- Super Divers Phuket, superdiversphuket.com
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Scuba Diving In Nusa Lembongan With Kids: Year-Round Scuba Diving With Dry Season As Peak!
The reefs around Nusa Lembongan are ideal for diving and snorkeling. It is an island about 30 minutes off the south-east of Bali, and so is really easy to get to! There are plenty of dive shops offering scuba diving instructions and spectacular night dives. For kids, snorkeling around Mushroom Bay is safe, and fun and guarantees an amazing display of rainbow-colored marine life. Scuba diving can be arranged through the following schools:
Scuba Diving Schools That Are Popular With Families In Nusa Lembongan:
- Two Fish Divers, www.twofishdivers.com
- Lembongan Dive Center, www.lembongandivecenter.com
- Big Fish Diving, www.bigfishdiving.com
- World Diving, www.world-diving.com
- Blue Corner Diving, www.bluecornerdive.com
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