Dive Happy: The Best Places To Go Scuba Diving In Asia

The remote kingdom of Tonga in Polynesia is home to humpback whales for a few months each year. Tim Rock explains what it's like to be in the water with these amazing mammals.Full show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, are at https://divehappy.com/tonga-humpback-whales-podcast/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com

Widely regarded as the best dive location in the Philippines, the remote, UNESCO Heritage listed Tubbataha Reef is worth the effort the visit. Tony Exall explains why.Full show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, are at https://divehappy.com/tubbataha-reef-diving-podcast/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com

The Diver Who Fell From The Sky is Simon Pridmore's fascinating biography of Francis Toribiong, the man who put Palau diving on the map. Tim Rock discusses his contributions to Simon's book and his enduring friendship with Francis.Full show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, are at https://divehappy.com/palau-diving-francis-toribiong-podcast/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com

Diving in the Philippines' Sogod Bay is so good we're returning to Southern Leyte's best-kept secret, this time with underwater videographer Tony ExallFull show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, are at https://divehappy.com/sogod-bay-diving-podcast/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com

LAMAVE (Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute) has pioneered whale shark research in the Philippines through the collective efforts of volunteer helpers. Jessica Labaja explains LAMAVE’s ongoing research and education mission.Full show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, are at divehappy.com/lamave-volunteer-whale-shark-research/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com

Being a marine biologist sounds like a dream job for divers, but what's the day-to-day reality? Dr Simon Pierce describes what it's really like as a full-time occupation.Full show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, are at divehappy.com/dream-job-whats-it-like-to-be-a-marine-biologist/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com

Near to the Philippines’ Dumaguete City are not one but two outstanding dive areas - the famous Apo Island, and the macro heaven of Dauin’s coastline. Tony Exall outlines the merits of each.Full show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, are at divehappy.com/dumaguete-diving-podcast This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com

Indonesia’s Komodo National Park is infamous for its strong currents underwater. Emma Tolmie explains how learning to ride the lightning can lead to the best dives.Full show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, are at divehappy.com/komodo-diving-podcast/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com

Yonaguni’s mysterious underwater monument has intrigued scientists and divers for decades. Is it natural or man-made? Florine from World Adventure Divers explains.Full show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, are at divehappy.com/diving-the-yonaguni-monument-japan/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com

Koh Lanta is the gateway to some of Thailand’s best diving, as well as being a great apres-dive location too. Joe Guilmette describes what makes Koh Lanta’s diving so special.Full show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, are at divehappy.com/diving-koh-lanta-podcast/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com

Famous for its vast, shape-shifting shoals of sardines, Moalboal has plenty of other underwater surprises for scuba divers. Tony Exall explains.Full show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, are at divehappy.com/moalboal-diving-podcast/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com

Diving on a still active volcano with hundreds of deadly poisonous sea snakes - what could possibly go wrong? Simon Marsh explains where to find the wild side of Banda Sea diving Full show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, are at divehappy.com/diving-banda-sea-podcast-part-2/You can also hear the first part of this conversation at Diving The Banda Sea: Part 1 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com

Crossing The Banda Sea is one of Indonesia's most epic liveaboard experiences. Simon Marsh explains the spectacular diving to be found along the way, as well as the fascinating history of the tiny Banda Islands. Full show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, are at divehappy.com/diving-banda-sea-podcast/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com

One of the world's most geographically isolated places, Hawaii's volcanic seascape is a haven for marine life, ranging from mating humpback whales to night dive manta rays to endemic fish species. Tim Rock explains Hawaii's unique underwater appeal.Full show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, and details of Tim’s Kickstarter campaign for his 50 Best Dives in Hawaii book, are at divehappy.com/diving-hawaii-podcast/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com

The tiny island of Malapascua in the Philippines is the best place in the world to see the elusive thresher shark. Dr Simon Pierce explains how the sharks have become a great example of successful eco-tourism.Full show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, are at divehappy.com/diving-malapascua-podcast/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com

Diving Taiwan is full of surprises, with a variety of dive sites across the country almost unknown to tourists. Simon Pridmore explains Taiwan’s underwater highlights.Full show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, are at divehappy.com/diving-taiwan-podcast/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com

From ice diving to shark diving to tropical reef diving, Japan has it all. Tim Rock gives an overview of how to explore Japan's many different underwater environments.Full show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, are at divehappy.com/diving-japan-podcast/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com

HTMS Chang is one of Thailand's best wreck dives, and along with the very fishy Alhambra Rock, it's accessible as a weekend liveaboard from BangkokFull show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, are at divehappy.com/diving-htms-chang-and-alhambra-rock-podcast/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com

The World War 2 shipwrecks in the Philippines' Coron Bay are an underwater timewarp into the past. Tony Exall explains what it's like to dive them today.Full show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, are at divehappy.com/diving-coron-shipwrecks-podcast/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com

Lembongan is Bali's wild side, famous for the chance to see mola mola (oceanic sunfish) and manta rays. Chris Mitchell talks to long-time Lembongan resident and dive shop owner Tim Birkett about how to best explore the island’s divingFull show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, are at divehappy.com/diving-lembongan-bali-podcast/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com

Romblon island is a hotspot for tiny underwater critters rarely seen elsewhere in the Philippines. Founder of DiverBliss.com Ara Juan explains the appeal of Romblon's super macro marine lifeFull show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, are at divehappy.com/diving-romblon-the-philippines-secret-super-macro-paradise/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com

Triton Bay remains one of Indonesia's best - and still largely undiscovered - diving areas. Veteran underwater photojournalist Tim Rock discusses what makes Triton Bay diving so good.Full show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned are at divehappy.com/triton-bay-diving-2020-podcast/The audio at the very beginning of this episode on my end is a bit wobbly, but it quickly gets better - sorry about that! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com

It's the ideal of a dream job for many, but what does it really take to be a Liveaboard Cruise Director?  Dive Damai Operations Manager Simon Marsh explains all This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com

Next door to Raja Ampat, Triton Bay is another of Indonesia's frontier diving treasures that is still being explored and understood. Triton Bay Divers' Jimmy Thai explains why it's so special. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com

Imagine diving on the side of a mountain covered in coral and marine life - that's Tubbataha Reef. Yvette Lee explains why these remote atolls are the greatest dive spot in the Philippines This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com

Yap maybe most famous for its resident manta ray population, but Tim Rock explains how this tiny Micronesian group of islands has a gamut of other oceany delights plus a unique topside culture too. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com

Truk Lagoon's scores of easily accessible WWII shipwrecks are also stunningly colourful "ship reefs" and havens for marine life. Tim Rock describes why Truk is one of the world's most incredible dive spots This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com

Sogod Bay is the Philippines' best kept secret for scuba diving - a marine sanctuary that boasts beautiful reefs, great critter life and regular whale shark visits. Sogod Bay Scuba Resort director Phil McGuire explains Sogod's hidden charms This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com

Raja Ampat's Misool Eco Resort is surrounded by pristine coral reefs and thriving fish life - thanks in large part to the decade-long conservation efforts of the resort itself. Co founder Marit Miners explains how a motley crew of divers managed to create an eco sanctuary.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com

Scores of sharks, epic underwater landscapes, WW2 wrecks, the Top 5 Of All Time dive site Blue Corner - Palau has it all. Tim Rock has been diving Palau for over three decades and discusses why he still keeps going back This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com

It's one of Myanmar's remotest dive sites, but Black Rock is one of the world's manta ray hotspots with hundreds of verified sightings. Pioneering manta scientist Dr Andrea Marshall explains why This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com

Long closed off from the rest of the world, Myanmar has a host of fascinating diving amongst the largely uninhabited islands of the Mergui Archipelago. Clive White draws on his extensive Myanmar diving experience to explain its appeal This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com

Bali is a world-famous tourist destination but it's also a largely underrated diving destination, with scores of great dive sites that range from macro wonderlands to big critter encounters. Simon Pridmore explains Bali's underwater allure. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com

Only recently added to the must-go dive map, Indonesia's Cenderawasih Bay is most famous for incredible whale shark encounters. But this vast underwater wilderness has plenty more to amaze visitors, as Tim Rock explains This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com

Famous as the home of the Komodo Dragon, Indonesia's Komodo National Park is also one of the most epic places in the world to go diving. Accomplished Canadian underwater photographer Mike Veitch joins Chris Mitchell to discuss why Komodo is incredible above and below the surface. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com

Raja Ampat is widely regarded as one of the best places in the world to go scuba diving, but what makes it so special?  Veteran underwater photojournalist Tim Rock joins Chris Mitchell to discuss why Raja Ampat keeps divers coming back year after year. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com