Agoda’s 2025 Scuba Deals Survey: Malaysians Favour Local Dive Spots Despite Indonesia Topping Asia’s List
MALAYSIA, 8 April 2025 – Digital travel platform Agoda has unveiled insights from its 2025 Scuba Deals Survey, shedding light on the preferences and motivations of scuba diving enthusiasts across Asia. From dream destinations to travel budgets, the survey highlights trends shaping the underwater travel scene.
The survey, conducted across 11 markets in Asia, highlights the region’s prominence as a scuba diving haven, particularly in Southeast Asia. Known for its diverse and abundant dive sites, Southeast Asia continues to attract divers with its rich marine life and breathtaking underwater landscapes.
These insights from Agoda’s Scuba Deals survey reveal the evolving preferences and motivations of divers, offering a comprehensive look at what drives their underwater adventures.
1. Indonesia is the dream dive destination, but Malaysians appreciate home waters
Indonesia tops the list as the most desired scuba diving destination among Asian travellers, celebrated for its vibrant marine biodiversity and stunning coral reefs. It leads a ranking that also includes the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam, collectively showcasing the region’s rich underwater appeal.
At the same time, Malaysian divers recognise the beauty of their own marine treasures, ranking Malaysia as their top diving destination, ahead of Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
2. Underwater relaxation is a prime travel motivation
For many divers, the ocean offers a sanctuary for stress relief. Nearly one-third (30%) of respondents cited relaxation as their primary reason for diving, with this motivation being particularly present among divers from the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand. Exploring marine life also ranks high as a motivating factor, with 24% of divers drawn primarily to the allure of ocean creatures.
3. Affordability is a priority, but the budgets are bigger
While affordability is ranked by respondents as the most important factor when choosing accommodation for the trip, divers are willing to spend more on their underwater adventures. Two-fifths (40%) of respondents reported spending 15-30% more on scuba trips compared to regular vacations.
4. The typical scuba trip lasts 4-7 days
Short getaways dominate the scuba travel scene, with nearly half (48%) of divers preferring trips lasting 4-7 days. Weekend trips are also popular, chosen by 41% of respondents. These findings highlight the appeal of quick, immersive experiences that fit into busy schedules.
5. Reefs are the preferred dive sites
Reef diving emerges as the top choice for underwater explorers, with 75% of respondents expressing interest in these areas. The rich ecosystems and colourful coral formations of Asia’s reefs continue to captivate divers, reinforcing their status as must-visit sites for marine enthusiasts.
Fabian Teja, Country Director for Malaysia and Brunei at Agoda shared, “Asia is home to some of the world’s most popular diving destinations and remains a favourite among divers. At Agoda, we’re passionate about helping travellers access these amazing experiences. By offering great deals on accommodations, flights, and activities, we aim to make exploring the underwater world easier and affordable for everyone.”
Starting April 1st , Agoda’s Scuba Deals program offers an additional 10% discount on participating hotels in diving destinations across Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. For more details, visit www.agoda.com/scubadeals.
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