Last min dive spot recommendations in Southeast Asia for xmas/new year
Hi everyone! I am a recently certified AOW diver who’s done just 12 dives in total. I recently became OBSESSED with diving after re-familiarizing myself with this sport during my vacation with parents in Phi Phi and can’t wait to get back to the ocean soon. I have some PTO coming up between Dec 20-Jan 4, and I would like to know where in Southeast Asia (or adjacent, such as Micronesia/Polynesia) I can book dive trips now for that time period. I know it’s super duper last minute and it’s gonna be a lot of holiday traffic but I am dying to dive again asap 😭😭
I would love to get more fun dives in to ramp up my experience, and possibly get more specialty training (eg for rescue or other kinds). I am also eager to see more amazing fishes and big boys in the sea! (I only saw big turtles before 🥹)
On a side note, I’m gonna do this solo as a woman, so probably not somewhere too sketchy or dangerous to get to or live in as a woman!I am flexible with budget and lodging and am open to recs of dive shops/villas/tours etc!
If you have a place/anything in mind for someone with my level of experience and timeline, please drop your recommendations! Thank you so much
Posted Dec 7, 2025, 12:50 PM UTC