There’s above the water. And then there’s below it.

Are you an experienced diver? Do you want to take the plunge for the first time?

Don your diving gear and descend in a world of infinite colours and life-affirming wildlife encounters with Fleewinter.

Search for elegant Mantas in the Maldives or wander in for a shore dive in the Cayman Islands. If you’ve never seen a coconut octopus or orangutan crab (they’re as cute as their names, we can confirm!) then head to the Philippines, Asia’s Leading Dive Destination of 2023.

We are incredibly keen divers. We need more than one hand to count the dive masters amongst us! & we love underwater beauty as much as overland offerings.

However, we also know not everyone is interested in bobbing around under the sea. So at each of these resorts, there’s plenty on offer on the land, too. A diving holiday isn’t just for the diver.

ATMOSPHERE RESORT & SPA, PHILIPPINES

With some of the best muck diving in the world on the house reef, a healthy marine reserve an easy boat ride away that is teeming with turtles, colourful coral and loads of life, this gorgeous boutique resort with a dive centre so well-equipped and run that a BBC crew spent months there filming for Planet Earth 3, Atmosphere Resort has earned its title of Best Dive Resort in Asia.

This is macro heaven – nudibranchs, seahorses, coconut octopuses, blue-ringed octopuses, flamboyant cuttlefish, frogfish, scorpionfish, orangutan crabs, mantis shrimp, ornate ghost pipefish, and so much more reward the patient diver with a keen eye. And when the sites just off the coast of Dauin aren’t enough, the dives of nearby Apo Island offer hard and soft corals, schools of big-eyed trevallies, colourful reef fish, green and hawksbill turtles, and often excellent visibility.

In addition to great diving, you’ll find one of the best wellness programs and spas in the country with yoga, meditation, and more, an outdoor fitness centre, mountain bikes, kids activities, and a host of beautiful places to visit in the area when you aren’t underwater. Waterfalls and mountain lakes, hiking trails, and lush jungle are at the doorstep and it’s a short ride to the university town of Dumaguete which is good fun for a night of al fresco dining and perhaps a cocktail or two.

And of course, the resort itself is delightful. Rooms vary from those designed for hard core divers to gorgeous family suites and private pool suites for couples who want a bit of luxury. Solar power and other environmentally friendly practices are in place and the service is phenomenal. The restaurant relies heavily on locally-sourced ingredients with a focus on healthy eating and a wine list that is truly unique for the Philippines. Our tip: arrange a wine tasting one evening when you won’t be getting up early to dive the next day!

If you haven’t figured it out, we’re a little in love with Atmosphere. Of course, we also understand why the Philippines has been deemed Asia’s Leading Dive Destination with so many truly amazing places to dive.

Reef and shoal of fish

LITTLE CAYMAN, CAYMAN ISLANDS

Get away from crowded dive sites, and head west to the Cayman Islands.

Dive in some of the Caribbean’s most beautiful waters well away from the beaten track, on Little Cayman island. Stay at Pirate’s Point Resort and pickle yourself with shore and boat dives galore. There’s no limit on dive time, and you can book a dive inclusive package so that your holiday is focused around being in the water.

For any on the holiday who aren’t interested in floating around for hours on end, scooters and mopeds are available for exploring the paradise island: or indeed, sit back, relax, and soak up the Caribbean sunshine.

Food and drink are included, and we’ve got to make special mention of the from-scratch cooking: food at this resort is no average hotel buffet.

Plus, one room at this hotel is set aside for solo travellers with no supplement charge: which is pretty rare. So if you’re looking to travel alone and enjoy some underwater time, you can’t do much better than Pirate’s Point.

MISOOL MARINE RESERVE, RAJA AMPAT INDONESIA

Explore the aquatic marvels of the Misool Marine Reserve, a diver’s haven that promises an abundance of marine life and vibrant coral reefs. Immerse yourself in a kaleidoscope of colours as you navigate through a world where every frame challenges your wide-angle lens.

Glide alongside majestic Reef and Oceanic Mantas, adding grace to your underwater adventure. With guaranteed encounters with pygmy seahorses and the opportunity to discover 19 endemic species, Misool stands as an unparalleled destination for those seeking the thrill of uncovering extraordinary creatures beneath the surface.

From the intricacies of macro photography to the mesmerising beauty of the reefs, Misool offers an immersive experience for divers eager to capture the wonders of the underwater world.

HURAWALHI RESORT, MALDIVES

SIPADAN, MALAYSIA

For those who want to see as much of Borneo’s wildlife as possible, the marine life at Sipadan and nearby Mabul are not to be missed. The uninhabited island of Sipadan is just far enough shore that sea life swarms to it, yet close enough to other islands that you don’t need to stay on a liveaboard to dive. A limited number of divers and snorkelers are permitted each day, keeping the reef healthy and  allowing for visitors to truly experience these rich waters.

Think turtles and sharks – including hammerheads – in overwhelming numbers, huge schools of fish, incredibly healthy coral, and sites of varying depths to keep novice and advanced divers alike happy. Some have called this island the best place in the world to dive.

Mabul Water Bungalows are the ideal accommodation for accessing the exceptional diving at Sipadan as it means you’ll have days of diving at Mabul and surrounding islands where the waters are as rich with macro life as Sipadan is big pelagic life. Orangutan crabs, pygmy squid, pipehorses, crocodile fish, nudibranchs, shrimp and more make it a macro photographers dream!