Refresh & Recharge: 8 Best Watersport Destinations In Asia!

Miri is known for its lush-green rainforests, natural caves and exotic flora and fauna, but its underwater realm is an untouched wonder of its own. Located in the maritime boundary between Bintulu town and Miri city, Miri-Sibuti is the largest offshore national park created in Sarawak.

These absolutely pristine patch reefs are a breeding ground for 800 species of hard and soft corals. It is also home to a colourful variety of fish: trigger fish, parrot fish, clown fish, fusiliers, angelfish, butterfly fish, sea perch, lizardfish, batfish, barracudas, wrasses, groupers, stingrays, and sharks.

In this vast expanse, almost 40 dive sites have been identified, which also include coral encrusted oil rigs and WWII wrecks. The nearest dive site is a mere 10 minutes ride by boat from the marina bay jetty. Depths range from 7-30 meters, with average visibility of between 10-30 meters. There is virtually no current for most dives and water temperatures average around 30° Celsius. The best time to go diving in Miri is from late March through November each year.

Ever wanted to ride the waves like a surfer but too afraid to do so? Try wakeboarding! Also known as cable-skiing, this adrenaline pumping water sport is like water-skiing, where you balance on a board and hold onto a handle that is pulled by an electrically-driven cable, allowing you to glide over the waters.

Located in Waterfront City Resort, Batam Island, Indonesia, lies Asia’s first Cable-Ski Park. Another recently opened park is the Batam Wakepark, which is located at Bengkong Laut. Both offer an exhilarating wakeboarding experience by qualified coaches as well as a beginner’s guide.

As fun as this experience may be, it can get pretty exhausting, physically painful and challenging because of the overstretching of your arms and back muscles. Make sure you are physically fit before trying out this water sport.

Dotted with limestone islands with stretches of white sandy beaches, hidden coves and turquoise-coloured water teeming with corals, the Bacuit Archipelago is considered as one of the most beautiful bays in the world.

While there are plenty of adventurous activities to choose, from limestone treks to scuba, one of the best ways to explore this tranquil paradise is by canoeing around the islands. You can gently paddle-away and enjoy the natural beauty of this place. You can easily rent the equipment required but make sure you put on sunblock and pack along your drinking water.

Ha Long, meaning “Dragon Descending”, is made up of nearly 2000 islands, and is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site. The best way to explore this breath-taking bay is by kayaking through its islets to get closer to the limestone karsts, visit hidden caves, lagoons and pristine beaches.

Depending on the length of the trip, visitors get different kayak routes and time frames. When kayaking, it is important to follow a tour guide as it is risky to go by yourself. The water is generally calm but in some areas the undercurrents can be strong. 

Ever wondered what sapphire blue water looks like? Then visit Japan’s most famous snorkelling spot, the Blue Cave near Cape Maeda (Maeda Misaki), located in Onna-son, north of the Okinawa mainland.

There are many ways to get to the Blue Cave from Cape Maeda but it is best to get there with the help of a tour guide. You will find a wide variety of fish like teira batfish in the crystal-clear waters. The most captivating thing to explore underwater is the blue cave itself. The calcareous white sea floor reflects through the highly transparent water giving the cave a magical blue glow.

You can go snorkelling at Cape Maeda throughout the year, but since the temperate drops during the middle of winter, the best season is between May and October. Avoid July and August as it is the most crowded time of the year. 

Bali has more to offer than just its beautiful beaches. If you are in the mood for some adrenaline rush, then white water rafting is a great way to experience the ‘real’ Bali! The inflatable rafts carry you through the lush rainforests of central Bali highlands, allowing you to immerse in nature, with different excitements awaiting you at each bend.

Bali has 3 main locations for white water rafting, they are: the Ayung River, the Telaga Waja River and the Melangit River. Each offers its own thrills, ranging from plunges down dams, small waterfalls to crystal-clear pools. You can see rare flora and fauna up close, too.

For a regular white-water tour, head up to the Ayung River, where most of the rafting tour companies in Bali operate. If you are up for a higher level of action and adventure, opt for the 14km course of the Telaga Waja River in East Bali, with its class II and III rapids.

Turn your scuba diving into an archaeological adventure by exploring the 1,400-year-old underwater ruins at Qiandao Lake in China! Deep below the calm surface of Qiandao Lake in the Zhejiang Province of China lie the mysterious ruins of two ancient cities, dating back to the Han and Tang dynasties.

Since there are only a few diving operators running trips to Qiandao Lake, it is recommended to book one that is based in Shanghai. It is important to understand that a lake dive differs from deep-sea diving. All divers are required to undergo a checkout dive at the lagoon beforehand. Diving lights are mandatory as the lake becomes dark very quickly as you descend near the ruins, which lie between 85-130ft below. Generally, April to October are the recommended period to visit as the weather is fairly warmer.

Known for its palm-fringed beaches, coconut groves and dense, mountainous rainforest, plus luxury resorts and posh spas, Ko Samui is Thailand’s second largest island. It is not only one of the best vacation spots but is also a great place to learn to ‘Stand Up Paddle’ (SUP). The warm, calm water and the numerous protected beaches, provide a safe environment for perfecting your technique.

Depending on the wind and swell direction, there are several downwind routes that can be paddled as part of a tour. There is nothing more magical than paddling along the tranquil water while watching the sun descend over the Gulf of Thailand.