Agoda’s 2025 Scuba Deals Survey reveals Indonesia to be top of the wish list

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
   Indonesia tops the list as the most desired scuba diving destination among Asian travelers. Known for its colorful marine biodiversity and stunning coral reefs, the market tops a ranking that also includes popular spots like the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam, respectively. These markets collectively represent the region’s rich underwater appeal, drawing divers from across the globe.
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 colorful coral formations of Asia’s reefs continue to captivate divers, reinforcing their status as must-visit sites for marine enthusiasts.

Gede Gunawan, Senior Country Director Indonesia at Agoda, shared, “Asia is home to some of the world’s most popular diving destinations and remains a favorite among divers. At Agoda, we’re passionate about helping travelers 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 1^st, Agoda’s Scuba Deals program offers an additional 10% discount on participating hotels in diving destinations across Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. For more details, visit www.agoda.com/scubadeals.

NOTE TO EDITORS

ABOUT THE DATA

Agoda surveyed 850 scuba divers from eleven markets (Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam) on its platform. The survey was conducted in February 2025.

ABOUT AGODA

Agoda, a digital travel platform, helps anyone see the world for less with its great value deals on a global network of over 5 million hotels and holiday properties worldwide, plus flights, activities, and more. Agoda.com and the Agoda mobile app are available in 39 languages and supported by 24/7 customer support.

Headquartered in Singapore, Agoda is part of Booking Holdings (Nasdaq: BKNG) and employs more than 7,000 staff in 27 markets, dedicated to leveraging best-in-class technology to make travel even easier.