More readers' advice on diving holidays

The Philippines

Moalboal, on the south-west coast of Cebu Island in the Philippines, is an interesting island with lots to see, friendly locals and a small hotel and dive centre on the waters edge. We enjoyed deep dives over the reef edge, then long meanders on the shallow reef top in clear, warm water and, in between dives, lying in a hammock eating slices of fresh mango. Among the highlights were turtles, the flickering lights on the lips of electric clams in a cave, the twilight courtship dance of the bizarrely coloured mandarin fish and, hiding among the sea fans, pygmy seahorses the size of a rice grain easy to miss without an expert guide. John and Francis White, Chester

Indonesia

One place I always recommend for diving and snorkelling is Indonesia. I took the slow boat from Lombok to Flores and the manta rays, turtles, corals, sharks and critters were marvellous.

However, it is the drop-off point, Komodo National Park, that is the real reward. On land, dragons; in the sea, an abundance of life. Thanks to two merging currents, Batu Bolong in particular makes it hard to keep the regulator in your mouth as you slowly descend, mouth agape at the plethora of marine activity. The vicious currents either side of the site only add to the excitement. And all this just a 90-minute cruise from the gorgeous port and heart-melting sunsets of Labuan Bajo. Chris Bann, London

Andaman Islands

This beautiful archipelago in the Bay of Bengal is difficult to reach, because visitors have to fly via India despite the Andamans being closer to Thailand. However, you will be rewarded with fantastic coral and amazing marine life. While travelling to the dive sites we never saw another boat, giving us the feeling that we were completely alone in our exploration of these hidden treasures. I saw a wider variety of species here than anywhere else I have dived. The sites are in pristine condition and you really will believe that you are the first person to dive them.

When not diving, the Andaman Islands have unforgettable beaches. On these, you just know you are in tropical island paradise. Wayde Gradwell, by email

A diver in the Galapagos Islands (Fotolia/AP)

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Diving holidays: readers' tips