Ocean Academy

East Coast, South Korea

The team at Ocean Academy are some of the warmest, most professional people we’ve dived with in South Korea. They're located right on the East Coast, which, let’s be honest, isn’t always the first place that springs to mind for diving. But that's exactly why we love it here. This isn’t a place for big pelagic action, but for macro enthusiasts and photographers, it's brilliant. What Ocean Academy really nails is the PADI IDC. If you're serious about becoming an instructor, or just taking your diving to a professional level, their setup is top-notch. We've seen instructors come out of here who are genuinely excellent. The diving itself is temperate, so think kelp forests, nudibranchs galore, and some surprisingly colourful soft corals once you get a bit deeper. Visibility can swing, especially after heavy rain, but on a good day, you're looking at 15-20 meters. We always suggest checking the local conditions before heading out; the team there are usually spot on with their predictions. Our favourite time to dive here is late summer into autumn, when the water is at its warmest and the macro life seems to explode.

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