ADEX is a dive expo that most Taiwanese haven't heard much about. In 2023, the Editor had the pleasure of attending ADEX Singapore for the very first time. What kind of diving insights can you pick up at an international show held in one of the world's most cosmopolitan cities? On top of that, the Editor and YC — ATMOS's resident workhorse — took on a wildly ambitious itinerary: a non-stop 24-hour flash trip to Singapore! If you're planning a dive trip and considering a Singapore stopover, this is one video you absolutely can't miss.
Because 2023 marked the immediate aftermath of the pandemic, ADEX Singapore had yet to fully return to its former glory. According to ATMOS's YC, this year's show was only about 60% of the scale seen in previous years. Here's hoping that as borders continue to open and international travel rebounds, the diving world will get back into full swing.
After a red-eye flight lasting several hours, we finally arrived at the ADEX venue.
The dive expo most Taiwanese are familiar with is the DRT SHOW. So the Editor will offer a very simple, entirely subjective comparison based on firsthand experience as an everyday visitor.
Must-See at ADEX Singapore: A Diverse Ecosystem of Certification Systems
The single most impressive thing about ADEX Singapore for the Editor was the sheer variety of dive certification systems on display. Alongside the familiar names — PADI (certification agency), SSI (certification agency), SDI (certification agency)/TDI (certification agency) — you'll also discover systems that are rarely heard of in Taiwan. For diving professionals looking to broaden their international perspective, this alone makes ADEX an incredibly worthwhile show to attend.
On the show floor, you can discover an impressive range of dive certification systems.
Beyond that, the show floor also featured a booth for the MFI mermaid instruction system, and even a teaching system designed specifically for divers with disabilities. Witnessing such vibrant diversity was a genuine eye-opener for the Editor — attending ADEX Singapore for the first time truly pushed the boundaries of what's possible in the diving world.
Some organisations are deeply committed to promoting diving for people with disabilities — perhaps Taiwan could look into introducing similar teaching programmes.
Must-See at ADEX Singapore: A World of Dive Destinations
Singapore isn't just a world-class city — its geographic proximity to Indonesia and other Southeast Asian nations means the show draws an extraordinary range of dive destination exhibitors. You'll find booths for destinations well-loved by Taiwanese divers, including Raja Ampat and Komodo, as well as national tourism boards that have made the trip, such as those representing Palau, Malaysian Sabah, the Maldives, and the Philippines. The Philippines alone was divided into three major regions, each featuring multiple dive resort operators. For travel agencies and individual divers alike planning their next dive trip, the depth of information available is genuinely invaluable.
The Maldives dive association took over an entire booth to showcase dive travel in the region.
There were also exhibitors who had travelled all the way from Shikoku, Japan, as well as a Korean organisation dedicated to promoting heritage diving — documenting the local haenyeo (female diver) culture through text and imagery, and even planning a live recreation of traditional haenyeo work in a large on-site tank during the show. A truly one-of-a-kind exhibition concept!
Must-See at ADEX Singapore: A Rich Programme of Talks
Step inside ADEX Singapore and the first thing you'll notice is a packed schedule of speakers. Topics range from dive safety and underwater photography to technical diving, freediving, and coral conservation. For anyone looking to absorb a wide range of ocean-related knowledge in one place, the talks alone are worth the visit — highly recommended!
A diverse and impressive lineup of speakers at ADEX.
On another note, the Editor observed that the freediving scene in Singapore and Malaysia is considerably less developed compared to Taiwan. Conversations with local operators suggested the market may simply be untapped, or that the culture hasn't yet taken root. For freediving instructors considering a southward expansion strategy, this could be a rare and exciting opportunity worth seizing.
Taiwan's own 張逸先 took the stage as a featured freediving speaker.
That said, since this is an international show held in Singapore, English is the primary language — both on stage and at the booths. So if you're planning to attend ADEX Singapore, make sure to brush up on your English first!
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