Contents(3)
ADEX is a dive expo that's relatively unfamiliar to most Taiwanese divers. In 2023, the Editor had the privilege of attending ADEX in Singapore for the very first time. What kind of diving insights can you gain at an ADEX held in such a cosmopolitan city? On top of that, the Editor and YC — ATMOS's resident workhorse — took on a wild challenge: 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 cannot miss!
In 2023, with the pandemic only just winding down, ADEX Singapore had yet to return to its former glory. According to ATMOS's YC, this year's event was only about 60% of the scale seen in previous years. Here's hoping that as international travel continues to recover, the dive community will be back in full swing before long.
After several hours on a red-eye flight, we finally arrived at the ADEX venue.
The dive expo that Taiwanese divers are most familiar with is undoubtedly DRT SHOW. So let the Editor offer a very simple, highly subjective comparison based on a general visitor's experience.
ADEX Singapore Must-See: A Flourishing Diversity of Certification Systems
The first thing that truly impressed the Editor about ADEX Singapore was the incredible variety of dive certification systems on display. In addition to well-known agencies like PADI (certification agency), SSI (certification agency), and SDI (certification agency)/TDI (certification agency), you could also discover agencies rarely heard of in Taiwan. For diving professionals looking to broaden their international perspective, this expo is an excellent fit.
At the show, you can get to know an impressive range of dive certification systems.
Beyond that, you could also find booths for the MFI mermaid instruction system, and even teaching systems designed specifically for divers with disabilities. This thriving diversity was a genuine eye-opener for the Editor attending ADEX Singapore for the first time — a chance to break out of the usual frame of thinking and explore different possibilities.
Some organisations are deeply committed to promoting scuba diving for people with disabilities — perhaps Taiwan could introduce similar teaching programs.
ADEX Singapore Must-See: A World of Dive Destinations
Singapore isn't just an international metropolis — its geographic proximity to Indonesia and other Southeast Asian nations means you'll find an extraordinary range of dive destination booths here, including favourites well-known to Taiwanese divers such as Raja Ampat and Komodo. Several national and regional tourism boards even sent delegations, including Palau, Malaysian Sabah, the Maldives, and the Philippines. The Philippines alone was divided into three major regions, with each region featuring multiple dive resort operators. For travel agencies or individuals planning their next dive trip, this is an incredibly practical source of information.
The Maldives dive association took over an entire booth to showcase the destination's dive tourism offerings.
Also on display were dive operators who had come all the way from Shikoku, Japan, as well as organisations in Korea working to promote historical diving — documenting local haenyeo culture through text and imagery, and planning a live demonstration in a large on-site water tank during the expo to recreate the real working conditions of the haenyeo. A truly unique and memorable exhibition concept!
ADEX Singapore Must-See: A Diverse Programme of Talks
The moment you step into ADEX Singapore, you're greeted by an extensive lineup of speakers. Talk topics range from dive safety and underwater photography to technical diving, freediving, and coral conservation. For anyone wanting to absorb a wide range of ocean-related knowledge in one go, the talks at the expo come highly recommended!
ADEX brings together a diverse and impressive roster of speakers.
During the visit, the Editor also noticed that the freediving scene in Singapore and Malaysia is less developed compared to Taiwan. Conversations with local operators suggested that the market may simply be untapped, or that the culture hasn't yet taken root. Freediving instructors with their sights set on southward expansion might want to seize this rare opportunity!
Taiwan's own Yi-Hsien Chang took the stage as a featured freediving speaker.
Since the event is hosted in Singapore and is inherently international in nature, English is the primary language for both speakers and booth staff. So if you're planning to attend ADEX Singapore, make sure to brush up on your English!
Related links:
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a BlueTrend dive trip different from an unknown, no-name dive group?
Choosing us means full peace-of-mind protection and a smooth experience from start to finish. Every trip we run holds to three things.
First, full legal protection and a professional dive leader: we strictly follow Taiwan's travel regulations and provide complete travel-agency liability insurance, travel insurance, trip-inconvenience insurance and dive insurance. Every group is accompanied by a certified, foreign-language dive leader who joins you on both the dives and the land itinerary, liaising seamlessly with local dive shops and operators on your behalf to keep things running smoothly — the person our travellers trust most.
Second, fully licensed with secure payments: every payment goes into a licensed travel agency's account, with multiple safe payment channels (bank transfer, credit card and more) and a legal collect-and-remit receipt, so every transaction is open, transparent and protected, avoiding the fraud and dispute risks of transferring money privately to an individual.
Third, hand-picked quality we vet in person: every trip, dive site and partner shop is scouted on the ground by our own team, from the guides' professionalism and safety standards to the food, lodging, environment and service details on land, all vetted by us so you don't get caught out.
I want to sign up for a dive trip. Are there certification-level or logged-dive requirements?
Each dive site is different, so the entry bar varies. 'Bali Tulamben', for instance, is relatively beginner-friendly. 'Malapascua in the Philippines' is also beginner-friendly, but since thresher sharks tend to cruise between 20 and 30 metres, we recommend AOW certification with 20+ logged dives to enjoy this trip comfortably. For 'the Maldives' or 'Palau', we suggest AOW with 50+ logged dives for a more relaxed experience. If you're not sure whether your experience fits the trip you want, message us and our dive editors will assess it and help you find the trip you'll feel safest on.
Can I join if I'm signing up alone? How are rooms arranged?
Plenty of our travellers sign up solo! For rooms and beds, we prioritise pairing you with a same-gender traveller, and if you'd rather have your own space you can pay the difference to upgrade to a single room. For the diving, our professional leader will pair you with a suitable buddy, and with the happy vibe on our trips you'll quickly make a great group of dive friends. Many people sign up alone, make new friends, and end up organising the next trip together!
Does the trip fee include dive insurance, gear rental, taxes and instructor tips?
It depends on the trip, the destination's regulations and the local operators. Every BlueTrend dive trip has a detailed web page with a clear 'included / not included' list, transparent and with no hidden charges. All payments are collected by a licensed travel agency, with a standard-form contract for your protection.
I'm a new diver / haven't dived in a long time — will I fall behind the group?
Before you complete your booking, our team assesses a suitable trip based on your certification level and experience. Before departure, we strongly recommend taking time to refresh in Taiwan with an instructor, or a fun dive to get your feel back. On the trip itself, our professional dive leader groups and pairs everyone by experience, keeps a close eye underwater on travellers who need extra care, and steps in to help right away.
Will the photos and videos taken during the trip be shared with us?
During the dives, 'safety' is always the leader's top priority, so whenever it's suitable and safe the leader will capture great shots and record the best moments. During or after the trip, we compile a cloud album for all travellers to download, so you go home loaded with memories!
Besides your scheduled trips, can you arrange a private group charter or independent travel for me and my friends?
Absolutely! Besides group trips, we also arrange private group charters and independent travel. We can communicate, enquire and coordinate services with local operators based on your needs, saving you time and effort and taking the language barrier off your plate, to tailor the smoothest, most reassuring dive trip just for you. Contact our LINE support and our editors will arrange it for you!
