Malaysia

Main Diving Areas
There is a good variety of diving available in Malaysia, from fringing reefs to plunging wall dives and even muck diving for critter lovers. Good shore diving is also possible on some islands, such as the Pehenthians Islands, Mabul & Kapali.

Possibly the most popular dive area on Peninsular Malaysia is the Pehenthian Islands towards the northern end of the east coast. Other popular destinations include Redang, Tioman and Langkawi.

In Sabah, Sipadan is the most famous destination. The nearby islands of Mabul & Kapalai are becoming increasingly popular due to their easy access to Sipadan and local reefs offering a host of macro delights. There is also great diving from Layang Layang, Kota Kinabalu & Lankayan.

  What to See
Malaysia has a huge range of marine life to feast on. Most destinations on Peninsular Malaysia while not offering the diversity of the dive spots around Sabah, are home to many Turtles and some Reef Sharks, along with Bumphead Parrotfish, Morays, Cuttlefish & plenty of other reef inhabitants. Whalesharks can make occasional appearances at some sites but are far from regular visitors.

Sabah has plenty of big-fish action, especially at Sipadan, which is home to huge schools of Barracuda, numerous White-tip Reef Sharks, Green Turtles, Bumphead Parrotfish and even Hammerheads if you are lucky.

If big fish are your thing, in April & May large numbers of schooling Hammerheads gather around the Layang Layang atoll out in the South China Sea.

For macro enthusiasts, there is also a host of fascinating critters, such as Frogfish, Mandarinfish, Ornate Ghost Pipefish & Nudibrach’s, with Mabul & Kapalai being the most famous macro hot-spots.

  Logistics
The diving industry is well established, offering a wide range of options & generally high standards. Most of the diving is done as day trips rather than Liveaboards. In Sabah, there are a number of dedicated dive resorts offering accommodation & diving as a package.

Find Dive Centres & Resorts in Malaysia

 

 

 

When to Visit
The east coast islands on Peninsular Malaysia have a diving season that runs from April through to November. Outside of these months, the coast is heavily affected by the monsoon, with many dive operators closing down for some or all of the low season and limited ferry connections.

You can dive Langkawi, on the east coast, pretty much all year round. The best diving is considered to be from April to June & then again in October.

Most destinations around Sabah offer good diving all year-round, including Sipadan, Mabul, Kapali & Tunku Abdul Rahman Park in the north. You can also dive Lankayan all year round, but April & May are generally the best months due to the possible appearance of Whalesharks.

Layang Layang, being more exposed to the vagaries of the South China Sea, is only open to divers from March to August with a peak season in April & May when Hammerhead sightings are most likely.

Costs
The cheapest diving in Malaysia is on the islands off the mainland, which have plenty of dive spots close-by. Diving in Sabah is a little more expensive, with many dive operators offering diving & accommodation packages.

Reaching Sabah is also a little more expensive as it is more remote, but Air Asia now offer a great network of budget domestic flights, allowing you to get around cheaply & fairly easily.

Accommodation ranges from cheap homestays and bungalow operations for just a few dollars to exclusive, luxury hotels that are close to western prices. Many homestays offer an all inclusive price for food & accommodation.

Travel around Malaysia is fairly cheap, with a great network of domestic flights. Peninsular Malaysia also has an excellent bus network.

Ease of Travel
Malaysia has an international airport in Kuala Lumpur, the capital. From here, domestic routes take you close to many of the best dive areas. The buses on Peninsular Malaysia are also comfortable, frequent and cheap and there are normally regular ferry connections to the islands during high season.

Sabah is a little more difficult to travel around, with a limited road network meaning most travel is either by air or by sea, but the most popular diving areas are well serviced. Layang Layang, out in the middle of the South China Sea is only accessible by seaplane.

Visas
Commonwealth countries receive a 90-day visa on arrival in Malaysia, with many other nationalities receiving standard 30-day visas. The only exceptions are for citizens of Israel, Serbia, Montenegro & Myanmar.

The People
Malaysians, especially on Peninsular Malaysia, are a diverse group with influences from China, India & local Malay culture. They are friendly, welcoming & hospitable. The country is predominantly Muslim, but with some Christians, especially in Sabah & Sarawak. Most of the population lives on Peninsular Malaysia.

Safety
Malaysia is a safe country, with limited crime, good transport links and political stability. In the past, due to its remote location, the islands off Sabah have had some problems with bandits, however the Malaysian authorities have worked extremely hard to ensure that these areas are now safe for tourists to visit.