Malaysia

While its neighbours may make the headlines in terms of scuba diving destinations, Malaysia has a huge amount on offer for all levels of diver with the added benefit that it doesn’t get as overcrowded as some of its more famous neighbours such as Thailand and Indonesia. The diving industry here has really developed over the last ten to fifteen years and now boasts some exquisite resorts in some stunning locations such as the world famous Sipadan Island, home to schooling barracuda and a healthy turtle population and the macro paradise on the neighbouring Pulau Mabul that rivals the Lembah Strait for the weird and wonderful. Malaysia really does offer great scuba diving for all levels from beginner to those with hundreds of logged dives.

Malaysia overview

In comparison to its neighbours, Malaysia is economically well developed and is only second to Singapore in the region. In terms of tourism it definitely comes in behind the likes of Thailand and Indonesia, especially for scuba diving but this doesn’t mean it is a scuba diving backwater, far from it. In fact, it means that you won’t have to battle with the same overcrowding that you find in Thailand, while its more developed infrastructure makes it easier to get around that Indonesia. Scuba diving here is split between two distinct areas, the Peninsula, or West Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo (East Malaysia). On the peninsula, the best scuba diving can be found on the east coast where the water is crystal clear and the coral reefs still in relatively good condition and the diving easy and relaxed.

By far and away the best diving is located in Borneo, but that doesn’t mean that you should write off peninsula Malaysia at all. The east coast of the peninsula is open from February to October and boasts a number of beautiful tropical islands which haven’t been subjected to the same treatment as many islands in Thailand. These small islands offer shallow, hassle free diving which is perfect for perfecting your skills and getting experience under your belt. You can even see the iconic Whale Shark if you are lucky enough at the small but under rated Pulau Tenggol which offers fantastic corals and great macro life as well.

Venture further afield to Malaysian Borneo and you will be rewarded with kaleidoscope coral reefs and pelagic fish at the world famous Pulau Sipadan, a favourite of the diving pioneer, Jacques Cousteau. Here you can dive with schools of Barracuda and Bumphead Parrotfish, watch reef sharks playing around in the current and even catch a glimpse of a Hammerhead Shark or Manta Ray if you are lucky. On the other side of Borneo lies Layang-Layang, a small sandy island some 300km off the coast that offers the chance to see Hammerhead Sharks schooling during mating season around April/May time.

It might not have the same diving infrastructure as some of its neighbours, but Malaysia is generally cheaper than both Indonesia and Thailand, especially in peninsula Malaysia. If you want to experience Southeast Asia on a budget without the hassle and bustle of say Phuket in Thailand then Malaysia is the place for you. Check out our specific island pages below and step into a virtual tour of Malaysia….

diving overview

As mentioned above, diving in Malaysia is split between the peninsula (west Malaysia) and Borneo with the best diving located in Borneo as it makes up part of the coral triangle. That being said that doesn’t mean the diving in west Malaysia should be written off, far from it, there are some fantastic diving spots along the east coast of the peninsula which when in season offer clear waters and fantastic cobra reefs. Even on the peninsula’s west coast, notorious for its murky waters, there are some good diving options for macro life as well which offers a chance to dive when the east coast is experiencing the annual monsoon.

peninsula Malaysia

The diving in peninsula Malaysia can be split into the east coast and west coast regions, the east coast is open and able to be dived from March through to October, while the west coast tends to have its best conditions October through to May. The best diving in peninsula Malaysia is located along the east coast and includes popular tourist hotspots such as the Perhentian Islands, Redang and Tioman; at these destinations you’ll easily be able to combine a tropical island beach holiday with scuba diving meaning that for those with families its a great option with something for all family members. At these islands in particular you’ll find clear waters, coral reefs in good condition and the usual variety of tropical reef fish as well as pristine white sandy beaches with good resort style accommodation as well. The downside is that these destinations are popular and can get a little crowded, especially at peak times such as July/August. Also located on the peninsula are other smaller islands such as Kapas, Sibu, Tengah and Tenggol, these islands are somewhat smaller and in the case of Tenggol offer truly stunning diving. In fact Tenggol is one of the best places in all of Malaysia to try and spot the majestic whale shark. There are a number of other small islands you can visit and scuba dive too, Pulau Aur has gained a somewhat mythical reputation amongst diving fanatics in Malaysia as it is difficult to visit, but being the furthest from the mainland has by all accounts clear water and coral reefs in great condition, we haven’t managed to visit just yet but hope to very soon.

Along the west coast of peninsula Malaysia the diving isn’t as well known, mainly due tot he fact that the straits of Melacca are notoriously murky, but there is some good diving to be found here for those willing to make that little bit of extra effort. It also has the added benefit of filling in the months that th east coast is closed meaning that it is possible to dive all year round in peninsula Malaysia. The best spots on the west coast include Pulau Sembilan in Perak and Langkawi in Kedah. Expect diving here to have limited visibility and focus on macro subjects.

malaysian borneo

The diving in Malaysian borneo is nothing short of spectacular and is the best that Malaysia has to offer. Pulau Sipadan is a world famous destination, often ranked in the top 3 diving destinations int he world - here you will see schooling barracuda, patrolling reef sharks and more turtles than you can count with the possibility of sighting something more exciting and exotic as well! Nearby you have the macro paradise of Mabul and Kapalai that rival anything that Indonesia and the Philippines have to offer with nudibranchs galore, orangutan crabs, frogfish and even the rare and fabled rhinopias scorpionfish! Other destinations of note in Borneo include Layang-Layang, famous for its aggregations of schooling hammerhead sharks in April & May - we haven’t been there yet but it is top of our list of must go dive sites! Being located in the coral triangle the biodiversity in and around Malaysian borneo is stunning and will simply take your breath away.

To make life easier for you we have compiled a number of destination guides so you can learn more about diving in these wonderful locations, just click on the picture below to take you to the guide.