Malaysia has become one of the world’s leading dive destinations with one of the richest marine environments in the Indo-Pacific Basin.

With an  incredible biodiversity of marine life, one needs to spend days to experience the wonders of the underwater world of Malaysia.

Divers may see schooling hammerhead sharks, barracudas, various species of turtles, the bizarre frogfish, and Ghost Pipefish, among many other exotic species.

Dive sites around Malaysia offer diverse and stunning underwater geography, such as sloping reefs, coral blocks, wall dives, deep dives, drift dives, and wreck dives.

Many of Malaysia’s dive resorts are situated off the islands of Sabah, such as Sipadan, Mabul, Mataking, Kapalai, Lankayan, and Layang-layang. In Sarawak, wreck diving is popular in Kuching or in Miri, which are fringed with white sand beaches and coconut trees, with a beautiful setting to complement the excellent diving conditions.

Other diving sites in Peninsular Malaysia with excellent diving conditions include Pulau Aur, Pulau Tioman, Pulau Tenggol, Pulau Redang, Pulau Perhentian and Pulau Payar.

Where to Dive

Malaysian Borneo

Sipadan Island, Sabah

Sipadan, Malaysia’s only true oceanic island, rising 600 meters from the ocean floor with stunning underwater visibility. Its rich ecosystem is recognized as one of the top five dive destinations in the world. With over 3,000 species of fish and hundreds of coral species, sightings of a large number of reef sharks, turtle tomb and schools of barracuda and trevally are common.

Mabul Island, Sabah

If you like seeing the uncommon, Mabul Island is your perfect destination. The island is well known for its phenomenal muck and critter diving. You’ll be thrilled to discover an abundance of macro species. You may also spot the rare Nudibranch species and blue-ringed Octopus.

Kapalai Island, Sabah

Shallow diving spots make this beautiful island a paradise for underwater photography and night diving. If you are an underwater photographer, you will definitely want to dive here at nightfall when the mandarin fish become more active. You may also spot sponges, crocodile fish, nudibranchs of all sizes and colors.

Layang Layang Island, Sabah

With more than 10 dive sites within 5 to 15 minutes of speed boat ride, Layang Layang is dubbed as one of the world’s best dive destinations. The island offers breathtaking underwater scenery of vibrant coral walls and the pristine, large sea animals in the crystal-clear water. Hammerhead sharks, pigmy seahorses, Jacks and Barracudas as well as rare manta rays are among the unique marine lives there.

Peninsular Malaysia

Redang Island, Terengganu

Located about 45 km off Kuala Terengganu on the east coast of peninsula, the island is a haven for divers. Some of the famous sites include Terumbu Kili, which has rocky seascape encrusted with both soft and hard corals at about 15 meters, and slopes down to 20 meters at the sandy bottom. Big Mount offers divers a chance to observe macro lifeforms to possible encounters with the whale shark while Mini Mount has numerous cowries, spider shells and large aggregation of colorful Christmas tree worms carpeting coral blocks. It is also a famous site for night diving.

Perhentian Island, Terengganu

Ideal for a relaxing dive with its easy diving conditions, in terms of both visibility and currents. You can dive in the home of sea turtles and a range of reef fishes and be amused by the kaleidoscopic corals. Make sure to explore the “Sugar Wreck” if you are a wreck diving enthusiast. There are also various diving schools on the island for beginners to obtain PADI license.

Tioman Island, Pahang

As the biggest island in the southeastern side of the peninsula, Tioman island offers variety of diving options, in calm and clear waters. You can dive at “Tiger Reef”, the coral-encrusted pinnacle, to enjoy an underwater explosion of colors or swim with the large schools of rainbow runners, jacks, mackerel, and barracudas when the currents are running. Don’t forget to explore the canyons too! You will see lionfish, scorpionfish, spotted stingrays, moray eels, and more.

Diving by Interest

Cave Diving

Most people would go to Sipadan island in Sabah Borneo for cavern and cave diving. There are two underwater caves off the island, called Turtle Cavern and Turtle Tomb, which have many tunnels with dead ends inside. The cave floor is covered by a layer of thick dust, from the many turtle skeletons found here. That is how it got its name. You are likely to see the skeletons of other marine life too. The experience is only for seasoned divers with proper cavern diving certifications.

Wreck Diving

WWII Wrecks of Kuching

Don’t miss out on the two of Malaysia’s most famous wrecks, the Katori Maru and the Hiyoshi Maru, if you’re a wreck diving lover. Sunken during World War II off the coast of Kuching in Malaysian Borneo, the Japanese warships are sitting at around 20 meters. Both wrecks have become productive reef systems and attract a diverse mix of marine life.

Kenyalang Rig Wreck

Known as one of the first oil rig platforms to be deliberately sunk in Miri in 2004, the Kenyalang’s 20-meter structure can be seen lying on its side in 12-14 meters of water. Accompanying with a wide range of marine life and corals. You can also expect to spot anything from schooling snapper to scorpionfish, batfish, and even sea whip coral!

Sugar Wreck

Check out the “Sugar Wreck”, the highlight of diving experience in Perhentian island. That is if you’re an advanced diver. Sank during a storm in 2020, the wreck has become part of the ocean environment. Take the opportunity to photograph a wide range of marine species circling the hull, such as bamboo sharks, barracudas, jack fish, schools of snappers and many more.

Night Diving

Where to Stay

Malaysia Borneo

Enjoy your stay at the water village built with dozens of traditional Malaysian thatched-roof chalets sit in the shallow waters. Rest on top of fishes, turtles, and stingrays dancing in the turquoise waters below. If you’re a beginner or looking to upgrade your skills, a wide range of PADI courses taught by industry experts are available.

Website: Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort

Email: mail@sipadan-kapalai.com

Telephones:  +6089 765 200,  +6089 673 999,  +6089 674 999,  +6089 675 999

Sipadan Water Village Resort, Mabul Island, Sabah

Stay at the luxurious bungalow that was built in traditional Bajau architecture with Belian wood from Borneo, you can reach over 40 dive sites including some of the top ones in the world within a 20-minute boat ride. With a dive center on-site, Sipadan Water Village Resort has the perfect setting for your diving adventure. If you would like to spice up your diving trip with in-land adventures, a curated 3-Night River Extension in Borneo package is available for reservation. You will get a chance to visit Orangutan Sanctuary and Bornean Sun Bear Center in Sandakan.

Website: Sipadan Water Village Resort

Email: jennifer@sipadanwatervillageresort.com

Telephone:  +1 (866) 897-4686

Sipadan Mabul Resort, Sipadan Island, Sabah

You can enjoy unlimited access to the house reef throughout the day as well as guided trips to Mabul’s best macro sites and excursions to the epic Sipadan Island. The dive center offers a range of PADI courses, with options for TecRec. Relax in the resort’s jacuzzi spa, sun deck, and the endless white sand beach when you aren’t diving.

Website: Sipadan Mabul Resort

Email: info@sipadanmabulresort.com

Telephone:  +6088 486 389

Borneo Divers Resort, Sipadan Island, Sabah

Staying at Borneo Divers Resort, you can rest at a tropical-themed villa or chalet and get a chance to explore several sunken boats including the police marine boat PX. when diving at the house reef that is commonly known as “Paradise 2”. If you’re new to diving, there is a full range of diving courses at the resort. When you aren’t diving, you can also enjoy therapeutic reflexology sessions by the beachside and sip refreshing tropical cocktails at the bar.

Website: Borneo Divers Resort

Email: reservations@borneodivers.com.my

Telephone:  +6088 222 226

Seaventures Dive Resort, Semporna, Sabah

If you want to maximize your diving trip in a few days, the Seaventures Dive Resort is the way to go. Sometimes known as The Rig — Seaventures is a jack-up accommodation module previously used in the oil and gas industry. You can enjoy all-inclusive services with different diving packages and unlimited diving at the House Reef under the rig’s massive metal platform base.

Website: Seaventures Dive Resort

Email: info@seaventuresdive.com

Telephones:  +6088 251 669,  +6088 261 669

Layang Layang Island Resort, Layang Layang Island, Sabah

Staying at the only resort on the Island, enjoy your exclusive “One Island One Dive Resort” experience. You will be surrounded by an ocean reaching 2,000 meters deep with a dozen of coral reefs, hammerhead sharks, and turtles. Rest in the rustic-chic rooms and enjoy a full-service spa after you dive. The island has a private landing strip as it was once a base for Royal Malaysian Navy.

Website: Layang Layang Island Resort

Email:  res@layanglayang.com

Telephone:  +6018 220 2838

Peninsular Malaysia

At Summer Bay Resort on Lang Tengah Island, you can choose from the two curated diving packages as you wish: the Diving Package with boats sending you to 16 different diving hot spots around the island or the Diving Course Package with PADI scuba diving and open water diving courses. At night, you can join the Blue Tear Tour. The resort’s staff will bring you for a night stroll along the beach where you may get a chance to witness the magical moment of the shiny dazzling blue sand and shooting stars nearby the resort.

Website: Summer Bay Resort

Email: enquiry@summerbayresort.com.my

Telephones:  +6096 313 366,  +6096 239 911,  +6019 934 4666