Twenty Years Deep: MIDE 2026 Closes Its Most Memorable Chapter Yet

There’s something quietly remarkable about an event that started as a niche dive show and, over two decades, grew into a gathering that draws nearly 20,000 people from 58 countries. That’s exactly what happened at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur from 5 to 7 June, when the Malaysia International Dive Expo, better known as MIDE, celebrated its 20th edition under the theme “Forged by the Ocean – Two Decades of Passion, Purpose and Protection.”

Two decades is a long time in any industry. In the world of recreational and professional diving, it’s practically a lifetime. And if the energy on the floor this year was anything to go by, MIDE is heading into its next chapter with more momentum than ever.

Here at MalaysiaAsia, we were proud to be part of this milestone edition as one of MIDE 2026’s official media partners — and what a weekend it was to witness firsthand.

The Numbers Tell a Story

Let’s start with the headline figures, because they’re genuinely impressive. Attendance climbed 18% over the previous year, with 19,887 visitors walking through the doors across three days. Two hundred and twelve companies exhibited, 71 of them international, and 25 were first-timers making their MIDE debut. International participation alone grew by 12% — a sign that the global diving community is paying closer attention to what Malaysia has to offer as a dive tourism destination.

By the time the last booth was packed down on Sunday evening, exhibitors had collectively generated an estimated RM41.1 million in sales. That’s not just a number to put in a report — it’s a real reflection of the appetite for everything dive-related, from the latest gear and underwater photography equipment to liveaboard travel packages and marine conservation initiatives.

The expo was officially opened by Mr Chua Choon Hwa, Deputy Secretary-General (Tourism) of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), who delivered the keynote on behalf of Minister YB Dato’ Tiong King Sing. His presence underscored what has become increasingly clear about MIDE over the years: this is no longer just an industry trade show. It’s a platform that carries real weight in shaping Malaysia’s identity as a world-class dive tourism destination — especially meaningful in the context of Visit Malaysia 2026.

More Than Just Gear

If you’ve been to a dive expo before, you know the familiar pull of the equipment halls — the latest regulators, the slimmest BCDs, the underwater cameras that make you want to book a flight to Sipadan on the spot. MIDE 2026 had all of that, and exhibitors from across Malaysia and 13 other countries brought their best to the floor.

But what made this edition feel different was the breadth of what surrounded the gear. The expanded showcase of watersports, sailing, and boating gave the expo a fuller, more lifestyle-oriented feel — a deliberate move that reflects where the market is heading. People aren’t just buying dive computers anymore. They’re buying into an entire ocean lifestyle, and MIDE has clearly taken note.

For the first time, government agencies including the Marine Police, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), the Civil Defence Force (APM), the Fire and Rescue Department (BOMBA), and the Marine Department Malaysia had a strong and visible presence on the floor. This wasn’t a token appearance — their involvement brought a genuine dimension of public education, safety awareness, and career exposure to the event. For younger visitors especially, seeing these agencies up close opened a window into professional pathways in the maritime and diving sectors that many may not have previously considered.

The Terengganu Pavilion made headlines of its own with the soft launch of TerengganuTravel.com, a comprehensive new digital tourism platform designed to put one of Malaysia’s most dive-rich coastlines more firmly on the digital map. Given Terengganu’s incredible dive sites — from Perhentian and Redang to the lesser-known gems off Tenggol — it’s a development worth watching.

And in a fun new wrinkle, this year saw the debut of a Silent Auction, which by all accounts generated far more excitement than the understated name might suggest. It was a smart way to engage visitors beyond the booths, and one that will likely return in future editions.

Business, Networking, and the Bigger Picture

At its core, MIDE has always been a place where deals get done and relationships get built — and 2026 was no exception.

Tourism Malaysia’s Dive Travel Mart provided a dedicated platform for international buyers and exhibitors to sit down, connect, and talk business — with Malaysia’s dive destinations front and centre. It’s a timely initiative, particularly with Visit Malaysia 2026 in full swing and the country actively positioning itself as a leading dive tourism hub in the region.

The Philippines Department of Tourism also hosted a dedicated B2B networking session, bringing together dive operators and tourism stakeholders from both Malaysia and the Philippines to explore cross-border collaboration. It was a reminder that the dive tourism ecosystem in Southeast Asia is increasingly interconnected — and that MIDE is becoming a genuine regional nexus for those conversations.

For businesses, conservation organisations, dive training agencies, and tourism boards alike, the three days offered something harder to quantify but no less valuable: the kind of face-to-face connection that builds trust, seeds partnerships, and keeps the industry moving forward.

In the Water and On Stage

The Pool Try Dive programme returned by popular demand, giving curious first-timers the chance to strap on a tank in a safe, supervised setting. It’s one of those MIDE staples that might seem simple on paper, but in practice, it’s where the magic happens — where someone goes from “I’ve always been curious about diving” to “I’m booking my open water course next month.” More than a few new divers were likely born at MIDE 2026.

On the knowledge side, the seminar and workshop programme was as packed as ever, covering everything from dive equipment and diver medical care to marine conservation, reef protection, underwater photography, and global dive destinations. Two panel discussions in particular stood out.

The first, moderated by Nick Hogle of the Scuba Podcast, brought together Vincent Lai (SSI Instructor Trainer) and Anand Chandra Sekaran (PADI Course Director) for a sharp conversation about evolving diver training standards, competencies, and what it really means to be a dive-ready, certified diver in today’s world. It’s a debate that matters more than ever as the global dive community grows and standards continue to be scrutinised.

The second panel tackled something less often discussed at dive expos: Public Safety Diving. Under the theme “Positioning Malaysia as ASEAN’s Public Safety Diving Leader,” representatives from the Fire and Rescue Department, the Royal Malaysia Police Special Action Unit, MMEA, and Sultan Ahmad Shah Maritime Academy came together to map out a path forward — covering operational capability, inter-agency collaboration, and the development of structured training and infrastructure. It was one of the weekend’s most substantive conversations, and the standing interest in the room reflected just how seriously the sector is taking this ambition.

The Scuba Syndicate Podcast also recorded a special episode at the expo — a conversation with MIDE organiser Ness Puvanes tracing 20 years of the event’s evolution. For anyone who’s followed MIDE’s journey, it’s well worth a listen.

Recognising the People Behind the Industry

No milestone anniversary would be complete without taking a moment to recognise the people and organisations that helped build the industry over the years — and MIDE 2026 did this with genuine warmth.

The Pioneer Recognition Awards honoured three divers who have given decades of dedication to Malaysia’s diving community. Mr Clement Lee took the first honour, followed by a posthumous recognition for the late Mr Michael Tong, and Datuk Robert Lo Ming Hoe rounding out the three.

The Best Booth Awards went to Selamberr Dive Adventure Sdn Bhd (1st), Tourism Promotions Board Philippines (2nd), and Sarawak Tourism Board (3rd) — all three delivering displays that were creative, engaging, and clearly put together with care.

The Cool Strategic Partner Award was presented to RHB Ocean Harmoni, in recognition of its commitment not just as a business collaborator but as a conservation partner — a distinction that felt fitting given the event’s ocean stewardship theme.

And the Long-Standing Appreciation Awards recognised the exhibitors who have kept showing up, year after year. Leading the list was SK Cryogenics Sdn Bhd with a remarkable 20 consecutive years of participation. Close behind were B&J Diving Centre, Rainbow Runner Asia, and Dragonet Diving with 19 years each — followed by a long roll call of loyal partners ranging from 10 to 17 years. These aren’t just names on a list; they’re the backbone of what MIDE has become.

Lens Beyond Ocean Turns 15

The Lens Beyond Ocean Underwater Photo Competition has been a MIDE fixture for years, and this edition — its 15th anniversary — was a particularly special one. The winning images, displayed throughout the venue, ranged from intimate macro shots to sweeping wide-angle seascapes and even short-form video, each one a quiet reminder of why people fall in love with the underwater world in the first place.

This year’s winners were:

• Macro Category — Stephanie Doniger, prize sponsored by Aldive Resort
• Wide Angle Category — Khairom Mustaqim, prize sponsored by Temanyelam + Aryan Resort
• Compact Camera Category — Mohd Asyraf Md Arif, prize sponsored by Silver Reef Dive Resort
• Best of Malaysia by a Malaysian — Tay Liang Wei, prize sponsored by Atlantis Dive Resorts & Liveaboards
• 3-Minute Video Category — Amy Lawson, prize sponsored by The Buwan Dive Resort

The judging panel comprised Roy Legi from Indonesia and Malaysian photographers Nurul Yazid and Chong Wan Yong — all experienced underwater image-makers in their own right.

To mark the 15th anniversary, MIDE also presented Lens Beyond Ocean Through the Years — a retrospective gallery tracing the competition’s evolution from its very first edition through to 2025. Walking through it felt like watching Malaysia’s underwater photography community mature in real time, from early experiments to technically accomplished, deeply expressive work.

Lucky Draws, Young Divers, and the Next Generation

The expo’s inaugural Purchaser’s Lucky Draw added a proper sense of theatre to each day’s close. With a RM160,000 total prize pool and a daily grand prize, it gave every visitor with a receipt a reason to stick around until the end. The three grand prize winners each walked away with something genuinely spectacular:

• Day 1: A 5D4N diving experience package (6 dives) for 2 persons valued at RM6,300, sponsored by Ceningan Divers — won by Mr Goh Kiet Rhee
• Day 2: An 8D7N expedition aboard Neomi Cruise (Alor–Ambon route) for 2 persons valued at RM26,000 — won by Mr Henry
• Day 3: An 8D7N luxury liveaboard experience with Maldives Legend Fleet for 2 persons valued at RM24,000 — won by Mr Galaxy Siew

Beyond the prize drama, MIDE 2026 put real thought into engaging the next generation of ocean stewards. The Teen Education Zone offered hands-on, family-friendly activities designed to spark curiosity about the ocean in young visitors — supported by conservation partners Miracle Keepers, The Sea Monkey Project, and RHB Ocean Harmoni, who brought meaningful messages about marine conservation and biodiversity to an audience that will matter most in the decades ahead.

Students from Nexus International School Malaysia participated in a special educational programme that combined RHB’s Financial Literacy initiative with introductory sessions on scuba diving and marine conservation led by TRACC Borneo. It was a thoughtful pairing — ocean education and life skills, delivered together.

The Careers in Scuba Diving initiative also generated encouraging interest among participants eyeing a future in the industry, reinforcing MIDE’s broader ambition not just to celebrate the diving world but also to actively grow and sustain it.

What Comes Next

MIDE isn’t resting on its anniversary. As Director Ness Puvanes put it, the expo is expanding its vision “beyond an annual expo to create greater impact for the diving, tourism, and marine industries.”

The headline announcement for the road ahead is the MIDE Dive Tourism & Trade Exchange, set to launch alongside MIDE 2027. It’s a dedicated B2B platform designed to position Malaysia as a regional hub for dive tourism trade across Southeast Asia — bringing together dive operators, tourism boards, travel buyers, destination representatives, resorts, liveaboards, and key industry suppliers under one roof for structured business matching, networking, and knowledge exchange.

It’s an ambitious next step, but one that feels earned. Twenty years of building trust, relationships, and industry credibility give MIDE a foundation that few regional events can match. If 2026 was the celebration, 2027 looks set to be the launchpad.

A Final Word

Walking away from MIDE 2026, what stays with you isn’t any single moment — it’s the cumulative weight of 20 years of an industry gathering that genuinely cares about what it does. From the seasoned dive professionals reconnecting over coffee, to the teenager putting on a mask for the first time at the pool try dive, to the underwater photographer whose winning image stops you in your tracks — MIDE holds a rare space in Malaysia’s events calendar.

We at MalaysiaAsia look forward to being part of the journey as MIDE heads into its next chapter. For now, mark your calendars — MIDE 2027 is coming, and if this year is anything to go by, it’s going to be worth the wait.

For the latest updates on MIDE 2027 and all things dive travel in Malaysia, visit malaysia-asia.my and follow MIDE across social media at @mideexpo. Official event details at mide.com.my.