A recent statistics report from PADI shows that a whopping 15% of dive certifications worldwide come from Malaysia. However, this was recently shared by a senior diver in Malaysia. PADI currently issues no official full report.

This article is created for anyone planning to do some diving in Malaysia, as it highlights the best dive locations in Malaysia, what to expect and what kind of diving is available.

The scuba diving infrastructure in Malaysia is international-standard, with top-notch facilities and up-to-date equipment. Those who prefer branded diving equipment will be pleased to know it is available at some dive centres in Malaysia.

For divers visiting Malaysia, your port of entry will be Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) or KLIA2, the budget long-haul terminal. Please note that KLIA is located in Selangor, and there is no scuba diving available in the state.

Usually, you will transit to catch a connecting flight to your diving destination around Malaysia, and numerous airlines provide this. AirAsia, FireFly Airline, Batik Air Malaysia, MyAirline and Malaysia Airlines are the most frequent flights to smaller cities around Malaysia.

Types of Diving in Malaysia

For divers, there are many types of diving available all over Malaysia. However, the most popular is leisure diving, which is available on almost all of Malaysia’s famous islands.

Most dive sites require open water level certification, and if you need to do your scuba license, you can easily do so at several dive centres throughout Malaysia.

The beauty of diving in Malaysia is that you can choose from leisure to technical diving, depending on how long you spend here.

You can also walk into some dive centres to book your dive. Others include buying a dull stay and dive package from the resorts.

Beautiful coral formations are what you can find in the waters of Malaysia.

Below are the types of diving in Malaysia offered;

• Leisure Diving – Found on almost all islands in Peninsular Malaysia and the state of Sabah, Malaysia.

• Advanced Diving – Same as above, including wreck, drift and deep dives.

• Wreck Diving – Available around Malaysia. Some dive sites have wrecks as shallow as 16 meters. Kuching in Sarawak offers some of the best wreck diving in Malaysia, followed by Labuan Island in Sabah.

• Drift Diving – While the currents around Malaysia are not too strong, there are some dive spots where you can do drift diving.

• Night Diving – Most resorts and dive operators around the island offer night diving to those with advanced-level certification.

• Macro Diving – Many notable dive spots around Malaysia offer some great Macro diving, depending on what you want to photograph or see.

• Diving Photography – Several dive centres across Malaysia offer underwater photography trips. Camera equipment can also be rented at some centres.

• Live On Board Diving – A limited number of live-on-boards or LOBs are available around Malaysia, and you need to book directly with them. They are usually found in the waters of Sabah and the East Coast of Malaysia.

• Cave Diving – Selected dive operators provide cave diving in Malaysia. However, you need to book this directly with the operator.

• Rebreather Diving: Only a select few dive centres offer this; ask which ones do.

• Nitrox Diving – Many dive centres in Malaysia offer Nitrox diving, or Trimix diving, for those who want to explore wrecks or dive deep.

• Technical Diving – Selected dive centres offer technical diving in Malaysia. However, technical diver certification has increased here over the years, so it is familiar.

I took a close look at a Hairy Seahorse during a dive at Mabul Island, Sabah.

Dive Conditions In Malaysia

Because Malaysia is a tropical country, there are multiple seasons for diving. The biggest factor on the Peninsula side is the monsoon season. This is when it rains heavily, and the seas become very rough.

Depending on weather conditions, most boats go to sea only during these times. And most resorts on the islands will close. However, some resorts remain open and offer discounted rates.

Diving during these times is also a gamble, as you may book your discounted package only to find that the five days here are rainy.

On the other hand, there have been many cases where the weather is suitable for a few days or a week, with excellent diving conditions.

In East Malaysia, on the island of Borneo, Sabah and Sarawak experience the rainy season. Sabah is well known for its world-class diving sites and offers diving year-round.

However, Sarawak depends on weather conditions, as rain reduces visibility in the waters here.

Whale Sharks are commonly spotted all over Malaysia (Photo from YTL Hotels).

When is the Best Time to Dive in Malaysia?

Again, Malaysia is divided between the Peninsular and the state of Sabah in Borneo by the South China Sea. There are two distinct diving conditions.

Sabah and Sarawak are in Malaysia’s Borneo, while the other places mentioned here are on the Peninsula.

Best Places and Times to Scuba Dive in Sabah

East Coast Sabah – Islands of Mabul, Sipadan, Lankayan, Mataking, Kapalai, Pom Pom, Sibuan, and Siamil: The best time to dive here is from July to August, as visibility is at its optimum, and if you are lucky, 40 meters is not a problem.

Macro Diving in Mabul – Mabul Island is home to the best Macro or muck diving in Sabah, and you can do this all year round.

West Coast Sabah – Islands of Manukan, Mamutik, Sulug, Sapi, Mengalum, Tiga, Mantanani: The best time to dive at these islands is from March to October; the season is dry with very little rain.

Layang Layang Island – the Best time to dive in Layang Layang Island is from March to May, when chances to spot the schools of Hammerheads. There is only one resort here, which closes from September to February.

Some dive sites in Malaysia offer excellent underwater visibility.

Diving in Peninsular Malaysia

The peninsula experiences monsoon and rainy seasons, so you must check carefully before diving in Malaysia.

East Coast Malaysia: the states of Terengganu, Pahang, and Johor, where most of the islands are located. The monsoon season here starts in mid-October and lasts till mid-February.

This means that at the end of the year and the beginning of the year, it is the off-season for diving. So, for anyone planning to visit these islands at the end of the year, you can avoid it.

Some resorts may remain open throughout, but weather conditions are unpredictable. It is a gamble to dive at this time of year.

West Coast Malaysia: The states of Perak, Penang, and Langkawi offer diving, and the best time to dive is from November to April. These are the driest months with little rain.

You can visit these places at any time of year, but expect showers in other months. September and November are the wettest months of the year.

Night dives in Malaysia are quite common.

Scuba Diving Prices in Malaysia

Some divers claim that Malaysia is one of the cheapest diving destinations in the world, likely due to the exchange rate.

Prices range from RM100 to RM150 per dive at the most popular dive destinations. This is converted to US$25-$45 per dive.

Most divers prefer diving packages, as resorts or operators offer 3-, 5-, or 9-dive packages at excellent prices. These packages usually include all-in.

More expensive resorts in Sabah charge more for dive packages, so the dive packages may vary depending on which resort you stay at.

In Peninsular Malaysia, dive prices are slightly lower than in Sabah. For example, one dive will cost around RM90-RM120 (US$22-$30). But if you take more dives, the price can drop to around RM60-RM70 per dive.

Most divers prefer the resorts’ diving packages, which include accommodation, meals, and dives in one price. A 3 Day / 2 Night dive package with five dives will cost you around RM400 to RM600 (US$100 to $150) per person, depending on your room type.

If you have your own equipment, the price may be slightly discounted, but most visitors use the operators’ equipment, which is up to date and safe.

Some of the fantastic diving in Sipadan Island. (Photo by Sabah Tourism Board).

How much is it to dive in Sipadan?

The golden question. If you take a full package from some operators around Mabul Island, they will include three dives to Sipadan.

But the dive packages consist of a 3-4 night stay, full board meals and everything. You pay a single price and can dive at Sipadan Island.

However, many guest houses and budget hotels on Mabul offer ad hoc bookings for diving at Sipadan Island.

The prices range around RM1500 for three dives, including boat, meals and everything else. Please note that Sipadan Island is a fully protected marine park, and only 120 visitor permits are issued daily.

These permits are allocated among the dive resorts in the area, and no lodging is permitted on Sipadan Island.

One of my epic diving moments trying to get into the Barracuda Vortex at Sipadan Island.

Other Scuba Diving Information in Malaysia

Overall, Malaysia offers tropical diving, with waters at 28-30 Degrees Celsius. You can dive in your shorts, t-shirt or bikini if you prefer. If you bring your wetsuit, it needs to be 3-5mm thick, and a hood is not required.

Most dive sites are for leisure diving, while wrecks, caves and deep water diving are available. The marine life is abundant due to the tropical climate, so many species can be seen throughout the year.

There are many dive centres on most of Malaysia’s islands. They come fully equipped, so you don’t have to lug your gear around.

Divers making their way back after a dive.

Dive photography is also big here, so some dive centres offer camera or GoPro rentals. There are also dive videographers who will record your diving experience and compile a dive video.

More complex diving is also available, particularly for side-mount, technical, and rebreather divers. But you need to check with the dive operator if they have this.

For selective divers, PADI, NAUI and SSI dive centres offer all kinds of dive certification and courses. Prices are among the cheapest in the world when you compare the currency exchange.

Scuba Diving Insurance in Malaysia

As any diver, you should have your own dive insurance when you travel overseas. If you ask me, it is better to be safe than sorry.

Several companies offer diving insurance in Malaysia. Some are reputable, and others are internationally known. Please get your diving insurance; it costs little.

A scene at the Malaysian International Dive Expo in Kuala Lumpur.

Dive Expos in Malaysia

Over the years, there was only one leading diving expo, MIDE (Malaysia International Dive Expo), which took place just before or during the middle of the year.

This is where dive operators, dealers, resellers, resorts, and distributors will make their mark. The last Malaysia dive expo was also held in May in Kuala Lumpur.

A new dive expo, DRT Malaysia (Dive Resort Travel Expo), will take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, around February.

This will benefit the dive industry here, as there has been only one for all this time. Consumers will have more options with the emergence of this new dive expo in Malaysia.

Scuba Diving Warnings in Malaysia

You should only dive with certified and professional dive operators in Malaysia. There have been cases of freelance dive operators operating without proper licenses or insurance.

They offer low-cost dive packages to unsuspecting tourists via online platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, or personal blogs. If anything goes wrong, no one will help you. Please avoid dive touts and choose recognised dive operators.

That’s me, always curious underwater. Checking out a Frogfish in Mabul Island.

Conclusion

Overall, this article is intended for those interested in scuba diving in Malaysia. And if it is your first time, you should do your research on what kind of diving you want to do here.

Sabah remains known as the best place to dive in Malaysia, thanks to its world-class dive sites. There are many other dive sites in Malaysia, depending on where you are heading. You can also read more about my scuba diving adventures.

Some divers plan their trips purely for diving, while others try to mix and match their vacations with sightseeing and diving.

If you are coming halfway around the world to Malaysia, you will definitely want to see some of the fantastic places in Malaysia.