Malaysia is known as one of the best places around the globe to learn to scuba dive because of its calm waters and protected reefs. The breathtaking view, aquatic animals, and top diving sites make your diving experience memorable, making you come back for more.
If you plan to come to Malaysia for a holiday, diving is a must-do event! You can spend your holidays diving on the islands coupled with underwater marine beauty and diversity. Some of the best places for scuba diving in Malaysia include Sipadan Island, Tioman Island, Lankayan Island, Layang Layang, and more.
Let’s explore various diving sites in the country, including how to get there and the optimal times for diving.
Where to dive in Malaysia?
Check out the top 5 most popular diving sites in Malaysia that you must visit if you love to dive.
Sipadan: Sipadan Island is, without a doubt, Malaysia’s most renowned scuba diving destination. This small island is the country’s top dive spot and is considered one of the best diving sites globally. The diving sites include Barracuda Point where you can spot schools of jacks, turtles, and sharks. Another is South Point which has deeper waters where rare shark species such as hammerheads or threshers can sometimes be seen, as well as the more common whitetip reef sharks. Turtle Patch lets you enjoy shallow coral gardens. Hanging Gardens, Midreef, and Staghorn Crest are not as frequently visited by scuba divers, making them secret gems that are waiting to be explored.
Mabul and Kapalai: Another popular destination is Mabul and Kapalai. These sites offer a striking contrast to the larger marine creatures found around Sipadan. Diving in these lets you witness a diverse array of fascinating marine life, like ribbon eels, frogfish, seahorses, and mandarinfish.
The various diving sites here include Froggy Lair where you can look for frogfish, ghost pipefish, and even cuttlefish. At Lobster Wall, you can easily spot peacock mantis shrimps, nudibranchs, turtles, various crabs and other crustaceans.
Layang Layang: Layang Layang is a remote atoll to the north of Borneo, featuring a solitary dive resort. While Sipadan island is at the top when looking for popular diving spots in Malaysia, places like Layang Layang are where you are likely to encounter some of the best and most pristine coral fields. Laying Layang is also known as a ‘must see’ diving destination in Malaysia. When it comes to particular dive sites, Dogtooth Lair and D’wall are among the best. Here you can see hammerhead sharks, butterflyfish, blue anthias, pickhandle barracuda, huge barrel sponges, and black coral bushes. You can come here between March and October.
Lankayan: Lankayan Island is another excellent spot for divers, particularly those who appreciate smaller marine life. This island is known for its diversity and has extensive marine life, including a turtle sanctuary. You can sight corals, colorful schooling fish, ghost pipefish, nudibranchs, sharks, etc. You can also spot whale sharks here at a particular time of the year, i.e., around April and May. Jawfish Lair is among the best dive sites among people. Various wrecks include the Mosquito wreck, Jetty wreck, and Lankayan wreck.
Pulau Tioman: This island and nearby wrecks are popularly known in Peninsular Malaysia. You can look for short liveaboards to dive on this island. You can see some of the creatures like barracuda, cuttlefish, Napoleon wrasse, lionfish, etc. The most preferred sites are the Renggis Island’s reefs and the Gorgonian fantastic Chebeh.
How to dive in Malaysia?
Liveaboards: Liveaboards offer a unique diving experience, allowing divers to maximize their time underwater by traveling to multiple dive sites in a single trip. Malaysia’s liveaboard options cater to various preferences and budgets, with vessels offering amenities such as private cabins, en-suite bathrooms, and onboard dining. Liveaboards typically provide all necessary diving equipment and experienced dive guides to ensure a safe and enjoyable cruise.
You can look for liveaboards if you plan to spend your time exploring Pulau Sipadan. In addition, you can go for a short trip from Singapore to Pulau Tioman and along the Malay Peninsula coastline.
Dive Resorts: Dive resorts are an excellent option for those who prefer to stay on land while exploring Malaysia’s underwater wonders. These accommodations often offer dive packages that include full board accommodation, multiple dives per day, equipment rental, and even diving courses. Dive resorts can be found at all of Malaysia’s top diving destinations, such as Sipadan, Mabul, and the Perhentian Islands.
Day Trips: For divers who prefer a more flexible approach to exploring Malaysia’s top sites, day trips are the perfect solution. Dive centers and tour operators offer daily excursions to various dive sites, allowing divers to experience different locations without committing to a multi-day trip. This option is trendy in areas such as the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, near Semporna.
Best Time to Dive in Malaysia
Malaysia experiences a tropical climate, with temperatures remaining relatively consistent throughout the year. However, diving conditions can vary significantly from location to location.
The best time to visit Sipadan is from April to December (excluding November); July and August are among the best months. Lankayan Island has similar weather patterns as the Sipadan area. You can visit this place all year round if you want to dive but the peak time is from June to September.
In Layang Layang, the diving season is from March to August. The best time to see the marquee creature – the hammerhead shark – is from March to May. The resort remains closed between September and February.
Also, if you are a liveaboard lover, you can come to Tioman Island from mid-May to mid-September.
Conclusion
Malaysia offers a wealth of diving opportunities for both novice and experienced divers, with its diverse range of dive sites and abundant marine life. Whether you prefer liveaboards, dive resorts, or day trips, there are numerous options at economical prices to suit every diver’s preference. With the right planning and consideration of seasonal factors, diving in Malaysia can be an unforgettable experience.
