Today is World Scuba Diving Day and what better way to celebrate this day than by looking at the best diving sites Malaysia has to offer? If you are unaware of it, Malaysia has some of the best diving sites in the region, courtesy of geography.
These diving sites are a great tourist draw, but they are also an important part of the ecosystem. Acting as habitats and food sources for marine life, coral reefs are as vital as they are beautiful. And here’s where the most beautiful diving sites are in Malaysia:
Sabah
- Sipadan Island
Image Credit: PADI Blog
Is it even possible to have a list of Malaysian diving sites without talking about Sipadan? This Sabahan island is among the world’s most recognised diving sites. Receiving protected status in 2002, one hopes that it will stay pristine for the foreseeable future.
Some time ago, the few resorts that occupied the island were shut down to protect the marine ecosystem. It was a decision that has since paid off as Sipadan continues to have healthy reefs, populated by turtles, sharks, rays and schools of fish.
- Mabul Island
Image Credit: Expedia.com (Left), Sipadanborneo.com (Right)
Close to Sipadan Island is Mabul, another scuba diving sites which receives lots of attention from visitors. If you want to get close and personal with sea creatures, Mabul is the place to do it. Underwater photography is a favourite pastime here.
It helps that Mabul is home to lots of macro species, which are smaller marine creatures that live in and around the seabed. If you want to see octopuses and sea bunnies doing their thing, a trip to Mabul will help you accomplish that goal.
- Mataking Island
Image Credit: Mataking.com (Left), Simon Shin on Mataking Reef Resort (Right)
Located within Semporna Marine Park, Mataking is unlike Sipadan as it has top-tier accommodation for visiting divers. There are over 30 diving sites in the surrounding waters, welcoming to both newbies and veterans alike.
The marine life here is rich in numbers and diverse in appearance as well. On a good day, you might spot eagle rays, reef sharks and turtles swimming past you. Also, Mataking is home to the world’s first-ever underwater post box. Fancy sending an underwater postcard to someone?
Sarawak
- Kuching WW2 Wrecks
Image Credit: Ernest Teo on Sarawak Heritage Society
Sabah tends to hog most of the attention when it comes to diving sites. In truth, Sarawak also has several underwater spots worth exploring. Some of these are just off the coast of Kuching, the capital city.
During World War II, a few Japanese ships were sunk in battle. These shipwrecks now serve as homes to many species of marine life. Here, you can find everything from barracudas and snappers to lobsters and batfish!
- Pulau Satang Besar
Image Credit: Fiona K on TripAdvisor (Left), Sarawak Forestry Corporation (Right)
Part of a chain of islands, Satang Besar is unsurprisingly the largest of the bunch. Here, the water is warm and visibility is often good. As the current is close to non-existent, most divers, even young ones, can admire passing fish in relative safety.
Pahang
- Tioman Island
Image Credit: HolidayGoGoGo.com (Left), Paya Beach Resort (Right)
When it comes to the East Coast states, there are quite a few places that make for perfect diving sites. Tioman Island has to be Pahang’s best, with the island itself having a lush forest while the surrounding waters are teeming with coral reefs.
There are over 25 diving sites around the island, with Tiger Reef being the most famous. It has beautiful coral reefs as well as many equally beautiful sea creatures. Manta rays, reef sharks, lionfish and moray eels have all been spotted here.
Terengganu
- Redang Island
Image Credit: Pelago (Left), DiveRedang.com (Right)
For East Coast states, Terengganu stands tall with the quality of its diving sites. These places draw droves of divers daily without fail and for good reason. Redang is among the most famous, with its optimal diving conditions.
Having protected status, the island’s coral reefs are well-maintained and are a good place for beginner divers. If you are not being wowed by the little creatures swimming about, what will you say when you spot sharks and whales in the water with you?
- Perhentian Island
Image Credit: Tuna Bay Island Resort (Left), PADI Travel (Right)
Perhentian Island is actually two different islands: Pulau Perhentian Kecil and Pulau Perhentian Besar. The former is meant for travellers with a budget, the latter for those with more cash to burn and a love for privacy.
The waters around both islands are still rich with life and perfect diving spots though. The visibility is top-notch, so beginners are always welcome here. More experienced divers can check out the Sugar Wreck, where coral and fish grow in abundance here.
- Lang Tengah Island
Image Credit: Summer Bay Resort
Stuffed between Redang and Perhentian, Lang Tengah is a small island but a hidden gem nonetheless. It is part of the Terengganu Marine Park and thus is a sanctuary for many sea creatures.
Fascinatingly, this place is perfect for night scuba diving, so you can watch nocturnal sea creatures coming out to play. Leopard sharks and turtles are among the denizens living in the waters here, so keep an eye out!
Kedah
- Payar Marine Park
Image Credit: Malaysia Truly Asia (Left), Scuba Club Langkawi (Right)
Malaysia’s West Coast states generally have fewer diving sites due to how busy the Straits of Melaka are. But if you know where to look, you can find some pretty amazing places to swim with the fishes here.
Payar, off the coast of Langkawi Island, is one of these. It is a beginner-friendly diving spot with no rip currents and is home to several reefs. Check out the Coral Garden, where the corals really are a kaleidoscope of colours.
You should also check out: Why go to Maldives when you got these 5 beautiful, unspoilt islands in Johor to vacay at?
Feature Image Credit: PADI Travel
