Where to dive ?
Malaysia boasts 8 exceptional dive sites, including 4 on the peninsula and 4 on Borneo. They are located on small islands off the coast. You'll choose your destination according to your level, what you're looking to add to your log book, your budget and the season. While most sites are suitable for beginners, others are subject to strong currents and require greater experience, such as Sipadan, for which centers require an Open Water certificate.
Langkawi. This is the only diving destination in the Strait of Malacca. The sites are actually located around Payar Island, 19 nautical miles south of Langkawi. Four islands are grouped together in the Payar Marine Park. Some fifteen sites offer splendid seabed with porites, hard and soft corals, anemones and lobsters. The pelagic zone includes schools of barracuda, cod, snapper and blacktip. Payar is also an excellent destination for snorkeling.
Perhentian. In the north of the country, on the east coast, the Perhentian Islands are the ideal place for beginner divers. Visibility is good, currents not too strong and prices reasonable. The 27 dive sites are located in the immediate vicinity of the islands, offering a wide variety of pleasures: reef sharks, shipwrecks, turtles, huge schools of pelagic fish, napoleons or clownfish, breathtaking coral... The only drawbacks are the very high number of divers in high season and the incessant ballet of heavily motorized boats.
Redang. A few kilometers south of the Perhentian Islands, Redang is one of Malaysia's must-see sites. It is home to 80% of the marine life to be found in the "Coral Triangle". Sandy seabeds, drop-offs carpeted with coral tables, rocky tunnels, pelagic fish, humphead parrotfish, boxfish, rays, turtles - there's something for every taste and level.
Tioman. Facing the town of Mersing, in the south of the peninsula, Tioman is another diver's paradise. Once again, the seabed is absolutely splendid and the coral diversity dazzling. Numerous rocks create labyrinths where hundreds of tropical species take refuge. Lovers of nudibranchs will be delighted. Sharks and turtles can also be found in Tioman's waters.
Sipadan, the paradise under the sea
All Borneo's exceptional sites can be found off the coast of Sabah. Sipadan, Mabul and Kapalai are grouped together south of Semporna. Lankayan, quite far from the coast, is accessible from Sandakan.
Sipadan. The island's accommodation facilities were closed in 2006, in order to limit the human presence. While it is still possible to dive in its incredible waters, a permit is required. Malaysia limits daily diving to 120 participants. Obtaining the precious sesame is never guaranteed, and those who do would weep with joy. The island of Sipadan is a volcanic pinnacle with a 600-metre drop-off. Its waters are world-renowned for their impressive schools of barracudas, groups of reef sharks and hammerheads. In all, 3,000 species of fish and hundreds of corals have been recorded. Currents are strong in Sipadan and visibility not always ideal. An Open Water diver's certificate is required.
Mabul and Kapalai. These two neighboring islands are home to Sipadan's diving hotels. They also boast beautiful coral reefs. Divers waiting for a permit can descend along the gently sloping reefs. On the menu are endless eels, lionfish, scorpionfish, frogfish and a host of other strange, perfectly camouflaged species. Between them, the islands boast 32 different dive sites of varying difficulty, and an exceptional site for nudibranchs.
Lankayan. A 1h30 boat ride from Sandakan, Lankayan is home to just one hotel, popular with honeymooners. But there are also a few nudibranch and micro-organism divers, as the reef on this tiny island is the best for this kind of observation. With its beautiful lagoon, the island is also perfect for those who prefer snorkelling.
Diving conditions
Whether attached to a hotel or independent, dive centers offer maximum safety. Most are PADI-certified, but there are also SSI centers. Many are run by European teams and speak several languages. Visibility varies from 5 m to 20 m, depending on the season, plankton content and depth. Bathing temperatures are ideal, with waters between 27°C and 30°C. Malaysia is ideal for beginner divers, thanks to very reasonable prices and a large number of easy sites. With the exception of Sipadan, you should expect to pay around 30 euros for a dive, including full equipment and boat transfer. In the case of Sipadan, the hotels, which obtain permits through a complex rotation system, force divers to take a multi-night package. They offer dives in Mabul and Kalapai while you wait for your permit. The permit, issued by the Sabah Parks Office, costs MYR 150 and is valid for one day and one named person only.
Seasonality
Langkawi and Pulau Payar offer outings all year round. However, the ideal season is from November to April. In September and October, wind and monsoon combine to considerably reduce visibility. On the east coast of the peninsula, hotels are open from April to October. From November to March, heavy weather and rough seas make diving impossible. In Sabah, many hotels close from November to early February, during the monsoon season. However, Sipadan remains accessible all year round. The best season for diving is from March to June, with fewer visitors than in July and August.
Hosting
On all islands except Lankayan, the choice is wide. From small establishments with dormitories to luxury hotels with swimming pools, all options are available. Diving sites are always close to the islands. As a result, specialized cruises are very limited. There is one boat that cruises around Sipadan and another around Tioman. These options, often more expensive than a stay on the mainland, aren't really worth it.
