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Malaysia has a coastline of 4,800 km and over two hundred islands. It's beaches are a natural asset, with soft-golden sand, secluded bays and spectacular tropical sunsets that beckon enticingly.
The area is known for its marine diversity, which makes it superb for snorkelling, water-skiing, boating, cruising, swimming and also diving.
Kuala Lumpur is a great place to base yourself in if diving is your interest.
From the city, you can get anywhere and everywhere worth a dip in the water.
Pulau Besar, Malacca
A great introduction to diving is from Pulau Besar, just off the state of Malacca. This great dive spot is about 3 nautical miles off Pengkalan Pernu at Umbai, 10km south of Malacca town.
The largest of eight islands off the coast of Malacca, it is believed to be the romantic location of Malaysia's earliest civilisation, bringing with it the beauty of legends about mermaids and princesses, sacred graves and shrines - both on land and underwater!
More information about Malacca - See also our guide of Malacca Hotels
Pulau Pangkor, Perak
Perak, with its capital of Lumut has numerous fantastic beaches and islands, and also the diving magnets of Pulau Pangkor and Pulau Pangkor Laut. Lumut can easily be reached by taxi or bus from Kuala Lumpur.
Only 40 minutes by ferry from Lumut to Pulau Pangkor, this island resort offers an enchanting underwater world. The "Beach of the Lovely Princess", locally known as Pantai Puteri Dewi features white sand, tropical surroundings and sparkling bays making the perfect setting for a memorable diving and snorkelling experience.
Teluk Nipah is another spot especially suited for snorkelling and diving. It is one of Pulau Pangkor's rich and enigmatic sea parks, full of spectacular marine life and arrestingly vast coral reefs. For rewarding snorkelling in the shallow waters of extensive coral reefs head straight for Pantai Pasir Bogak. This crescent-shaped beach is the most popular on Pulau Pangkor and easily accessible, with regular half-hour ferry services from Lumut.
Pulau Pangkor Laut, Perak
Divers looking for paradise will be enthralled by Pulau Pangkor Laut just off the main island of Pulau Pangkor. This unspoiled 825 hectares, aptly known as "Fantasy Island" is privately owned, but open to the public.
The dazzling Emerald Bay stands among the finest beaches in the whole of the west coast. Powdery white beaches and sparkling green seas aare complimented by the beauty of its' underwater world.
Pulau Sembilan, Perak
Wander 10 nautical miles south of Pulau Pangkor, and you'll find yourself at the treasure trove that is Pulau Sembilan - a cluster of 9 small isles, consisting of Pulau Agas, Pulau Payong, Pulau Nipis, Pulau Rumbia, Pulau Lalang, Pulau Saga, Pulau Buluh, Black Rock and White Rock.
The channel between Pulau Rumbia and Pulau Lalang are about the most popular snorkelling and dive spots in the vicinity. The area is around 15 metres in depth and has a rich sandy bottom scattered with coral heads. This hard coral growth supports numerous species of fish, but largely snappers, groupers and barracudas.
Check out the channel between Pulau Buluh and Pulau Saga for more variety. This spot is strewn with big boulders, and hides terrific finds of green tree coral at depths of 10 metres and below. This dive spot is also grouper country to spear fishermen. On Pulau Buluh's eastern side are some small rocks encrusted with hard corals lapped by waters teeming with colourful darting.
Another recommended spot is White Rock. Right in the open sea, it is a popular hangout for jacks and barracudas. The crevices of the corals and rocks are also a favourite with large groupers and snappers. Diving enthusiasts can catch up with their underwater friends here.
Langkawi, Kedah
The island of Langkawi is a sure hit with any diving enthusiast. One in a cluster of 99 islands renowned for their legends, Langkawi's beauty is all about limestone hills and caves, rustic villages and scenic paddy fields, abundant flora and fauna, and last but not least, its legends and myths which lend it it's allure, whether on land or in the sea.
Great diving spots include Pulau Dayang Bunting, Pulau Beras, Pulau Singa Besar and Pulau Cenang. Off shore from Pulau Cenang is Pulau Rebak Besar and the hilly Pulau Beras Basah, the first being a resort with a marina, and the latter meaning Isle of Wet Rice and a harbour to fishermen. Both these isles are magnificent spots for scuba diving and snorkelling. Pulau Singa Besar is easily accessible by boat with waters full of a fine variety of fish, marine life and corals.
Not to be missed is the alluring Pulau Payar, to the south of Langkawi. It was gazetted a marine park in 1985 and includes the islands of Segantang, Kaca and Lembu. True to its reputation of supporting the largest number of coral species in the country, Pulau Payar's clear waters were truly made for swimming, snorkelling, diving and underwater photography.
Pulau Payar boasts of a spectacularly beautiful dive site at its rocky southwestern end called "Coral Garden"; where rocky slopes are nearly fully covered with brightly soft coral, and dark green tree like dandroid and multitudes of sea fans and cone shells thrive in its deeper waters. Don't be surprised by the sheer number and variety of sea squirts, sea slugs, hermit crabs, feather starfish, sea anemone, lion fish, barracudas, rainbow runners, rock fish and ghost fish out to befriend the curious and admiring diver.
More information about Langkawi - See also our guide of Langkawi Hotels
Pulau Redang, Terengganu
Redang Island facing the South China Sea in the north of Kuala Terengganu, is truly Malaysia's premier marine paradise. It is the main island of a small archipelago of Redang, the smaller Pulau Pinang, and 7 other islets of Pulau Kerengga Besar and Kecil, Pulau Paku Besar and Kecil, Pulau Ekor Tebu, Pulau Ling and Pulau Lima.
This island has crystal clear waters and many dive sites. Divers will love it when the mid-day sun's rays penetrate the sea to reveal brilliant hues of coral, anemones and clams. But it is the light of interest and a powerful underwater torch which will unlock the secrets of the waters around Redang which hides 2 historic shipwrecks - the H.M.S. Prince of Wales and H.M.S. Repulse which plunged to their untimely graves here at the start of World War II, to set the stage for Japanese occupation of Malaya.
Redang's beauty is intense with fertile underwater marine life in glass-like waters. Barrel sponges and soft corals make up the sea floor, where fishes big and small, clothed in bright colours dance through the waters. The Pulau Redang Marine Park is found here. Pulau Ekor Tebu, Pulau Ling, Pulau Pinang, Pulau Bidong, Pulau Lang Tengah and Pulau Lima nearby too are excellent underwater playgrounds for fishes, invertebrates, snorkellers and divers alike. Divers can soak in the natural beauty of the underwater world and then luxuriate at the Berjaya Redang Golf & Spa Resort located at picturesque Teluk Siang; and Berjaya Redang Beach Resort at Teluk Dalam's idyllic sheltered bay for a memorable and complete dive vacation. Pulau Redang has altogether 19 spectacular and highly absorbing dive sites.
Pulau Tioman, Pahang
Pulau Tioman is the largest in a group of 64 volcanic isles, including Pulau Seri Bulat, Pulau Sembilang, Pulau Tulai, Pulau Chebeh, Pulau Labas and Pulau Renggis, about 80km northwest of Peninsular Malaysia's east coast. It is said to be final resting place of a fabled dragon princess who turned herself into an island in the South China Sea.
With crystal clear waters as deep as 33 metres, Tioman is a breathtaking underwater garden of colourful marine life with some of best dive sites in the world. One such is Salang Beach, a dazzling underwater garden of corals, sea fans, sea anemone, cardinal fish and damselfish. The shallow reefs at nearby Pulau Tulai and Pulau Renggis make great spots for diving and snorkelling.
Explore the underwater caves around Pulau Chebeh and take a look at the incredibly beautiful reefs at Pulau Sepoi and Pulau Labas. The waters near Mukut Village offers divers the opportunity of viewing an interestingly coral encrusted wreck of a Japanese warship. |
