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Explore East Malaysia

Diving in East Malaysia, particularly in the region known as Malaysian Borneo, offers a truly unforgettable underwater experience. This part of Malaysia, less populated and developed than its western counterpart, boasts a plethora of natural resources and pristine marine environments. Divers are greeted by thriving coral reefs and an abundance of marine life, all set against the backdrop of less crowded dive sites, offering a unique sense of exploration.

The warm waters of East Malaysia are home to a diverse range of marine species, making every dive an exciting adventure. Divers can expect to encounter numerous green and hawksbill turtles, along with schools of barracuda and vibrant parrotfish. The region's underwater landscapes are equally diverse, featuring everything from coral reefs and steep walls to intriguing wrecks. Dive styles vary, with options for shore diving, boat diving, and even liveaboard trips, catering to divers of all preferences.

One of the standout features of diving in East Malaysia is the opportunity for night diving, where the underwater world takes on a whole new dynamic. Seasonal factors also add to the allure, with the best diving conditions typically found between April and August, though the area offers dive opportunities year-round. Among the must-visit sites are Pulau Sipadan, known for its dramatic 5-meter (16 feet) drop-off, Miri, the second-largest city in Sarawak, and Layang Layang, where waters plunge to depths of 2000 meters (6562 feet), promising a deep and captivating dive experience.

Top Regions to Explore

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Diving in East Malaysia

East Malaysia, particularly the region of Sabah, offers exceptional diving experiences for enthusiasts. One of the top dive sites is the "Seaventures Rig" near Mabul Island, known for its unique platform dive center that offers excellent shore dives. Divers can explore vibrant coral gardens and see an array of marine life, including the elusive frogfish and pygmy seahorses. For those interested in wreck diving, the "Usukan Bay Wrecks" in Kota Belud provide an intriguing exploration of three World War II Japanese ships. Night dives here reveal nocturnal creatures like nudibranchs and cuttlefish. The area strikes a perfect balance between shore and liveaboard diving options, catering to various preferences and skill levels, making it a must-visit for any dive traveler.

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The best Months to dive in East Malaysia

East Malaysia offers year-round diving opportunities, with conditions varying slightly between the monsoon and dry seasons. Water temperatures generally range from 27°C–30°C/81°F–86°F throughout the year, providing a comfortable environment for divers. Visibility is often excellent, ranging from 10 to 30 meters/33 to 98 feet, but can be influenced by weather conditions.

The region is affected by the northeast monsoon from November to March, which can bring stronger winds and currents, occasionally reducing visibility and accessibility to certain dive sites. However, diving is still possible year-round, with the most favorable conditions typically found between April and October, when the seas are calmer and visibility is at its peak.

Top Wildlife Sightings in East Malaysia

East Malaysia, known for its rich marine biodiversity, offers a captivating experience for divers. The region's coral reefs, particularly around Sipadan Island, host a vibrant array of reef fish such as clownfish, parrotfish, and butterflyfish. These species are commonly encountered due to the healthy reef ecosystems. Seasonal highlights include the sighting of green and hawksbill turtles, often seen nesting on the beaches between May and September. Divers can also spot reef sharks and manta rays, especially during the dry season from March to October. The presence of these majestic creatures depends on the specific dive sites and prevailing currents, making each dive a unique experience.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

Green Turtle

Green Turtle

5.4k Sightings
J
285
F
291
M
370
A
465
M
539
J
542
J
604
A
860
S
615
O
388
N
174
D
315

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 27

Barracuda

Barracuda

3.3k Sightings
J
121
F
92
M
145
A
187
M
228
J
241
J
456
A
875
S
472
O
189
N
119
D
186

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 200

Moray Eel

Moray Eel

2.8k Sightings
J
156
F
149
M
184
A
243
M
181
J
208
J
300
A
477
S
413
O
213
N
83
D
147
Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Turtle

1.4k Sightings
J
66
F
72
M
87
A
32
M
94
J
156
J
180
A
266
S
225
O
100
N
23
D
79

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 600

Wrasse

Wrasse

492 Sightings
J
34
F
22
M
3
A
57
M
53
J
20
J
34
A
112
S
61
O
6
N
44
D
46

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 28

Clownfish

Clownfish

7.9k Sightings
J
348
F
403
M
345
A
498
M
562
J
477
J
902
A
2.1k
S
1.1k
O
432
N
330
D
432

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Angelfish

Angelfish

5.1k Sightings
J
193
F
183
M
206
A
362
M
271
J
290
J
633
A
1.3k
S
761
O
413
N
211
D
280

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Butterfly Fish

Butterfly Fish

4.5k Sightings
J
172
F
178
M
156
A
278
M
158
J
227
J
531
A
1.4k
S
708
O
358
N
197
D
210

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 12

Lionfish

Lionfish

3.1k Sightings
J
104
F
203
M
188
A
250
M
258
J
207
J
450
A
647
S
377
O
116
N
121
D
139

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 100

Parrotfish

Parrotfish

3.1k Sightings
J
112
F
169
M
182
A
299
M
204
J
177
J
383
A
632
S
478
O
147
N
127
D
142

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Grouper/Basslets

Grouper/Basslets

2.7k Sightings
J
77
F
109
M
78
A
113
M
185
J
178
J
457
A
666
S
361
O
248
N
114
D
118

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3000

Nudibranch

Nudibranch

2.4k Sightings
J
146
F
73
M
222
A
217
M
217
J
182
J
241
A
377
S
284
O
146
N
134
D
206

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Pufferfish

Pufferfish

1.9k Sightings
J
110
F
82
M
113
A
159
M
117
J
185
J
219
A
466
S
213
O
62
N
122
D
100

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 8

Bannerfish

Bannerfish

1.8k Sightings
J
101
F
46
M
55
A
186
M
85
J
82
J
283
A
466
S
214
O
111
N
95
D
79

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 85

Surgeonfish

Surgeonfish

1.6k Sightings
J
45
F
88
M
87
A
152
M
85
J
117
J
240
A
408
S
259
O
69
N
43
D
30

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 150

Sweetlips and Grunts

Sweetlips and Grunts

1.5k Sightings
J
36
F
75
M
94
A
171
M
79
J
109
J
114
A
364
S
293
O
58
N
80
D
45

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

Triggerfish

Triggerfish

1.5k Sightings
J
59
F
62
M
60
A
152
M
120
J
71
J
167
A
348
S
213
O
87
N
90
D
85
Whitetip Reef Shark

Whitetip Reef Shark

1.3k Sightings
J
62
F
59
M
74
A
109
M
111
J
113
J
154
A
274
S
158
O
91
N
29
D
90

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 80

Stingrays

Stingrays

1.2k Sightings
J
61
F
36
M
112
A
64
M
127
J
91
J
193
A
215
S
159
O
64
N
44
D
69

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

Jackfish

Jackfish

1k Sightings
J
69
F
41
M
40
A
107
M
109
J
95
J
111
A
179
S
112
O
63
N
45
D
74

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 110

Snapper

Snapper

976 Sightings
J
3
F
69
M
87
A
85
M
75
J
83
J
74
A
234
S
182
O
27
N
45
D
12

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 50

Frogfish

Frogfish

874 Sightings
J
22
F
61
M
94
A
106
M
118
J
128
J
94
A
137
S
97
O
5
N
10
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3

Trumpetfish

Trumpetfish

728 Sightings
J
47
F
22
M
53
A
63
M
49
J
65
J
93
A
184
S
86
O
28
N
23
D
15

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3400

Shrimp

Shrimp

649 Sightings
J
21
F
3
M
88
A
44
M
46
J
60
J
61
A
166
S
64
O
29
N
45
D
22
Grey Reef Shark

Grey Reef Shark

645 Sightings
J
29
F
29
M
46
A
48
M
62
J
75
J
78
A
120
S
86
O
43
N
2
D
27

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Goatfish

Goatfish

613 Sightings
J
23
F
13
M
3
A
54
M
9
J
34
J
40
A
169
S
163
O
29
N
58
D
18

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 350

Damselfish

Damselfish

550 Sightings
J
23
F
25
M
5
A
17
M
16
J
18
J
19
A
214
S
118
O
20
N
56
D
19

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

Soldierfish

Soldierfish

506 Sightings
J
22
F
21
M
14
A
41
M
4
J
4
J
14
A
153
S
182
O
18
N
20
D
13

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 25

Boxfish

Boxfish

462 Sightings
J
16
F
16
M
23
A
34
M
23
J
21
J
99
A
152
S
15
O
29
N
18
D
16
Blacktip Reef Shark

Blacktip Reef Shark

457 Sightings
J
23
F
9
M
14
A
28
M
20
J
42
J
65
A
113
S
46
O
49
N
18
D
30

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 7000

Crab

Crab

419 Sightings
J
5
F
3
M
34
A
56
M
16
J
33
J
48
A
111
S
57
O
12
N
21
D
23

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 120

Cuttlefish

Cuttlefish

418 Sightings
J
7
F
0
M
43
A
25
M
30
J
59
J
48
A
99
S
73
O
7
N
11
D
16

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Scorpionfish

Scorpionfish

367 Sightings
J
11
F
14
M
33
A
26
M
43
J
23
J
11
A
113
S
42
O
15
N
24
D
12

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 20

Porcupinefish

Porcupinefish

275 Sightings
J
5
F
8
M
5
A
5
M
6
J
8
J
18
A
146
S
44
O
3
N
22
D
5

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

Squirrelfish

Squirrelfish

267 Sightings
J
7
F
11
M
3
A
30
M
4
J
1
J
1
A
79
S
106
O
10
N
10
D
5

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3500

Soft Corals

Soft Corals

227 Sightings
J
2
F
1
M
0
A
23
M
4
J
1
J
90
A
83
S
22
O
1
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 30

Stonefish

Stonefish

219 Sightings
J
20
F
9
M
15
A
27
M
23
J
5
J
35
A
43
S
21
O
4
N
16
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 1500

Hard Corals

Hard Corals

211 Sightings
J
2
F
1
M
0
A
33
M
4
J
1
J
139
A
8
S
22
O
1
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Pipefish

Pipefish

211 Sightings
J
16
F
0
M
17
A
24
M
19
J
22
J
17
A
44
S
41
O
2
N
8
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 30

Sand Eel

Sand Eel

199 Sightings
J
3
F
15
M
11
A
7
M
17
J
11
J
10
A
75
S
29
O
7
N
5
D
9