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.

Places to Explore

Sabah

31 Divesites 21 Centers

Sabah is the northernmost state of the island of Borneo in Malaysia. There are fantastic diving sites off both the west and the east coast of Sabah making it a fantastic gateway to some of the best diving in Malaysia. The state of Sabah itself is known for its rich biodiversity and stunning landscapes made up of dense rainforests, white sandy beaches and an abundance of wildlife. Off the east coast, off the town of Semporna, lie the world famous Sipadan and Mobul Islands, while the west coast has the Kota Kinabalu region with its islands such as Gaya Island. Whether it be the tiny marine critters hiding among the flourishing coral reefs, the impressive gentle giants of the sea such as Manta Rays and multiple different species of sharks Sharks, or thrilling underwater topography including wrecks, steep coral walls, caves, if divers use Sabah as a base they can experience it all. Divers can either dive through the numerous dive centres and dive resorts scattered around here, or can take a liveaboard which will visit most of the locations on the east side of the state. Aside from the many stunning things to see, what makes this an even more popular diving region are the ideal conditions for diving, in all aspects. Water and air temperatures are warm, the air being between 25°C and 33°C and the water is between 25°C and 30°C, the visibility ranges between 10 and 50 metres on the best days. It is an ideal location for dive courses and for novice divers to do some unforgettable dives due to the easy conditions; calm waters and, for the most part, lack of currents. This is a paradise diving region, above and below the water for divers with all interests to be amazed by what our underwater world can offer.

Sarawak

4 Divesites 1 Center

Sarawak is a state which lies along the north west coast of the island of Borneo in Malaysia. Its coasts lay mostly on the South China Sea. The state is a combination of white sandy beaches, dense rainforest, a number of bustling cities and multiple diving opportunities. The who main cities which are the most popular for divers are Kuching and Miri, Kuching lies all the way in the south of the state, while Miri lies all the way in the north, providing divers with two completely different diving experiences. Kuching is the place to go for divers who want to take a plunge into history and explore multiple World War II shipwrecks while Miri is the place to go and admire some of the most pristine, flourishing reefs in the world, accompanied by a multitude of marine species. The dive centres and dive resorts in these cities are experts in the area so will be able to show divers the best of the best. These impressive dive sites are amplified by the pleasant diving conditions; with water temperatures varying between 25 and 20 degrees Celsius, visibility averaging around 20 metres and the best time to dive being from March to October. There are many diving opportunities here which are guaranteed to impress divers of all interests.