Gaya Island
Explore Kota KinabaluKota Kinabalu, or KK, offers a unique diving experience on the west coast of Bo
Explore Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu, or KK, offers a unique diving experience on the west coast of Borneo, in Malaysia's Sabah state. This area is a hidden gem compared to its more famous counterpart on the east coast, such as Sipadan Island. Here, divers can enjoy a variety of dive environments, including vibrant coral reefs, World War II wrecks, and the bustling underwater life of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. The park is a popular choice among divers and snorkelers, offering easy access by boat to numerous dive sites located just a short 15-minute ride from shore. Marine life around KK is both diverse and abundant, with opportunities to encounter schools of colorful reef fish, graceful sea turtles, and surprising sightings of seasonal sharks and rays. The warm waters, reaching depths of up to 25 meters (82 feet), are also home to the occasional appearance of pelagics like whale sharks and manta rays, making each dive an adventure. Whether you're a seasoned diver or new to the sport, the tranquil and accessible dive sites around Kota Kinabalu offer an inviting and enriching experience, perfect for those looking to explore the underwater wonders of Borneo.
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Diving in Kota Kinabalu
What makes this a great place to dive is the variety of types of diving it offers. First and foremost what attracts a lot of divers here are the pleasant conditions to dive in, making for easy and relaxing dives just a short boat ride from shore. Generally good visibility, shallower depths and lack of current make diving here accessible for divers of all levels. However, there are also many opportunities for the more thrill-seeking divers. There are three World War II wrecks located offshore here to be explored, there are a collection of caves, some deep diving spots, opportunities for drift dives and the stunning and flourishing Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park which is a collection of five pristine islands surrounded by flourishing waters. There are little elements for divers with all types of interests to get excited over in this area.
Top Wildlife Sightings in Kota Kinabalu
When it comes to spotting marine life, the place to go is the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park which has been a protected area for over 40 years which has enabled the marine life here to really flourish. The lively coral reefs attract many different species, of all shapes and sizes including many schools of reef fish, the elegant seahorses, the graceful Green Sea Turtles, and Hawksbill Turtles, the unique Frog Fish and Crocodile Fish. The list goes on with the high array of species which reside here, so more species include Cuttlefish, Shrimp, Moray Eels, Octopus. Scorpion Fish, Lionfish and the adorable and colourful Nudibranchs. Some of the larger species include schools of Tuna and Jacks, Rays and Black Tip Reef Sharks. Between December and March there is a higher chance for divers to spot the gentle giants of the ocean; the Whale Sharks. Aside from the Whale Shark, divers are lucky as the species which reside here are there year round to be admired.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 27
iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda
1.1k Sightings
J
49
F
15
M
27
A
16
M
37
J
41
J
60
A
461
S
216
O
60
N
75
D
92
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 200
Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel
353 Sightings
J
3
F
14
M
10
A
5
M
18
J
4
J
4
A
87
S
138
O
53
N
12
D
5
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 28
Udo Kefrig
Clownfish
3.4k Sightings
J
153
F
134
M
138
A
93
M
177
J
200
J
201
A
1.1k
S
589
O
198
N
187
D
238
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 90
Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish
2.3k Sightings
J
60
F
61
M
60
A
52
M
83
J
132
J
102
A
821
S
434
O
261
N
127
D
150
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 130
Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish
2.1k Sightings
J
65
F
50
M
44
A
36
M
53
J
111
J
86
A
815
S
424
O
237
N
96
D
130
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 250
Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
Grouper/Basslets
1.4k Sightings
J
45
F
41
M
39
A
22
M
53
J
92
J
68
A
434
S
255
O
210
N
77
D
101
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 12
iStock/cinoby
Lionfish
652 Sightings
J
21
F
37
M
27
A
30
M
36
J
29
J
42
A
222
S
82
O
34
N
46
D
46
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 100
iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish
533 Sightings
J
5
F
29
M
3
A
19
M
11
J
18
J
11
A
182
S
191
O
22
N
27
D
15
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 150
Shutterstock-aquapix
Sweetlips and Grunts
390 Sightings
J
1
F
11
M
2
A
10
M
0
J
7
J
9
A
153
S
172
O
17
N
2
D
6
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 3000
SSI-Peter-Schinck
Nudibranch
390 Sightings
J
15
F
13
M
18
A
20
M
23
J
29
J
28
A
93
S
30
O
25
N
45
D
51
The best Months to dive in Kota Kinabalu
The weather on this part of Borneo, Malaysia, is warm throughout the year with temperatures remaining between 29 and 31 degrees Celsius. The seasons here are the dry and the wet season, with the most rain falling between January to March but the rain is minimal and does not affect diving. The best months to dive here are between March and October. Water temperatures are pleasant and warm ranging between 25 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius and the visibility averages around 15 metres and can reach up to 30 metres on the best days. There are multiple species which can be seen here throughout the year but one of the seasonal spectacles are the Whalesharks who visit the area between December and March.
