Explore Peninsular Malaysia
Peninsular Malaysia, also known as West Malaysia, offers a unique diving experience that captivates both novice and seasoned divers. Positioned between the Strait of Malacca and the South China Sea, this region boasts a stunning array of marine environments. From the vibrant coral reefs of Tioman and Redang Island to the mysterious WWII wrecks near Langkawi, divers can explore a variety of underwater landscapes. The high visibility of the crystalline waters enhances the beauty of the spectacular coral formations, making it an idyllic spot for underwater exploration.
Home to diverse marine life, Peninsular Malaysia's waters are teeming with species like hawksbill sea turtles, Mandarin Dragonet, and even the elusive Asian Arowana. These waters offer thrilling encounters with majestic marine creatures such as whales and sharks. Dive styles here are varied, with options for shore and boat dives, as well as liveaboard experiences that allow for extended exploration. For those seeking a more exclusive adventure, Rawa Island provides a private retreat ideal for couples. Meanwhile, family-friendly Perhentian Islands offer not only scuba diving but also scenic hiking, making them a perfect choice for those looking to mix adventure with relaxation.
Places to Explore
Selangor
Selangor is a large state on the west coast of Malaysia which harbours the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. This state borders on the Straits of Malacca, however, the dive centres and dive resorts in this state will take divers on trips to other areas in Malaysia which are known to have fantastic diving, this can either be done by travelling to one specific area or by taking a liveaboard of where there are a few which depart from here. The areas which are visited from Selangor state include Langkawi, which lies on the same coast but more up north, and Tioman Island and Redang Island which both lie off the east coast of Malaysia. Aside from the pristine waters, the flourishing reefs and the many different marine species which inhabit these waters in large numbers, what also makes this a popular diving destination is the climate. The warm outside temperatures reflect in the water temperatures which vary between 27 and 30 degrees Celsius and visibility ranges between 10 and 25 metres. The diving season here is 8 months long, from March to November. Whether divers want to do dive courses, relaxing reef dives or more thrilling wreck dives, there is something for everyone in the regions which are visited from Selangor.
Johor
Johor is a state in the south of Malaysia and the capital city Johor Bahru is the gateway to some of the best diving in Malaysia. On the coast of Johor is the small beach town of Mersing which is the departure point to the numerous islands which lie off the coast here. These islands are all the definition of tropical paradise islands and luckily the underwater scenery is just as majestic. Clear, warm waters which harbour flourishing reefs and a high concentration of different marine species to be enjoyed on every dive here. The weather conditions are pleasant throughout the year here, water temperature range between 27°C and 32°C, and the visibility ranges between 15°C and 25°C. These pleasant conditions result in relaxing, but stunning, dives and makes it an ideal location for diving courses. There are opportunities for shore dives as well as boat dives, there are shallow reefs, rock formations, caverns and even a few wrecks scattered around. The marine life here varies from pinnacles completely covered in Nudibranchs to a high number of Sea Turtles to the chance of spotting a Manta Ray glide by.
Kuala Lumpur
When visitors want to go to Malaysia specifically for diving, Kuala Lumpur may not be the first destination that pops up in their minds, but actually, Kuala Lumpur is a great base for divers as there are numerous dive centres here which can take divers to all the best diving areas in Malaysia. The dive centres in Kuala Lumpur do usually work in the way of trips, as reaching the best diving spots in Malaysia are harder to reach and involve multiple forms of transport, but by joining trips from these dive centres makes the experience of getting there a lot easier and then divers are also joined by experts so they are guaranteed to see the best of the best. Some of the dive spots visited from Kuala Lumpur include Langkawi, Pulau Redang and Pulau Tioman. Kuala Lumpur is also a central location to fly to if divers want to board a liveaboard in Malaysia.
Terengganu
Terengganu is a state located on the east coast of Malaysia and off the coast of this state there are numerous islands which provide some of the best diving in Malaysia. What makes these islands such popular diving destinations is firstly due to the tropical paradise elements; they have white sandy beaches which meet the turquoise, crystal clear, warm waters which have a high abundance of different marine species which inhabit the flourishing reefs and rock formations. What makes this an even more idyllic diving destination are the weather conditions. Malaysia has two seasons, the rainy season and the dry season, but the rainy season is only 3 months long, which means 9 months of ideal diving conditions. The water temperatures here are only 27 degrees Celsius at its coldest, so still very pleasant temperatures. The type of diving here is incredibly varied meaning something for everyone. There are a collection of wrecks, there are unique rock formations, there are flourishing reefs, and there are an abundance of marine species to admire on every dive.
Pahang
Pahang in a large state in Peninsular Malaysia which is mostly known for being a triple threat due to it having beautiful mountains and rainforests, white sandy beaches and very impressive marine ecosystems. Two of the main areas visited to go diving, aside from the coast of Pahang itself, are Tioman Island and Pulau Tenggol. There are a number of dive centres on the coast of Pahang, but there are also dive centres and dive resorts on Tioman Island. Diving along the coast of Pahang is mostly muck diving due to low visibility, but it still harbours coral reefs, many marine species and is a dream for macro lovers. Diving around the islands involves many vibrant colours, thrilling wrecks and a high density of marine species to admire. Water temperatures and visibility are great throughout the year, ranging between 27°C and 32°C and the visibility around 10 to 25 metres. Diving can be done comfortably 8 month of the year, from March to October as the other months are monsoon season. Divers can spot species ranging from the endearing Nudibranchs up to the graceful, Whale Sharks on the luckiest days. The combination of the pleasant diving conditions, the dazzling scenery and the high density of marine life makes diving here a beautiful experience in all of its aspects.
Kedah
Kedah is a state in north west Malaysia, right on the border with Thailand, with its coast on the Straits of Malacca. Right off the coast of this state lies the archipelago of Langkawi. Even though it may not rank among the best diving in Malaysia, there are still over 20 different dive sites, 250 species of fish and 50 plus species of corals, there is definitely something to see on every dive here. Due to the sediment here, visibility can be lower, but choosing the right time and not disturbing the sediment, there can be days where visibility reaches up to 20 metres. Along with having no currents, there are many factors which make this an ideal location for dive courses for novice divers. October to April is high season here, as this is the time where there is the least amount of rainfall. Monsoon season is from July to September. The water temperatures here are warm throughout the year ranging between 28°C and 31°C. The visibility can drop drastically here due to the sediment but on average it is around 5-15 metres with 20 plus on the best days. Here, divers can really come and enjoy high concentrations of marine species in pleasant, relaxing diving conditions.
Penang
When people think of Penang, it is usually culture, history and food which enter their minds as to why to visit this area. However, Penang is also a region which is great to visit some great diving locations. One of the main regions visit when divers are in the Penang region is Pulau Payar National Park. This park is location around an hour from Penang Island and has many dive sites for divers to explore via dive centres either in Georgetown or from Penang Island. Due to it being a national park the marine flora and fauna here are in pristine condition so creates a vibrant experience for divers. The best time to dive in this region is from November to April, which is the dry season. During this time, the lack or rain and wind means better visibility, with 25 metres being an average. During the rainy season the visibility does decrease. The water temperatures are luckily warm throughout the year ranging between 27 and 30 degrees Celsius. Warm weather, sparkling waters and pristine marine life is what makes this area attractive to divers of all levels and definitely makes it worth a visit.
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Diving in Peninsular Malaysia
Peninsular Malaysia offers a captivating array of dive sites catering to divers of all levels. The Perhentian Islands are famous for their vibrant coral gardens and the Sugar Wreck, a sunken cargo ship popular for its abundant marine life. For shore dives, Tioman Island stands out with its clear waters and diverse underwater landscapes, providing easy access to colorful reefs and fascinating shipwreck remains.
For those seeking unique experiences, night dives at Pulau Redang reveal the enchanting behavior of nocturnal marine creatures. The region strikes a perfect balance between convenient shore diving and adventurous liveaboard options, allowing divers to explore remote sites with ease. Peninsular Malaysia's dive sites promise unforgettable underwater adventures, from thrilling wreck explorations to peaceful coral reef encounters.
The best Months to dive in Peninsular Malaysia
Diving conditions in Peninsular Malaysia vary with the seasons, providing unique experiences year-round. The water temperatures range from 27°C–30°C/81°F–86°F, perfect for diving without a wetsuit. Visibility is generally good, often reaching up to 30 meters/98 feet in the best conditions, though it can be reduced during the monsoon season.
Diving is possible throughout the year, but the northeast monsoon from November to February brings strong winds and currents, making some dive sites less accessible. The best diving conditions are typically from March to October, when the seas are calmer and visibility is at its peak.
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Centers Map
ED Scuba
21 Jalan AU 3/27,, 54200 Kuala Lumpur, MYS
Aquaray Swim Academy
C-5-G, GALLERI KLANG SENTRAL, JALAN KLANG SENTRAL 15/KU5, KLANG SENTRAL, 41050 KLANG, SELANGOR, MYS
Mermaid Queen
PT 4770, NILAI SPRINGS, NILAI SPRINGS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB, 71800 NILAI, negeri sembila, 71800 NEGERI SEMBILAN, MYS
Perhentian Marine Research Station
22, Jalan Setia Impian U13/4f, 40170 Selangor, MYS
Nadim Swim School
Kolam renang kelab golf danau, 43650 Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43650 SelangorDarul Ehsan, MYS
MacDivers Dive Centre
No. 454, Persiaran Venice Intan 4, 32200 Lumut, MYS
Juara Scuba Academy
Kampung Juara, Pulau Tioman, Kuala Rompin, 26800 Pahang, MYS
9Xplorer Academy Dive Centre
Faculty of Mechanical & Automotive Engineering Technology, 26600 Pekan, Pahang, MYS
Umi Dive
No 15, Jalan 6E, Taman Sri Puchong, Batu 12, 47100 Puchong, Selangor, MYS
Extreme Outdoor Adventures & Training
709 Jalan S2 K18 Vision Homes Seremban Negri Sembi, 70300 Seremban 2, Seremban, MYS
Quick L Swim
Lot 3971 Jalan Goh Hock Huat, 41400 Selangor, MYS
KAIA Underwater Academy
15-1, Jalan Dwitasik,, 56000 Kuala Lumpur, MYS
154, Jalan Bijih Timah 1,, 70200 Seremban, MYS
Poseidon Tec Dive Centre
359, Jalan Tok Ungku, 70100 Negeri Sembilan, MYS
Dive Academy & Development (D.A.D)
One Maxim, Jalan Pelangi 2, Sentul, 51100 Kuala Lumpur, MYS
SIPUT SCUBA
C-10-8, PANGSAPURI DESA PERMAI,, 58100 KUALA LUMPUR, MYS
Chomel Dive Center
Lot 67 Pasir Karang, 22300 Terengganu, MYS
Bubble & Splash Swim School
2, Laluan Perusahaan Menglembu 9, Kawasan Perusahaan Menglembu, 31450 Ipoh, Perak, MYS
Dan’s Nasty Frogmen @ Sea Gypsy Village
Sea Gypsy Village Resort & Dive Base, 80100 Johor Bahru, MYS
AQUA GEMS, PENANG
63, Jalan Utama, 10460 Penang, MYS