Explore Sabah

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.

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Diving in Sabah

Sabah, a Malaysian state on Borneo's northern tip, is a diver's paradise offering an array of stunning underwater experiences. Among its highlights is the famous Sipadan Island, renowned for its vibrant marine biodiversity. Here, divers can encounter turtles, barracudas, and even the elusive hammerhead sharks. In addition to Sipadan, the Labuan Wrecks provide thrilling dive opportunities with sites like the American Wreck, offering a haunting yet fascinating glimpse into the past.

In Sabah, divers can enjoy a balance between shore and liveaboard diving. Popular shore dives include Kota Kinabalu's Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, which boasts easy access to colorful reefs and diverse marine life. For those seeking unique experiences, night dives reveal the nocturnal behaviors of various sea creatures, while muck diving in Mabul uncovers bizarre critters like the flamboyant cuttlefish. Whether exploring from shore or venturing further aboard a liveaboard, Sabah offers diverse and unforgettable diving adventures.

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Dive Sites

The best Months to Dive in Sabah

Sabah, a renowned diving destination in Malaysia, offers year-round diving opportunities. The region experiences tropical weather with two main seasons: the dry season from March to October and the wet season from November to February. During the dry season, water temperatures range between 27°C to 30°C, providing comfortable conditions for divers. Visibility is typically excellent, often exceeding 30 meters.

In the wet season, water temperatures remain warm, but visibility may be reduced due to increased rainfall and occasional storms. Currents can also be stronger, particularly in December and January, making diving more challenging but still possible. Divers are advised to plan their trips during the dry season for optimal conditions, although adventurous divers can still enjoy unique experiences throughout the year.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Sabah

Sabah, located in Malaysian Borneo, is renowned for its vibrant marine life, making it a diver's paradise. The region's coral reefs, particularly around Sipadan Island, are home to common reef fish like parrotfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish, which can be seen year-round. These colorful inhabitants create an ever-present spectacle for divers exploring the underwater world.

Seasonal highlights include sightings of green and hawksbill turtles, which are frequently observed nesting from April to September. Shark enthusiasts can encounter various species, such as hammerhead and blacktip reef sharks, predominantly during the drier months from March to October. Additionally, manta rays are occasionally sighted in the waters around Layang-Layang, primarily between March and May, offering seasonal spectacles that attract divers seeking these majestic creatures.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

Green Turtle

Green Turtle

5.1k Sightings
J
278
F
291
M
369
A
460
M
529
J
540
J
603
A
731
S
450
O
377
N
168
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

3.1k Sightings
J
118
F
91
M
140
A
183
M
208
J
219
J
450
A
795
S
381
O
177
N
117
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

2.6k Sightings
J
156
F
149
M
184
A
242
M
178
J
207
J
298
A
446
S
339
O
213
N
79
D
146
Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Turtle

1.3k Sightings
J
66
F
71
M
87
A
32
M
94
J
153
J
180
A
218
S
155
O
97
N
21
D
78

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

440 Sightings
J
32
F
22
M
3
A
56
M
52
J
20
J
34
A
87
S
40
O
4
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

7.3k Sightings
J
347
F
403
M
334
A
455
M
543
J
449
J
887
A
1.8k
S
868
O
404
N
329
D
431

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

4.7k Sightings
J
192
F
182
M
203
A
335
M
264
J
275
J
632
A
1.2k
S
594
O
393
N
210
D
279

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

4.2k Sightings
J
172
F
177
M
156
A
263
M
151
J
216
J
528
A
1.2k
S
569
O
348
N
196
D
209

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

2.7k Sightings
J
103
F
203
M
188
A
241
M
252
J
190
J
446
A
536
S
209
O
112
N
119
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

2.7k Sightings
J
111
F
169
M
180
A
288
M
197
J
169
J
374
A
499
S
320
O
137
N
126
D
141

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

2.5k Sightings
J
74
F
109
M
70
A
102
M
174
J
176
J
450
A
572
S
306
O
248
N
113
D
117

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

2.3k Sightings
J
137
F
73
M
220
A
217
M
217
J
173
J
235
A
307
S
200
O
142
N
131
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

1.7k Sightings
J
116
F
82
M
112
A
157
M
109
J
170
J
206
A
383
S
115
O
54
N
122
D
99

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

1.6k Sightings
J
98
F
46
M
49
A
161
M
78
J
71
J
281
A
401
S
126
O
98
N
94
D
78

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

1.4k Sightings
J
58
F
62
M
58
A
152
M
119
J
71
J
167
A
326
S
136
O
83
N
82
D
84

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

1.3k Sightings
J
35
F
75
M
92
A
158
M
79
J
106
J
114
A
302
S
198
O
52
N
75
D
45

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

1.3k Sightings
J
44
F
88
M
81
A
122
M
78
J
107
J
234
A
320
S
124
O
56
N
41
D
28
Whitetip Reef Shark

Whitetip Reef Shark

1.2k Sightings
J
59
F
59
M
74
A
108
M
110
J
113
J
153
A
240
S
117
O
89
N
26
D
89

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

1.1k Sightings
J
67
F
35
M
110
A
62
M
119
J
88
J
192
A
165
S
122
O
50
N
38
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

972 Sightings
J
68
F
41
M
39
A
106
M
106
J
93
J
111
A
168
S
63
O
60
N
43
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

856 Sightings
J
3
F
69
M
87
A
83
M
70
J
82
J
73
A
178
S
126
O
28
N
44
D
13

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

741 Sightings
J
27
F
61
M
94
A
106
M
118
J
128
J
94
A
74
S
25
O
2
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

666 Sightings
J
47
F
22
M
53
A
63
M
49
J
65
J
93
A
157
S
53
O
27
N
22
D
15
Grey Reef Shark

Grey Reef Shark

614 Sightings
J
27
F
29
M
46
A
48
M
62
J
72
J
78
A
111
S
73
O
40
N
1
D
27

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

614 Sightings
J
21
F
3
M
88
A
41
M
46
J
56
J
61
A
153
S
48
O
29
N
45
D
23

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

553 Sightings
J
23
F
12
M
3
A
40
M
9
J
27
J
40
A
166
S
139
O
18
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

504 Sightings
J
23
F
25
M
5
A
17
M
15
J
15
J
19
A
180
S
115
O
16
N
56
D
18

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

455 Sightings
J
21
F
21
M
14
A
41
M
4
J
4
J
12
A
130
S
158
O
17
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

436 Sightings
J
15
F
16
M
23
A
34
M
22
J
20
J
94
A
136
S
13
O
29
N
18
D
16
Blacktip Reef Shark

Blacktip Reef Shark

407 Sightings
J
23
F
9
M
14
A
28
M
20
J
42
J
65
A
89
S
23
O
46
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

388 Sightings
J
5
F
3
M
34
A
56
M
16
J
33
J
48
A
93
S
44
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

357 Sightings
J
7
F
0
M
43
A
25
M
29
J
58
J
46
A
80
S
36
O
7
N
10
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

335 Sightings
J
8
F
14
M
33
A
26
M
40
J
23
J
11
A
110
S
19
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

269 Sightings
J
5
F
8
M
5
A
5
M
7
J
5
J
18
A
145
S
41
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

235 Sightings
J
7
F
11
M
3
A
30
M
4
J
1
J
1
A
47
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.: 30

Stonefish

Stonefish

198 Sightings
J
20
F
9
M
15
A
27
M
23
J
5
J
38
A
35
S
5
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.: 130

Pipefish

Pipefish

196 Sightings
J
16
F
0
M
17
A
24
M
19
J
22
J
17
A
44
S
26
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.: 1500

Hard Corals

Hard Corals

184 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
31
M
4
J
1
J
143
A
4
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0