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Malaysia

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Explore Malaysia

Malaysia, a Southeast Asian gem, provides divers with an unparalleled aquatic experience. Made up of two main regions—Peninsula Malaysia and West Malaysia—this paradise is celebrated for its cultural diversity and vibrant marine ecosystems. The country's underwater realm is as varied as its rich cultural tapestry, boasting an array of dive sites that cater to both novice and seasoned divers alike.

One of the highlights of diving in Malaysia is the extraordinary biodiversity found beneath the waves. From the colorful coral gardens of Sipadan Island, teeming with turtles and barracudas, to the mysterious wrecks of the South China Sea, each site presents unique encounters. Divers can explore the stunning wall dives of Layang-Layang, known for pelagic species and occasional hammerhead shark sightings. The variety of environments, including reefs, walls, and wrecks, ensures that every dive reveals something new and fascinating.

Malaysia's diving adventures extend beyond the vibrant marine life. The country features diverse diving styles, including shore dives, boat dives, and liveaboard adventures, allowing divers to tailor their experiences to their preferences. Seasonal variations also add a dynamic element—during certain times of the year, divers might witness rare phenomena like coral spawning or the migration of whale sharks. For those seeking adventure and discovery beneath the waves, Malaysia promises an unforgettable diving journey.

Power Plug Type
A, C, G, M
Payment Method
VISA, MC, AMEX, DIS, JCB, Cir, Plus
Tipping
No tipping / Everybody / Tipping is not customary in Malaysia; restaurants often add a 10% service charge, eliminating the need to tip.
Currency
MYR
Dial Code
+60
Electricity
240 V / 50 Hz
Time
UTC+8 (MYT)

Top Regions to Explore

Upcoming Events

Dive Centers

Dive Sites

Top Wildlife Sightings in Malaysia

Malaysia's rich marine biodiversity presents divers with a remarkable underwater experience. The vibrant coral reefs host a variety of reef fish, such as clownfish, angelfish, and parrotfish, which are commonly seen throughout the year. These colorful inhabitants create a mesmerizing spectacle for divers exploring the reefs around islands like Tioman and Redang.

Seasonal highlights include sightings of majestic green and hawksbill turtles, particularly prevalent during the nesting season from May to September. Additionally, divers may encounter blacktip reef sharks and occasionally the larger hammerhead sharks around Sipadan Island. Manta rays are a seasonal treat in some locations, typically spotted between April and November, adding to the allure of Malaysia's underwater treasures.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

Green Turtle

Green Turtle

8.3k Sightings
J
290
F
339
M
661
A
867
M
1.1k
J
918
J
1.1k
A
1.2k
S
735
O
643
N
201
D
334

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

6.8k Sightings
J
178
F
177
M
432
A
666
M
716
J
768
J
1k
A
1.2k
S
850
O
441
N
103
D
181

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

6.6k Sightings
J
125
F
151
M
374
A
546
M
667
J
607
J
1.1k
A
1.4k
S
829
O
412
N
154
D
194
Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Turtle

4.2k Sightings
J
80
F
86
M
319
A
362
M
561
J
597
J
669
A
606
S
462
O
334
N
53
D
82

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

4.1k Sightings
J
40
F
87
M
207
A
336
M
540
J
624
J
835
A
720
S
432
O
168
N
58
D
50

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

24k Sightings
J
391
F
558
M
1.4k
A
2.1k
M
2.8k
J
2.8k
J
4k
A
4.2k
S
2.9k
O
1.5k
N
463
D
483

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

16k Sightings
J
223
F
272
M
934
A
1.5k
M
1.9k
J
1.8k
J
2.8k
A
3k
S
2k
O
1.2k
N
340
D
324

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

16k Sightings
J
139
F
286
M
1k
A
1.5k
M
2.1k
J
2k
J
2.9k
A
2.5k
S
1.8k
O
1k
N
224
D
176

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

13k Sightings
J
197
F
277
M
754
A
1.1k
M
1.4k
J
1.5k
J
2.3k
A
2.7k
S
1.6k
O
958
N
302
D
248

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

11k Sightings
J
136
F
188
M
755
A
1.1k
M
1.4k
J
1.4k
J
1.8k
A
1.8k
S
1k
O
703
N
194
D
116

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

9.8k Sightings
J
80
F
115
M
582
A
1.1k
M
1.5k
J
1.3k
J
1.9k
A
1.6k
S
1.1k
O
501
N
87
D
78

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

9.4k Sightings
J
101
F
174
M
521
A
779
M
1.2k
J
1.3k
J
1.8k
A
1.6k
S
1k
O
670
N
165
D
143

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

7.2k Sightings
J
148
F
108
M
491
A
786
M
946
J
836
J
1.1k
A
1.1k
S
782
O
413
N
167
D
218

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

6.2k Sightings
J
67
F
108
M
360
A
660
M
842
J
773
J
1.1k
A
1.1k
S
698
O
313
N
119
D
106

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

5.8k Sightings
J
29
F
96
M
297
A
437
M
701
J
787
J
1.2k
A
1.1k
S
715
O
263
N
77
D
26

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

5.4k Sightings
J
29
F
60
M
264
A
455
M
668
J
676
J
1.1k
A
1k
S
684
O
279
N
90
D
22

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

5.4k Sightings
J
10
F
123
M
351
A
465
M
694
J
782
J
1k
A
971
S
660
O
252
N
76
D
18

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

5.3k Sightings
J
58
F
128
M
280
A
480
M
571
J
688
J
1.1k
A
1k
S
622
O
277
N
87
D
40

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

5.3k Sightings
J
115
F
80
M
168
A
567
M
521
J
578
J
1k
A
1.1k
S
625
O
279
N
127
D
101

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

4.8k Sightings
J
112
F
245
M
303
A
405
M
510
J
486
J
868
A
868
S
479
O
230
N
144
D
176

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

4.8k Sightings
J
47
F
113
M
227
A
452
M
517
J
662
J
836
A
887
S
588
O
279
N
93
D
58

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

3.7k Sightings
J
25
F
58
M
136
A
283
M
379
J
476
J
803
A
797
S
521
O
158
N
38
D
20

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

3.3k Sightings
J
25
F
54
M
124
A
302
M
400
J
427
J
769
A
667
S
269
O
175
N
26
D
20

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

2.8k Sightings
J
7
F
39
M
96
A
223
M
285
J
384
J
651
A
534
S
414
O
110
N
21
D
9
Blacktip Reef Shark

Blacktip Reef Shark

2.6k Sightings
J
28
F
31
M
234
A
294
M
311
J
400
J
555
A
426
S
164
O
131
N
19
D
38

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

2.1k Sightings
J
10
F
22
M
65
A
210
M
280
J
238
J
406
A
484
S
287
O
64
N
33
D
6

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

1.9k Sightings
J
22
F
11
M
126
A
185
M
253
J
244
J
335
A
382
S
168
O
92
N
58
D
27

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

1.8k Sightings
J
72
F
67
M
157
A
145
M
236
J
168
J
329
A
281
S
145
O
98
N
51
D
77

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

1.7k Sightings
J
13
F
44
M
173
A
164
M
162
J
180
J
275
A
275
S
186
O
204
N
48
D
20

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

1.5k Sightings
J
9
F
34
M
55
A
164
M
167
J
189
J
257
A
332
S
143
O
59
N
31
D
15
Whitetip Reef Shark

Whitetip Reef Shark

1.4k Sightings
J
63
F
59
M
87
A
116
M
152
J
130
J
162
A
255
S
121
O
93
N
28
D
93

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

1.2k Sightings
J
9
F
7
M
50
A
144
M
188
J
148
J
225
A
238
S
97
O
57
N
23
D
24

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

1k Sightings
J
49
F
23
M
80
A
83
M
88
J
138
J
176
A
229
S
84
O
39
N
22
D
17

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

1k Sightings
J
16
F
2
M
43
A
142
M
136
J
118
J
201
A
219
S
101
O
29
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

743 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
70
M
86
J
217
J
361
A
8
S
0
O
0
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.: 50

Frogfish

Frogfish

731 Sightings
J
27
F
61
M
94
A
108
M
118
J
128
J
94
A
62
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.: 15

Garfish

Garfish

709 Sightings
J
12
F
12
M
8
A
60
M
102
J
101
J
143
A
144
S
71
O
43
N
13
D
0

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

658 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
53
M
47
J
217
J
304
A
36
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
Grey Reef Shark

Grey Reef Shark

614 Sightings
J
27
F
29
M
46
A
49
M
62
J
76
J
78
A
96
S
76
O
42
N
1
D
32

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