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Scuba Diving Holidays In Malaysia |
Take a dive off Peninsular Malaysia, and you may meet a giant turtle or two! But even if you don't, the dives here are spectacular.
Country Description
Malaysians are the friendliest people on Earth, full of welcoming smiles and helpful disposition. The country itself is split into three regions: Peninsular Malaysia, which is connected to mainland Southeast Asia, Sabah and Sarawak, which make up the major part of Borneo. Malaysia is an extremely westernised part of Southeast Asia, having been influenced by the economic success of the neighbouring island of Singapore. Peninsular Malaysia promises excellent tourist services, and getting around is easy due to the great road network. The country itself is largely made up of rainforests and high mountainous regions. Subsequently, breathtaking in its beauty.
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Diving Description
The regions off the coast of Peninsular Malaysia have yet to be developed as dive resorts. Palau Island, Palau Perhentian and Tioman are the exceptions. Although, if you are visiting Tioman, it is also worth checking out Rawa and the uninhabited island of Babu Besar. The latter promises fabulous phosphorescence displays at night. Malaysian waters are excellent for diving with many beaches chosen as nesting sites for several turtle species, including the leatherback.
Mainland Borneo offers very little in the way of diving because of the rainforest that dominates the region and the poor visibility in its waters. But some places are now opening up off neighbouring islands (especially Sabah) and the waters promise good marine life, some pretty coral formations and even a coral atoll.
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The best area for diving is the small island of Sipadan, which boast several dive resorts. The Malaysian government has banned any more resorts from being build so as to keep a control of the tourist population here. Sipadan promises prolific marine life. Turtles and palegics like barracuda, jacks and sharks abound. The region is heavily policed by patrol boats and armed guards as a few years ago some divers were kidnapped by Filipino terrorists. These days things are much more secure for visitors.
Sabah
Layang Layang is a 21-mile coral atoll that lies 300km off Sabah. There is one resort, the Layang Layang Island Resort and the diving is excellent. Sabah also has a marine park called Tnku Abdul Rahman, which is well worth a visit.
Other info
Make sure you have a full passport with at least six months left to run on it. You will need to get inoculations for Hepatitis A, tetanus, typhoid, polio and anti-malarial tablets. |
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