Discover Magnificent malaysia

Beginner Friendly, Biodiverse, Adventure-Ready

Malaysia

Whale sharks, sea turtles, frogfishes, schooling barracudas, hammerhead sharks, seahorses, WWII wrecks, world-renowned wall diving, coral gardens are just some features of diving in Malaysia.

If you are looking for a memorable tropical getaway blessed with white sandy beaches, warm bio-diverse, and equatorial seas, then Malaysia is an ideal choice. It is also a developed nation where English is widely spoken and where low-cost airlines abound, making it easier to travel.

Water temperature averages at a comfortable 29°C (84.2°F), which makes a 3mm wetsuit plentiful. Monsoon (wet and rainy) season typically runs from November to March, which can affect dive conditions, but diving is generally available all year round depending on location.

Whatever type of warm water diving you are looking for, you will find it in Malaysia.

Travel Info

Island Map

At A Glance

CLIMATE : Tropical climate with average temperatures around 29°C (84.2°F) for most of the year.
TIME ZONE : UTC+08:00
CURRENCY : Malaysian Ringgit (MYR), which is denoted as RM
CALLING CODE : +60
ELECTRICITY : 240V, 50Hz
PLUG TYPE : C, G, M (Primarily the British three rectangular prong type)

Gentle Reminder

Please be mindful that Malaysia is a Muslim country, therefore local traditions customs and religion needs to be observed and respected. As with dress codes, when in doubt, dress conservatively.

Language

Bahasa Malaysia (Malay) is the national language, but English is widely spoken. Malaysians also speak various languages and dialects.

Credit Cards

Most commonly accepted credit cards are the VISA and Mastercard, however major charge cards like the American Express is widely accepted too.

Word Of Caution

Drug trafficking carries a mandatory death penalty. Foreigners have been executed for possession of small amounts of drugs. Just don’t even think about it.

Tipping

Tipping is not customary in Malaysia. However, if you have the means to do so, tipping can be a small token of thanks for good service which could brighten someone’s day.

Working Days

Most states observe Monday to Friday as working days while Saturday and Sunday are rest days. In the states of Johor, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, working days are from Sunday to Thursday; Friday and Saturday are observed as rest days.

Scuba Cylinder Tank Valve

Yoke

Measurement System

Metric

Banking Hours

In most states, banks are open from Monday to Friday tyically from 9am till 4pm. In Kelantan and Terengganu, banks are closed on Friday and Saturday. While ATMs are commonly available 24-hours. Kindly check the websites of the relevant banks for details on operating hours and rest days.

Visa / Passport

Visitors must possess a valid passport for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry into Malaysia. Details on visa regulations are available at www.imi.gov.my.

Kindly note that visitors entering or leaving Malaysia with cash and/or negotiable bearable instruments (e.g. traveller’s cheques, bearer cheques) exceeding an amount equivalent to USD10,000.00 must make a declaration to Customs.

Decompression Chamber Hotline

Kota Kinabalu Naval Base : +6088 482 000
Labuan Recompression Chamber : +6087 412 122
Lumut Naval Base : +605 681 8491/8498/8494
Kuantan Naval Base : +609 583 3601 (ext. 2146/2122)

Emergency Numbers

Police : 999 (Landline)
Ambulance : 999 (Landline)
Fire Department : 994 (Landline)
General : 112 (Mobile phone)

Note: It is always advisable to have the telephone number and the address of your embassy or consulate with you.

Malaysia Comprises Of Two Main Geographical Regions

East Malaysia
(Sabah & Sarawak)

Nestled within the Coral Triangle and comprising over 15 locations with quite simply the best diving in the world such as the legendary Sipadan, or the muck diving mecca – Mabul Island. Remember the US hit series ‘Survivor’? Well, its first season was filmed on Pulau Tiga, famed for its pristine corals and banded sea snakes.

West Malaysia
(Peninsular)

Features at least 10 dive locations which are among the most beautiful in the world such as the famed Tioman Island being featured as ‘Bali Hai’ in the 1958 movie – South Pacific, or even to one of Peninsular’s best-kept secret… Tenggol Island, hailed by some locals as Peninsular’s “mini Sipadan”.