Discover Magnificent malaysia

Beginner Friendly, Biodiverse, Adventure-Ready

Malaysia

Offering some of the most diverse warm water diving in Southeast Asia. From whale sharks, sea turtles, and hammerheads to frogfish, seahorses, WWII wrecks, coral gardens, and world-renowned dive dives, there’s something for every diver.

If you are looking for a tropical getaway with white sandy beaches, rich marine biodiversity, and equatorial seas, Malaysia is an ideal choice. Travel is easy thanks to excellent infrastructure, low-cost airlines, and English being widely spoken nationwide.

Water temperature averages at a comfortable 29°C (84.2°F), which makes a 3mm wetsuit plentiful. While monsoon season (Nov-Mar) affects certain region, great diving is available throughout the year depending on location.

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

Travel Info

Quick Essentials

A fast overview for planning your trip

Diving Season

Sabah: All year round
Sarawak & Peninsular: Mar-Oct

Water Temperature

Averages 28-29°C
(82-84°F)
3mm wetsuit recommended

Underwater Visibility

Typically 15-40m depending on site & season

Marine Highlights

Whale sharks, turtles, WWII wrecks, coral gardens, macro life

Permits

Sipadan requires advance booking
All marine parks require conversation fees

Travel Access

Kuala Lumpur (KLIA/KLIA2) is main gateway
Sabah via Kota Kinabalu, Tawau, Sandakan airports
Sarawak via Miri, Kuching airports
Islands via boat transfers

Scuba Cylinder Valve

Yoke is most common

Malaysia is warm and welcoming, but a few cultural practices help ensure a smooth trip

Useful details to make your trip smoother

Climate

Tropical, ~29°C (84.2°F) year-round
Monsoon (Nov-Mar), affects Peninsular Malaysia more than Sabah

Currency

Malaysian Ringgit (MYR/RM)
ATMs widely available in towns; limited on islands

Connectivity

Good mobile coverage in cities; weaker or unavailable in islands
Resorts usually provide Wi-Fi, but speeds vary

Time Zone

UTC +8:00

Calling Code

+60

Power Plug

C, G, M (British 3-pin is most common)
Standard voltage: 240v, 50Hz

Local Transportation

Domestic flights are frequent and affordable
Most islands require speedboat transfers
Ride-hailing apps (Grab, Bolt) widely used in cities

Languages

Malay (Bahasa Malaysia) is national language
English widely spoken, especially in tourism sectors

Visa & Passport Requirements

Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond entry date
Visa regulations: refer to imi.gov.my
Declare if carrying USD10k+ equivalent in cash or instruments

Working Days

Most states observe Mon-Fri
Johor, Kedah, Kelantan & Terengganu observe Sun-Thurs

Banking Hours

Most banks: 9am-4pm on working days
ATMs widely available 24 hours

Not alarmist - Just helpful and practical

Some islands are far from major towns. Medical facilities may be limited.

Avoid touching corals or marine animals; follow local conservation guidelines.

Sipadan has strict daily permit limits. Secure your slot early especially during peak season.

Sea conditions can change quickly, always follow your dive guide's advice.

Trafficking carries a mandatory dealth penalty in Malaysia. Do not carry or use illegal drugs.

Important contacts for peace of mind

DAN (Divers Alert Network) Hotline

+6015 4600 0109
+1 919 684 9111

Emergency Services

General: 999
From mobile: 112

Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA)

+603 8943 4001

Hyperbaric Chambers

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)

Malaysia's Two Main Geographical Regions

Explore the best of East Malaysia's world-class pelagics and West Malaysia's vibrant, accessible island reefs

siapdan-island-sabah-borneo-malaysia

West: REEFS • MACRO

West Malaysia
(Peninsular)

Features at least 10 beautiful destinations, including Tioman Island, famously depicted as "Bali Hai" in the 1958 film South Pacific. Further up lies Tenggol Island, often hailed by locals as Peninsular's "Mini Sipadan" for its dramatic reefs and abundant marine life.

Pulau-Perhentian

East: PELAGICS • MACRO • WORLD CLASS

East Malaysia
(Sabah & Sarawak)

Offering Malaysia's top diving within the Coral Triangle from Sipadan's barracuda tornadoes, Mabul's macro critters, to Kapalai's iconic shallows. With short travel times via Sabah's airports and consistently rich marine life, it's a must-visit for dedicated divers.

Popular Diving Locations

Browse Malaysia's most-loved dive destinations

Handpicked Dive Resorts & Operators You Can Trust

We partner only with operators who meet our standards for safety, professionalism, and guest experience - the same places we choose for our own dives

Why Book with Scubahive?

Trusted by divers across Malaysia and Southeast Asia

Scubahive Price Guarantee

We match lower prices
(T&Cs apply)

Vetted Scuba Operators

Handpicked for safety, professionalism, and experiences

Personalised Trip Planning

Real divers give real recommendations, not algorithms

Transparent & Secure Booking

Clear pricing with no hidden fees

Not sure where to start?

Tell us what you're looking for, and we'll recommend the right islands, seasons, and resorts - Based on real diving experiences, not algorithms, not guesswork.