There are many excellent dive spots in Malaysia, particularly in the southeastern region of Sabah on the island of Borneo. The dive spots on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia are also easily accessible, but this area is susceptible to the annual monsoon season from October to March. The clear waters, diverse marine life, and reasonable dive rates have made Malaysia a popular diving destination worldwide for a long time.
If you are an aspiring or a skilled diver, the destinations we have compiled below are perfect for those who love to explore the depths of the ocean. These dive spots offer a diverse range of diving experiences such as wreck diving, reef diving, and even the chance to dive with whale sharks at certain locations. Here are the top 10 best diving spots in Malaysia.
Why is the best time for scuba diving in Malaysia?
Malaysia welcomes divers throughout the year, but it is recommended to check the weather forecast before planning a visit, as certain diving sites may be restricted during the rainy season from October to March due to increased rainfall. You have to keep in mind the always check the weather forecast before you visit the diving spot.
How to become certified scuba diver?
Becoming a certified scuba diver involves three phases. The first phase involves learning the basic principles of scuba diving through reading and watching videos. The second phase takes place in a pool or confined water, where you will learn and practice essential skills such as buoyancy control and underwater navigation. The final phase involves four open water dives to apply the skills you learned and explore the underwater world. It’s important to have proper scuba gear and follow safety procedures, and PADI Instructors can provide guidance and assistance throughout the certification process.
10 Best Diving Spots in Malaysia 2025
1. Tioman Island
Tioman Island is a popular destination for various activities, including diving, snorkelling, and kayaking. Out of all the activities, scuba diving is the most popular, and wreck diving is being a favourite by the tourists. You can see a diverse range of marine life in this island such as corals, cuttlefish, angelfish, barracuda, turtles, moorish idols, and trevally. Besides that, you can enjoy the warm crystal clear waters at the beach.
Google Reviews: Here
2. Lang Tengah Island
Lang Tengah is a smaller island situated between the well-known islands of Redang and Perhentian, provides excellent diving opportunities along with a handful of pleasant resorts. The island is also suitable for those who are not interested in diving. The scenery is breathtaking, and the underwater visibility is excellent, allowing for viewing of the marine wildlife. However, due to the monsoon season, Lang Tengah is not accessible from October to March.
Google Reviews: Here
3. Mantanani Island
Mantanani Island, located in the northwest of Sabah and it is an ideal destination for diving enthusiasts seeking a secluded location. The island’s unspoiled coastline, characterized by clear turquoise waters and vibrant reefs displaying a plethora of corals. All of these unique scene can be best explored through diving experiences. The island’s numerous dive sites are inhabited by various marine creatures such as ribbon eels, tropical reef fish, stingrays, batfish, and giant clams.
Google Reviews: Here
4. Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park
The Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park comprises of five islands, named in honour of Malaysia’s first prime minister. This park boasts 25 diving sites and multiple resorts for visitors to stay. It is a well-known destination for beginner divers and advanced divers. However, it will be overcrowded on weekends and holidays. Therefore, you need to have a pre-booking fot your dive.
Google Reviews: Here
5. Redang Island
Redang Island is one of the largest and luxurious islands in Malaysia. It is famous for its crystal-clear blue waters and pristine white sandy beaches. The island is a top destination for diving enthusiasts due to its numerous accommodation options and affordable rates. Visitors can explore Redang’s coral preserves and home to a variety of marine life. The marine life includes dendronephthya soft corals, mushroom corals, reef fish, and green turtles.
Google Reviews: Here
6. Perhentian Island
The Perhentian Island is separated into two which are Pulau Perhentian Kecil and Pulau Perhentian Besar. Pulau Perhentian Kecil is ideal for budget-conscious tourists while Pulau Perhentian Besar is perfect for couples seeking romantic getaways. Nonetheless, irrespective of the type of vacation you have planned, you can look forward to an unforgettable diving adventure. The island is famous for its stunning coral reefs, abundant varieties of fish, and tranquil waters. The favorable water conditions and exceptional underwater visibility making it as a perfect diving spots.
Google Reviews: Here
7. Mabul Island
Mabul Island has become a popular destination for scuba divers due to its close proximity to Sipadan Island. It is well-known for its small marine creatures such as frogfish, cuttlefish, blue-ringed octopus, mimic octopus, bobtail squids and spike-fin gobies. Mabul Island also offers a variety of accommodation options for visitors, making it easily accessible and well-liked. The tranquil emerald green ocean was stunningly beautiful, and observing it at night could potentially evoke a sense of mindfulness.
Google Reviews: Here
8. Sibuan Island
Sibuan Island shaped like a triangle, can be found on a reef that stands separately to the northwest of Bodgaya. It has a total area of around 15.13 hectares and appears to be constructed entirely from the eroded remains of neighboring coral reefs. Despite being overlooked by nearby Sipadan and Mabul islands, Sibuan Island offers some incredible dive sites, particularly for those interested in muck diving. At Sibuan Island, divers can spot rare critters such as colourful mandarinfish, crustaceans, and molluscs, making for an unforgettable diving experience.
Google Reviews: Here
9. Mataking Island
Mataking Island, situated in Sabah, is a unique destination for diving enthusiasts as it houses Malaysia’s only underwater post office. The island is also recognized for its turtle hatching and eco-conservation program, which is managed by a dedicated team. To access the diving sites in Mataking, visitors need to acquire the Sipadan diving permit. The island can be reached through a land transfer from Semporna followed by a 40-minute boat ride. Besides that, visitors can also explore the peacock sanctuary on the island.
Google Reviews: Here
10. Sipadan Island
Sipadan is a unique island in Malaysia as it is entirely oceanic and boasts an incredible diversity of marine life, making it a top destination for scuba diving enthusiasts. The island’s rich marine ecosystem is home to a wide range of sea creatures, including bumphead parrotfish, porcupine pufferfish, clown triggerfish, and unicornfish, which make the diving experience even more exceptional.
Google Reviews: Here
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Disclosure: This list was compiled by the team at My Weekend Plan after extensive research and shared opinions to suggest helpful recommendations for the public. The sequence of brands is in no particular order so if you have any other great suggestions too, please email us support@myweekendplan.com.my. For more information, kindly refer to our copyright, privacy & disclosure policy.
