Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia, washed by the waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Thanks to its rich marine environment, it is one of the most attractive countries for diving tourists. In Malaysia, ideal conditions for diving lovers are created, attracted here by the fantastic biodiversity of marine nature, snow-white boundless beaches and clear warm waters.
Features of diving in Malaysia
The proximity to the equator and the long coastline are the reason that this country enjoys such popularity among fans of beach recreation and underwater diving. In order to appreciate all the delights of local diving, you have to go to Malaysia in the period from April to October. In the rest of the time monsoon rains prevail here, because of which the water in the sea becomes turbid and troubled.
Going to Malaysia for diving, tourists can be sure that they are waiting for an unforgettable experience. Reasons for joy are:
- Excellent depth for beginners and experienced divers (0-1000 m);
- good visibility (20-50 m);
- diversity of marine life;
- a large number of quality dive centers.
The shores of this country are washed by the waters of Sulawesi and the South China Sea, because of which its underwater world is considered one of the most diverse in the Indian and Pacific basins. In the best places for diving in Malaysia you can watch the life of turtles, sea devils, barracudas, sea needles and other unusual inhabitants of both seas. Divers are given the opportunity to dive underwater, where they can see:
- huge gardens of soft and hard corals;
- underwater caves;
- deep depressions;
- numerous wrecks (racks).
There are more than 90 diving centers in the country that have been certified by the international systems BSAC, NAUI, PADI and SSI. Here you can not only purchase the necessary equipment, but also make an appointment for excursions and group dives with instructors.
The best dive sites in Malaysia
The greatest popularity among fans of scuba diving is enjoyed by:
- The island of Sipadan , which is open all year round. Diving in one of the best places in Malaysia, you can observe the huge number of barracudas, sea turtles and white-shark sharks. This island is among the ten most attractive dive sites in the world, therefore attracts thousands of tourists annually.
- Layang-Layang . After visiting the island of Sipadan, you can go to Borneo - the second ideal dive site in Malaysia. The most suitable time for immersion in this region is the period from May to October. In the "hot" season the sea is calm, which makes it possible to see flocks of amazing sharks-hammers.
- The island of Lankayan , also open to visitors all year round, is another of the best diving sites in Malaysia. Its underwater world is rich and diverse. Here you can see coral gardens untouched by humans, octopuses and mollusks. Once the local authorities confiscated and sank a vessel belonging to poachers. Now it has become a favorite place for divers.
On the territory of Malaysia, there are many diving resorts where you can go diving. These include:
- Capas (Kapas);
- Labuan (Labuan);
- Mantanani ;
- Payar ;
- Perchtienty (Perthetian);
- Redang ;
- Tengol;
- Tioman (Tioman).
Here you can do not only scuba diving, but also book an excursion through the jungle or rafting along the river, watch wild animals, visit deep caves or conquer mountain peaks .
Dive infrastructure in Malaysia
Dive centers operate in the country, whose specialists help to combine deep-sea diving with active rest on the surface of the earth. Before diving in Malaysia, you can take special courses. They are suitable for beginners and experienced divers who want to get an instructional level. In local centers, you can enroll in diving offshore, sunken racks, shallow underwater reefs or coral gardens. Professionals can engage in technical diving, day-diving or drift-diving. But for this you must first show a diver's certificate, which must match the declared level, and then - pass the test dive.
In the diving centers of Malaysia, you can take the following PADI training courses:
- Rebreather Diver;
- Peak Performance Buoyancy;
- Deep Diver;
- Digital Underwater Photographer;
- Open Water Scuba Instructor, etc.
These courses give the right to engage in instructional activities in Malaysian dive centers, photograph underwater nature, and also perform deep-sea diving with special equipment.
Whatever purpose the diving tourist in Malaysia pursues, he can count on an interesting pastime. After all, only here is a huge variety of interesting places, where you can dive deep under water, visit sunken ships, grottoes or swim drift with the flow. Pristine beaches, thousands of species of marine life and fantastic coral gardens - all this awaits diving lovers in Malaysia.