Scuba diving in Peninsular Malaysia

Peninsular Malaysia, also known as West Malaysia, lies on the Malay Peninsula and surrounding islands. It offers an incredible bio-diversity of marine life paired with beautiful islands with white sandy beaches and clear warm waters. Peninsular Malaysia features several world-class diving locations off its coast including the Langkawi Islands, Pulau Jarak and Penang (located off the west coast), Pulau Lang Tengah, Pulau Perhentian and Pulau Redang (located off the northern and eastern coasts) as well as Pulau Tioman and Pulau Tulai (located off the southern coast ) which together offer endless diving opportunities, excellent corals and abundant fish life. Situated on the west coast, 30km off Langkawi Island, there is a Pulau Payar Marine Park. The park covers a group of islands (Payar, Lembu, Kaca and Segantang), which have the largest number of coral species in the country and the most vividly colored collection of soft corals. Particularly, the Tenggol group of islands is known to offer one of the best diving experiences. The Tenggol island is especially beautiful. It has over 20 excellent sites, including Tokong Kamudi, which is one of the most popular dive sites in Malaysia. Redang island, which is a part of the Marine Park area, offers 80% of species found in the 'coral triangle'. It has over 30 dive sites and its reefs are overgrown with beautiful hard and soft corals. The Perhentian Islands are well known as a marine paradise with unique shipwrecks and more than 20 fringing reefs. These islands are home to many nesting hawksbill and green turtles as well as many invertebrates and small sea life forms. Tioman has more than 25 dive sites, including incredible Tiger Reef. The topography of the sites is fascinating with swim-through between granite boulders and small caves and canyons. Off the east coast, near Kuantan, there are a couple of WW II wrecks (Prince of Wales and Repulse) that are worth visiting. The islands in Peninsular Malaysia offer many great dive sites, which cater to divers of all levels of experience. 

The tropical climate is experienced year-round with the rainy season varying on the coasts of Peninsular Malaysia. The wettest season on the west Coast of the Peninsula is between September and December, the east coast experiences more rain season than the other regions between October through to March; the best time to diving is between May and October. Daytime temperature averages from 20-30C/68-86F throughout the year. Underwater visibility ranges from 5m/6ft to 30m/98ft.

What to see 

Expect to see turtles and various species of corals, rays, reef sharks, scorpion fish, moray eels, angel fish, barracuda, rainbow runner, giant sting ray, cuttle fish, octopus, nudibranch and ghost pipefish among many others. Diving along the north and east coast Peninsular Malaysia is one of Asia's best kept secrets. The corals are in an excellent condition and there is an impressive collection of macro creatures that would delight muck diving enthusiasts.