Diving Malaysia
Malaysia is fast becoming one of the leading dive destinations of the world with the richest marine environment in the Indo-Pacific Basin. From schooling hammerhead sharks, huge schools of barracudas and various turtles to the bizarre frogfish or ghost pipefish, there is always something to fascinate the diver. In Malaysia, the coral reef ecosystem is reported to support aquatic organism numbering more than 50 genera of coral and more than 200 species of fish. Almost all of the islands in Malaysia cater for divers of all levels of experience, be it easy shore diving to advance wreck diving or technical diving. Top dive sites around Malaysia include diving along gentle sloping reefs, submerged reefs, coral blocks, wall dives, deep dives, drift dives, and wreck dives.
Best time to dive
West coast Peninsular Malaysia: December to May
East coast Peninsular Malaysia: March to October
The islands of east Malaysia are reasonably protected and are diveable all year round. However, water visibility is better during the months of April to August.
Visibility
Visibility ranges from 20 to 150 feet depending on where and when you dive.
Water temperatures
Water temperature averages 82 °F, but during the dry months may rise to 88 °F.
Weather and climate
Malaysia has a tropical, humid climate with temperatures averaging 86°F, though it is cooler in the highland areas. The major change in seasons is marked by the arrival of the monsoons that bring with it heavy downpours on the east coast of Peninsula Malaysia, the northeastern part of Sabah, and the western end of Sarawak (from November to February). The best time to visit Malaysia is between April and October.
Language
Bahasa Malaysia, English, Chinese dialects, Tamil, and indigenous dialects
Passport/Visa requirements
Every person entering Malaysia must possess a valid national Passport or internationally recognized Travel Document valid for travel to Malaysia. Any person not in possession of a Passport or Travel Document that is recognized by the Malaysian Government, must obtain a Document in lieu of Passport. Application for the Document in lieu of Passport can be made at any Malaysian Representative Office abroad. Holders of Travel Documents like a Certificate of Identity, Laisser Passer, Titre de Voyage or a Country’s Certificate of Permanent Residence must ensure that their return to the country that issued the document or the country of residence is guaranteed. The documents shall be valid, for more than six (6) months from the date of entry into Malaysia. Foreign nationals who require a Visa to enter Malaysia must apply and obtain a Visa in advance at Malaysian Representative Office before entering the country. Typically, for a tourist, a Single Entry Visa is issued to foreign nationals who require a visa to enter Malaysia. They are normally valid for a single entry and for a period of three months from the date of issue.
Currency
Malaysian Ringgit – Get exchange rates at http://www.xe.com/ucc/
Electrical current
240 volts AC, 50 Hz
Capital
Kuala Lumpur
General information
Malaysia is one of the most pleasant, hassle-free countries to visit in Southeast Asia. Malaysia is divided into two distinct parts: Peninsular Malaysia and the East Malaysian provinces of Sabah and Sarawak in North Borneo. The two regions are 403 miles apart and separated by the South China Sea. Peninsular Malaysia shares borders with Thailand and Singapore. Sabah and Sarawak border Kalimantan (the Indonesian part of Borneo), and Sarawak surrounds the tiny enclave of Brunei. The Andaman Sea is on the west coast of the peninsula. The east coast of the peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak all adjoin the South China Sea. Fauna includes elephants, rhinos, tigers, leopards, tapirs, sun bears, orangutans and gibbons. East Malaysia has one of the most abundant and varied bird populations in the world.
Map
Get a map of Malaysia from WorldAtlas.com.
A part of India, the Andaman Islands are one of the world’s newest diving destinations and have yet to be properly explored for diving. The waters surrounding the islands are full of fish that have yet to be disturbed. Although in many of the near shore areas the visibility is limited, the offshore islands such as Passage Island, Barren Island, and Narcondam are rich in marine life with huge fish, sharks, manta rays, and coral growth. The reef types are fringing reef, deep walls, and coral gardens that provide deep vertical walls, big sharks, lots of manta rays, an active volcano, very clear water, and lots of big fish.