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Malaysia Scuba Diving

Frequently Asked Questions

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The state of Sabah in Malaysia is home to some of Southeast Asia's most spectacular dive sites, with Sipadan Island and Lankayan Island standing out as the country's 2 premier underwater destinations. Known for their rich biodiversity and thriving marine ecosystems, these islands offer incredible diving experiences.

Sipadan is one of the world's most famous dive sites. It is a protected marine park known for its massive schools of barracuda, tornado-like formations of trevally, reef sharks, and regular green turtle encounters. Its dramatic drop-offs and strong currents make it an exciting destination for advanced divers. Lankayan is a tranquil paradise in the Sulu Sea, perfect for those seeking a mix of relaxed reef diving, macro photography, and encounters with whale sharks during the season. With its calm waters and stunning coral gardens, it's a great choice for both beginners, underwater photographers, and nature lovers.

This page covers everything you need to know about diving in Malaysia, such as obtaining park permits, the best dive seasons to see marine life highlights, and dive resort and liveaboard options. Whether you're looking for adrenaline-packed drift dives at Sipadan or a peaceful island escape in Lankayan, this guide will help you plan your perfect Malaysian diving adventure.


Questions and Answers

Diving FAQs

I am a beginner - Is scuba diving in Sipadan only for experts?

There are huge drop-offs in Sipadan which call for buoyancy control if you do not want to disappear forever into the depths. For this reason, and to avoid damage to the corals, Sabah Parks has introduced a regulation that requires all divers at Sipadan to be at least advanced certified.

If you want to become advanced certified in Borneo we recommend you take the Advanced Open Water Diver Course at one of our resorts in Mabul / Kapalai. The dives during the course will be conducted at Mabul or Kapalai. Then you can stay on a day or 2 and dive at Sipadan upon completion of the course.

Where is the best place to stay to dive Sipadan, now that the island is closed to tourists?

The nearby island of Mabul and the sandbar of Kapalai provide the best locations in which to stay for diving in Sipadan. The resorts are long established and comfortable and of course boat journey times are greatly reduced (around 20-25 minutes). There is one liveaboard which operates in the area and overnights in the shallows of Mabul. Currently there is no viable mainland alternative as the boat journey time is more than an hour from Semporna.

Where else can we dive in Borneo other than Sipadan?

Visitors to Borneo have a tremendous range of world-class scuba diving adventures available and Sabah is now becoming recognised as one of the best locations around for a few weeks dive safari. Combining Layang Layang, Lankayan and the Sepilok Orangutan sanctuary with Sipadan - Mabul would probably amount to one of the best extended scuba trips imaginable.

I have heard that there is a permit system operating at Sipadan. Do I have as good a chance of diving Sipadan if I book through Dive The World?

Yes you do. In fact, we stay on top of the situation so we know what each resort will and will not do regarding permits. With some resorts, your best chance of multiple days of diving at Sipadan, is simply to stay for longer. With others we can arrange for you to have additional days of diving at the island.

You need to agree the extra day(s) when you make your booking and then pay on arrival at the resort. The success of this is subject to availability, but if you really want to be at the front of the queue for extra visits to Sipadan, booking with Dive The World is as good, if not better, than any other option.

I am a single traveller. Do I have to pay a single supplement in Malaysia?

Dive resorts tend to treat single travellers as hotels often do, i.e. if you travel alone then you need to pay a single supplement and occupy your room alone. However, there are some resorts in Malaysia which allow singles to elect to share with another guest and therefore avoid the supplement; we can advise of these.

On Malaysian liveaboards, cabin-sharing is the normal practice. If you want your own cabin on a dive boat then you can expect to pay a supplement of around 45% on top of the published price.

Are there discounts for Malaysians or Singaporeans at these resorts?

Yes. If you are Malaysian, Singaporean or an expatriate living in either country with a work permit, you can enjoy discounted local rates at many of the Malaysian dive resorts we work with. Please inform us if you qualify for such discounts when you make an inquiry with us.

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General FAQs

Is it hot in Malaysia?

The country enjoys tropical climate with warm and balmy weather all year round. Temperatures range from 21°C to 32°C. Annual rainfall varies from 2,000 mm to 2,500 mm. Humidity level is at an average of 80% throughout the year. Loose light clothing is the order of the day and plenty of sunscreen is always a good idea when vacationing or diving in the tropics.

What about the wet season?

Malaysia has a wet season and a dry season. It all depends where you intend to go. You can dive the Sabah eastern coast (including Pulau Sipadan) the whole year round, even during the less settled period from November to March. Heavier rains can be felt only during typhoons in and around the region, but diving conditions are still acceptable. On the Sabah western coast the dry months are from January to May, the wet months are from June to December.

West Peninsular Malaysia - the dry months are from November to March, the wet months are from April to October due to the southwest monsoon. East Peninsular Malaysia - dry months are from April to October, wet months are from November to March due to the northeast monsoon.

Is there anything for a non diver to do in Sabah and Malaysia?

Malaysia offers far more than just world-class diving, with Sabah in particular boasting an incredible array of experiences that make extending your stay highly rewarding. While destinations like Sipadan, Mabul, and Layang Layang cater primarily to scuba enthusiasts, the rest of Sabah overflows with unforgettable adventures and wildlife encounters. Nature lovers can spot orangutans in rehabilitation centers or the wild, observe the distinctive proboscis monkeys, and potentially encounter pygmy elephants, sun bears, hornbills, and countless other exotic species in the region's lush rainforests. The adventure possibilities stretch from conquering Mount Kinabalu and the Crocker Range to jungle trekking, river rafting, island hopping, and mountain biking. Here's a more comprehensive list of fun tourist activities in Sabah.

Beyond Sabah, Peninsular Malaysia offers its own diverse attractions, including the vibrant capital Kuala Lumpur, the historical charm of Melaka, the refreshing highlands of Cameron Highlands, and Penang Island - renowned as the nation's culinary capital. With such an extraordinary variety of experiences spanning wildlife, nature, culture, and adventure, Malaysia promises memorable experiences that go far beyond its underwater wonders.

For more ideas visit: Tourism Malaysia.

What about the passport and visa requirements?

Malaysia grants visas on arrival to citizens of most countries, typically allowing a stay of 1 month. Citizens of many countries, including EU members, may receive a 3-month visa upon entry. However, Israeli nationals require a pre-arranged visa and must obtain permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

For the latest requirements, contact a Malaysian embassy/consulate or visit the Immigration Department of Malaysia website.

Malaysia is a Muslim country. What about alcohol?

Malaysia has a great number of Muslims. It also has a great number of Christians, Buddhists and other religions. Although the government is Muslim, Malaysian society is not ruled by Sharia law but is a model of secular tolerance. All religions are respected here and only in one or 2 states on the peninsula is alcohol not permitted. In Sabah in particular the mix of religions is very widespread and alcohol is not frowned upon (except when you see the price in some of the classier places!).

What is the currency?

The Malaysian Ringgit is the currency here and its value generally hovers around 4.2-4.5 RM to the US dollar, around 5 RM to the Euro and around 5.7 RM to the British pound. Tourists are free to bring in any amount of foreign currency or travellers cheques they require. However, tourists would need to seek approval if the amount of foreign currency to be carried back abroad exceeds the amount that they brought into the country. Tourists must also obtain permission and declare Ringgit cash exceeding MYR 1,000 being brought into or out of the country.

Are things cheap in Malaysia?

Some things are very inexpensive such as food, clothes and there are some great deals on accommodation. Other things like alcohol and dive gear rental are not as great value, but both are often essential.

What languages do people speak there?

Bahasa Melayu may be the official language of the country but English is very widely spoken and is in fact the language of business in Malaysia. Bahasa Melayu uses the Romanic alphabet and there are many words which sound the same as English although their spelling may be a little different, e.g. you can find a 'teksi' outside the 'restoran'.

What about the health risks?

Malaysia maintains high standards of health and cleanliness, ranking among the best in Southeast Asia. However, visitors should take precautions for the tropical climate:
  • Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothes
  • Maintain good hygiene - wash frequently and dry thoroughly to prevent fungal infections
  • Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids
  • Use sun protection to avoid sunburn and heat exhaustion
High quality hospitals, clinics and pharmacies are widely available (except on some remote islands) and many medications are available without prescription. There is a hospital in Semporna (near Sipadan), as well as a re-compression chamber. Most healthcare professionals also speak English.

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if arriving from affected countries in Africa or South America. Malaria prophylaxis are recommended for jungle/wetland areas (not typically needed for cities or coastal destinations like Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, or Tawau). Consult your doctor about recommended vaccinations before you travel. We recommend travellers to obtain comprehensive travel health insurance before their trip.

How can I travel from the Malay Peninsula to Sabah and Sarawak?

Geographically, Malaysia consists of the Peninsula and the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo. Travel between the 2 regions is by air. Malaysia Airlines and Air Asia have regular flights from Kuala Lumpur to cities and towns in Sabah and Sarawak.

I read somewhere that Sipadan is not safe - is it?

There have been a number of incidents in this part of Sabah in recent years. They have mostly occurred on the mainland or else far out at sea and not involved or even inconvenienced tourists at all. There have also been a couple of incidents in resorts in the area, the most recent in Sipadan being way back in 2005. There have been some kidnapping incidents recently involving people working at remote aquaculture sites, and fishermen or sailors far out at sea near the Philippines border. If you are not a Malaysian or Indonesian working in the seafood industry, nor are you sailing near the Philippines sea border, then the risk of kidnapping is not great.

Security continues to be stepped up with more Malaysian ships patrolling Sabah’s east coast. Local security services have increased their activity around the islands and armed guards patrol Mabul island 24 hours per day. The value of tourism to the economy is something the Malaysian government is keen to preserve so tourist safety is a high priority. Of course your visit to Sipadan, as with any destination, is at your own risk. Often there are governmental travel advisories against travel to this part of Malaysia. Naturally travel advisories are very cautious for reasons of an insurance, financial or indeed political nature. For more information we encourage you to read your country's travel advisory, such as UK travel advisory and the USA travel advisory.

It is your responsibility to be fully appraised of the situation before deciding to book. We will not consider any change of mind based on the security situation to be a valid reason for seeking to cancel your reservation. You will be subject to the normal cancellation terms. If in doubt, ask us for an alternative destination. But if you base the risk on incidents involving dive tourists, then you are more likely to join the thousands of scuba divers who continue to enjoy visiting this wonderful destination, as evidenced by the resorts being mostly full throughout the year.

What time zone is Malaysia in and what business hours do they keep?

Malaysia operates on a single national time zone: UTC+8. This is 13 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST) when not accounting for daylight saving time adjustments.

Banking hours are 9:30 am til 3 pm, Monday to Friday. On Saturday, banking hours are from 9:30-11:30 am. Banks are closed on the first and third Saturday of each month. Shop stores are usually open from 11 am til 10 pm, every day. Government offices are open from 8:15 am to 4:45 pm from Monday to Friday. On Saturday, they are open from 8 am - 1:15 pm; they are closed on the first and third Saturday of each month.
3 states on the Malay Peninsula practise slightly different office hours (welcome to Asia!). Offices in Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah open from Saturday to Wednesday, with a half-day on Thursday and a rest day on Friday.

What power supply do they use?

Voltage is 220-240 volts AC at 50 cycles per second. Most major hotels provide 110-120 volt adaptors. Electrical sockets are usually the 3 pin/13 amp UK type. Liveaboard boats will have either the 2-pin European or 3-pin British-style sockets.

How can I keep in touch with friends and family?

Malaysia offers reliable communications infrastructure with good internet and telephone services throughout the country. Urban areas and tourist locations have numerous internet cafés with average connection speeds, though more remote regions may experience slower service. Most dive resorts and liveaboard cruises provide complimentary Wi-Fi for guests. The telephone network coverage is excellent, with international dialling codes 00 for direct calls, 103 for international assistance, and 108 for operator services. Travellers can easily purchase prepaid SIM cards and international calling cards at convenience stores, newsstands, and shops throughout urban centers.

The postal system operates efficiently with poste restante available at major post offices, which are open Monday to Saturday from 8:30 am - 5 pm (closed Sundays and public holidays). For reliable shipping, options include the national Pos Laju courier service as well as private operators like DHL and UPS that maintain offices in most urban areas.

Public payphones operated by Uniphone, Citiphone, and Telekom are widely available, though note that each system requires its own specific phone card as they are not interchangeable between services.

Any travel tips for tourists in Malaysia?

Malaysia's multi-ethnic society is generally tolerant, but visitors should observe local customs. When visiting homes or places of worship, remove your shoes and dress modestly (covering shoulders and knees). In rural areas and religious sites, conservative attire is particularly important.

For greetings, handshakes between men are acceptable, but many Muslim women (especially those wearing the tudung headscarf) prefer not to shake hands with the opposite sex - a smile and nod suffices. Avoid public displays of affection like kissing or hugging. Always use your right hand for eating, giving/receiving items, as the left is considered unclean. When pointing, use your thumb with fingers folded rather than your index finger, which is considered rude.

Most service establishments include a 10% service charge and 6% government tax in bills, making tipping unnecessary but appreciated. For dining out in cities, smart casual wear is appropriate, while villages and religious sites require more conservative clothing. Lightweight cotton works best for Malaysia's climate.

Malaysia has strict drug laws with a mandatory death penalty for trafficking. Be vigilant against pickpockets in crowded areas. While generally safe, avoid flashing valuables and maintain awareness of your belongings in tourist areas.

Is Borneo undeveloped?

Most first time visitors to Sabah are amazed at how modern and progressive the state is. Many imagine Borneo to have little in the way of modern buildings or infrastructure. While the wild natural Borneo exists in certain areas, the state capital of Kota Kinabalu is a thriving modern town. All mod cons exist here including luxury hotels, golf courses, fast food outlets, bars, restaurants, clubs and internet cafés.

Can you arrange accommodation for me in Malaysia?

Our affiliated hotel reservation agents hotelscombined.com have over 250 different kinds of accommodation in Malaysia, in Kuala Lumpur, and throughout the Malay Peninsula and Malaysian Borneo. Browse their website choices, use their live chat to ask your questions, and then simply use your credit card to make your hotel reservation.

Save on your hotel - www.hotelscombined.com

From five-star beach resorts to budget guesthouses, there's something to suit everyone's taste and pocket. And you can be sure that whatever option you select, it will be backed up with their 'Low Price Guarantee', so you will always get top-dollar value for money.

 
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Sepilok Nature Resort Sepilok Nature Resort
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Sipadan Kapalai Resort Sipadan Kapalai Resort
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Borneo Divers Resort Borneo Divers Resort
From USD 220 per day

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Lankayan Island Resort Lankayan Island Resort
From USD 186 per day

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Mabul Water Bungalows Mabul Water Bungalows
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Shore Dives
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Sipadan Mabul Resort Sipadan Mabul Resort
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Sipadan Water Village Sipadan Water Village
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Mabul Beach Resort Mabul Beach Resort
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