Malaysia
It would be difficult to overstate the attraction of Malaysia for anyone who appreciates the natural world.
Its primal forests, ranging from shoreline mangrove to mountaintop oak, are of the sort that most of the world now knows only in myth. Although Malaysia's size is similar to that of Norway, natural trees and forests cover almost three quarters of the land, an area equivalent to almost the entire United Kingdom. One can walk for hundreds of miles in Malaysia under a continuous canopy of green, marveling at an abundance of plant and animal species equalled by no other location in the entire world.
A single half-kilometre plot of land in Borneo's lowland dipterocarp forest, for example, may well contain more than eight hundred different species of trees alone, a stunning degree of variety that pales, however, in comparison to the profusion and diversity of flowers, birds, ferns, and insects.
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Diving Malaysia
Malaysia's offshore islands are of legendary beauty. Remote dive island resorts such as Pulau Sipadan, a small oceanic island off the eastern shore of Borneo, rises in a sheer column more than 600 meters from the seabed. Completely encircled by sheer drop-offs and walls, Sipadan is one of the world's foremost dive sites.
The tropical waters off both Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo offer some of the world's best scuba diving: you can dive with whale sharks, hover around immense coral gardens and walls, search for interesting & unique critters on a 'muck dive' or dive on ominous and hulking WWII shipwrecks. In many places, you can get 35+ metres of visibility. Also, the country has become increasingly aware of the biological and economic importance of its marine heritage, and each year brings better access to and protection for the unique marine life. Because of the hundreds of islands, there are many dive options.
After extensively investigating this fascinating coastal region, testing all the dive sites and hotels, we have selected the very best diving resorts on the East Coast Peninsula of Malaysia and Borneo for you to choose from.
Each resort has its own unique attraction depending on whether you are looking for secluded luxury or an action packed adventure - just contact us with your requirements and we will construct the perfect diving holiday itinerary to suit your specific needs both above and below the waves.
The area has much to offer on land and we highly recommend adding some of our excursions to your holiday. Malaysia is home to some of the worlds most endangered wildlife, including the Orangutan (Sepilok), Proboscis Monkey (Sukau) and tiger (Taman Negara). For the more adventurous there is also the opportunity to climb Mount Kinabalu or white water raft along the renowned Padas and Kiulu Rivers.
Resorts: East Coast Peninsula
The East Coast Peninsula is geographically cut off by the mountainous Main Range and thus has retained its traditional customs, arts & crafts, coconut plantations and unique traditional houses.
The off shore islands (Pulau) offer superb diving, with colourful hard, soft, whip coral and abundant fish life. The coral is in an excellent condition due to the existence of a conservation program overseen by the Fisheries Department and not being exposed to a huge number of divers.
The unhurried pace of life makes it an ideal destination for a relaxing holiday far from the maddening crowd.
The rainforest at Taman Negara National Park is easily accessible, with a train journey through the mountains, to the central highlands with its old colonial hill stations established by tea planters; a little bit of 'Old Blightly' in the depths of South East Asia.
Resorts: Borneo
Most diving areas are in the north-eastern state of Sabah, a largely mountainous state with lush tropical rainforests, a long coastline dotted with powdery white beaches and some of the most spectacular coral reefs and marine life in the world. It was named 'The Land Below the Wind' by the maritime traders of old as it lies below the typhoon belt, making diving possible all year round.
The people of Sabah comprise over 30 indigenous groups, each with their own distinctive customs and festivals. The most popular festival in Sabah is the Kaamatan Festival where the Kadazan/Dusan community pay homage to the rice spirits for a successful harvest. Held annually in May, it is celebrated with much pomp and splendour.
A paradise for naturalists, botanists, bird watchers, divers, mountaineers or just about anyone who wants to be close to nature.
Live-aboards
Semporna Marine Park encompasses the islands of Mabul, Kapalai and Sipadan. Between them you couldn't get more diverse diving.
Sipadan is Malaysia's only oceanic island, shaped by volcanic activity aeons ago. It rises 700 metres from the sea floor attracting a rich diversity of marine life.
Mabul by contrast has a shallow reef profile with sandy bottom and patches of sea grass. The coral reefs at first glance do not look very picturesque and inviting. However it is the diversity of macro animals inhabiting the coral rubble and sea grass the puts Mabul on the diving map.
Malaysia: General Travel Info
For all your queries on traveling to Malaysia, including climate information, currency advice and things to know before you travel.
