Malaysia is fast becoming one of the leading dive destinations of the
world with one of the richest marine environments in the Indo-Pacific
Basin. The incredible bio-diversity of marine life, coupled with beautiful
islands, white sandy beaches and clear warm waters, keeps divers
coming back time and time again.

Top dive sites around Malaysia include diverse underwater geography
such as sloping reefs, coral blocks, wall dives, deep dives, drift dives
and wreck dives. A dip below the warm seas surface guarantees you
an astounding experience, with anywhere else in the world.

From schooling Hammerhead Sharks, to huge schools of barracudas
and various species of turtles, to the bizarre Frogfish and Ghost
Pipefish, there is always something fascinating awaiting you. It's no
exaggeration to say that almost every time a marine bio-diversity survey
is conducted in Malaysias tropical seas, the species list increases!

Dive centres in Malaysia are numerous, well equipped and certified by
all the internationally recognised dive agencies like PADI, SSI and
SSAC for maintaining their standards of safety and professionalism.
Naturally, all scuba diving courses in Malaysian waters are also
endorsed by these certifying agencies.

After completing your scuba course, get outfitted with the latest scuba
equipment as all international brands are available from dive centres in
Malaysia. Almost all the islands in Malaysia cater to divers of all levels
of experience - be it easy, shallow drift-diving, to advanced wreck-diving
or technical diving.

Located in the heart of the Indo-Pacific basin, the heart of the world's
richest marine biodiversity area, Malaysia also offers pristine beaches
and professional dive centres for the pleasure and safety of the
advanced and novice diver. For a most memorable diving holiday, the
time is now, the place is Malaysia.

Key Tips: If you plan to do some diving out here, you should try to book a
package with an operator that would include diving, food and
accommodation. It's a good way to save money. Also, the sea gets
rough and murky during the east coast's monsoon (November - March),
so try to time your visit outside of this period.
*Tourism Malaysia
Underwater diving in Malaysia
Spectular diving sites in Malaysia
Mabul Island is reputed to be one of the best places for underwater
macro-photography in the world. Located in the clear waters of the
Celebes Sea off the mainland of Sabah, it is surrounded by gentle
sloping reefs two to 40m deep.

Covering some 21 ha., it is considerably larger than the nearby Sipadan
Island and is home to the Bajau Laut tribe, one of many ethnic groups in
Sabah.

Diving is the main activity on this island, and it can be done all year
round. Marine life that can be seen here includes sea horses, exotic
starfish, fire gobies, crocodile fish, pipefish and snake eels. There are
over eight popular dive spots, each with its own speciality.

Three resorts cater to scuba divers -- two are on the island itself while
one is on a converted oil rig platform about 500m offshore. All of the
resorts provide day trips for their guests to the nearby Sipadan and
Kapalai Islands.
Mabul Island, Sabah
Mabul Island, Sabah
Pulau Aur, Johor
Pulau Lang and Pulau Pinang, are rated among the best
diving destinations within the Johor Marine Park Area. The
deeper waters around the area ensure good visibility and
a large variety of marine life, the island is popular among
weekend divers.

The rich pelagic action also attracts numerous sport
fishermen, hoping to try their luck with the marlins or
sailfish outside the marine park island. Many private
yachts anchor in the calm waters between Pulau Aur and
Pulau Dayang.

The main reef is located towards the southern end of
Pulau Aur and Pulau Pinang. The top of the reef begins at
about 12m and slopes in excess of 25m, making it ideal
for diving.
Pulau Aur, Johor
The sprinkling of jade green islands that makes up Pulau
Payar lies just 30km south-east of best marine park on
Malaysia's West Coast, making it an ideal choice for a day
outing.

This well-preserved, uninhabited marine park extends
over a number of islands, with Pulau Payar being the
largest. Your base out here is the floating platform
moored off Pulau Payar. But the real attraction of this
platform lies below sea level.

Step into the underwater observation chamber to view the
marine life surrounding a reef. Want to get even closer to
the swirl of fishes that make these corals their home?
Grab a mask, a snorkel and fins and join the spectacle!

Are you into scuba diving? The best diving is along the
reef system that skirts the south, east and west of Pulau
Payar. Please check with your dive operator what the
visibility is like during that time. It can vary from time to
time.

There is no accommodation in Pulau Payar as it is a
marine park, but that's not really an issue since Langkawi,
with all its fine resorts and restaurants, is just a quick
boat-ride away.
Pulau Payar Marine Park, Kedah
Sipadan Island, Sabah
The late Jacques Cousteau, the world-renowned oceanographer,
described Sipadan Island as an untouched piece of art, while divers
around the world voted it as one of the top five dive sites in the world.

Malaysia's only oceanic island, it is very small only 12ha. in size. A
25-minute walk is all that is required to circle the island on foot. As an
oceanic island, it rises about 700 metres from the sea floor, attracting
diverse marine life from the blackness of the open sea. Surrounded by
crystal clear waters, this crown jewel is a treasure trove of some of the
most amazing marine animals.

Declared a bird sanctuary in 1933 by the Colonial Government of North
Borneo and re-gazetted in 1963 by the Malaysian Government, the
dense vegetation on Sipadan Island supports a large variety of tropical
birds which include sea eagles, kingfishers, sunbirds, starlings and
wood pigeons. Exotic crustaceans including the amazing coconut crab
roam the beaches and scurry among the undergrowth.
Go there
Snorkeling spots in Terengganu
Tioman Island, Pahang
About 56km off the coast of Pahang lies Tioman Island, an
alluring holiday paradise in the South China Sea.
Acclaimed as one of the best island getaways in musical,
'South Pacific' in 1959.

According to legend, this island is the final resting place of
a mythical dragon princess. The warm waters and good
visibility make Tioman a paradise for divers.

Discover astounding sights such as colourful Gorgonian
sea fans, Staghorn corals, nudibranchs and beautifully
sculptured sea sponges.

Snorkellers can delight in swimming alongside huge
Napoleon Wrasse, Golden Striped Trevally, Bumphead
Parrotfish and shoals of Fusiliers.

This island is an idyllic spot for leisurely days under the
beach or be lulled to sleep by the sound of the waves.
There are several villages scattered around the coastline,
the larger ones being Salang, Tekek, Genting, Paya and
Juara.

Each village offers a different and unique atmosphere.
Tioman's verdant greenery is home to a splendid variety of
plants and small animals, including butterflies, monitor
lizards, deer and monkeys. Its flora and fauna have been
featured in National Geographic's documentaries.

The island's granite formations make for excellent
rock-climbing expeditions. The more adventurous can
attempt to scale the sheer cliff face of the legendary
Gunung Nenek Semukut or Dragons Horns. Berjaya
Tioman Beach, Golf & Spa Resort offers a luxurious stay
amidst a backdrop of rolling hills and scenic views.
Tioman Island, Pahang
Layang Layang, meaning kite, is fast becoming another one of
Malaysia's premier dive destinations after the world-famous Sipadan
Island. This oceanic atoll is situated in the South China Sea about
300km north-west of Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah.

The little land mass supports a luxurious 90-room dive resort, a
Malaysian Naval base and a nesting colony for several sea-faring
migratory birds. The reef topography is essentially made up of a rich
growth of hard corals; some so shallow that they break the sea surface
during low tides, but most begin at depths of about 5m right down to
the ocean floor.

Some of the marine animals observed around the 14 dive sites include
black-tip sharks, hammerheads, jacks barracudas, bump-head
parrotfish, lionfish, moray eels, turtles, nudibranches, gobies and the
ghost pipe fish.
Layang Layang Island, Sabah
Exciting underwater life in Malaysia
Malaysia is a prime tropical paradise and a top game marine and inland
angling locations, Malaysia hosts a plethora of fish species in both
environments.

The tropical seas surrounding Malaysia sustain most tropical game fish
species including the king of the seas - the black and the blue marlin.
Yellowfin, bigeye and dogtooth are found in the deep water areas, and
there are many more fish to catch including the wahoo, giant trevally,
cobia, narrowbarred mackarel, dorado, barracuda, escolar, rainbow
runner, greater amberjack and sharks.

The rivers and lakes in Malaysia, surrounded by beautiful tropical
rainforest, provide an angling backdrop that is breathtaking. These
pristine rainforest waterways will test any anglers’ skills to the limit. The
Malaysian Red Mahseer, the ferocious Giant Snakehead and the
Hampala Barb all have superb fighting qualities.
*Tourism Malaysia
About Malaysia
Pulau Lang Tengah is a very small island located between
Perhentian Island and Redang Island. This little island is
accessible by a 30-minute boat ride from the Merang jetty.
According to locals, Lang Tengah takes its name from
'Lang' which Malay language, and tengah, meaning
'middle'. middle island.

The island is very small indeed. A round-island trip by
speed boat takes only 10 minutes. The beach is narrow
and land is limited. However, its small size gives it its best
advantage - Lang Tengah Island holds only 4 resort
operators, ensuring a peaceful visit. And the winning
attraction of this tiny and peaceful island? Some of the best
snorkelling and scuba diving in Malaysia!
Lang Tengah Island, Terengganu
About 6km off the coast of Marang is Pulau Kapas, white
beaches and swaying palms. Kapas Island is situated
offshore about 30 minutes by slow boat or 10 minutes by
fast boat from Marang jetty, 20 minutes south of Kuala
Terengganu.

Relatively isolated from the hustle and bustle of the
mainland, this island is the perfect getaway for those
looking for some blissful relaxation. It is a lovely small
island with beautiful, quiet, unspoiled sandy beaches; cool
and clear blue waters, swaying coconut trees and caves
with swallows nests. Its waters are home to beautiful
marine life such as fish, turtles, corals and others.

Making it a must-visit destination, especially for discerning
divers and snorkellers, is the incredible variety of hard and
soft corals, seashells, fish and turtles. The laidback
atmosphere gives a perfect excuse to do nothing. Still, if
you are feeling restless, there are plenty of activities to
keep you occupied. Take your pick: diving, swimming,
snorkelling, windsurfing, kayaking, boating and even
fishing.
Pulau Kapas, Terengganu
Kapas Island, Terengganu
Snorkeling in Payar Marine Park
Pulau Perhentian, meaning 'stopover island', is not to be
missed. Situated 21km off the coast of Terengganu, it
consists of the islands of Pulau Covered by unspoilt
jungle, windswept palms, powdery white beaches and
surrounded by sapphire blue waters, Pulau Perhentian is
a sanctuary for fishermen, migratory birds and of course,
discerning holiday-makers.

Located just off the edge of the Pulau Redang Marine Park,
Perhentian's coral-fringed waters have excellent
underwater seascapes for snorkelling and scuba diving.

Arrangements can also be made for island cruises, and
boats can be hired to go exploring for private bays and
secluded coves. A trip to these tropical islands is also a
must for those who enjoy windsurfing, sailing, canoeing
and deep-sea fishing. Of the two islands, Pulau
Perhentian Kecil is more geared towards backpackers.
Here, you'll find a wide range of budget options for both
food and accommodation. Pulau Perhentian Besar, on the
other hand, is more developed and therefore offers better
facilities. Nevertheless, there are chalets, dormitories and
campsites on both islands.
Pulau Perhentian, Terengganu
Pulau Perhentian, Terengganu
Pulau Tiga is the largest of the three islands that make up Pulau Tiga
Park. Its beautiful landscape and unspoilt natural environment has
attracted CBS TV Network of the USA to use this island as the main
location for the popular 'Survivor' Programme, dubbing it the 'Survivor
Island'.

This island was formed through the eruption of several mud volcanoes.
The last explosion happened in 1941 and since then the volcanoes
have remained relatively passive.
Several small mud volcanoes spewing cool, mineral-rich mud can still
be found near the summit of the island. The notion that this mineral rich
mud is good for your skin makes mud-bathing a must-do activity on this
island.

The island's lush green jungle serves as a soothing backdrop, while the
fine, white sand beaches and the clear unpolluted water are a wonder
for nature lovers. The coral reefs encircling the island are home to many
species of fish and other marine life. Among the activities that await you
here are diving, non-motorised water sports, trekking, bird watching and
mud bathing. The Park Headquarters is situated on the southern side of
the island, not far from Pulau Tiga Resort, the only resort facility
available on the island.
Pulau Tiga Marine Park, Sabah
Sun bathing in Mud at Pulau Tiga
Pulau Tiga Island, Sabah, Malaysia
Pulau Redang, located 45km off the coast of Kuala
Terengganu, is the largest of a group of nine the
Terengganu coast. The island offers crystal clear waters
and numerous dive sites for enthusiasts. Sheltered within
the Pulau Redang Marine Park, the waters here are rich in
marine life. At midday when sun rays penetrate the sea,
brilliant hues of coral, anemones and fish can be seen.

The waters around Pulau Redang also contain two historic
shipwrecks: The H.M.S. Prince of Wales and H.M.S.
Repulse, which sank here at the start of World War II,
setting the stage for the Japanese occupation of Malaya.
This paradise island is perfect for snorkelling, swimming,
scuba-diving, jungle trekking, boating and canoeing. No
fishing is allowed within a 3.2km radius of the island as
Pulau Redang is gazetted as a marine park. The collection
of corals and other aquatic life is also strictly prohibited.
Berjaya Resort offers a golf course in an idyllic setting.
Pulau Redang, Terengganu
Pulau Redang, Terengganu
Tanjong Jara Resort - Terengganu
Vacation Package For 2 Adults
Package price includes:
* Accommodation (Min 2 nights required)
* Full board meals
- Buffet Breakfast at Di Atas Sungei
- Set Lunch at Nelayan
- Set Dinner at Di Atas Sungei
* All rooms have a maximum occupancy of
2 adults and 1 child
* A surcharge of RM400 per room night will be applied
during 19 – 25 Jan 2012 and 31 Dec 2011 – 2 Jan
2012 for Tanjong Jara Resort
Diving
Fantastic Malaysia
Beautiful places, beautiful people, beautiful Malaysia
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