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Located in the heart
of the Indo-Pacific Basin in the centre of the
area famed for the greatest marine bio-diversity
in the world, Malaysia's marine parks offer
diving enthusiasts an unparalleled opportunity
to enjoy some of the most beautiful marine
sights in the world.
Since Malaysia
hosted the inaugural Asian DEMA (Diving and
Equipment Manufacturing Association) Show in
1996 and 1997, more professional and
recreational divers are discovering the
enchantment of its waters. With sites catering
to every level of expertise, Malaysia is a true
divers paradise.
Accredited dive
operators offer packages for every need and
budget. Premium packages include pickup at the
airport, transfer to the dive sites, food,
accommodation and dives. Alternatively, one can
opt for a dive only package by making
arrangements with a dive shop or operator. The
holiday diver stays for an average of 12 days
which allows for a week's worth of diving.
WHERE TO DIVE
The east coast of
Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak offer
exciting and beautiful dive sites. The latter's
proximity to the South China Sea and the Celebes
Sea attracts a wider range of marine life and
pelagic species among its world class reefs.
Visibility is also better.
The Pulau Payar
Marine Park, located about 19 nautical miles
south of Langkawi and 40 nautical miles north of
Penang, is the first marine park to be
established off the west coast of Peninsular
Malaysia and is endowed with many endangered
species which dwell in the park's sanctuary.
The marine park
encompasses the islands of Pulau Payar, Pulau
Segantang, Pulau Lembu and Pulau Kaca. The best
time to visit the park is from February until
November.
Langkawi Coral
operates an air-conditioned catamaran service
from the Kuah jetty point in Langkawi To Pulau
Payar. The trip takes approximately 45 minutes.
Travel agents in Langkawi also offer speed
boat services to the park. Teluk Nipah and Coral
Beach in Pangkor has vast coral reefs which
attract some larger marine species.
The islands off the
east coast of Johor teem with marine life. Pulau
Tinggi in particular has a beautiful array of
butterfly and angel fish and groupers which make
it a photographer's paradise. Pulau Rawa and
Pulau Tengah are famed for their white coral
reefs.
The sea off Lanjut,
20 km from Kuala Rompin in Johor offers two
shipwreck sites, including that of a World War
II Japanese frigate which can be found off Pulau
Berhala.
Terengganu's Pulau
Redang is the largest of the cluster of islands
in the Redang Marine Park and offers some of the
world's most mature coral gardens. Located 50 km
off the coast of Kuala Terengganu, the trip
takes about two hours by boat from Merang.
The Pulau Tioman,
also known as Tioman Island,
archipelago off Pahang features some of the
prettiest soft corals in the area. The
Magicienne Rock is a submerged reef north of
Tioman where giant manta rays have been sighted.
Beginners will find
the islands of the east coast more accessible
and easier to dive. The various coastal villages
also provide relaxation after a day's diving.
DIVING IN SABAH AND
SARAWAK
Kota Kinabalu, the
capital city of Sabah, where divers stop in transit
to Layang Layang and Mabul is also the site of
the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. This marine
sanctuary is 50 sq km in size and was gazetted
in 1974. It is made up of the five islands of
Gaya, Sapi, Manukan, Sulug and Mamutik.
Shallow waters,
dazzling coral gardens and a variety of
accommodation make this trip a popular site
where rare antennarids and large tropical
cuttlefish can be sighted. The best time to dive
here is from March to October. Divers will have
to go through a local diving centre.
Labuan, lying 8 km
off mainland Sabah is a haven for wreck diving.
The four wrecks within Labuan's waters, namely
the Blue Water, Cement, American and Australian
Wrecks are accessible to all but internal
exploration is best left to expert divers.
Trevallies, barracuda, batfish and groupers are
the commonly sighted species.
Layang Layang, an
oceanic atoll situated 300 km off the
north-western coast of Sabah offers
breath-taking coral gardens and open sea species
such as Scalloped Hammerhead sharks which may be
seen here between April and May. The island is
also a bird sanctuary.
SEASONS
Heavy rains in
December and March affect currents and
visibility at certain sites. Terengganu's Pulau
Redang and Pulau Perhentian as well as Pulau
Tioman in Pahang are the sites most affected.
The atoll of Layang Layang in Sabah is closed
from November to March due to high waves and
torrential rain. The Sabahan islands of Mabul
and Tunku Abdul Rahman Park remain open all year
round as they are sheltered by the Bornean land
mass. Water temperature here rarely falls below
270C. Visibility seldom drops beyond
30 m.
EQUIPMENT
Everything a diver
needs can be hired at local dive stores or from
dive operators. Divers are advised to give two
weeks notice prior to their arrival to ensure
the operators have the necessary diving gear ready.
In the warm tropical
waters of Malaysia, a 3mm wet suit is enough
protection as temperatures rarely dip below 230C.
A lycra skin is just as adequate and takes up
less space.
Hyperbaric or
recompression chamber facilities are available
in Malaysia. The Malaysian Navy operates two in
Lumut and Labuan while Borneo Divers own a two
man chamber in Sipadan.
CONDITIONS FOR
DIVING
Divers will need to
produce their certification cards and log books
before they are allowed to join a diving
expedition.
Malaysia accepts
PADI, NAUI, SSI and BSAC certifications. Dive
operators reserve the right to require a
refresher course for any diver who cannot show
proof of diving in the last 12 months.
All dives must be
done with a buddy. No solo dives are allowed and
most dives are limited to a maximum of 130 feet
or 40 m. Those wishing to night dive must show
proof of night, cavern or wreck diving and must
exit the water by 10 pm.
Most operators
reserve the right to decide on the fitness of an
individual to dive. It is strongly suggested
that a prospective diver respect and adhere to
the views of these professionals. Diving
insurance is also highly recommended.
Divers will have to
sign a liability waiver before their dives.
See also:-
Commonly
Sighted Species
Scuba Diving
Destinations / Sites
Scuba Diving
Tips
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