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East Malaysia, comprising Sabah and Sarawak States, represents the perfect site for diving and snorkeling lovers. Within this area lies the most heterogeneous marine landscape on earth: crystal-clear waters, coral reefs by the hundreds, and a multitude of marine life. Asia King Travel is pleased to show you around the top 10 diving locations in this stunning area.
Sipadan Island is one of the most famous dive spots in the world, which lies off the east coast of Sabah. It was renowned for its steep drop-offs and rich marine biodiversity. Thus, the island made divers' dreams come true.
The waters around Sipadan represent a mix of species. From barracudas, turtles, and hammerhead sharks to multicolored coral gardens. Probably the most famous sight there is "Barracuda Point," where one may observe an amazing tornado of swirling barracudas.
Sipadan Island (Source: Tripadvisor)
Best Time to visit: During April to December, the visibility is better and the waters are not so choppy.
What to Expect: Green and hawksbill turtles, barracudas, reef sharks.
Just an hour's boat ride from Sipadan, Mabul Island is a famous destination for muck diving and macro photography. The island is sure to be a peculiar diving experience with its sandy seabeds and artificial reefs. Commonly seen in Mabul are small, unusual marine creatures like frogfish, nudibranchs, and pygmy seahorses. It was thought to be one of the best sites where underwater photographers shoot marvelous critters.
Mabul has a number of accommodation providers, from low-budget to five-star resorts. Opt to stay in a local resort for a convenient and accessible dive site.
Mabul Resort (Source: Pinterest)
Best time to visit: During April to October, the weather is sunny and relatively dry, making it perfect for diving, snorkeling, and other water activities.
What to expect: The following are some sites to check out: Eel Garden, Froggy Lair-the best of muck diving experience among others.
Situated in the Sulu Sea, Lankayan is a tiny coral island completely surrounded by clear waters and a kaleidoscope of coral reefs. It is the ultimate destination for people seeking an utterly serene diving and snorkeling experience.
It is offering the best combination-from shipwreck dives to coral reef explorations. Visibility in its surrounding waters is good, making Lankayan an ideal destination for underwater photography and snorkeling.
Lankayan is also a nesting site for green and hawksbill turtles. If you visit between June and September, you might be lucky enough to witness the miraculous hatch of baby turtles making their way to the sea.
Lankayan Island (Source: sabahhype)
Best Time to Visit: The sea is clear between March and October.
What to expect: With vibrant coral reefs and marine biodiversity. Expect to see a variety of fish, turtles, and occasional whale sharks.
A short boat journey from Kota Kinabalu, the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park comprises five islands: Gaya, Sapi, Manukan, Mamutik, and Sulug. For snorkelers and especially the beginning divers, this park would be a favorite place.
The diving and snorkeling sites vary in this park because every place here differs with its population of marine life and coral formations. Shallow waters around the islands provide a perfect snorkeling opportunity, especially for spotting clownfish, parrotfish, among others.
One of the beaches at Tunku abdul rahman (Source:Tripadvisor)
Best time to visit: The dry season is the ideal time to visit, offering the best weather for outdoor activities like snorkeling, diving, and island hopping. The skies are usually clear, and the sea conditions are calm, making boat trips between islands more comfortable.
What to expect: The waters around the islands are rich with coral reefs, diverse marine life (including clownfish, turtles, and rays), and vibrant coral gardens. Manukan, Sapi, and Mamutik are especially popular for snorkeling and diving.
Layang-Layang Island is also more famously known as "Swallow Reef," being an atoll situated in the South China Sea. This destination hosts some of the deepest waters featuring great wall dives. Layang-Layang has become famous for its encounters with hammerhead sharks, mantas, and other large pelagic species.
Being in such a remote location means dive conditions are pristine, and human impact on the marine environment is at an absolute minimum. The location is accessible through a short flight from Kota Kinabalu, the best time to visit is between March and August, when the waters are clearest, and hammerhead sharks are most likely to be seen.
Photo taken while diving at Layang- Layang (Source: Tripadvisor)
Best time to visit: Between March and August, this is the best time for sightings of hammerhead sharks, manta rays, and other pelagic species. The peak season for hammerhead sharks is generally between April and May.
What to expect: Large schools of fish, including jacks and barracudas, occasional encounters with dolphins and turtles, thriving coral gardens and drop-offs that plunge thousands of meters into the ocean.
Basically, Turtle Islands Park is a haven for two threatened species of turtles: the green and the hawksbill turtles. It consists of three islands: Selingan, Bakkungan Kecil, and Gulisan. Apart from being a place for turtle conservation, the park is a great place for snorkeling. Many species of fish are housed in the shallow waters. Colorful coral reefs also thrive here.
Turtle Islands Park offers an unforgettable experience-a blend of wildlife conservation and underwater exploration. In order to best witness the turtle landings and hatchlings, one must be prepared to spend a night in the park.
Turtle Islands (Source: Tripadvisor)
Best time to visit: Between July and October when turtle landings are at their peak. There's diving available, but the highlight here is the turtle conservation activities, booked well in advance to ensure availability.
What to expect: Visitors can witness turtle nesting at night, where female turtles come ashore to dig nests and lay eggs, you will also get the opportunity to see hatchlings being released into the ocean, which is a memorable experience.
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The waters of the several islands that make up the Semporna Archipelago off the east coast of Sabah are regarded as some of the best in the world because of its clarity, abundance of marine life, and variety of coral species.
The archipelago has plenty to offer both inexperienced snorkelers and seasoned divers, from small coral gardens to deep wall dives.
Marine life in Semporna Archipelago (Source: theroadosaimon)
Best time to visit: The Semporna Archipelago is best to dive between April and December.
What to expect: Beyond diving, you can explore picturesque islands with pristine beaches. Some popular islands include Bohey Dulang, known for its scenic hiking trails and panoramic views, and Sibuan Island, a small, serene island ideal for snorkeling and beach picnics.
Off the coast of Miri in Sarawak is Miri-Sibuti Coral Reef National Park, home to some of Malaysia's best coral reefs. Compared to other locations, it is less busy and can provide considerably more tranquil diving experiences. There are more than thirty diving sites in the park, including wall, reef, and wreck dives. Diverse marine life includes stingrays, reef sharks, and numerous types of reef fish.
March to September is when diving at Miri-Sibuti is most enjoyable. Divers of all skill levels can find suitable diving locations, ranging from shallow reefs to deeper, more difficult areas.
Coral Reef under the sea (Source: wiki)
Best time to visit: During the dry season, which runs from April to September. During these months, you'll experience clear skies, calm seas, and excellent visibility for underwater activities like diving and snorkeling
What to expect: You can expect to see a wide range of marine creatures, such as sea turtles, reef sharks, barracudas, napoleon wrasse, and a variety of colorful fish species.
This small island, sometimes called "Love Island," greets divers with something really special underwater: a submerged post office beneath the sea where divers could send waterproof postcards home. The island further holds well-preserved coral gardens, which host pygmy seahorses and frogfish among many of its species.
Dives around the reefs vary from shallow to deep, therefore both snorkelers and divers are reasonably catered for. Waters are crystal clear and calm, hence, it is an ideal destination for families and beginners.
Beautiful beach at Mataking Island (Source: Tripadvisor)
Best time to visit: During March to October, this period offers the best weather, with calm seas and sunny days. It is also the peak diving season, allowing you to fully enjoy the coral reefs, turtles, and diverse marine life.
What to expect: You can expect to see colorful coral reefs, rare macro life, turtles, and even larger marine creatures like barracudas and reef sharks. The Underwater Post Office is a unique feature where you can post waterproof postcards.
Sibuan Island is part of the Tun Sakaran Marine Park. People refer to it as a real "diver's paradise" because of its extreme clarity and calmness of the waters, and with a marine life as varied as anywhere in the country. It is an excellent site for both drift and macro diving.
The sea bottom is varied: steep walls, sandy slopes, coral gardens. Marine life is represented by barracudas, stingrays, and different kinds of nudibranchs.
Tourist at Sibuan Island (Source: trip)
Best time to visit: During the dry season, which falls between March and October, these months offer sunny weather, calm seas, and the best visibility for snorkeling and diving.
What to expect: Sibuan Island is a small, uninhabited island, famous for its picturesque beaches and clear blue waters, ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and photography.
East Malaysia is a haven for divers and snorkelers. Be one of the most or the least experienced divers to plunge into the depths of an underwater wonderland. For more details and to book a tour, contact Asia King Travel today and catch a glimpse of East Malaysia's underwater wonderland!
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