Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in Malaysia
Ready to check out the best sites in Malaysia for scuba diving, snorkeling, shore diving, free diving or other ocean activities? Zentacle has 100 dive sites, snorkel spots, beaches, and more. Discover hand-curated maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you.
No matter what you're looking for, you can find a diverse range of the best ocean activities in Malaysia to suit your needs.
#1 - Sipadan
Malaysia, Pacific
Unrated
(4)
Sipadan is a 4.5-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Malaysia, Pacific which is accessible from shore based on 4 ratings.
#2 - Tioman
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Pahang
intermediate
(3)
Tioman is a 4.333333333333333-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Pahang which is accessible from shore based on 3 ratings.
#3 - Mabul
Malaysia, Pacific
Unrated
(1)
Mabul is a 4.0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Malaysia, Pacific which is accessible from shore based on 1 ratings.
#5 - Pulau Pinang
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Johor
intermediate
(1)
East side of Pulau Pinang island, Southeast of Pulau Aur island
#6 - Rayner's rock
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Johor
intermediate
(1)
A lot of different sharks may be seen here: Whitetip sharks, Hammerheads sharks, Whale sharks, as well as Mantas
33m high rock on the east side of Dayang island, northeast of Pulau Aur.
#7 - Captain point
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Johor
beginner
(1)
Classical drift dive with Mantas and eagle rays.
North side of Dayang island, north of Pulau Aur.
#8 - Layang Layan
Malaysia, Pacific
Unrated
(0)
Layang Layan is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Malaysia, Pacific which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.
#9 - Manado
Malaysia, Pacific
Unrated
(0)
Manado is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Malaysia, Pacific which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.
#10 - Tenggol
Malaysia, Pacific
Unrated
(0)
Tenggol is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Malaysia, Pacific which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.
#11 - Weh
Malaysia, Pacific
Unrated
(0)
Weh is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Malaysia, Pacific which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.
#12 - Perhentian
Malaysia, Pacific
Unrated
(0)
Perhentian is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Malaysia, Pacific which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.
#13 - Phuket
Malaysia, Pacific
Unrated
(0)
Phuket is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Malaysia, Pacific which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.
#16 - Dunlop Corner
Malaysia, Sabah, Pulau Tiga
beginner
(0)
Dunlop Shoals, 2 nautical miles from Tiga (SW).
#17 - Pulau Renggis
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Pahang
beginner
(0)
Can be crowded. Lots of marine life including black tip and white tip sharks. Yellowtails, giant grouper, cuttlefish, turtles, moray,etc. Great training site.
West of Berjaya Tioman Resort, snorkel there from Dive Shop
#18 - Pinnacle II
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Johor
intermediate
(0)
Cleaning station for Bat fishes, you'll encounter a lot of them
South of Aur Island
#19 - Tanjung Pasir
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Pulau Tenggol
intermediate
(0)
This is the best dive we've done in Pulau Tenggol. Reef is good, but the best is shoals of Barracudas, Jacks and Tunas. A great drift dive, maybe not for beginers cos of the strong currents.
Southwest side of Pulau Tenggol.
#20 - Pulau Nyireh
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Pulau Tenggol
intermediate
(0)
Great dive site for novice and snorkelers. Shoals of barracuda and tuna, groupers, rays, and all the tropical marine life.
Dive site is on the west side of Pulay Nyireh island.
#21 - Turtle Bay
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Pulau Redang
beginner
(0)
The bay is very calm and the main interest is turtles. This site is good for snorkeling.
Northernmost bay of Pulau Redang island.
#22 - Coral Garden
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Pulau Tenggol
beginner
(0)
Sand, rocks, and coral pinnacles. Very good place for snorkelling
bay on the eastern side of Pulau Tenggol, just south of the lighthouse.
#23 - Pulau Rawa
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Perhentian Islands
beginner
(0)
Coral boulders with caves and tunnels
SE Corner of Palau Rawa Island
#24 - Pulau Susu Dara Besar
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Perhentian Islands
beginner
(0)
Marine life is similar to Tokong Laut, with less coral life.
N side of the larger of the two Palau Susu Dara islaets.
#25 - Tumbu Kili
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Pulau Redang
beginner
(0)
South of Pulau Redang islands. Small rock off Tanjung Tumbu Kili.
#26 - Big Seamount
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Pulau Redang
intermediate
(0)
just north of Pulau Lima
#27 - House Reef
Malaysia, Sabah, Pulau Tiga
beginner
(0)
Tiga House Reef, just in front of Picnic beach, N from the jetty.
#28 - Batu Tokong Kamudi
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Pulau Tenggol
intermediate
(0)
Northeast of Pulau Nyireh.
#29 - Coral gardens
Malaysia, Sabah, Sipadan
beginner
(0)
Great living corals and marine life.
Northeast side of Sipadan reef.
#30 - Batu Chipor
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Pulau Redang
beginner
(0)
A nice wall full of gorgonians and sea fans. All tropical marine life can be found here (even if there are less fished that in northern dive sites).
South of Pulau Redang island. Batu Chipor is located just north of Pulau Ling pinnacle. The dive site is marked by a buoy.
#31 - Bahara Rocks
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Pahang
beginner
(0)
6 nautical miles southwest of Pulau Tioman. The is an automatic navigation light on the north rock.
#32 - Pulau Chebeh
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Pahang
intermediate
(0)
East/North side - mini wall diving, underwater canyons, boulders, soft corals, sea fans. Manta Rays in season.
West side has swim thrus and cavern diving. Great night dive.
Northern most part of the marine park
East side of Island
#34 - Tiger Rocks
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Pahang
intermediate
(0)
Jacks, barracudas, stingrays, turtles, and sometime sharks (including whale shark).
Between Pulau Labas and Pulau Sepoi
#35 - Pulau Chebeh SouthEast
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Pahang
intermediate
(0)
Great white gorgonians and sea fans. Also seen : Stingrays, Napoleon wrasse, two turtles and a goatfish.
Southeast side of Pulau Chebeh
#36 - Teluk Dalam
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Pulau Redang
beginner
(0)
Nice bay, great for snorkelers. Turtles can be found here near the coral garden area.
The largest bay of the northeast coast of Pulau Redang
#37 - Tokong Timor
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Pulau Tenggol
beginner
(0)
Great dive. We've seen dolphins at the decco! Some guys also said that in august/september, whale sharks may be seen here... Sure, I'll be back!
Small rock, 300m off the south western side of Pulau Tenggol
Tokong Timor is also known as White Rock.
#38 - Pulau Rawa
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Johor
beginner
(0)
Good Beaches and snorkelling, healthy "STAG'S-HORN CORAL" surrounding both beaches with easy access for snorkelling. New dive centre opening Feb / March 2010
Approx 10 miles north northeast of Mersing, after Pulau Babi Besar and Pulau Babi Tengah.
#39 - Pulau Pemanggil
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Johor
intermediate
(0)
On the east side of Pulau Pemanggil is an old unknown shipwreck. The wreck is covered of fish. Very nice dive.
Approx 12 miles northwest of Pulau Aur.
#40 - Rajawali reef
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Pulau Tenggol
intermediate
(0)
This is a very popular dive site both interesting for dive training and snorkeling (near the beach). Sharks and mantas can be seen here during exercices !
Northeastern side of Pulau Tenggol.
Rajawali reef is also known as Northeastern bay.
#41 - Gua Rajawali
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Pulau Tenggol
intermediate
(0)
Viz is often near 5m cos of suspended sediments. Rocky bottom type with soft and hard corals, starfishes, tennis sponges.
Northwest side of Pulau Tenggol Island.
#42 - Manukan Reef
Malaysia, Sabah, Tunku Abdul Rahman
beginner
(0)
Nice dive site with barracudas and turtles. Just take care of the boat traffic!
Southeast of Manukan Isalnd.
#43 - North Sulug Reef
Malaysia, Sabah, Tunku Abdul Rahman
beginner
(0)
Great corals, Jack and barracuda shoals. Corals are very nice, ideal for macro. The island is gorgeous.
South side of the reef are pretty murky, occasional turtle sighting, shallow compare to north ones. North reef will have possibly everything you can get in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. From catreef shark to nudibranches. Lobster, frogfish etc.. all there.
North Sulug Reef is also known as Sulug Reef in general.
#44 - Ron Reef
Malaysia, Sabah, Tunku Abdul Rahman
beginner
(0)
Nice reef sealife. Not as many big fishes than in the south dive sites, but very colourful
Off the south side of Pulau Sapi
#45 - Mid Reef
Malaysia, Sabah, Tunku Abdul Rahman
beginner
(0)
Saw barracudas and turtles!
Large pinnacle located just east of Pulau Manukan.
Mid Reef is also known as Black Coral Reef.
#46 - Clement Reef
Malaysia, Sabah, Tunku Abdul Rahman
beginner
(0)
Nice corals. A lot of seaslugs and lionfish.
West of Pulau Gaya and north of Pulau Sapi Island
Clement Reef is also known as Clement reef Seafans.
#47 - The Rock
Malaysia, Sabah, Tunku Abdul Rahman
beginner
(0)
Not as nice as the other dive sites in the area. But good enough for a 2nd or 3rd dive of the day. Viz can go down to 4m depending on current. No fish around for days if there was dolphins flyby. Occasional sighting of turtles.
Southernmost side of the Mamutik island reef.
The Rock is also known as South Reef.
#48 - Sapi Reef
Malaysia, Sabah, Tunku Abdul Rahman
beginner
(0)
Good place for bothe snorkelling and scuba. Marine life is great.
Southeast of Pulau Sapi island
#49 - South Edgell Patch
Malaysia, Sabah, Tunku Abdul Rahman
beginner
(0)
Mantas if you are lucky! We were not :(
Reef located west of Pulau Sepi in open sea.
#50 - Pulau Lima
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Pulau Redang
intermediate
(0)
Boulders, and a sandy floor near 30m deep.
Southwest side of Pulau Lima island. East side of Pulau Redang.
#51 - House Reef
Malaysia, Sabah, Pulau Mabul
beginner
(0)
Muck dive, looking for camouflaged creatures: Seahorses, Ghost pipefish, leaf fish etc.
Just out of the Smart Jetty.
House Reef is also known as Jetty.
#52 - Ray Point
Malaysia, Sabah, Pulau Mabul
beginner
(0)
Viz around 5m. Bigger fish than on the northern side. Some gorgonians, groupers, lionfish and of course Bluespotted ribbontail rays :)
Southeast side of the reef.
#53 - Crocodile Avenue
Malaysia, Sabah, Pulau Mabul
beginner
(0)
Nice muck dive. Crocodilefish, Seahorses, Snake eel, Ghost fish... A very nice dive for macro.
Northwest of the Smart jetty, on the northern side of the island.
#54 - Lobster Wall
Malaysia, Sabah, Pulau Mabul
beginner
(0)
Nice wall with a cave full of lobsters. Same inhabitants than the other dive sites.
West side of the reef.
#55 - Teluk Air Tawar
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Pulau Tenggol
beginner
(0)
House-reefs off the Teluk Air Tawar resorts.
#56 - Pulau Ekor Tebu
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Pulau Redang
beginner
(0)
Boulders, lettuce corals, clams and a cave at 20m deep.
Northeast of Pulau Ling.
#57 - Pulau Labas
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Pahang
beginner
(0)
Reef fish shoals among volcanic rocks.
Note: The small skeleton wreck on the northwest side is not really interesting.
Northwest of Pulau Tioman
#58 - Pulau Babi Tengah
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Johor
beginner
(0)
This dive site is into the marine park, and you can find some leatherback turtles in july!
Northeast of Mersing
#59 - Turtle Point
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Pulau Tenggol
beginner
(0)
Western side of Pulau Tenggol Island.
#60 - Batu Nisan
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Perhentian Islands
beginner
(0)
Eastern side of Palau Prehentian Kecil island
Batu Nisan is also known as Tombstone.
#61 - Sugar Wreck
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Perhentian Islands
beginner
(0)
The following descriptions are from Anuar Abdullah, a local diver who has been diving for more than 17 years in east and west Malaysia, has logged more then 6000 dives and knows Perhentian by heart:
Sugar Wreck is an easily accessible sunken 3500-ton sugar hauler located just off the shores of Kuala Besut, south west of Perhentian Kecil. A cardinal buoy marks her resting place. She lays in 18 meters of water on her starboard, her bow pointing northeast and parts of her gentry cranes and cargo hatches strewn on the bottom in the vicinity.
The boat sank in the monsoon of 1999. Being recent, the wreck harbors little marine growth, but fish are abundant. The tidal stream affects diving at this site. Diving at the wreck is best during a new moon. At this time, tidal changes are insignificant, causing little or no currents. Visibility also improves as there is no stir up.
A large school of juvenile barracuda can be found around the wreck, especially near the cargo hold and wheel house. Red snappers and sweetlips are plenty too.
Shipwrecks are usually home to many species of venomous fish, like lionfish, scorpion fish and stonefish. Most conspicuous at the Sugar Wreck are the Plain Tailed Lionfish (Pterois ruselli). The shallowest part of this wreck is only 6 meters below the surface. A mooring line is attached to the superstructure at this point. Like Tokong Laut, the Sugar Wreck is one of the most popular dive sites in Perhentian.
The buoy is near a big cardinal buoy, south west of Pulau Perhentian Kecil.
#62 - Seaventure Dive Platform
Malaysia, Sabah, Pulau Mabul
beginner
(0)
A lot of nudi, Crocodillefish, Stonefish and all that you can dream on, of small creatures :o)
#63 - The Cement Wreck
Brunei
intermediate
(0)
This is a 92m long (2650 Tons) Japanese cargo ship; sunk Sept 15, 1980.
The Cement Wreck is also known as M.V. Tung Hwang.
#64 - Teluk Kador
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Pahang
intermediate
(0)
North side of Pulau Tulai
Teluk Kador is also known as Kador Bay.
#66 - Shark Point
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Perhentian Islands
beginner
(0)
Shark Point is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Perhentian Islands which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.
#67 - Siam Knoll
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Johor
beginner
(0)
Good coral and good cross section of Marine life, from sweet lips, to damsels, and nudibranchs. Well sheltered site until the N monsoon (Nov - Feb)
On the NW corner of Pulau Tinggi
#68 - Takong Sangoe
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Johor
beginner
(0)
Good site for hard and soft coral as well as a large variety of fish life.
First small island you come to as you head east from Pulau Sibu.
Takong Sangoe is also known as Little Bay.
#69 - Eboi Bessar
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Johor
beginner
(0)
Good coral dive thru numerous toppled boulders
The Larger of the two small islands on the east side of Pulau Tinggi.
#70 - Takong Rakit
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Johor
beginner
(0)
Nice wall dive, good hard coral, loads of soft coral due to the current. Very good fish life, with moray's nurse sharks, yellow tail barracuda, snapper, angelfish, damsel', etc...
15min boat ride East from Pulau Sibu
Takong Rakit is also known as Dolly Parton.
#71 - Turtle Beach
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Perhentian Islands
beginner
(0)
Shallow siye were you start from the beach with the reef on your left
Teluk Pauh, Pulau Perhentian. From beach or by boat
Turtle Beach is also known as House Reef Coral View.
#73 - Pasir Tani Wreck
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Perhentian Islands
intermediate
(0)
The following descriptions are from Anuar Abdullah, a local diver who has been diving for more than 17 years in east and west Malaysia, has logged more then 6000 dives and knows Perhentian by heart:
There are no records of when and why exactly this ship sank. It is supposed to have sunk in 1976. The only fact that locals can recall is that it is Vietnamese. The wreck is a twin-screw landing craft that was used by Vietnamese refugees to flee and find freedom from the tyranny of communism in their country in the 1980's.
She found her final resting place under 22 meters of water on a sandy bottom. She lays turned turtle with all her superstructure broken apart and sunken in the soft sand. Some parts of her starboard hull structure have fallen apart, leaving a large opening for divers to swim through.
Now after many years on the ocean floor, she supports a huge variety of marine life. Bivalves make up most of the sides and overhangs on the wreck. Soft coral, Seafans and gorgonians cover the upper part of the structure. Clownfish at Perhentian
Generations of dead clams and mussels have dropped to the bottom forming a rubble bed in the surrounding area. The rubble bed is home to stonefish, scorpion fish and several species of nudibranch.
Barracudas are often seen under the overhanging parts of the hull, which has been eaten up by corrosion. Big eye snappers and chromis swarm the upper side of the wreck. Reef fish like Blue ring angelfish and butterfly fish can also be found on this wreck.
Several species of boxfish and puffers are part of the long list of fish that inhabit the Vietnamese Wreck. Tidal and sea conditions affect visibility at this dive site. Surface and underwater currents can be strong. Best diving normally occurs just moments before slack tide.
A mooring line is attached to the starboard propeller shaft and it is used as a descent line for divers. Pieces of debris can be found on the stern side of the wreck. On occasion there is a leopard shark that visits the wreck and the surrounding areas. Special precautions are required when diving at this wreck.
As almost the entire dive is spent at or near the bottom; the dives are normally regarded as "square profile" where decompression obligations and air consumption must be closely monitored. This wreck is located just minutes to the southwest of Perhentian Kechil and is one of the most popular diving sites.
SW of Pulau Perhentian Kecil.
Pasir Tani Wreck is also known as Vietnamese Wreck.
#74 - Batu Layar
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Perhentian Islands
beginner
(0)
Nice easy reef dive with a lot of different thing to see.
A bouy mark the spot. You can use the rope to access the bottom of the dive site.
#75 - Bali Hai Divers House Reef
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Pahang
beginner
(0)
Easy access direclty from the Panuba Inn Resort, Panuba Bay, Tioman Island.
#76 - Semporna Jetty
Malaysia, Sabah
beginner
(0)
Semporna Jetty is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Malaysia, Sabah which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.
#77 - Mandarin Bay
Malaysia, Sabah, Sibuan Island
beginner
(0)
Mandarin Bay is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Malaysia, Sabah, Sibuan Island which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.
#78 - Shavers rock
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Perhentian Islands
intermediate
(0)
The site consists of a small circular group of rocks at the southern end of the lighthouse reef. Pelagic fish. Some good corals.
#79 - Coral Garden
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Pahang
intermediate
(0)
Coral Garden is also known as Seafan Canyon.
#80 - Panglima Abu
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Perhentian Islands
beginner
(0)
Varied bottom topography, with boulders. Often pelagic fish. There can be some current.
#81 - Frogfish layer
Malaysia, Sabah, Pulau Mabul
beginner
(0)
Frogfish layer is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Malaysia, Sabah, Pulau Mabul which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.
#82 - Divers Lodge House Reef
Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia
Unrated
(0)
Divers Lodge House Reef is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.
#83 - Panglima Reef
Malaysia, Sabah, Pulau Mabul
beginner
(0)
Panglima Reef is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Malaysia, Sabah, Pulau Mabul which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.
#85 - Centre Point
Malaysia, Sabah, Mantanani Island
beginner