Scuba Diver Australasia + Ocean Planet
DIVING IN PARADISE
Malaysia boasts some of the planet’s finest dive sites, and its pristine waters are rich in marine life
THE ISLANDS OF JOHOR
The southern state of Johor is blessed with beautiful islands located far from the mainland. Pulau Aur boasts pristine deep waters teeming with pelagic fish, while Pulau Lang offers sightings of green turtles, bumphead parrotfish and blue-spotted stingrays, a common inhabitant of the Malaysian coast.
The corals in this area shelter a colourful variety of reef fish, cephalopods and crustaceans, as well as the beautiful but elusive Spanish dancer nudibranch.
Adventurous visitors will want to seek out the
Zero wreck located south of Aur. Thickly encrusted with corals, this sunken Japanese fighter plane is home to teeming marine life like the comical dogface pufferfish, which prefers to swim solo and attracts plenty of attention for its elongated face and box-like body.
TURTLE ISLANDS PARK
Lying in the Sulu Sea off the northern coast of Borneo, Turtle Islands Park is a cluster of three islands – Selingan, Bakungan Kecil, and
Gulisan – that are home to green and hawksbill turtles. Only the largest island, Selingan, is open to visitors, who have the opportunity to catch sight of these rare and endangered turtles when they come ashore to lay eggs.
TERENGGANU
Hailed as the “Gem of the East Coast”, Terengganu boasts a long coastline of aquamarine waters fringed by white powdery sand. Off Pulau Perhentian Besar are clear blue waters ideal for diving and snorkelling, while secluded Pulau Lang Tengah offers a peaceful experience and 15 stunning dive sites within a 10-minute boat ride from each other.
The farthest island from the mainland,
Pulau Tenggol is where you’ll find mature coral gardens thanks to the nutrient-rich waters of the well-sheltered bay, while Pulau Kapas is home to a variety of both hard and soft corals rich in marine life. The island is also known for squid fishing at certain times of the year.
PULAU SIPADAN
Lying just off the northeast coast of Borneo is Sipadan, Malaysia’s only oceanic island.
This magical isle was made famous by renowned French oceanographer, Jacques-Yves Cousteau, in his documentary Borneo: The Ghost of the Sea
Turtle. But healthy numbers of green turtles are by no means the only creatures you’ll find here: Sipadan offers prolific marine life of all shapes and sizes.