Malaysia has plenty to offer tourists, both divers and non-divers alike; and its key attractions are affordability, ease of travel, wildlife adventures, as well as some phenomenal diving opportunities at the likes of Sipadan Island, Layang Layang and Lankayan Island. At all of these destinations the dive sites are very close to land so Malaysia tends to be a destination that favours resort-based diving packages.
An equatorial paradise, Malaysia is blessed with an amazing underwater kingdom for diving and snorkelling, and offers pristine rainforests for wildlife safari tours, mountain ranges for trekking, wetlands for bird watching, and unspoiled islands for some sun and surf or simple relaxation. Sabah is one of the 2 Malaysian states in Borneo and is a land full of adventure and natural wonder. It is home to Mt. Kinabalu, orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and the world famous scuba diving mecca of Sipadan.
Malaysia is a country that is developing quickly and you may be surprised by its modern infrastructure, how widely English is spoken and generally how easy it is to get by as a tourist. Kuala Lumpur is one of the best connected cities with flights coming in from all over the world. You can easily hop from here to a great number of other destinations using one of Asia's low cost airlines.
The Malay Peninsula has several islands that are very popular with tourists who enjoy diving, including Tioman, Perhentian, Langkawi and Redang islands. However, our focus is on offering you the very best scuba packages in the country and these dive resorts are all located across in Sabah on the legendary Malaysian island of Borneo:
Sipadan Island is famous among scuba divers the world over and its walls are considered by many to be among the top ten dive destinations in the whole world. Here you'll find enormous schools of barracuda and trevally, reef sharks, huge schools of marauding bumphead parrotfish, and more sea turtles than you can count. [More information on these dive sites: Sipadan].
There is a good selection of all-inclusive accommodations serving Sipadan, located on the shores of the nearby islands of Mabul and Kapalai. Diving package choices cover most budgets, from backpacker style rooms to luxurious stilted resorts located atop the Celebes Sea!
> [More details: Sipadan Dive Resort Packages]Lankayan Island offers divers a wide range of underwater attractions, including healthy and vibrant reefs, interesting wrecks and seasonal whale sharks. [More information on these dive sites: Lankayan].
There is only one accommodation option here too, a very pleasant and well managed dive resort that balances well with nature. Their dedicated conservation efforts include an in-house turtle centre, which allows guests to witness the incredible spectacle of breeding, egg-laying, hatching and release of baby turtles.
> [More details: Lankayan Dive Resort Packages]We also offer daytrips in Kota Kinabalu, and from Semporna to Sipadan, Mabul and Kapalai.
Orang-Utan Sanctuary - If this is your only planned visit to Borneo then we strongly recommend that you consider a stay at the homely Sepilok Nature Resort to allow you to witness the once-in-a-lifetime jungle encounter with endangered orang-utans.
Stays of 2 or 3 nights are ideal and this package can be added on to any of our Malaysian dive resort options in Sabah, although Sepilok is most conveniently located near Sandakan (for Lankayan).
Sepilok Nature Resort
Customer rating: Excellent!
Sipadan Kapalai Resort
Customer rating: Excellent!
Borneo Divers Resort
Customer rating: Very good!
Lankayan Island Resort
Customer rating: Very good!
Mabul Water Bungalows
Customer rating: Very good!
Seaventures Dive Rig
Customer rating: Very good!
Sipadan Mabul Resort
Customer rating: Very good!
Sipadan Water Village
Customer rating: Good
Kota Kinabalu Daytrips
Customer rating: Be first to rate!
Mabul Beach Resort
Customer rating: Be first to rate!
Sipadan Dive Day Trips
Customer rating: Be first to rate!
Malaysia enjoys a warm equatorial climate, with average temperatures around 26°C (79°F). In highland areas, temperatures can dip to a cooler 18°C (64°F). Rainfall averages 250 cm (98 inches) annually, with tropical downpours often accompanied by thunder and lightning. Humidity remains high year-round, typically around 80%.
Rainfall patterns vary by region. The east coast of Peninsular Malaysia and northeastern Sabah and western Sarawak experience heavier rains from November to February. The west coast of the peninsula sees increased rainfall between May and October. Despite seasonal rains, diving in Malaysia is fantastic year-round in most locations. For the best timing at specific sites, check our detailed Malaysian dive destination guides.
Malaysia serves as a premier travel hub in Southeast Asia, with Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA, code KUL) offering direct flights from across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Australia, and New Zealand. For added convenience, select international airlines also service smaller regional airports like Kota Kinabalu (code BKI). Excellent regional connections are available from neighbouring countries such as Singapore and Thailand, with frequent, reliable flights.
All international visitors must complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online within 3 days prior to arrival. We strongly recommend securing comprehensive travel insurance that covers diving activities and trip cancellations. Our exclusive insurance programme offers competitive rates tailored for divers.
Planning to explore Malaysia before or after your resort diving getaway? Discover a wide selection of accommodations at hotelscombined.com, our trusted hotel booking partner.
Every reservation comes with their 'Low Price Guarantee, so you can book with confidence, knowing you’re getting the best value for your stay.
Got some questions about Malaysia? Get all the details on our frequently asked questions page.
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