Malaysia has been the home for local divers for many years however only in the last 20 years or so, since the discovery of Sipadan island off the east coast of Sabah, it has become a top Asia diving destination. Malaysia offers a vast array of scuba diving locations ranging from vertical walls to fringing coral atolls to wreck dives and even macro and muck diving.
Malaysia is over 800km long, has a mountainous centre with spectacular limestone outcrops, a long neck and tapering tail. East Malaysia comprises the Borneo states of Sarawak and Sabah. In recent years, it is this wonderful environment that is driving the Malaysian tourism industry. To the divers, it is the idyllic pearl-like drops of coral islands in the South China Sea off Sabah & Sarawak that are the great attractions.
The diving at Sipadan, Pulau Mabul with the pioneer Sipadan-Mabul Resort, Kapalai Layang Layang conjure thoughts of swirling schools of barracuda and jacks to divers the world over.
However the Malay peninsular has plenty of its own underwater gems to explore including Redang and Tioman.
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Malaysia at a glance
Religion: Predominantly Muslim
Population: 23.5 million
Currency: Ringgit (3.8 = 1$USD approx)
Geography: 329,000 sqm Coastline: 4,675km
Language: Malay
Travel: Major airport in Kuala Lumpur with daily global flights and two smaller airports on Sabah with daily connections.
Diving: Viz can be upto 50 metres, depths to over 2km. Marine life includes most common indo-pacific species. |
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