Borneo Divers & Sea Sports (KL)
115M Jalan SS21/37
Damansara Utama
47400 Petaling Jaya
Selangor
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Tel: 03—7728 3066
Fax: 03-7728 4303
E-mail:bdsskl@po.jaring.my
Borneo Divers & Sea Sport (Sabah) 9th Floor, Menara Jubli
Wisma Sabah, 53 Jalan Gaya
88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
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Tel : 088-222 226
Fax : 088-221 550
URL: http//:www.jaring.my/bdivers
Email: bdivers@po.jaring.my
Pahang State Fisheries Office
2nd Floor Wisma Persekutuan
Jalan Gambut, 25000 Kuantan
Pahang
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Tel: 09-555 3508/ 555 1287
Fax: 09-552 3482
E-mail: tionet1@tm.net.my
Johor State Fisheries Office
Johor State Fisheries Office
6th Floor Block A
Wisma Persekutuan
Jalan Air Molek
80628 Johor Bahru
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Tel : 07-224 4079
Fax: 07-223 0779
Email: ppnj@po.jaring.my
Layang Layang Island Resort
Letter Box No. 12, Block A
Unit A-0-3, (Sales Office)
Megan Phileo Avenue
12, Jalan Yap Kwan Seng
50450 Kuala Lumpur
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Tel : 603-2162 2877
Fax: 603-2162 2980
URL: http://www.layanglayang.com
E-mail: layang@pop.jaring.my
Fisheries Department Malaysia
Marine Parks Branch
8th & 9th Floors, Wisma Tani
Jalan Sultan Salahuddin
50628 Kuala Lumpur
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Tel: 03-295 4591/562/284
Fax: 03-291 3199
URL: http://www.agrolink.moa.my
E-mail: mpark@dof.moa.my
Adundance
School of Jacks
Clown Fish
Backroll entry
NHawksbill Turtle
Mantis Shirmp
ADVENTURE TRAVEL
Scuba Diving
INTRODUCTION
Located in the heart of the Indo – Pacific Basin in the centre of the area famed for the greatest marine bio-diversity in the world, Malaysia marine parks offer diving enthusiasts an unparalled opportunity to enjoy some of the most beautiful marine sights in the world.
Since Malaysia hosted the inaugural Asian DEMA (Diving and Equipment Manufacturing Association) Show in 1996 and 1997, more professional and recreational divers are discovering the enchantment of its waters. With sites catering to every level of expertise, Malaysia is a true divers paradise.
Accredited dive operators offer packages for every need and budget. Premium packages include pickup at the airport, transfer to the dive sites, food, accommodation and dives. Alternatively, one can opt for a dive only package by making arrangements with a dive shop or operators. The holiday diver stays for an average of 12 days which allows for a week’s worth of diving.
WHERE TO DIVE
The east coast of Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak offer exciting and beautiful dive sites. The latter’s proximity to the South China Sea and the Celebes Sea attracts a wider range of marine life and pelagic species among its world class reefs. Visibility is also better.
The Pulau Payar Marine Park, located about 19 nautical miles south of Langkawi and 40 nautical miles north of Penang, is the first marine north of Penang, is the first marine park to be established off the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and is endowed with many endangered species which dwell in the park’s sanctuary.
The marine park encompasses the islands of Pulau Payar, Pulau Segantang, Pulau Lembu and Pulau Kaca. The best time to visit the park is from February until November.
Langkawi Coral ( Tel : 04-9667318 Fax: 04-9669308) operates an air-conditioned catamaran service from the Kuah jetty point in Langkawi to Pulau Payar. The trip takes approximately 45 minutes. Travel agents in Langkawi also offer speed boat services to the park. Teluk Nipah and Coral Beach in Pangkor have vast coral reefs which attract some larger marine species.
The islands off the east coast of Johor teem with marine life. Pulau Tinggi in particular has a beautiful array of butterfly and angel fish and groupers which make it a photographer’s paradise. Pulau Rawa and Pulau Tengah are famed for their white coral reefs.
The sea off Lanjut, 20km from Kuala Rompin in Johor offers two shipwreck sites, including that of a World War II Japanese frigate which can be found off Pulau Berhala.
DIVING DESTINATIONS
Kedah
Perak
Johor
Terenggan
Pahang
Sabah
Labuan
Sarawak
Pulau Payar, Pulau Segantang, Pulau Langkawi, Pulau Kaca,Pulau Lembu
Pulau Pangkor
Pulau Rawa, Pulau Besar, Pulau Hujung , Pulau Aur, Pulau Sibu,Pulau Tengah, Pulau Pemanggil, PulauTinggi, Pulau Berhala
Pulau Perhentian, Pulau Redan, Pulau Tenggol, Pulau Kapas
Pulau Tioman
Pulau Mabul, Pulau Tiga, Tuanku Abdul Rahman Park , PulauLayang-layang
Pulau Rusukan Kecil, Pulau Rusukan Besar, Pulau Kuraman, Pulau Papan
Pulau Talang Besar, Pulau Talang Kecil
Pulau Payar, Kedah
Pulau Segantang, Kedah
Pulau Langkawi, Kedah
Pulau Redang, Terengganu
Pulau Perhentian, Terengganu
Pulau Tenggol, Terengganu
Pulau Tioman, Pahang
Layang Layang, Sabah
Pulau Sulug, Sabah
Pulau Tiga, Sabah
Pulau Mabul, Sabah
* Species listed are commonly sighted at the given locations
Terengganu's Pulau Redang is the largest of the cluster of islands in the Redang Marine Park and offers some of the world's most mature coral gardens. Located 50km off the coast of Kuala Terengganu , the tip takes about 2 hours by boat from Merang.
The Pulau Tioman archipelago off Pahang features some of the prettiest soft corals in the area. The Magicienne Rock is a submerged reef north of Tioman where giant manta rays have been sighted.
Beginners will find the islands of the east coast more accessible and easier to dive. The various coastal villages also provide relaxation after a day's diving.
DIVING IN SABAH AND SARAWAK
Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah, where divers stop in transit to Layang Layang and Mabul is also the site of the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Park. This marine sanctuary is 50 sq km in size and was gazetted in 1974. It is made up of the 5 islands of Gaya, sapi, Manukan, Sulug and Mamutik.
Shallow waters, dazzling coral gardens and a variety of accommodation make this a popular site where rare antennarids and large tropical cuttlefish can be sighted. The best time to dive here is from March to October. Divers will have to go through a local diving centre.
Labuan, lying 8km off mainland Sabah is a haven for wreck diving. The four wrecks within Labuan’s waters, namely the Blue Water, Cement, American and Australian Wrecks are accessible to all but internal exploration is best left to expert divers. Trevallies, barracuda, batfish and groupers are the commonly sighted species.
Layang Layang, an oceanic atoll situated 300km off the north- western coast of Sabah offers breath-taking coral gardens and open sea species such as Scalloped hammerhead sharks which may be seen here between April and May. The island is also a bird sanctuary.
SEASONS
Heavy rains in December and March affect currents and visibility at certain sites. Terengganu’s Pulau Redang and Pulau Perhentian as well as Pulau Tioman in Pahang are the sites most affected. The atoll of Layang Layang is Sabah is closed from November to March due to high waves and torrential rain. The Sabahan islands of Mabul and Tuanku Abdul Rahman Park remain open all year round as they are sheltered by the Bornean land mass. Water temperature here rarely falls below 27 degrees Celsius. Visibility seldom drops beyond 30 metres.
EQUIPMENT
Everything a diver needs can be hired at local dive stores or from dive operators. Divers are advised to give two weeks notice prior to their arrival to ensure the operators have the equipment ready.
In the warm tropical waters of Malaysia, a 3mm wet suit is enough protection as temperatures rarely dip below 23 degree Celsius. A lycra skin is just as adequate and take up less space.
Hyperbaric or recompression chamber facilities are available in Malaysia. The Malaysia Navy operates two in Lumut and Labuan while Borneo Divers own a two man chamber in Sipadan.
CONDITIONS FOR DIVING
Divers will need to produce their certification cards and log books before they are allowed to join a diving expedition.
Malaysia accepts PADI, NAUI, SSI and BSAC Certifications. Dive operators reserve the right to require a refresher course for any diver who cannot show proof of diving in the last 12 months.
All dives must be done with a buddy. No solo dives are allowed and most dives are limited to a maximum of 130 feet or 40 metres. Those wishing to night dive must show proof of night, cavern or wreck diving and must exit the water by 10pm.
Most operators reserve the right to decide on the fitness of an individual to dive. It is strongly suggested that a prospective diver respect and adhere to the views of these professionals. Diving insurance is also highly recommended,
Divers will have to sign a liability waiver before their dives.
PRACTICAL TIPS
With the necessary precautions and respect for their partners and divemasters as well as the denizens of the deep, divers will enjoy accident free explorations.
Most operators are certified through internationally set standards and are self regulating through certified bodies. They will offer clean air station, breakdown service facilities, oxygen and survival rescue kits along with their own rescue trained divemasters.
When diving always remember to :
• Check equipment before a dive
• Dive within the limits of your ability
• Enter the water with your partner and stay together
• Carry a power whistle and rescue tube to attract attention
• Carry a first aid kit to treat yourself before a medical professional can be consulted.
• Consult your doctor should any injury become apparent
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Malaysia marine parks offer diving enthusiasts an unparalled opportunity to enjoy some of the most beautiful marine sights in the world.
Langkawi Coral ( Tel : 04-9667318 Fax: 04-9669308) operates an air-conditioned catamaran service from the Kuah jetty point in Langkawi to Pulau Payar. The trip takes approximately 45 minutes. Travel agents in Langkawi also offer speed boat services to the park. Teluk Nipah and Coral Beach in Pangkor have vast coral reefs which attract some larger marine species.
