Diving near Pinang, Malaysia

[Norm Cover]

I am going to be in Kulim, Malasyia for a business trip in a couple of weeks. Are there any good dive sites near by? Is there any shore diving , or is it all by boat?

 

[Quero]

The diving off the west coast of Malaysia isn't very inspiring any time of year, but right now it's at its worst as it is the monsoon season on that coast. See if you can swing a couple of days on the east coast in the Terengganu Marine Park islands of Redang, Perhentians, or Tenggol where the diving is worth doing and happens to be in peak season right now.

 

[malaysia-islands]

Kulim to Penang will take about 30 minutes, or longer if the Penang Bridge connecting the island to mainland is congested. If you get to Penang, you can arrange for diving at Pulau Payar from Port Swettenham jetty in downtown.

I've made 2 dives at Pulau Payar, at dive sites named Coral Garden and Lembu Rock. The former was more interesting when it comes to soft coral varieties. The latter had really poor visibility (but at least I saw 1-2 black-tip sharks).

I dived with this diving outfit called East Marine (they have offices in both Penang and Langkawi). Prior to taking up diving, I also have snorkeled at the Coral Pontoon in that area and I must say the coral and fish varieties were not bad at all.

In any case, the choice is yours. If you really have some time to squeeze and willing to make do with occasional poor viz, then you probably can give it a go. Have fun!

 

[Norm Cover]

Thank you both for the replies. Is there any shore diving on the East coast or is it all by boat? I may be able to get over there for a weekend. What is the average cost of a boat dive?

 

[malaysia-islands]

I have done shore diving once in Tioman. The dive site name is Salang Wreck. It was quite good.

If you are asking about shore diving from mainland, I guess it will be none. You will need to get to the island(s) and then do boat-dive or shore-dive.

My recent shore dive cost me MYR70 inc. equipment.

 

[Norm Cover]

Thank you for your response. Is there any shore diving on the East side? If not can you recommend a dive operation for me to look up? I may be able to get there on at least one weekend.

 

[Quero]

Yes, you can do some shore diving, but it's all from the islands, so you'd need a resort or dive op anyway (no shore diving like what you'd find in Hawaii or Bonaire). Talk to Henry at Scuba Dynamics info@scubadynamics.com.my He works with a number of operators and will be able to set you up. When is your trip, by the way? The Merdeka holiday weekend is coming up in a couple of weeks, and it may be impossible to find anything if you're in the country at that time.

 

[Norm Cover]

I will be arriving on the 25th of August. I will be there for 3 weeks. What date is the Holiday? I was kind of hoping to try to get to the East side on the 26th. Is it easy enough to rent gear or should I bring my own?

 

[Quero]

I will be arriving on the 25th of August. I will be there for 3 weeks. What date is the Holiday? I was kind of hoping to try to get to the East side on the 26th. Is it easy enough to rent gear or should I bring my own?

The holiday is on the 31st. Availability will depend on whether people are taking off the weekend before or the weekend after, but it seems more likely that things will be booked up over the Sept 1 weekend. Drop Henry a line and see what he can do for you. (Or I can phone him and try to work something out for you. PM me.) As for gear, you should be able to rent, if you are comfortable with that. I generally take my own gear, and if you are traveling from the US your weight allowance is a bit more generous than for the rest of us, so unless you hate the idea of dragging the extra baggage around, I'd say bring it.

 

[Norm Cover]

Thanks again for your input. I think it is too early to set anything up now. I am not sure of my work schedule yet. I will try and get in touch with Henry when I have a better idea of my free time.