Hi there. Im a Malaysian, still a noob. To answer your questions, I need to know how many weeks do you want to go diving?
Since youre coming in August, try to avoid Sabah East Coast due to serious security issues. Focus on the Peninsular East Coast. Mainly off shore of Terengganu, which is Perhentians, Redang, and Tenggol. We also have amazing islands off Johor East Coast. but they are a bit of a trouble to reach to if U dont like long bus ride. And then theres Tioman, in Pahang East Coast. If U have some extra budget, try considering Layang layang, off the West Coast of Sabah. bear in mind Layang layang is far more superior to the islands off penisular. layang layang is world class. I guess thats about it.
Since u dont like long bus rides, Id say Johor is not on your list. the islands off Johor are beautiful and the viz is always clearer. But the islands are small, no high class resorts, and no airports. The furthest island off Johor is like 4 hours by speedboat. The plus side is that there are much more less tourist, u could have the whole island for yourself. And then theres Layang layang. located on one of the atolls of the much disputed Spratlys, about 300 km northwest of Sabah West Coast. Can be reached via plane from KK Sabah. Plus side is the diving is world class. viz can be 40m. crystal clear all the way. not suitable for noobs coz the bottom is about 2000m down. wall diving and pelagics is the attraction here, namely schools of hammerheads, mantas and sharks. coral life are also much more healthier compared to peninsular east coast islands. security is guaranteed as theres an army base there, with men guarding 24/7. this prevents illegal sea floor bombing by fishermen like some other spratly islands, and this is the reason for healthy fish and coral life and clear viz. only negative side is much more expensive cost if youre from peninsular. flights from KL to KK and from KK to Layang layang. guess quality comes with some price hehe. And then we are left with Tioman to consider. since u hate buses, i guess flying is the only option. U can fly to either Tioman or Redang. then, theres time constraints.
If u have less than 1 week, then I recommend U to go sweep the string of islands off the Peninsular East Coast. Take a flight from KL to Redang Island. Stay for a week and take about 6 dives there. Viz is unpredictable, ranging from clear 18m to a sad 5m, average is about 10m. nothing special regarding the sites in Redang. From Redang U can take a speedboat to nearby Perhentian up north and Tenggol further down. The Perhentian Islands, north of Redang, have some sites that are more superior than Redang. I recommend to go dive Perhentian's Sugar Wreck, Terumbu Tiga, and of course, Temple of the Seas. Viz is between 10 to 20m, ill say better than Redang. Dive sites are also much better. On the remaining days U in Redang, take the day trip to Tenggol and dive the island's 3 or 4 sites. Nothing much to scream at Tenggol either. Of these 3 islands, I'd say Perhentians is the best.
If u have more than 1 week to go diving, u can spend the 1st week as i suggested above. For the following week, which i assume is in early September, u can go to Tioman and spend a few days. Maybe theres available flights in september as u said there are none till 29 august. So from Redang, u fly back to KL. and from KL fly to Tioman. the landing in Tioman is more of an adrenaline rush. aircraft fly straight towards the mountain and turns sharply near the ground to get in line with the runway. small room for error. haha. adds to the adventure. stay for a few days and go diving around the island. viz is unpredictable, from 18m to 5m. average is aroung 10-15m. some sites may have strong currents. some sites are nice some sites are just average. but the island is big and dive sites are many to choose from. that is a positive. the negatives are there will be many tourists and may get crowdy down there.
so there u have it. im writing this at 5am while burnt out from the bong much earlier, if u know what i mean.haha. sorry for my long and boring post. just trying to be helpful..
---------- Post added August 11th, 2014 at 05:44 AM ----------
just to add something, by staying in Redang and go for day trip to Perhentians, eliminates the problem of long tiring walks from DC to jetty. same applies for day trip from Redang to Tenggol. Tenggol is the smallest of the 3. diving sites in Tenggol are also only a few. cheers
---------- Post added August 11th, 2014 at 05:51 AM ----------
oh yeah i forgot to say that ill be on Perhentian Kecil from 28 August. just try to guess which one is me out on the packed beach haha. ill be on Moonlight Chalet, puffiing some smoke right off towards the Jetty at Long Beach, Perhentian Kecil, while watching tanned asses shine from the sun, from the cover of my shades. hahaha. peace out