Malaysia March/April 2014

[kevindive]

I will be visiting Malaysia and would like suggestions on diving on the western coast and dive shops. I will be staying in the KL area and want to head out and do some diving. Thank you.

 

[Justin G]

You could try looking up on some diving at Pulau Sembilan just off Pangkor Island, Pulau Payar (Langkawi) or further north in the andaman sea thailand Koh Li Pe, Koh Phi Phi etc...Some good diving there as it is high season now.

 

[OnTheSpot]

Hi Kevindive, Yeah Justin G is right. The diving in Malaysia is not really suited to 'exploring the west coast from KL'. Everybody knows the best diving in Malaysia is in Sabah (Sipadan, Mabul, Layang Layang, Lankayan) but that needs a special trip (not a day off or a weekend break). Failing that the the east coast of the peninsula will suffice (Tioman, Redang, Perhentian). You gotta get right up near the Thai border for decent diving off the west coast of the Malaysian peninsula. And when you consider how close Thailand is (especially on a flight KL to Phuket) then Phuket and the Andaman islands start looking like a better bet. Pangkor often has jellyfish issues and less than average diving. So if I was you I would be thinking Thailand, Sabah, or Bali if you have the time. Or the east coast of the peninsula for weekends/no fly diving.

 

[Justin G]

I agree with OnTheSpot. There are top notch diving destinations around thai,malaysia and indonesia. However it is advisable to consider weather conditions around these places as certain areas are experiencing the monsoon now.(e.g. East of peninsular malaysia - redang,perhentian,tioman islands).

Diving at Pulau Sembilan (9 islands) off Pangkor Island is actually interesting. It can be really challenging if you are looking into some excitement in your dives. Stronger currents, mirky greenish water. Viz can be from 2m to 8m depending on the day. But alot to see with patience and a good torch and a good eye underwater. Few species of seahorses, pipefish, crustacians, ghostpipe fish, heaps of nudibranches, big groupers and many more. It can be intresting. Just hope the jellyfish population is low at that time.

 

[kevindive]

Thanks OnTheSpot and Justin. We changed our plans and will drive east and are thinking of going to Perhentian instead.

thanks

 

[Justin G]

Perhentian islands are great...perfect time of the year when u guys head there...i recommend a dive centre named Universal Divers at Tuna Bay resort on the big island (perhentian besar)...those guys are great! Enjoy your trip!

 

[8u88les]

perhentian is nice, but the best diving on the east coast of peninsular malaysia is tenggol and tioman! if you go to tioman try to avoid the singaporeans, they're always drowning!

 

[Zippsy]

While I disagree with your opinion on Perhentian, you are of course welcome to your opinion. Then again, the second part of your post, 8u88les, is rather offensive IMHO.

 

[8u88les]

While I disagree with your opinion on Perhentian, you are of course welcome to your opinion. Then again, the second part of your post, 8u88les, is rather offensive IMHO.

The singaporean standard of dive instruction is also offensive. especially with one quick pool session as their only confined water training before heading off to tioman even more offensive is the belief that you dont need to know how to swim to become a diver actually is true under the PADI system which allows a 300m snorkel test instead of the 200m swim test. since singaporean dive shops would rather under price and under train and padi has no standards in an effort to make as much money as possible, i guess it will take lots of deaths to make the public aware that they do need some aquatic ability prior to taking a dive course despite what padi would have them believe, and that requesting additional confined practice even if it means paying a little extra might be a good idea.

 

[Zippsy]

Hmmmm..... I find divers taught by many Malaysian shops just as bad as many of those taught by the budget shops in Singapore. I just find it offensive that you consider peoples' deaths something that is worthy of joking about.