Here, the clear blue waters coupled with the comfortable warm weather provides and sustains the abundant ?millions-of-year-old? marine life. It would be very surprising for divers in Malaysian sites if they do not encounter breathtaking picturesque coral reefs, sea turtles, reef sharks, manta rays and sea horses. The quantity and variety of flora and fauna found in these waters are believed to surpass even those found in the Islands of the Pacific.



The diverse coral reef structure, even at shallow depths, supports more than 500 species of corals and 3,000 classes of fishes. The truly magnificent tropical reefs, which essentially ?amalgamates? the different types of life-forms here, displays many numerous attractions for the divers, presenting the macro-fauna and large pelagic predators all in the same region. This is genuinely unique in nature as only a handful of destinations in the world can boast of this marvel. From schools of barracudas, jacks, and sharks to the solitary giant turtle, frogfish, and scorpion fish, and to the multicoloured fan and whip gorgonians, there will always be a touch of bewilderment and wonder which will mesmerize any diver.

The most popular dive sites around Malaysia include diving along gentle sloping reefs in Tioman Island, Perhentian Island and Redang Island; while the impressive vertical wall dives rising directly from the darkest abyss of Sipadan Island, the Layang-Layang Atoll and Mabul Island, not forgetting the drift dives and wreck dives, are among the amazement that will be encountered underwater here.

Of all the dive spots, there is one that stands on its own - Sipadan Island, East of Borneo. With its breathtaking vertical dives, and vast array of deep ocean species, Sipadan was recognized as an underwater haven by Jacques Cousteau, the veteran in ?exploration of the wonders of the deep?. Another such beauty in Sabah is Layang-layang Island (Island of the Swallows). Situated in the heart of the Indo-Pacific area, this island has the richest wildlife and greatest marine biodiversity in the world.