SCUBA.COM.SGPulau Hantu
Singapore's best-known local dive site: fringing reefs with macro life, seahorses and nudibranchs. Visibility is usually low, so it suits divers who enjoy close-up marine life.
Dive destinations
Where to dive from Singapore and across Malaysia, and the centres that take you there.
Singapore
Sisters' Islands Marine Park
Singapore's first marine park, protecting reefs around the Sisters' Islands. Access for diving is managed, so check current arrangements with your dive centre.
Malaysia
Kota Kinabalu
Sabah's capital, with easy boat dives in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park islands just offshore.
Langkawi
Diving here centres on the Pulau Payar Marine Park, reached by boat from Langkawi.
Miri
Perhentian
Two islands, Besar and Kecil, popular for affordable Open Water courses, turtles and easy reef diving.
Sipadan
A world-renowned oceanic island with sheer walls, turtles and schooling fish. Diving requires one of a limited number of daily permits, arranged through licensed operators.
Tioman
A large marine-park island with dozens of dive sites, from sheltered reefs to offshore pinnacles. Most operators open from around March to October and many close during the north-east monsoon.
Mabul
One of the region's best-known muck-diving islands, rich in macro life and often combined with Sipadan.
Pulau Aur
A remote island in the Johor Marine Park, popular for weekend trips from Singapore, with clearer water and pinnacles further offshore.
Redang
A marine-park island known for clear water, reef fish and resort-based diving.
Semporna
The gateway town for Sipadan, Mabul and the surrounding islands, with many dive operators and day trips.
Lang Tengah
A small, quiet island between Redang and Perhentian with a handful of resorts and nearby reef sites.
Pulau Dayang
Labuan
A federal territory off Borneo known for its wreck dives.
Frequently asked questions
What is the closest good diving to Singapore?
Johor's marine-park islands, reached via Mersing, are the closest Malaysian diving and popular for weekend trips. Tioman is a little further and has a wider range of sites.
Do I need a permit to dive Sipadan?
Yes. Sipadan diving is controlled through a limited number of daily permits, allocated through licensed operators. Book well ahead, and expect to stay in the Semporna area.
Which Malaysian destinations can I dive year-round?
Sabah's sites, including Sipadan, Mabul and Kota Kinabalu, can be dived throughout the year. The east-coast islands are mainly dived from around March to October.