Where to Dive: the 15 Best Scuba Diving Trips in Malaysia

1.Penang Cooking Class:Dive into Malaysian Cuisine with PenangChiak

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 149 reviews · from $116Our pick

Review of Penang Chiak’s market tour and cooking class, with dishes, pricing, guides, practical tips, and who will enjoy it most.

“Overall very good experience with passionate crew, trying to keep the culture alive. But it felt more like lecture than having fun with cooking. Recipe display would be helpful and less hands-on can be offered depending on people’s preferences. Better photos should be provided if attendees are told to focus on the class too!”

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2.Leisure Diving | Fun Dives | 3 Dives in TARP, Kota Kinabalu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 94 reviews · from $105

Review of Kota Kinabalu’s three-session scuba trip in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, with lunch, gear, permits, boats, and practical tips.

“Alex and Jack were excellent guides! The water was warm, the weather was good, and we saw so many fish and corals!”

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3.Learn to Dive | RAID Open Water 20 Diver Course | Kota Kinabalu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 79 reviews · from $375

Review of the 3-day RAID Open Water 20 course in Kota Kinabalu, with boat logistics, instructors, marine park sights, price, and practical tips.

“Another great series of trips with the Borneo dream crew as my son did his Raid OW 20 course with Didi and the crew.”

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4.Semporna: Bohey 3 Islands Hike, Snorkel/Dive Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 50 reviews · 7 hours - 450 minutes · from $58

Review of Semporna’s Bohey Dulang, Mantabuan, and Sibuan tour, with hiking, snorkeling, scuba sessions, lunch, costs, and practical tips.

“we had an amazing day island hopping and diving!! the guides were very attentive, fun, and helpful every step of the way. Din was a great dive master who is wonderful with first time divers. would highly recommend this tour!”

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5.Semporna: Explore 3 Islands Tour Snorkel or Dive & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 44 reviews · 7 hours · from $57

Review of Semporna’s three-island snorkel and scuba tour, with clear-water reefs, local lunch, practical costs, timing, and honest advice.

“Una auténtica maravilla los chicos son encantadores muy graciosos y muy profesionales la pasamos en grande nos reímos un montón, nos encantó ir y conocer las islas el paseo en lancha rápida esa sensación es increíble el buceo y el snorkel increíble los peses que hay el agua tan clara, recomendable 10/10”

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6.RAID Try-Dive Experience in Kota Kinabalu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 43 reviews · from $110

Try scuba in Kota Kinabalu with expert instruction, reef time, island lunch, small groups, and a six-hour trip from Jesselton Point.

“This was an amazing tour. Our group had 7 tourists on the boat. Five went on a snorkel tour. I and my companion went on the "beginner's scuba adventure." Our guide, Aamir (I probably have the spelling wrong), was fantastic. He was easy to unRead more”

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7.Kota Kinabalu Leisure Scuba Diving Trip (3 Dives)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 41 reviews · from $130

Review of Kota Kinabalu’s three-session scuba trip in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, with boat access, lunch, equipment, and practical tips.

“A great day of diving! Our guide was great and gave us a lot of help. She pointed out a lot of different things in the water, turtles, squid, etc. Is a must do for divers who want to go off a boat on a tour. The diving is better off the boat than off the beach, you can get deeper into the reefs.”

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8.Join us for a RAID Try Dive in Kota Kinabalu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 27 reviews · from $110

Review of Kota Kinabalu’s RAID Try Dive, with small groups, reef and boat sessions, lunch, practical tips, price, and booking advice.

“It is a nice experience with Alex. My first time try diving and I feel safe under water with his help:)”

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9.(3 Days) PADI Open Water Diver Course Kota Kinabalu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · from $437

Earn your PADI Open Water certification in three days with equipment, lunch, and small-group instruction near Kota Kinabalu.

“Booked with my younger brother who unfortunately got sick and couldn’t join. I was able to obtain the official OWD PADI license in 3 days diving in two reefs around Gaya Island in Kota Kinabalu. English Guide was super helpful and patient in making sure I learned all of the diving skills but also that I practiced all of the book concepts safely.”

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10.TRY SCUBA (non diver)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · from $122

Try scuba in Semporna with two guided underwater sessions, Mabul and Mataking stops, snorkeling, meals, equipment, and photos.

“I can absolutely recommend this beginner dive! I felt super safe even though I’m a person that tends to get nervous haha ;) Easily one of the best days of my life!!”

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11.PADI Advanced Open Water Course Kota Kinabalu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · from $407

Review of Go Aquatic’s PADI Advanced Open Water Course in Kota Kinabalu, with course details, value, instructors, boat trips, and booking advice.

“My son did his PADI open water dive course aged 15. Instructor Zorro was excellent.”

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12.Semporna: Mabul and Kapalai Trip in Snorkel or Dive & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 12 reviews · 6h 30m · from $57

Review of Semporna’s Mabul and Kapalai boat trip, with snorkelling or introductory scuba, reefs, lunch, costs, timing, and practical tips.

“The Mabul resort was beautiful and the sea life was amazing!”

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13.(2 Dives) Discover Scuba Diving Kota Kinabalu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $129

Review of Kota Kinabalu’s beginner scuba experience, with two guided underwater sessions, Sapi Island lunch, equipment, permits, and practical tips.

“Wonderful day, great professional team, a lot of fun and beautiful see to discover. Many thanks for this memorable moment.”

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14.RAID Try-Dive in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 7 hours · from $112

Try scuba in Kota Kinabalu with two reef sessions, small groups, island lunch, boat transfers, and friendly instruction in Sabah.

“We took our first scuba experience as family of 4 aged 52, 50, 18 and 16. We learnt a lot, had a great experience including the boat trip, our guide Amil, the scuba, lunch, time to relax. We would all recommend and will all be doing again soon!!”

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15.Enjoy 3 Fun Dives in Kota Kinabalu | Certified Divers

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 7 reviews · 7 hours · from $112

Explore three guided underwater sessions near Kota Kinabalu, with coral reefs, *Nemo* fish, boat transfers, lunch, and expert support.

“It was a perfect day thanks to an excellent team ,well maintained equipment and especially Alex’s gentle and clear guidance as our Divemaster - exceeded every expectation, even the lunch stop!”

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