Malaysia in Jan

[nickjb]

I know its the wrong time of year but we are stopping over in Singapore on the way back from Oz. We've got 10 days at the end of Jan/early Feb and thinking of heading into Malaysia for a bit of jungle and bit of beach. Redang looks out due to weather, where else is might have some good fish life? Any other top tips appreciated.

 

[nickjb]

Forgot to add, nothing booked yet so all ideas appreciated.

 

[Seaserf]

East Coast of Malaysia is a write-off for diving from until late January. You might want to try some West Coast places, such as Pangkor Island.

 

[Quero]

I know its the wrong time of year but we are stopping over in Singapore on the way back from Oz. We've got 10 days at the end of Jan/early Feb and thinking of heading into Malaysia for a bit of jungle and bit of beach. Redang looks out due to weather, where else is might have some good fish life? Any other top tips appreciated.

You could go to Sipadan/Mabul (Malaysian Borneo). The weather might not be the greatest, but the resorts are open and there's diving year round.

Alternatively, you could get a short hop up to Thailand and dive from the Phuket area. You've got time for both a Similans/Surins liveaboard trip if you like, as well as for some jungle/beach. It will be peak season with flat seas, sunshine, and clear water.

You might want to try some West Coast places, such as Pangkor Island.

IMO, P. Sembilan near Pangkor isn't worth much effort to go diving at, and AFAIK, the dive shop that did tours out there has closed. The other nearby dive area on Malaysia's west coast is the Payar island group near Langkawi. Though these are marginally better than Sembilan, and you may as well go for a dive if you find yourself on Langkawi, I wouldn't personally recommend a visit in which diving is a key component, especially with both Sipadan and Thailand so easily accessible.

 

[Luko]

You might want to try some West Coast places, such as Pangkor Island.

There's hardly any diving in Pangkor!
Your chances are more in M'sian Borneo or further up north In south Thailand bordering peninsular M'sia (Koh Lipe)

 

[Phuket diver]

H,

you could get a flight to Phuket from Malaysia, very cheap with Air Asia, so you could enjoy the Similan Islands (excellent diving), for a jungle trip Khoa Sok is absolutely beautiful (very close to Phuket as well) KHAO SOK National Park,Thailand.

 

[Bubble Junky]

From Singapore you can also get a cheap flight with Cebu Pacific to Cebu, and head up to Malapascua to check out the thresher sharks.....

 

[deco369]

Phuket/Khao Lak, or otherwise Manado, might be good options for Singapore. Manado will cost a little more, though the diving there is really something!