Important Diving Facts
Malaysia has an equatorial climate with fairly uniform temperatures ranging from 32ºC during the day to 22ºC at night. Humidity is about 85 to 95 per cent.
Water temperature is 27 – 28ºC and during the dry months the temperature may rise to 30 – 31ºC. Divers will not require thick wet suits. A wet suit of between 1.5 to 3 millimetres is appropriate.
West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia • December – May
East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia • March – October
Sabah : Layang Layang Island • March – August
The islands around Sabah and Sarawak are reasonably well-protected and can be dived all year round. However, water visibility is better during the months of April to August.
Dive equipment is readily available for rent at almost all dive centres. But it would be wise to give prior notice to the operators, as sizes could be limited.
The following are contacts for recompression chambers in Malaysia:
• Kota Kinabalu Naval Base Tel : 6088 482 000
• Lumut Naval Base Tel : 605 6818 491 / 8498 / 8494
• Kuantan Naval Base Tel : 609 583 3601 ext 2146 / 2122
Diving insurance for emergency point-to-point evacuation and personal accident cover while in Malaysia are available through most dive centres. Evacuation is not included unless covered by insurance.
Electricity is 220 volts at 50 cycles, although most first-class hotels can supply an adaptor for 110 volts, 60 cycles appliances. Plugs are of the British three rectangular prong type. Most island resorts are powered by 24-hour generators or have an electrical supply from the mainland.
Malaysia is about 8 hours ahead of GMT, 16 hours ahead of US Pacific standard time and 13 hours ahead of Eastern standard time.
Major credit cards and traveller’s cheques such as Mastercard, Visa and Amex are accepted. For payment by other cards please check with the respective resorts in advance.
Very casual, light cotton clothing like t-shirts, shorts etc. is the order of the day. No formality is expected in the restaurants. Tourists are recommended to be properly attired when visiting villages and towns. Nudity is prohibited.
