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Introduction
Malaysia's tropical forests and seas are the ancient homes to a staggering
diversity of animal and plant life that has evolved through the years. The
rainforests are reputed to be among the oldest in the region, estimated to be
about 130 million years old. A trek into the rainforest is an encounter with
diverse animal life. Similarly, a dip below the warm sea's surface guarantees an
astounding experience with a spectrum of marine life, rivaling anything found in the forests.
Malaysia's
spectacular tropical reefs boast of encounters with unique macro animals and
large pelagic within a single destination. Macro animal life is scarce in areas
where larger predators are present for obvious reasons. Only a handful of diving
sites in the world can offer both these sights in one diving holiday.
Comprising of the Peninsular Malaysia and the states of Sabah and Sarawak, Malaysia rests
on the continental shelf of Southeast Asia, with the western coast of the
Peninsular Malaysia separated from Sumatra by the Straits of Malacca. The South
China Sea separates the peninsular Malaysia from Sabah and Sarawak.
Along the western Peninsular Malaysia coast, the diversity of marine life around the
waters of Pulau Pangkor and Pulau Payar differ from those observed in the waters
of the eastern coast of the Peninsular Malaysia. Pulau Perhentian, Pulau Lang
Tengah, Pulau Redang, Pulau Kapas, Pulau Tenggol and the Pulau Tioman group of
islands feature good coral growth and abundant fish life.
Surrounded by the nutrient-rich South China Sea and the Sulawesi Sea, the state of Sabah
are the true oceanic depths of 600 meters to more than 1000 meters, different
from the waters of Peninsular Malaysia islands. Located some 300 nautical miles
from mainland Kota Kinabalu, Pulau Layang Layang is blessed with the best water
visibility from 20 to 50 meters. The Tunku Abdul Rahman Park islands are popular
for training and easy dives, whereas to fully savour Pulau Sipadan one should be
an advance diver. Pulau Lankayan, Pulau Mabul and Pulau Kapalai are famous for
their 'muck dives' (that is diving in the coral rubble areas seeking out macro animals).
Pulau Talang Talang and Turtle Rock off Sarawak feature reef diving and further away from the mainland, divers can engage in wreck diving Katori Maru (a World War ll Japanese troop carrier).
Malaysia located in the heart of the Indo-Pacific basin is in the heart of one of the world's richest marine bio-diversity area, where scientists believe the marine life of the pacific ocean evolved |