Perhentian Island Scuba Diving

There are approximately 10 recognised dive sites in the Perhentian Islands, all of which are relatively shallow, the majority being less than 24 metres. Amongst the more popular dive sites in the Perhentian Islands are the two excellent wreck dive site at the Sugar Wreck and the Vietnamese Wreck. The Sugar Wreck is a 90 metre cargo ship which sank in 2000, and which now lies on her side in 18 metres of water, and large numbers of trevally, jacks and snapper can regularly be found here. The Vietnamese Wreck is another excellent wreck dive, with a good amount of marine life resident. Penetration is an option at the Vietnamese Wreck, so do remember to take your torch!

Tokong Laut, otherwise known as the Temple of the Sea is a rocky outcrop of boulder like terrain and is arguably the best dive site in the Perhentian Islands. At 30m, the Temple of the Sea is slightly deeper than the majority of dive sites in the Perhentian Islands, and is stunning in a multi-coloured carpet of soft corals. Jacks, barracuda, kingfish, black tip sharks and nurse sharks can all be regularly seen at the site.

The season for scuba diving in the Perhentian Islands is between April to October, when both the weather and the visibility in the region are at their best. Between mid-November to early March the Monsoon season virtually shuts the islands down as the rough seas can make the crossing to the islands risky.