Frequently Asked Questions
What languages do people speak in Malaysia?
Bahasa Melayu may be the official language of the country but English is very widely spoken and is in fact the language of business in Malaysia. Bahasa Melayu uses the Romanic alphabet and there are many words which sound the same as English although their spelling may be a little different, e.g. you can find a 'teksi' outside the 'restoran'.
Is it hot in Malaysia?
Malaysia enjoys tropical climate with warm and balmy weather all year round. Temperatures range from 21°C to 32°C. Annual rainfall varies from 2,000 mm to 2,500 mm. Humidity level is at an average of 80% throughout the year. Loose light clothing is the order of the day and plenty of sunscreen is always a good idea when holidaying or diving in the tropics.
What about the wet season?
Malaysia has a wet season and a dry season. It all depends where you intend to go. West Peninsular Malaysia - dry months are from November to March, wet months are from April to October due to the southwest monsoon. East Peninsular Malaysia - dry months are from April to October, wet months are from November to March due to the northeast monsoon. Sabah eastern coast (including Pulau Sipadan) can be dived whole year round even during the less settled November to March period. Heavier rains can be felt only during typhoons around the region but diving condition is still acceptable. Sabah western coast - dry months are from January to May, wet months are from June to December.
Malaysia is a Muslim country. What about alcohol?
Malaysia has a great number of Muslims. It also has a great number of Christians, Buddhists and other religions. Although the government is Muslim, Malaysian society is not ruled by Shia law but is a model of secular tolerance. All religions are respected here and only in one or two states on the Peninsula is alcohol not permitted. In Sabah in particular the mix of religions is very widespread and alcohol is not frowned upon (except when you see the price in some of the classier places!).
What is the currency?
The Malaysian Ringgit is the currency here and its value generally hovers around 3.6 to 4 RM to the US$, around 5 RM to the Euro and around 7 RM to the GBP. Tourists are free to bring in any amount of foreign currency or travelers cheques. However, tourists would need to seek approval if the amount of foreign currency to be carried abroad exceeds the amount brought into Malaysia and if the amount to be taken out is more than the equivalent of US$ 2,500. Tourists must also obtain permission and declare Ringgit exceeding RM 1,000 being brought into or out of Malaysia.
Are things cheap in Malaysia?
Some things are very inexpensive such as food, clothes and there are some great deals on accommodation. Other things like alcohol and dive gear rental are not as great value, but both are often essential.
What about the risk of Malaria?
This depends where you will be visiting. If you simply arrive in Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu or Tawau and proceed to your diving destination then there appears to be very little danger. If however you are going to spend time in the jungles and wetlands of Malaysia it is probably wise to take suitable precautions. So consult your doctor before travelling.
Where is good for diving on the Malay Peninsula?
We recommend the east coast islands of Pulau Tioman and Pulau Redang for the best diving in Peninsular Malaysia. Visibility and sea-life are both good and they are very easy-to-get-to destinations from both Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
How can I travel from Peninsular Malaysia to Sabah and Sarawak?
Geographically, Malaysia consists of the Peninsula and the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo. Travel between the two regions is by air. Malaysia Airlines and Air Asia have regular flights from Kuala Lumpur to cities and towns in Sabah and Sarawak. Please check out our tourist information sections for details.
Is Borneo undeveloped?
Most first time visitors to Sabah are amazed at how modern and progressive the state is. Many imagine Borneo to have little in the way of modern buildings or infrastructure. While the wild natural Borneo exists in certain areas, the state capital of Kota Kinabalu is a thriving modern town. All mod cons exist here including luxury hotels, golf courses, fast food outlets, bars, restaurants, clubs and internet cafes.
I am a beginner - Is diving in Sipadan only for experts?
There is a huge drop-off in Sipadan which calls for buoyancy control if you do not want to disappear forever into the depths. No operators conduct Open Water Diver courses here for this reason. That said the conditions are normally not very difficult in and around Sipadan and it can be enjoyed by divers of all levels. If you do wish to become certified in Sabah we recommend you take your PADI Open Water Diver Course in Kota Kinabalu, where you can concentrate on mastering the basics. Then when you come to dive in Mabul and Sipadan you can enjoy all the sights without being too concerned about your equipment, buoyancy etc.
Where is the best place to stay to dive Sipadan, now that the island is closed to tourists?
The nearby island of Mabul and the sandbar of Kapalai provide the best locations in which to stay for diving in Sipadan. The resorts are long established and comfortable and of course boat journey times are greatly reduced (around 20-25 minutes). Currently there is no really viable mainland alternative as the boat journey time is close to one hour from Semporna.
I read somewhere that Sipadan is not safe - is it?
In the year 2000 some people were kidnapped from Sipadan by the Philippine separatist movement, Abu Sayyaf. Since then security in the region has been beefed up considerably. Although you may see no evidence of it during your stay, there is a large Malaysian military presence in the area both on land and at sea. The Malaysian government realises how important the Sipadan area is to their tourism industry and have taken serious measures to protect the area and those visiting. Any repeat of 2000 seems almost impossible given the current levels of protection.
Is there anything to do for the non-diver?
Malaysia in general and Sabah in particular has a lot more to do than diving and it is worth extending your time as much as possible to add some of these wonderful experiences to your trip. Orangutans, proboscis monkeys, snakes, elephants, macaques, crocodiles, hornbills and many more beautiful species of wildlife can be seen in the interior of Sabah and many of them in the peninsular rainforests too. In Borneo the diving destinations such as Sipadan, Mabul, Layang Layang and Sangalaki are exactly that - diving destinations. There isn't a wealth of things to do for the non-diver there, but in Sabah itself there are more activities than you could wish for. Mountains, jungles, rafting, trekking, nature in every hue as well as beaches, watersports, golf, mountain-biking...the list goes on...
Where else can we dive in Borneo other than Sipadan?
Borneo has a tremendous range of world-class diving and is now becoming recognised as one of the best locations around for a few weeks dive safari. Combining Layang Layang, Lankayan and the Sepilok Orangutan sanctuary with Sipadan - Mabul and Sangalaki would probably amount to one of the best extended diving holidays imaginable.
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