Crystal clear waters, beautiful uncrowded beaches and islands, and a peerless underwater wildlife scene make Borneo diving tours among the world’s finest. Another plus is that you can often avoid the crowds that throng some of Asia’s other diving spots. The word’s getting out fast, but Borneo remains one of the region’s best kept diving secrets.
Borneo has all the ingredients needed for the perfect diving tour – endless stretches of white sand lapped crystal clear warm waters, enchanting islands, a benign climate and an infrastructure setup for all your diving needs.
Sabah’s west coast is one long unbroken beach running for over a thousand kilometers fronting the South China Sea in the west and the Sulu and Celebes Seas in the east. It’s also home to myriad offshore islands which are perfect for diving.
Owing to its location just under the typhoon belt Sabah is known as the “Land Below the Wind”. This makes the area generally free from the tropical storms that can buffet other Asian diving spots. Borneo is generally untouched by the monsoons which affect other countries in the region.
Sabah is also well setup to provide safe and convenient tours for underwater enthusiasts. Diving tour firms located in KK can arrange any type of program and if you’re not a qualified diver, you can take PADI Dive Courses in Kota Kinabalu

Borneo Dive Locations

Diving tours are available as day trips from the capital Kota Kinabalu to Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park and its five islands. Just 30 minutes by speedboat brings you to white beaches, clear waters and coral reefs. Waters here are sheltered and relatively shallow making it ideal for beginners.
A more adventurous diving tour takes you to Pulau Sipadan in Tun Sakaran Marine Park off Sabah’s east coast in the Celebes Sea. Sipadan rises up 600 meters from the floor of the sea making it a prime spot for wall diving. Areas such as Barracuda Point, Coral Garden and Lobster Lair hint at the range of wildlife present. Sipadan is also the haunt of green turtles and white reef and grey sharks.
Nearby Mabul and Kapalai islands offer fine opportunities for muck diving. This involves getting close up with the denizens of the deep such as rainbow-hued cuttlefish, ghost pipe fish, snake eels and coral crabs.
Lankayan Island in the Subu Sea is another prime muck diving destination with its hard and soft coral reefs. Here you can encounter humphead hammerfish, clown anemone fish, nudibranchs, prawn gobies and frog fish and a host more of exotic underwater wildlife. If you’re lucky, you may see whale sharks in season. Unlike Sipadan, accommodation is available on this island.

Lankayan Island and nearby Turtle Island are popular spots for viewing Hawksbill and Green Turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs.
Other Borneo diving locations feature underwater caves, shipwrecks and delightful coral formations and much more. So if you like the idea of scuba diving or snorkeling in a gorgeous setting but without the crowds, take advantage of a Borneo diving tour before the secret gets out and the masses arrive. You still have time to enjoy the unspoilt beauty in style and comfort.