If you are planning a tropical scuba getaway, the Perhentian Islands should sit right at the top of your bucket list. Located off the coast of Terengganu, Malaysia, this marine paradise offers crystal-clear turquoise waters, vibrant coral gardens, and rich marine biodiversity.
Whether you are newly certified or a seasoned logbook holder, exploring these waters requires local expertise. Nestled within the luxurious Perhentian Marriott Resort & Spa, YBD Dive Centre takes you straight to the finest underwater spots. Here are the top dive sites in Perhentian you simply cannot miss.
1. Tokong Laut (Temple of the Sea)
Often referred to as the “Temple of the Sea,” Tokong Laut is arguably the most famous and iconic dive site in the Perhentian Islands. This towering underwater pinnacle rises majestically from the deep sea floor to just below the surface, reaching a maximum depth of around 24 to 25 meters. The dramatic underwater landscape is heavily encrusted with vibrant soft and hard corals, and massive barrel sponges. It acts as a magnet for marine life; you can expect to swim alongside massive schools of tropical fish like snappers and fusiliers, graceful rays, and curious bamboo sharks resting under boulders. If you are extremely lucky, you might even get a surprise visit from a passing Whale Shark!
Photo credits: Bridget Glynn
2. San Choi Wreck
If you love wreck diving and high concentrations of marine life, the San Choi Wreck is a must-visit. Sunk in 2018 to create an artificial reef, this site consists of three wooden fisherman boats resting at a depth of about 18 meters. The wrecks have rapidly become a thriving marine habitat, heavily encrusted with corals and sponges.The fish life here is so dense that schools of yellowtail barracuda, fusiliers, and snappers often block out the sunlight. The wrecks also serve as an active cleaning station, making it a great spot to see cleaner pipefish, cleaner shrimp, lion fish, rays, bamboo sharks and moray eels up close. Lookly closely, you might spot a nudi or two.
Photo credits: Bridget Glynn
3. Batu Nisan
Located just off the northern edge of Long Beach on Perhentian Kecil, Batu Nisan is a beautiful and easy house reef. With a mostly sandy bottom and a maximum depth of around 10 to 12 meters, it offers calm, clear waters that make it an absolute favorite for beginner dives, refreshers, and underwater photography. Don’t let the “beginner” label fool you—the reef features large rock formations boasting a vibrant coral garden teeming with life. It is a fantastic spot to hunt for macro life like colorful nudibranchs, and you are highly likely to encounter a diverse array of reef fish, stingrays, and the occasional sea turtle.
Photo credits: Bridget Glynn
4. D’Lagoon
D’Lagoon is a tranquil and visually stunning dive site located in a sheltered bay overlooking the windmill on Perhentian Kecil. Ranging from just 5 to 12 meters in depth, the site features a bright, white sandy bottom surrounded by a pristine shallow reef. Because it is protected from strong winds and currents, D’Lagoon provides an incredibly relaxing dive. It’s common to spot schooling bumphead parrotfish, blue-spotted stingrays, damselfish, turtles and also the jenkin’s whipray .It’s the perfect idyllic lagoon for a leisurely afternoon dive.
Photo credits: Bridget Glynn
5. Shark Point
As you might have guessed from the name, Shark Point is the premier location in the Perhentians to encounter blacktip reef sharks. Situated on the southern tip of Perhentian Besar (near Teluk Dalam), this is a relatively shallow reef with depths maxing out around 12 meters. Divers usually do a slow horizontal drift around the edge of the large, flat reef structure. In addition to the hunting blacktips, you are very likely to spot sea turtles, pufferfish, batfish, and barracudas weaving through a colorful mix of staghorn and cabbage corals.
Photo credits: Bridget Glynn
Plan Your Underwater Itinerary!
Want to see exactly where all these incredible spots are located around the islands? We’ve mapped them out for you!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
YBD Dive Centre is located at the Perhentian Marriott Resort and Spa on Perhentian Kecil Island in Terengganu, Malaysia. Check out our travel guide here
The diving season runs from early March through late October. However, the islands are generally closed to tourism from November to February due to the annual Northeast Monsoon. This weather brings heavy rain and rough seas. Fortunately, the best visibility typically occurs between May and September.
No, absolutely not. In fact, our premium facility warmly welcomes outside day visitors alongside resort guests. Conveniently, you can book our daily boat trips or full certification courses even if you stay at a different hotel. However, we highly recommend booking your sessions in advance to secure your equipment and boat space.
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