5 Diving Centres in Malaysia Both Beginners and Expert Divers Recommend!
With attractions like Taman Abdul Rahman Marine Park and Sipadan Island, it would be a shame not to try scuba diving in Malaysia. The country has such a vibrant and bustling marine life begging to be admired up close and personal!
We’ve tried diving in Malaysia a handful of times, and throughout our expeditions, we’ve realised that the diving centre makes or breaks the experience. Whether you’re an expert or a beginner, choosing a company that can make the diving experience smooth sailing is always a must.
This is why we’ve decided to curate a list of the best diving centres in Malaysia below! Keep on reading to experience the intended way of exploring the country’s waters.
What is the average cost of diving centres in Malaysia?
Diving centres’ services may cost anywhere from RM90 to RM1,600, with the former being the standard diving rate (own gear) and the latter being the usual open water course fee, complete with certification.
The rates can also vary depending on the location of the diving centre.
1. B&J Diving Centre
Services: Technical diving courses, fun diving on Tioman, PADI Divemaster
Location: Air Batang Bay, 26800 Tioman Island
Contact: +60 9-419 1218
Business hours: Daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
B&J Diving Centre is one of the premier diving centres in Tioman Island. It’s easy to trust these people, especially if you’re a beginner, because of the PADI 5-Star certification attached to their name.
This certification is no fluke either, as their previous clients all praised their assigned instructors. Clients have noted how instructors took their time to teach buoyancy, proper breathing, and other essential diving skills before proceeding with the dive itself.
We also observed that the instructors don’t hold back in pointing out mistakes and correcting them on the spot—plus points for attention to detail! They can also cater to children by offering junior water courses for different age groups.
The best part? B&J Diving Centre operates on Tioman Island, so their diving experiences feature some of the best sights in the country! Aside from the bustling coral reefs and swimming sea creatures, WWII wreckage is one of their best highlights.
Lastly, they also offer accommodation packages with their diving courses. Although the places they’re partnered with aren’t in the Maldives, they’re still great for overnight stays.
Very experienced and has a lot of patience
“I would like to share my experience from taking courses and staying with TDR.
Open Water Course – my instructor Wiktor Majczak, he is very experienced and has a lot of patience toward a slow learner like me. He quickly identifies my shortcomings and provides appropriate guidance and advice on how to enhance my breathing, buoyancy, and abilities.
Advanced Water Course – my instructor, Elina Chappis, is a very sweet and knowledgeable instructor. Very patient in repeating the steps carefully and provided great guidance on my night diving and boat diving. Had a great learning from her.
Accomodation – TDR offer a very nice and clean accomodation. The only down side is the breakfast at Johan, their foods is not that great and taste just so so.”
– Sandy, Google Review
Made us feel confident, safe, and super excited
“I had the absolute best experience getting my Open Water Diver certification with Sofia (aka Scuba Mommy)!
From day one, she made us feel confident, safe, and super excited to explore the underwater world. Her passion for diving and teaching style are incredibly clear, patient, and supportive.
She created such a fun and welcoming learning environment, and you could tell she genuinely cared about our progress and comfort in the water. Even after the course, she’s still reachable for advice and tips, which really shows her dedication to her students.
If you’re thinking of diving in Tioman, do yourself a favour and learn from Sofia — you won’t regret it! Thank you for everything, Scuba Mommy!”
– Jignesh Gunasegeran, Google Review
2. Flow Dive Centre
Services: Swimming classes, swimming programs, experience scuba diving, scuba diving courses
Location: Lot G, PJ Palms Sports Center No1
Contact: +60 12-522 9257
Business hours: Daily from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Flow Dive Centre offers one of the most varied and beginner-friendly diving course selections in Malaysia.
One of the best ways they showcase this is through their experience diving course, which lasts for an hour and a half in their centre’s swimming pool. It’s a great program for those unsure if diving is for them because it’s held in a controlled environment.
In our surveys, Flow Dive Centre stood out because many praised its instructors. Previous clients who had zero diving experience highlighted how the patient and enthusiastic way the instructors gave them the confidence they needed for the open waters.
We must mention that their scuba diving courses aren’t just for recreation, as they also offer search and recovery, rescue, and emergency response programs. Their Rescue Diving Course caught our attention for its in-depth curriculum, which includes self-rescue, stress assessment, and rescuing panicked divers.
We also appreciate that they offer their courses either in their Petaling Jaya diving centre or on other islands in Malaysia, offering a more authentic diving experience. The only downside is that they don’t offer accommodation packages with their diving courses.
Very thorough yet practical
“Mel is a very thorough yet practical and straightforward instructor without leaving any important details when teaching.
We have enough time to experience and learn the skill underwater in confined water before going to the island 2 weeks before also to learn the theory far ahead.
I felt much more comfortable preparing myself for the Island and had more than enough time to rest on the island yet with full dive activities. So, I always felt fresh to do each dive without feeling exhausted.
Thanks to Zoey, who is very attentive to each of us during the dive and keeps everyone safe.
Once again thank you Flow DC for being a good dive center and caring about the students most importantly. Would recommend everyone to come here!”
– Kate Wiriadinata, Google Review
By far the best school to learn from
“I would give six stars if possible! If you are thinking of diving for the first time, Flow Dive Centre is by far the best school to learn from. I recently took both my Open Water and Advanced Open Water Courses at Tenggol with Melanie, and the organisation of the trip was just outstanding.
What is really good is that she only took a small group of divers, so there is no risk of overcrowded dives. And besides all that, what I appreciated was that Melanie was continuously checking in with us to ensure we were all having a good experience.
She gave us individual attention and encouragement, enabling each of us to reach our maximum potential. To say how passionate about her work she is.
Before taking the course, I was not comfortable being in the water. Although swimming is not a prerequisite to diving, I still took swimming lessons with Matthew, who was very accommodating and patient with me since I was a beginner.
I couldn’t thank them enough, as both Melanie and Matthew have helped me overcome my fear of (deep) water and mask clearing. I am now certified (yay!), and I can’t wait to sign up for trips with them next year!
Highly recommended!”
– Sarah Chong, Google Review
3. Big Ocean Dive
Services: PADI courses, scuba trips, private dive trips, kids dive camps
Location: A-1-12, Plaza Damas 3, 63
Contact: +60 3-6413 7948
Big Ocean Dive was recommended to us by a friend who recently went on a diving trip at Redang Island. We were immediately interested when she told us how quickly she grasped the ins and outs of diving thanks to her skilled and well-spoken instructors.
She’s not alone in this claim, as we interviewed the diving centre’s previous clients, and the instructors were also their biggest highlight! Several of these clients were all in praise of how the instructors made everyone feel safe and confident in the water.
As for the lessons, these are held in Big Ocean Dive’s main HQ in Kuala Lumpur. Once the students are certified, they can opt for scuba trips to famous spots like Tioman Island, the Perhentian Islands, and Tenggol.
The variety of their PADI-certified courses is also notable, as it ranges from beginner programs to advanced open water certifications. It’s also great that they offer courses for kids as young as 12 years old!
Our only gripe is the expensive prices. At the same time, this is to be expected with the company’s years of experience, in-depth excursions, and selection of scuba trip destinations.
Perfectly organised and tailored to our satisfaction
“Another fantastic trip with the Big Ocean team! We had an amazing time diving at Perhentian Island and were lucky enough to see so many beautiful underwater creatures on every dive.
What made the experience even better was having Kib with us-he ensured that everything, from our accommodation to our diving arrangements, was perfectly organised and tailored to our satisfaction.
Kib was always on top of things, making sure we enjoyed every aspect of the trip. When I faced some challenges with my assigned room, he immediately stepped in and sorted everything out. His dedication played a big part in making this trip not just enjoyable but truly memorable.
A big shout out to Big Ocean for having such an outstanding Dive Master like Kib, as well as the rest of the team I’ve had the pleasure of diving with in the past. Thank you for another unforgettable adventure!”
– Christina, Google Review
Made an effort to make sure the trip was well-organised
“Big Ocean Dive is a professionally well-run dive school. The instructors take care to teach students properly, and they pay attention to detail to ensure you learn all the necessary skills for a proper dive. I am glad that I chose this school for my open water dive certification.
My instructor, Amir Syakib (or Kib), is knowledgeable in diving skills (having spent time in many dive resorts, including Timor Leste) and made an effort to provide an extra pool session before our open water tests in the beautiful clear waters of Anilao, the Philippines.
He constantly supervised and gave advice and was helpful in imparting skills in a real underwater sea environment, and the team successfully completed the certification. He made an effort to make sure the trip was well-organised and pleasant for the dive newbies.
I would highly recommend Big Ocean Dive if you are interested to learn diving! Go for it!”
– Leong K Lam, Google Review
4. Divertainment Sdn. Bhd.
Services: Open water diver, discover scuba diving, advanced open water, PADI divemaster, mermaid courses
Location: The Lakeview Club, Jalan SS 12/1
Contact: +60 3-5636 3483
Business hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Divertainment Sdn. Bhd. piqued our interest with its mermaid diving courses. We spoke with clients who availed of this program, and they told us how it taught them how to move gracefully underwater, capturing the essence of the course’s namesake.
What impressed us further was how detailed these courses were, featuring everything from cramp removals to proper equipment care, correct breathing techniques, and more. They even hold their mermaid programs in both open and confined waters!
We also interviewed clients who had tried other PADI-certified courses, such as the Advanced Water Diver. They stated how enjoyable and satisfying it was to start diving in open waters, thanks to the instructors’ full supervision and the centre’s smooth-flowing program.
Divertainment Sdn. Bhd. also offers a Discover Scuba Diving Course, which is the ultimate beginner’s program. We spoke to clients, and they noted how helpful the course was to help them get started on diving, regardless of whether they were held at the beach or in their pool.
However, Divertainment lacks some rescue courses that can be found in other diving centres in the country. Moreover, the expensive rates may overwhelm potential clients at first glance.
Five stars across the board
“Definitely an unforgettable experience with the Divertainment! Just completed my OW courses with them, from professionalism to service to the overall experience, and it was five stars across the board (blink blink).
The team are extremely knowledgeable, always putting safety first while making sure everyone feels relaxed and confident underwater.
My instructors were incredibly patient, making it a super beginner-friendly environment. I had so much fun diving with them and learning from their passion and expertise!
Already looking forward to my next dive trip with them! Highly recommend to anyone looking for a great diving journey!
Special big thanks to David and KJ, my incredible instructors who made this journey so smooth and memorable.
David was super patient and detailed in his teaching, always making sure I understood every step before moving on. His calm and encouraging style really boosted my confidence, especially during the challenging parts.
KJ was equally amazing — energetic, supportive, and always pushing me to do better while keeping everything fun and stress-free. Both of them were truly passionate about diving and it shows in the way they teach and care for every student.”
– Sherlyn Koay, Google Review
It was a blast
“I had the open water certification with Divertainment with three pool sessions followed by open water training at Tioman Island. I made many mistakes during the pool session, but David patiently corrected my flaws. At Tioman Island, it was a blast of fun at every dive, I learned something new every day safely, under the close supervision of KJ, David & Zeying.
As a person who was sceptical about the safety of diving and believed that I would never enjoy it, I turned over a new leaf through this exceptional experience. Many thanks to the Divertainment team; it is the dive centre that is worth its name. Highly recommended!”
– Christine Lee Sii, Google Review
5. De Dive Centre Sdn. Bhd
Services: PADI scuba diving lessons, freediving, snorkelling, first-aid, conservation
Location: Lot 869, Pulau Tioman
Contact: +60 19-606 3482
Business hours: Daily from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM
We were immediately impressed with De Dive Centre because, despite only being founded in 2019, they’ve already trained over 2,000 divers. We sat down with a handful of these people, and they cited their instructors as the biggest factors in their certification.
Several of our interviewees told us how comfortable they were diving in deep water after their sessions, even when they initially had fears of the ocean. This was mostly because of the instructor’s comforting personality.
These instructors have also been praised for providing tips continuously throughout the sessions. Also, we were impressed to discover that some of them are multilingual.
From what we’ve heard, the programs they offer are fun and unforgettable. We were also surprised to see that they hold underwater graduations, which further cements the sense of community this diving centre has.
Our main issue with this diving centre is that they don’t offer accommodation packages with their diving courses. Considering that their remote island location isn’t as accessible, it would be beneficial for potential clients not to have to book a separate hotel.
Absolutely unforgettable experience
“Amazing First Diving Experience with De Dive at Tioman!
I recently went on my first-ever diving trip to Tioman with De Dive, and it was an absolutely unforgettable experience! From start to finish, the team was professional, friendly, and incredibly patient, making sure that I felt comfortable and safe throughout the journey.
Our dive instructors were highly knowledgeable, providing clear briefings and guidance, which was especially helpful for a beginner.
They took the time to ensure we understood all the basics and made us feel at ease in the water. The equipment was well-maintained, and the entire process was smooth and well-organized.
The dive sites in Tioman were breathtaking—crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and an abundance of marine life. We saw colourful fish, sea turtles, and even some small reef sharks! The instructors also pointed out interesting sea creatures that I would have missed on my own.
I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to the world of diving. De Dive truly went above and beyond to make this experience special. If you’re considering a dive trip to Tioman, I highly recommend them! I’m already looking forward to my next dive with them.
Thank you, De Dive, for an incredible first dive adventure!”
– Chocky Leong, Google Review
The instructors were super friendly and professional
“This was my first time diving and also my very first visit to Tioman Island. Such an exciting and unforgettable experience—I even made new friends along the way! This place is absolutely beautiful, peaceful, and full of good vibes. I’m so happy and grateful for this journey.
Highly recommend Tioman Island to anyone thinking about learning to dive! The instructors were super friendly and professional(Amber), and… I graduated! (OW – Open Water Diver certified!)”
– JongRF, Google Review