Malaysia – East Coast North

The islands off Terengganu and Kelantan (Perhentian, Redang, Lang Tengah, Bidong, Kapas and Tenggol) are mostly gazetted marine parks reached from jetties on the mainland: Kuala Besut for Perhentian, Merang or Shahbandar for Redang, Marang for Kapas and Kuala Dungun for Tenggol. Diving is mainly reef and boulder sites down to 20–30 m, plus a few wrecks such as the Sugar Wreck. Tenggol is known for whale sharks, reported from August to October. The area is strongly seasonal: the north-east monsoon closes most resorts and dive shops from about November to February or March. The wrecks of HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse, protected war graves, lie far offshore of Pahang and are listed for completeness only.

Facts

Best season: March/April to October (south-west monsoon, calmer seas); sources differ slightly on the exact window (April–September to March–October)
Monsoon closure: From about November to February (Redang, Perhentian: most resorts and dive shops close and boat services are heavily restricted; Wikivoyage says dive shops close November–March). The official marine-park closing dates change every year — check the Department of Marine Park Malaysia / your operator
Jetties: Kuala Besut (Perhentian, speedboats roughly hourly 8:00–17:00); Merang or Shahbandar (Redang); Marang (Kapas); Kuala Dungun (Tenggol). Marine-park conservation charge applies on Perhentian (check current fee)
Whale sharks: Reported mostly August–October around Tokong Timur at Tenggol; not guaranteed
HMS Prince of Wales & Repulse: War graves, Protected Places under the UK Protection of Military Remains Act 1986, 50+ nautical miles off Kuantan (Pahang) in 56–68 m; illegally scrap-salvaged (2023–2024 reports). Not a recreational dive

Season

Best months: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Acceptable: Mar, Oct
Poor: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Water temperature: 27–31 °C

March–October is the diving season (sources differ: April–September or March–October). From November to February the north-east monsoon closes most resorts and dive shops and restricts boat services. Whale sharks at Tenggol mostly August–October.

Dive sites (20)

Pahang war graves (offshore Kuantan)

[WAR GRAVE – PROTECTED] HMS Prince of Wales – 60–68 m, advanced
[WAR GRAVE – PROTECTED] HMS Repulse – 50–56 m, advanced

Perhentian Islands

Batu Layar (Sail Rock) – 18 m, intermediate
Batu Nisan – 13 m, beginner
D'Lagoon (Teluk Kerma) – 10 m, beginner
Sugar Wreck (MV Union Star 17) – 10–25 m, intermediate
Terumbu Tiga (T3, Three Brothers) – 25 m, intermediate
Tokong Laut (Temple of the Sea) – 25 m, intermediate
Vietnamese Wreck (Pasir Tani wreck) – 10–25 m, advanced

Lang Tengah & Bidong

Coral Garden (Pulau Bidong) – 16 m, intermediate
Tanjung Telunjuk – 21 m, intermediate

Tenggol

Gua Rajawali / Rajawali – 29 m, intermediate
Tokong Timur – 26 m, advanced

Kapas & Gemia

Kapas Southern Tip – 12 m, beginner
Kapas Wreck – 13 m, beginner
Octopus Reef & Coral Garden (Pulau Gemia) – 18 m, beginner

Redang archipelago

Pasir Panjang House Reef (Redang) – 15 m, beginner
Pulau Paku (Besar & Kecil) – 18 m, intermediate
Tanjung Gua Kawah – advanced
Tanjung Tokong – 30 m, intermediate

Operators (7)

Quiver Dive Team – dive centre, Coral Bay, Perhentian Kecil
Turtle Bay Divers – dive centre, Long Beach, Perhentian Kecil
Laguna Redang Dive Center – resort, Pasir Panjang, Redang
Redang Beach Resort Dive Centre – resort, Pasir Panjang, Redang
Summer Bay Resort Dive Centre (Lang Tengah) – resort, Lang Tengah Island
Aqua Sport Divers (Kapas) – dive centre, Pulau Kapas
Pulau Tenggol Resort & Diving Sanctuary – resort, Pulau Tenggol (speedboat from Kuala Dungun jetty)

Routes (3)

Site positions are approximate and for orientation only, never for navigation. Many Redang, Lang Tengah, Bidong, Kapas and Tenggol pins are flagged as rough estimates because no published GPS positions were found; Perhentian positions come from Divezone/PADI map links. Seasons, park closures and fees change every year; confirm with your operator.