For those who have developed a love of diving, the coasts of Borneo are a must-dive. The warm waters of the South China Sea that surround this idyllic island just north of Australia are teeming with sea life and beautiful coral reefs and land and rock formations. There are areas on deep and shallow sea diving as well as muck diving. There are so many points along the lengthy coastlines for scuba diving, that you would be hard pressed not to find somewhere that you love. For those who love to dive, Malaysia may be the best place on Borneo to start.

The northern tip of Borneo is an area called Sabah, and the capital of this area is Kota Kinabalu, a beautiful resort town with open market shopping, fine dining, and first class hotels. Diving centers abound in this area, and it is easy to rent a boat for the day. If you are unfamiliar with the area, you will be pleased to know that a boat rental comes with a captain and a first mate who will do more than just man your boat; they will show you the best diving sites for your particular goals, and, if you are not a seasoned diver, they will advise in you regarding the best places and methods for diving.

Of course, these captains are not instructors, but if you are novice diver, there are instructors available as well. You can hire one for the day or the week to help you learn what you need to know to enjoy your first dives. Off the coast of Kota Kinabalu, there is a series of small islands, known as Tunku Abdul Rahman, around which the waters are shallow but full of beautiful reefs and rife with water life. Diving in this area is safe but rewarding, and is ideal for a beginning diver.

Sabah is a part of Malaysia, one of three sovereignties that have land on Borneo. Diving in Malaysia, whether in Sabah or other parts of the island, can make a wonderful and memorable holiday. Malaysia is beautifully decked out with rain forests and tropical plants and trees. Exotic wildlife inhabits the less travelled areas, making hiking and sightseeing as much fun as diving. This means that the whole family will love the trip, even if only one of you wants to dive. Add to this the shopping, dining, and deluxe accommodations. In fact, one of the islands off the coast of Malaysia has been transformed into one giant resort.

In an area where the temperature never, dips below 28 degrees Celsius, you do need to remember that this area only enjoys sunlight for six or seven hours per day year round. This is no matter, however, because the night air is warm and sweet, and there is plenty to do around the clock. In fact, there are particular sea life that is more interesting in the evening hours. If you have the correct gear, you can enjoy an evening dive; Malaysia truly holds something for everyone.