Granite boulders, soft corals and reef fish in water that stays warm all year. Most sites are a short boat ride from the west-coast villages.
Independent travel guide. Not affiliated with any ferry operator, resort or government agency.
The main sites
| Site | Depth | Level | What it is like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Renggis Island | 6–14 m | Beginner, night dives | Small island off Tekek. Turtles and black-tip reef sharks are often seen; used for training dives. |
| Malang Rocks | about 8–25 m | Beginner to intermediate | Rocky reef in the channel north of Salang; visibility drops in choppy weather. |
| Pulau Labas | 10–25 m | Intermediate | A jumble of volcanic boulders with swim-throughs; two sites depending on conditions. |
| Chebeh Island | 10–30 m | Intermediate to advanced | Huge rocks, tunnels and swim-throughs on the north and south sides; choice depends on current. |
| Tiger Reef | 10–25 m | Advanced | An open-water pinnacle with large schools of fish and strong currents at times. |
Depths vary between sources and with conditions. Your dive centre chooses the site on the day.
Courses and dive centres
Dive centres operate in Salang, Air Batang (ABC), Tekek, Genting, Paya and Juara, teaching PADI and SSI courses from try-dives to advanced levels. Renggis and the sheltered bays nearby are used for training. Compare what the price includes: equipment, boat fees, the marine park fee and accommodation are often bundled differently.
When to dive
The diving season runs roughly from March to October. Seas are calmest and visibility usually best in the middle of that window. From November the northeast monsoon brings rough seas, and many dive centres close until late February or March.
Good practice in a marine park
- Keep fins and hands off the coral; check your buoyancy before reef dives.
- Do not feed fish or collect shells and coral.
- Follow the guide's briefing on currents at Chebeh and Tiger Reef.
More on the park and its rules: Marine park and turtles.