10 Best Snorkeling Sites In Malaysia: Amazing Marine Life, Colorful Reefs, & Clear Waters

Our tropical country is blessed with many beautiful snorkeling spots, perfect for you to take a dip into the magnificent blue ocean and meet its resident sea creatures up close. An island getaway isn't complete without a visit underwater into the kaleidoscopic world of colorful coral reefs and schools of fish, so what are you waiting for? Add these best snorkeling locations in Malaysia to your bucket list and plan your next tropical vacation!

📍 Terengganu

Oh, beautiful Redang Island. This bustling tropical paradise may be known for its vibrant beaches and nightlife, but did you know it is also a very popular snorkeling destination? Being one of the nine protected islands dotting the South China Sea, its underwater flora and fauna are well-protected and extremely breathtaking, making it a great place to kickstart your snorkeling adventures. You may even get to meet the island's resident sea turtles, stingrays and baby blacktip sharks while you're here!

📍 Kedah

Made up of 99 islands on the northwestern coast of Malaysia, Langkawi Island is a sunny tropical paradise and a charming spot for an exciting vacation. Its jungle-clad hills, sandy beaches, and duty-free chocolate aren't the only things to look forward to here — don't miss out on snorkeling in the crystal clear waters, where you'll come across exotic coral reefs and marine life like moray eels, clownfish, and baby reef sharks. Some of our favorite snorkeling spots here include the Pulau Payar Marine Park and Pulau Beras Basah.

📍 Sabah

Sipadan Island is a little island in Sabah that gained protected status in 2002 and is known as one of the best diving and snorkeling spots in the world. You'll need to hop on a plane, a car, and then a boat to get here, but trust us when we say the bumpy journey will be worth it. The island shut down all its resorts to preserve its delicate ecology years ago, so best believe you'll witness phenomenal coral reefs while you're here, as well as an abundance of marine life and impressive biomass.

📍 Sabah

Another island famous worldwide among snorkeling enthusiasts, Mabul Island is another jewel in Sabah that offers rare-sighted marine life. Often visited along with Kapalai Island (and Sipadan Island), a snorkeling experience here will bring you up close to an abundance of underwater creatures, including blue-spotted stingrays, whale sharks, and jayfish. The opportunities for beautiful underwater photography are practically limitless here!

📍 Pahang

Tioman Island is a densely forested paradise blessed with crystal clear waters and spectacular coral reefs — making it a popular destination for those looking for a snorkeling adventure. The island is home to various highly recommended snorkeling locations, including the shallow Renggis Island site where you'll meet an abundance of pufferfish, yellowtail fusiliers. and more! Be sure to traverse the other snorkeling sites here as well, equally rich with marine life, including moral eels, sea turtles, and colorful sea slugs.

📍 Johor

Unwind and feel your worries slip away at Rawa Island, lovingly known as the Maldives of Johor (and owned by the family of the Johor Sultan). Snorkel as you've never before and discover the island's well-preserved reefs, the home of many giant clams and various other coral clusters. This seaside paradise is also where you'll find colorful schools of fish such as rabbitfish and triggerfish!

📍 Sabah

We can literally go on and on about Sabah's beautiful islands and snorkeling sites, and Tun Sakaran Marine Park is another one we definitely have to include in this list! Located at Pulau Sibuan, the calm waters and high visibility in this site make it perfect for snorkeling adventures. Get up close and personal with sea turtles, various reef fish and more — the marine park itself has over 700 different species of sea life, so you know a visit here will surely not disappoint.

📍 Terengganu

Perhentian Island is divided into two islands — Pulau Perhentian Kecil (perfect for budget travelers) and Pulau Perhentian Besar (great for honeymoons and romantic getaways), but no matter what kind of trip you're planning for, you're definitely in for a memorable snorkeling experience here! Known for its beautiful reef, massive diversity of fish, and calm waters, the island is perfect for your underwater exploration adventures with its pleasant water conditions and great visibility.

📍 Terengganu

Kapas Island is a hidden gem off the coast of Terengganu — there's literally a small island called Gem Island (Pulau Gemia) here! Lined with idyllic beaches and great swimming sites, this island is sure to meet your definition of a tropical paradise. There are several hidden spots perfect for swimming and snorkeling here where you can meet beautiful marine life such as the moon wrasse, needlefish, blue-ringed angelfish, and if you're lucky, you can even catch sight of turtles and harmless sharks on your swim!

📍 Sabah

Across the waters from Kota Kinabalu is the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park (also known as TAR Marine Park). Located on the western coast of Sabah, the marine park is made up of five islands and is known for its numerous snorkeling and diving sites with reefs that are home to impressive marine life. Magnificent sharks, turtles and rays also frequent the area, so you may get a chance to spot them too.

Bring your underwater exploration further, with a dive deep into the big blue ocean! Read our diving guides to find out more: