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Local Destinations
	Borneo Sabah Kapalai Kota Kinabalu Lankayan Island Layang-Layang Island Mabul Island Mataking Sepilok Sipadan Island
Malaysia Map
Diving in Malaysia
Malaysia Travel Tips

Malaysia is comprised of two bodies of land forming a tropical archipelago of some of the most picturesque islands on Earth. Sitting right at the heart of South-East Asia, the two lands are separated by the clear warm waters of the South China Sea.

Peninsula Malaysia is home to the capital, Kuala Lumpur. This vibrant city is a mixture of western influences, eastern cultures and a shoppers paradise.

Borneo (Sabah): The island of Borneo is made up of two Malaysia states, the small oil country of Brunei with the remainder being Indonesia. Sabah is the Malaysia state located at the North-Eastern tip of the island of Borneo and is considered to be one of the most biologically rich regions on the planet. Surrounded by the South China Sea on the west and the Sulu and Celebes Seas on the east, it is covered in lush rainforests with an unsurpassed collection of plants and animal species above and below the water.

Kota Kinabalu is the capital of Sabah and the gateway to a tropical paradise. Fondly known by the locals as KK this modern, bustling city with a population of over 200,000 is situated by the sea against the backdrop of the majestic Mount Kinabalu. Guided excursions and tours to Mount Kinabalu, the Kinabalu National Park and Poring Hot Springs are all available from here. Tunka Abdul Rahman National Marine Park with its 5 unspoiled, tropical islands is just off the coast and can be reached within half an hour by speedboat from the city pier.

Off the coast of Sabah lie the neighbouring islands of, Mabul, Kapalai, Lankayan, Layang-Layang, Pom Pom, Mataking
and Sipadan, the crown jewel of Malaysian diving. Any of these island host world class diving however Sipadan is well and truly one of the most spectacular dive sites anywhere in the world. While accommodation no longer exists on Sipadan guests can stay at the nearby islands of Kapalai or Mabul.

Sabah is also a haven for nature lovers with Kinabalu National Park an UNESCO world heritage site famous for bird watching and a huge range of endemic plant species. Visit the local wildlife parks such as Sepilok Nature Reserve and meet the prized Orang-Utans of Borneo.  Other exotic wildlife thrives along the shores of the Kinabatangan River including the Asian Elephant, bizarre looking Proboscis Monkeys an the rare and endangered Sumatran Rhino.

Kapalai

Kota Kinabalu

Lankayan Island

Layang-Layang Island

Mabul Island

Sepilok

Sipadan Island

Sabah has been voted one of the worlds top diving locations.
The island of Sipidan, off the east coast of Sabah, was endorsed as one of the top dive spots by world- renowned diving legend, Jacques Cousteau. From macro life to pelagics, wreck diving to walldiving, coral gardens teeming with a rich diversity of corals and fish, underwater caves with sleepy sharks and a cavern where turtles go to die the diversity will amaze.

Some 3,000 species of marine creatures, were first found and classified while diving the sites in Malaysia, such as Sipadan. Layang-Layang and Lankayan are the latest hot destinations that offer frontier diving if you're looking for something new and fresh. Lankayan has seasonal whale shark sightings and Layang Layang offers some fabulous encounters with pelagics. Labuan is famed throughout Asia for its wreck diving. Mabul and Kapalai are world-renowned destinations for muck diving.

Getting You Started
Malaysia is situated in the heart of South-East Asia and is composed of Peninsula Malaysia and the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the north coast of the island of Borneo which is  the world’s third largest island. The state of Sabah sits on the north western tip of Malaysian Borneo and it’s capital, Kota Kinabalu, is the gateway to a tropical paradise of natural wonders, scenic beauty and a diversity of culture. The international country code for Malaysia is 606. Malaysia is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Entry & Visa Requirements (subject to change)
Australian passport holders do not require a visa for social visits of up to 3 months. Other passport holders please contact the appropriate authorities to check current visa requirements.

Medical & Health Requirements
Hospital facilities are located in all the main cities. Those visiting remote villages are advised to take malarial medication. Please check with your physician for the best precautions to be taken.
(For further details contact Travel Vax on 1300 360 164).

Currency
The currency of Malaysia is the Ringgit (MYR), often referred to as the Malaysian Dollar. Money can be exchanged at most hotels, banks and the airport. Major credit cards are accepted at hotels, resorts and most shops. Please be aware that it may be difficult to exchange foreign currencies outside the main tourist centres.  
1 AUD =  approximately 3 MYR (March 2010)

Baggage (International flights Ex Australia)
Malaysia Airlines-20kg
Domestic carriers are often restricted to 16kg.
(Subject to change without notice)

Duty Free
The allowance is 200 cigarettes or 225g of tobacco, 1 litre of  spirits or wine. Cosmetics and perfume to the value of 200 MYR.  

Weather
Malaysia enjoys a warm tropical climate which is influenced by the Northeast and Southwest Monsoon. The period of May to September is usually the drier period. The east coast of Peninsula Malaysia and the states in Borneo normally have their rainy season between November and February. Generally the best time to travel is between April and October, but diving is year-round with temperatures ranging between
22 °C to 30 °C.

Clothing                                             
As Malaysia's climate is sunny almost year round, light clothing is ideal. For dinners and nightspots, smart casual wear is the norm. There are accepted dress codes at certain places, such as taking off shoes before entering. It is advisable for ladies, when entering mosques and temples, to wear long sleeves and loose pants or long skirts. Topless or completely naked sunbathing is not allowed.

Electricity
220-240 volts AC, Plug G. (for further details refer to http://www.kropla.com/electric2.htm).

Banking
Major banks in Borneo are located in Kota Kinabalu and are open from 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday with some branches open on Saturday mornings. 

Language
Bahasa Malaysia is the official language, however English is widely spoken. Other prominent languages spoken are Mandarin and Chinese which are spoken by minorities.

Religion
Malaysia is one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse nations in the world today. Islam is the official religion of Malaysia, with a large Buddhist community. Other religions, including Christian, Hindu and animist are also practiced. 

Water
Tap water is generally safe for drinking in the cities although boiling prior to consumption is recommended. A jug of drinking water is supplied by most hotels and bottled water is sold everywhere. In the tropics it is important to drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids to avoid dehydration.

Shopping
Kuala Lumpur is a major shopping destination and worth a stop over if time permits. Kota Kinabalu also has a major shopping mall offering brand name goods and local handicrafts. Bargaining is expected in the markets, unless fixed prices are displayed. Most shops keep their own opening hours, usually within the range of 10am-4pm. 

Tipping
Tipping is not necessary as most tour packages and meals are inclusive of service charges.

Diving
Borneo has it all; from macro life to pelagics, wreck diving to wall diving, coral gardens teeming with a rich diversity of fish life and underwater caves. Some 3,000 species of marine creatures were first found and classified while diving fabulous sites in Malaysia around Sipadan and Layang-Layang. Dive operators supply tanks, weight belts and dive guide services. There will be an extra charge if equipment hire is required.

Departure Tax
There is currently no locally paid departure taxes for Malaysia.