LOS ANGELES, 22 November 2024 – Malaysia has recently been recognised as a premier diving destination in the prestigious Scuba Diving Magazine’s 2025 Readers Choice Awards, winning top honours across multiple categories. This year, Malaysia has garnered more accolades than ever before — a testament to the growth in its scuba and snorkelling opportunities, as well as its expanding array of dive resorts.

Surpassing other competitive destinations in the region, Malaysia continues to showcase its rich marine biodiversity, world-class dive sites, and commitment to sustainable tourism. Divers of all skill levels are drawn to explore Malaysia’s underwater wonders, solidifying its position as a standout on the global diving map.

In the highly competitive rankings of the Pacific and Indian Oceans category, Malaysia achieved remarkable placements, including:

• 1st Place in both Beginners and Best Value categories, showcasing its accessible dive opportunities and affordability for divers and families.
• 2nd Place in Snorkelling and Shore Diving, reflecting the country’s diverse underwater experiences and stunning coastal environments.
• Top 5 recognition in Best Overall and Macro Life, emphasising Malaysia’s rich biodiversity and vibrant marine habitats.
• Top 10 for Wall Diving, showcasing its spectacular vertical drop-offs and diverse marine life.
• Acknowledged as One of the Best for Big Animals, Advanced Diving, Wreck Diving, and Photography, highlighting the unique encounters and unforgettable experiences awaiting divers.

Ms Linawati Ismail, Deputy Director of Tourism Malaysia Los Angeles, said: “Malaysia’s commitment to sustainable tourism practices and marine conservation initiatives enhances the diving experience, ensuring that the breathtaking underwater ecosystems remain vibrant and thriving for generations to come.

“With year-round diving opportunities across the country’s idyllic islands and marine parks, we are also eager to welcome 35.6 million international tourist arrivals for the upcoming Visit Malaysia 2026, especially niche tourism enthusiasts, as Malaysia offers a unique blend of adventure, relaxation, and natural beauty.”

For more information on Scuba Diving Magazine’s Readers Choice Awards, visit https://www.scubadiving.com/tags/readers-choice-awards.

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About Tourism Malaysia

Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, also known as Tourism Malaysia, is an agency under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture Malaysia. It focuses on the specific task of promoting Malaysia as a preferred tourism destination. Since its inception, it has emerged as a major player in the international tourism scene.

The next Visit Malaysia Year, set to take place in 2026, will commemorate the sustainability of the nation's tourism industry, which is also in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG).

Furthermore, Tourism Malaysia actively endorses the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT), working towards the realization of the IMT-GT Visiting Year 2023-2025, with the shared aim of promoting the region as a unified tourism destination. For more information, visit Tourism Malaysia’s social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok.

For enquiries, please contact:

Linawati Ismail
Deputy Director
Tourism Malaysia Los Angeles
linawati@tourism.gov.my
Tel: +12136899702

Fazly Mohamad
Senior Tourism Officer
Corporate Communications Division
fazly@tourism.gov.my
Tel: +603 8891 8778

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