It is Malaysia’s beaches and rainforests which endure as the main attraction for activity holidays.
Adventure sports
Sabah, located in northern Borneo, is Malaysia’s premier destination for outdoor adventure sports and there is a wide range of sporting and activity events held in the region throughout the year.
Diving and snorkelling
Diving and snorkelling enthusiasts can take their pick of several excellent east-coast islands, including Tioman Island, Pulau Kapas, Pulau Redang and the Perhentian Islands.
Scuba diving
The tropical waters off peninsular Malaysia and Borneo offer ideal conditions for scuba-diving. Water visibility is often greater than 30m (100ft). The selection below gives a brief overview of some of Malaysia’s best dive sites:
1. Layang Layang: Off the coast of Sabah consists of 13 coral reefs.
2. Miri: Off the coast of Sarawak, with a Japanese World War II shipwreck.
3. Pulau Redang: Located north of Kuala Terengganu, ( 9 islands )
4. Pulau Sipadan: Located off the northeastern coast of Borneo.
5. Pulau Tioman: Located within the Pahang Marine Parks, ( 8 Islands )
6. Tunku Abdul Rahman Park: Close to Kota Kinabulu (15 min.by boat).
7. Pulau Tenggol: Located south of Terengganu.
8. Pulau Paya Marine Park: In the south of Langkawi Island.
9. Pulau Perhentian: South China Sea, off the coast of Kelantan.
10.Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park: Accessible from Kota Kinabalu.
11. Labuan Island: Two wrecks from ships sunk in World War II.
Cycling and Walking
The favourite bicycle touring routes are up the east coast of the peninsula and a cross-peninsula route from Butterworth to Baling. There is great trekking, fishing and bird-watching in the Taman Negara National Park in Pahang, and jungle treks, canoeing and fishing trips can be organised at beautiful Tasik Chini in Pahang.
In Sarawak, Gunung Mulu National Park has good trekking, especially the four-day hike to the summit of Gunung Mulu (2377m).
In Sabah, Pulau Tiga National Park has good walking trails. Many visitors to Sabah climb Mt Kinabalu.
Trekking and caving
Nearly 75 % of Malaysia is covered in forests, of which the rainforest is reputedly the world’s oldest (130 million years). There are seven national parks and many wildlife reserves and protected areas.
The best time to visit is between February and September (dry season). Expert guides should be hired from the Wildlife Department at the Taman Negara Resort at Kuala Tahan.Treks up Gunung Tahan mountain (2187m/7174ft) are also possible; a guide is compulsory and the trip takes several days.
In East Malaysia, the best treks are in Sarawak, Borneo and Gunung Mulu National Park. Permits for Gunung Mulu National Park must be obtained in Miri. Adventurous trekkers may wish to explore the Kelabit Highlands around nearby Bario, but these are quite demanding and should only be undertaken in the company of a local guide. Another famous trekking destination:
Kinabalu National Park, located in the state of Sabah.A guide and a climbing permit arel compulsory. Due to the altitude, people with high blood pressure or heart problems should not attempt the climb.
Golf
Malaysia has nearly 250 golf courses. The locations vary from coast to tropical rainforest or the mountainous highlands. The Malaysian Open Golf Championships, held each March, attract top professionals.
Karate
More than 150 karate training centres offer regular training sessions under black-belt instructors 6 days a week. Visitors are welcome to receive free karate training for 1 week in any of the centres.
Traditional sports
Malaysia has many unusual sports, including Gasing-top spinning (called Main Gasing), which uses tops fashioned from hardwood and delicately balanced with lead. Wau-kite flying is a traditional pastime. Sepak Takraw is a game like volleyball, played with a ball made of rattan strips.
Jungle railway
Malaysia’s central railway travels largely through areas of dense jungle. It commences near Kota Bahru and continues via Kuala Krai, Gua Musang, Kuala Lipis and Jerantut to meet the Singapore-KL railway line at Gemas.
