The 5 Best Dive Schools In Penang Malaysia

While Penang isn’t renowned for its marine activities, diving enthusiasts can find PADI (Professional Association of Dive Instructors) and SSI (Scuba Schools International) courses throughout the island. Here are our favourite dive schools from basic open water training to learning how to become an instructor.

1. Langkawi Coral

School

Despite its name, Langkawi Coral is one of the few dive schools in Penang. The company has two branches: one in Langkawi and the other approximately five kilometres (3.1 miles) north of George Town. Langkawi Coral prides itself on promoting green and sustainable tourism, offering both PADI and SSI courses. Both cover scuba essentials, including the theory and plenty of practice, as well as safety and equipment familiarisation. PADI courses last four days, costing RM1900 ($476 USD), while an SSI Open Water Certification Course takes three days at RM1800 ($451 USD).

2. Aqua Gems Dive School

School

Based in George Town, Aqua Gems Dive School offers a variety of scuba courses from Open Water training and SSI Certification to shorter skill-based snorkelling classes. Instructors aim to teach students one-on-one, providing a much more personalised learning experience. But the biggest appeal of this dive school is the diversity of courses, refreshers and speciality training. Aqua Gems also takes special dive trips to certain parts of Malaysia’s East Coast, Thailand and the Philippines, but these need to be arranged in advance.

3. Seatrek Padi

School

Seatrek also arranges diving trips to Sipadan Island in Borneo

Seatrek Padi has catered to diving enthusiasts of all abilities in Penang since 2002. Performance-based courses range from basic PADI Scuba Diving up to Dive Master and everything else in between. Three instructors and four dive masters guide novices through training in an Olympic sized swimming pool using branded equipment. Expect high-quality courses with an emphasis on safety. Seatrek also arranges diving trips to East Malaysia and Borneo’s famous Sipadan Island.

5. Penang Scuba Diving (PSD)

School

Penang Scuba Diving in the Permata Sports Complex teaches PADI Open Water Diver Course for beginners. The theoretical side focuses more on E-Learning using either a laptop or tablet. Practical sessions start in the complex’s swimming pool before taking trips to the island’s best dive spots at Pulau Penang Marine Park. Students and trainees have unlimited access to the pool and facilities while they undertake the course, creating a more relaxed and stress-free environment. This is one of the best dive schools in Penang for those who feel they need more time to master the skills, and prefer digitalised learning to traditional classroom-based sessions.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.