YBD Dive Centre

Located within the Perhentian Marriott Resort & Spa on Perhentian Kecil, YBD Dive Centre offers a high-end approach to diving in the Perhentian Islands. The centre is positioned to combine professional underwater exploration with the luxury of a premier resort, providing a seamless transition from the dive deck to the spa and fine dining.

As a PADI 5 Star Dive Resort and a Gold Member of Green Fins, the centre focuses on high standards of service and marine conservation. Whether you are arriving via Kuala Besut jetty or travelling from larger hubs like Kuala Lumpur, the centre provides a structured and professional base for exploring the diverse reefs of the Malaysian coast.

The team is composed of experienced instructors and guides dedicated to safety and environmental education. To ensure a controlled and personalised experience, the centre maintains a strict ratio of a maximum of four divers per guide.

As a PADI Eco Centre and Green Fins Gold Member, the staff integrates sustainable practices into every aspect of their operations. This commitment to conservation ensures that the local marine environment is respected during every excursion, from reef explorations to wreck dives.

YBD Dive Centre offers a comprehensive range of PADI training programmes. For beginners, the curriculum starts with Discover Scuba Diving and Bubblemaker, progressing through Scuba Diver, Open Water Diver, and Advanced Open Water Diver.

For divers looking to advance their technical skills or professional career, the centre provides courses such as PADI Deep Diver, Wreck Diver, and Rescue Diver, leading up to Divemaster. They also offer Enriched Air Diver training for those wishing to utilise Nitrox. Specialty training is available for specific interests, including Search and Recovery Diver.

The centre operates an exclusive dive yacht, providing a stable and comfortable platform for daily excursions. This vessel allows for a more premium experience compared to standard local boats, facilitating access to the best sites around the islands.

Nitrox is available on board for certified divers, allowing for extended bottom times on deeper sites. The yacht is used for a variety of trip types, including day dives, night dives, and exploring the various reefs and wrecks of the region.

The centre provides full equipment hire for divers who prefer not to travel with their own kit. This includes a complete range of essential items to suit various diving styles.

For those looking to refine their skills or prepare for new certifications, the centre features a specialised diving pool. This facility is used for training in scuba skills, freediving, and mermaid swimming, providing a controlled environment to build confidence before heading into open water.

The reefs are home to a vast array of large marine life. You will regularly encounter Blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus), Bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium), and various species of turtles, including Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) and Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas). Large pelagics such as Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus), Great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda), and golden trevallies are common sights.

In the deeper sections and around the pinnacles, look for Blue spotted stingrays, Jenkins' whiprays, and various rays. Schools of snapper, Jack (Carangidae), and trevallies often move through the water column, while Bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon) can be seen feeding on the reef.

For those interested in macro life, the area offers significant variety. You can find Nudibranch (Chromodoris willani), Seahorse (Hippocampus kuda), and various species of shrimp and crabs. Scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae), Boxfish (Ostraciidae), and many different species of Butterflyfish populate the coral structures.

Between August and October, the area becomes a destination for those hoping to see the Whale shark (Rhincodon typus).

The best time to dive in this region is from March to October during the dry season, with the peak diving period occurring between June and August. During these months, the sea is generally calm.

Conditions can vary by site; for example, Tanjung Basi can experience strong currents at times. Visibility typically ranges between 10 and 30 metres depending on the location and season.