I live and work in Miri, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. I love the place. There is some nice diving here, though you wouldn't believe it if you looked at the coast downtown. Like much of Sarawak several large rivers meet the sea here, discharging brown muddy water from the interior loaded with brown tannin from the forests and mud from logging / agriculture etc.

However out to sea just a few KM there ARE some nice reefs. They are not world beating reefs like Sipadan, but they are reefs worth diving where there is a lot of nice nature, few divers and relaxed dive centres that let you dive as a buddy pair on your own and really get photographing. Good for macro photographers and nature lovers.

The problem with Sarawak diving is that its inconsistent. When conditions are good Miri diving is better than E. Coast Malaysia, as good as Lankayan, better than KK in Sabah and you think "WOW! this would be an excellent resort". Flat calm water, beautiful reef, 20+m vis. BUT we are diving in open sea with little cover - so next day a storm up around Taiwan might be sending large swells and low vis. Actually although low vis happens a fair amount here I don't care, if I can dive (swell low) I seem to see more fish and more interesting stuff with low vis!

I WOULD travel to Miri to dive BUT I would be prepared to make it a mixed holiday not just diving e.g. BE prepared for weather to blow you out and bring camera and Hiking boots and poncho - then you simply go hiking in the Lambir hills instead (swimming in waterfalls of chill water after sweating your butt off walking up a mountain - delicious, you could even bring your mask and snorkel there)

In short I LOVE diving Miri, its just so bloody inconsistent when you've travelled a long way - be prepared for it and you will have a great time.

To see more on diving miri.

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