Malaysia

This remote area of the Indo-Pacific Ocean offers some of the best diving in the world. Divers head to Mabul and Kapalai to dive the renowned sites of Sipadan where vast numbers of green and hawksbill turtles breed and lay their eggs on its surrounding beaches and resident schools of thousands of barracuda and trevally patrol the drop-off. Muck diving has also become a big attraction for divers in Mabul while the water village of Kapalai is uniquely situated on a shallow sandbar surrounded by the sea. No trip to these islands is complete without a side trip to mainland Sabah to experience its equatorial nature. Its jungles, forests and rainforests are filled with wildlife including endemic and endangered species of orangutans, monkeys, apes, elephants and even rhinoceros. A visit to one of the sanctuaries is a must-do for all visitors to this area. Another popular excursion is a visit to Kinabalu Park where the majestic granite massif of Mt. Kinabalu rises to 13,435 feet.