Redang & Perhentian Islands · Malaysia · Reef · Cave & cavern
Tanjung Basi
The northern tip's deep site: boulders and swim-throughs at 20 m
Area photo: Ditch Townsend · CC BY-SA 4.0
Tanjung Basi is at the northernmost tip of Perhentian Besar and is the islands' primary site for deep diving. The reef sits at 15 to 20 m among massive boulders, overhangs and swim-throughs, and current at the exposed tip can be strong at times. It is a structure-and-current dive rather than a relaxed reef swim.
Where it is and how deep
5.9234° N, 102.7587° EPublished position for this site.
The dive
The site is at the northernmost point of Perhentian Besar, and the tip is why it dives the way it does: exposed water, and current that can be strong at times. Dives are planned around that, going in against the current where it allows, coming back with it, and starting with a descent that puts you on the rock quickly rather than drifting past the site while you sort yourself out.
The reef itself sits at 15 to 20 m and the interest is structural. Massive boulders lean into each other to form overhangs and swim-throughs, and the route works through and around them, using the rock as shelter when the water is moving. This is the primary site in the Perhentians for deep diving, and the plan is written around depth and current rather than around coral cover.
Marine life and season
The sources we used don't single out particular species here.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Off-season | Off-season | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Good | Fair | Off-season | Off-season |
Season follows Redang & Perhentian Islands: The marine park is officially closed November 1-February 28 for the northeast monsoon; conditions are calmest and clearest April-September.
Know before you go
- Current at the exposed northern tip can be strong. Descend quickly onto the rock, work into the current first and use the boulders as shelter rather than swimming in open water.
Questions divers ask
Is Tanjung Basi suitable for new divers?+
It is the primary deep-diving site in the Perhentians, with the reef at 15 to 20 m and current that can be strong at the exposed tip, so it suits experienced divers rather than newly certified ones.
Sources
- Tanjung Basi - Scubago — Scubago (SSI)
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