Panorama Diver

Tucked away on Long Beach at Pulau Perhentian Kecil in Malaysia's Perhentian Islands, Panorama Diver is a family-run dive centre that welcomes backpackers, travellers and holidaymakers alike. A PADI 5 Star Dive Resort with five PADI Instructors, it pairs Fun Dives and a full slate of courses with clean, basic, affordable rooms and dorms — an easygoing base for anyone keen to get in the water.

Courses and diving

With more than 20 dive spots suited to every level, there's room to grow here. New divers can drift over relaxing reefs alive with brilliantly coloured tropical fish and coral, while experienced divers chase spectacular reef, wreck and deep dives. Course options run from the PADI Scuba Refresher (from USD 45) through the PADI Scuba Diver, Deep Diver and Rescue Diver, among others.

Local sites include Shark Point and Batu Layar, and the chance to swim with turtles or dive with sharks is a real draw. Facilities cover an onsite classroom, house reef, dive boat and air conditioning, with English among the languages spoken.