MIDE is more than just an exhibition. It is a platform that connects the entire diving ecosystem. We warmly invite the global diving community and industry stakeholders to join us at MIDE 2026, taking place from 5–7 June 2026 at MITEC Kuala Lumpur, as we celebrate 20 years of diving excellence and shape the future of the industry together.
MIDE is more than just an exhibition. It is a platform that connects the entire diving ecosystem. We warmly invite the global diving community and industry stakeholders to join us at MIDE 2026, taking place from 5–7 June 2026 at MITEC Kuala Lumpur, as we celebrate 20 years of diving excellence and shape the future of the industry together.
For anyone planning a holiday and looking to do something truly special, diving has become an exciting option. Over the years, diving has clearly grown in popularity. From your perspective, how has the diving scene evolved since MIDE first started?
Scuba diving has never really been everybody’s cup of tea, but the industry in Malaysia and across the region has grown tremendously over the years. What was once considered a niche activity has evolved into a lifestyle, tourism, and conservation-driven industry.
Today, diving is much more than simply going underwater. It encompasses tourism, education, safety, environmental responsibility and even career development. As the industry grows, so does the responsibility that comes with it. Safety standards, proper training, certification and international operating procedures are all extremely important to ensure divers are well prepared before entering the water.
At the same time, responsible diving has become a central message within the industry. Divers are constantly encouraged to respect marine life, avoid damaging coral reefs and understand the role each individual plays in ocean conservation. Protecting the marine ecosystem is everyone’s responsibility.
Another major development is education and career pathways within diving. Years ago, many people viewed scuba diving purely as a lifestyle activity, but today there are many professional opportunities available. Divers can progress from Open Water certification all the way to becoming Dive Masters, Instructors, or Course Directors. There are also careers in occupational diving, technical diving, underwater photography, and marine-related industries.
Scuba diving today offers much more than adventure; it offers purpose, education and long-term opportunities.
MIDE is not just about bringing the industry together. It is also deeply connected to the ocean itself. How has the MIDE helped create awareness about diving and marine conservation?
MIDE began in 2006, and over the last 20 years we have had the privilege of witnessing the transformation of the diving industry firsthand. We’ve seen significant growth in certified divers, dive travel, professional training, technical diving, underwater photography and even freediving.
From the beginning, one of our main goals was to build a strong diving community. We believed that creating a sense of belonging would naturally encourage more people to discover and appreciate diving. Community building remains one of the most important pillars of MIDE even today.
MIDE is more than just an exhibition. It is a platform that connects the entire diving ecosystem, from dive operators and training agencies to conservation organisations, tourism boards, professionals and enthusiasts.
With more people getting into diving, how does MIDE encourage divers and businesses to become more mindful about protecting the ocean?
As the diving industry continues to grow, MIDE places strong emphasis on promoting responsible and sustainable diving practices throughout the industry. Sustainability is extremely important because we take so much from the ocean, and we must also play a role in giving back and protecting it.
Education has always been at the core of what we do. Whether it is experienced divers, beginners, young adults, or teenagers, we want people to understand the importance of marine conservation from an early stage.
We work closely with conservation organisations, training agencies and dive operators to promote best practices such as reef-safe diving, proper buoyancy control and strict no-touch policies when interacting with corals and marine life.
People often do not realise how fragile coral reefs are. A coral can be damaged within seconds, but it may take years to recover. In some cases, coral growth is only between 0.3 to 2 centimetres annually. That is why responsible diving practices are so important.
At MIDE, we create platforms through talks, workshops, campaigns and educational sessions to help divers and businesses better understand their role in protecting fragile marine ecosystems. We also encourage exhibitors and industry players to adopt eco-friendly operations and sustainable products.
Conservation should not feel like an extra step. It should become part of our everyday mindset and lifestyle.
The diving industry is fortunate because training agencies already have clear safety standards, rules and operating procedures in place. Divers are taught what they can and cannot do underwater and these guidelines exist to protect both people and marine life.
One of the most important rules is the buddy system, never dive alone. Diving with a partner is essential for safety because underwater, teamwork and awareness are critical.
Diving is still considered a niche activity by many people. How can the industry make scuba diving more accessible to a wider audience?
Scuba diving is still very much a niche activity, and many people are interested but also afraid to try it. One of the biggest fears comes from unfamiliarity with the equipment and the experience of breathing underwater.
That is why, from the early years of MIDE, we introduced a mobile diving pool at the expo. This initiative allows people to experience scuba diving in a safe and controlled environment before committing to a full course.
Participants get to wear the complete scuba setup, including the BCD (Buoyancy Control Device), mask, snorkel, wetsuit and breathing apparatus. Under the supervision of certified instructors, they learn basic underwater communication and experience what it feels like to breathe underwater for the first time.
The mobile pool helps build confidence and allows people to overcome their fears gradually. It creates a bridge between curiosity and actual participation in diving.
We paused the initiative during the Covid period, but we are very excited to bring the mobile pool back this year.
What is especially meaningful is that this experience is not only for adults. Young people can also participate, and children above the age of 12 can even join programmes such as Scuba Rangers, which introduces them to diving and ocean awareness in a fun and educational way.
This year marks MIDE’s 20th anniversary – a major milestone. How does it feel to reach this point, and what is next for MIDE?
Honestly, it is hard to believe it has already been 20 years. Building and sustaining a niche exhibition for two decades has not been easy. It required dedication, perseverance, patience and a passionate team that truly believed in the vision.
We have gone through many challenges, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2020, we could not organise the show, and because diving is closely linked to tourism, the industry was among the first to be affected and one of the last to recover.
What kept us going was the support and resilience of our exhibitors, partners, dive operators and training agencies. Even during difficult times, they believed in the industry and continued supporting MIDE. Together, we worked hard to bring the industry back, and in 2021 we successfully returned with the show despite all the challenges.
Today, MIDE has grown into one of the region’s leading dive expos with strong international participation. Looking ahead, we are focusing on expanding our B2B initiatives and positioning Malaysia as a stronger regional hub for the diving industry.
For us, the next chapter is not just about making MIDE bigger, but making it more impactful; impactful for businesses, meaningful for divers, and beneficial for the ocean and the industry we all depend on.
Our passion and purpose remain unchanged and we will continue working together with the diving community to grow the industry responsibly for future generations.
For more information or inquiries, please visit www.mide.com.my.
