Malaysia’s diving industry continues to evolve beyond recreational tourism, growing into a lifestyle, education, and conservation-driven ecosystem that is attracting increasing regional and international interest. Once considered a niche activity, scuba diving today plays an important role in marine tourism, professional training, ocean conservation, and sustainable travel experiences.
Over the past two decades, the industry has witnessed significant growth in certified divers, dive travel, technical diving, underwater photography, freediving and marine-related career pathways. This transformation has also strengthened Malaysia’s position as an emerging hub for diving tourism and underwater exploration in the region.
As Malaysia International Dive Expo 2026 celebrates its 20th anniversary, Founder and Organiser Ness Puvanes highlighted how the industry has evolved far beyond leisure diving.
“Scuba diving today is much more than just an activity. It encompasses tourism, education, safety awareness, career development, and marine conservation. The industry has grown tremendously over the years and continues to evolve with greater responsibility towards protecting our oceans.
“Scuba diving today is much more than just an activity. It encompasses tourism, education, safety awareness, career development, and marine conservation. The industry has grown tremendously over the years and continues to evolve with greater responsibility towards protecting our oceans.
Speaking on the importance of sustainability, she emphasised that responsible diving practices remain central to the industry’s long-term future.
Photo courtesy of Lens Beyond Ocean (LBO) 2026
“The Tomb Beneath Sipadan” by Khairom Mustaqim, winner of the Wide Angle Category.
“We always encourage divers to respect marine life, avoid damaging coral reefs,and understand that every diver plays an important role in conservation. Protecting the ocean must become part of our everyday mindset.
“We always encourage divers to respect marine life, avoid damaging coral reefs,and understand that every diver plays an important role in conservation. Protecting the ocean must become part of our everyday mindset.
Photo courtesy of Lens Beyond Ocean (LBO) 2026
“The Tomb Beneath Sipadan” by Khairom Mustaqim, winner of the Wide Angle Category.
Since its establishment in 2006, MIDE has grown into one of the region’s leading dive expos, connecting dive operators, tourism organisations, training agencies, marine conservation groups, underwater photographers, equipment brands, and ocean enthusiasts under one platform.
The expo has also played an important role in making diving more accessible to the public through initiatives such as the Mobile Diving Pool Experience, allowing first-time visitors to safely experience breathing underwater in a controlled environment under the guidance of certified instructors.
Reflecting on the 20-year milestone, Ness described the journey as one built on resilience, passion, and community support.
“This milestone reflects two decades of passion, purpose, and protection. Our goal moving forward is not just to make MIDE bigger, but more impactful, for businesses, divers and the ocean itself.
“This milestone reflects two decades of passion, purpose, and protection. Our goal moving forward is not just to make MIDE bigger, but more impactful, for businesses, divers and the ocean itself.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary under the theme “Forged by the Ocean: 20 Years of Passion, Purpose & Protection,” Malaysia International Dive Expo 2026 will take place from 5 – 7 June 2026 at MITEC, Kuala Lumpur, bringing together both trade and leisure visitors to explore the future of diving, marine tourism and ocean conservation.
