Diving atClement Reef (Malaysia)
A vibrant underwater tapestry unfolds at Clement Reef, featuring a picturesque coral garden on the western side of Pulau Gaya. This site showcases a diverse sloping reef, providing an almost circular patch of coral life. It's an accessible boat dive within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, inviting exploration of its detailed structures and colorful formations. Divers will discover an expansive environment here, rich in different coral types.
Evening condition tracking at Clement Reef features an air temperature of 26°C. We have recorded wave heights measuring 0.3 m during this period. These figures outline the environmental parameters currently present.
Dive Site Location & Key Facts
Everything you need to know about this dive site.
Dive Site Overview
Prepare to explore Clement Reef's expansive marine ecosystem, a popular dive site within Sabah, Malaysia, known for its vibrant underwater landscape. This coral garden offers a compelling experience for certified divers of all levels, featuring gentle slopes and scattered rocky outcrops that create varied habitats.
Maximum depths reach around 30 m (100 ft), presenting opportunities to explore the periphery where the reef meets the sandy seabed. The site’s topography, from its abundant sponges like barrel and organ pipes to stunning fan corals, forms a visually rich environment. You'll observe numerous species, from the smaller inhabitants like nudibranchs and coral shrimp hidden in crevices, to larger residents such as pufferfish, lizard fish, and barracuda.
Occasional sightings of turtles resting on the surrounding sand plains further enhance the dive experience. Access is exclusively by boat, typically a short 15-minute journey from nearby charters.
Clement Reef
Conditions are Good
Best Dive Window
07:00 - 14:00
Optimal conditions expected
Current conditions near Clement Reef show 26° air, 31° sea temperature, 0.2 m waves, and 16 km/h wind. Forecast data is refreshed regularly to ensure accuracy.
Best Time to Dive
The optimal window for diving Clement Reef typically spans from March to October, aligning with periods of excellent and good dive scores. During April, conditions are often at their best, characterized by lower average wave heights around 0.4 m and moderate wind speeds near 11.95 km/h, making for calmer seas. Air temperatures during these prime months generally hover between 27-27.5°C (81-82°F), contributing to comfortable surface conditions. Rainfall is relatively lower, averaging 9-13 mm during this peak season, though showers can still occur. Water temperatures are consistently warm, ranging from 27-30°C (81-86°F) in summer and 25-28°C (77-82°F) in winter, allowing for enjoyable dives year-round, although visibility may vary outside the peak months.
PEAK SEASON SCORE
Scores combine air & water temps, waves, wind & rainfall for overall conditions.
BEST MONTHS TO DIVE
Monthly records compiled from satellite and marine observation nodes over the last 3 years. Data provided by Open-Meteo and MET Norway.
Dive Experience & Conditions
Drifting through Clement Reef, divers encounter a landscape of gentle slopes and rocky outcrops, where the underwater topography offers a sense of easy navigation. Visibility here is generally good, often ranging between 10 to 20 meters (33-66 ft), with an average of 15 meters (49 ft), allowing clear views of the extensive coral garden. Current activity is typically mild or limited, making it suitable for a relaxed exploration, and significant surge is not consistently reported. The water remains comfortably warm, with temperatures generally between 25-30°C (77-86°F). This site's bottom composition includes both vibrant coral and sandy patches, inviting divers to spend an average of 45 minutes exploring its various features.
Dive Difficulty & Safety Guidelines
Navigating Clement Reef involves an awareness of surrounding activities to ensure a safe dive. Pleasure boats operate in the vicinity, so deploying a dive buoy is recommended when ascending to surface to enhance visibility for boat traffic. As Clement Reef lies within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, obtaining the necessary diving permits is a mandatory step before entry. Adhering to responsible diving practices is crucial; avoid touching corals or marine life, and maintain proper buoyancy to protect the delicate ecosystem. Divers should always follow their dive guide's instructions and conduct buddy checks.
Recommended Equipment
- Dive Computer
This gear list is based on verified equipment signals for Clement Reef, Malaysia. Always confirm final gear choices with your dive operator, guide, or liveaboard.
Recommended Dive Suit
Repeated dives during the same day can gradually reduce overall body warmth.
Environmental readings suggest that the waters surrounding Clement Reef are about 31°C (87°F) at the moment. Surface air temperatures are resting at 26°C (79°F). Divers spending extended time underwater often rely on dive skin or rash guard for balanced warmth and flexibility.
The forecast outlook suggests that temperatures will stay close to current levels.
Due to technical issues with our weather providers, data hasn't been fetched for over 48 hours. The data above reflects the conditions at the time of the last successful fetch.
Emergency & Medical Support
Essential information to help you plan your dive trip to clement reef.
Hyperbaric chambers are a critical part of dive safety infrastructure. Availability varies significantly by region, and not all dive areas have immediate access.
Before diving, it's recommended to:
- confirm nearest medical facilities
- check emergency procedures with local dive operators
- ensure dive insurance covers evacuation if required
Divers Alert Network
Diving emergency assistance available through DAN World.
+1-919-684-9111- 24/7 emergency hotline
- Diving medical assistance
- Evacuation coordination
Emergency contacts are provided for reference. Always verify local emergency services before diving.
Marine Life at Clement Reef
The diverse topography of Clement Reef supports a rich array of inhabitants, making every dive a discovery. You'll encounter numerous pufferfish, from the larger map pufferfish to smaller black spotted varieties, alongside clear fin lizard fish resting on the sandy bottom. Looking closely into the nooks and crannies reveals banded coral shrimp and a notable presence of flabellina nudibranchs. Blackfin barracuda are often observed hanging motionless at the reef's edges, while turtles are sometimes found snoozing on the surrounding sandy sea bed. Seahorses are also reported residents, adding to the site's appeal.
Dive Sites Near Clement Reef
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Dive Centers Near Clement Reef
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Search Flights on ExpediaFrequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum depth at Clement Reef?
The maximum reported depth at Clement Reef is 30 meters (100 feet). The site includes a varied topography with shallower coral garden areas and deeper sections where the reef meets the sand.
What kind of dive site is Clement Reef?
Clement Reef is primarily a coral garden and scenic reef dive site. It is characterized by extensive coral patches, sponges, and fan corals, surrounded by sandy plains.
Is Clement Reef suitable for all diver levels?
Yes, Clement Reef is generally considered suitable for divers of all experience levels. Its mild currents and manageable depths make it accessible for beginners, while its diverse marine life appeals to more experienced divers.
What is the typical water temperature at Clement Reef?
Water temperatures at Clement Reef are consistently warm throughout the year. They generally range from 27-30°C (81-86°F) during summer months and 25-28°C (77-82°F) in winter.
Are dive permits required for Clement Reef?
Yes, permits are required for entry into the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, where Clement Reef is located. These permits are usually arranged through your chosen dive operator.
How is Clement Reef accessed?
Clement Reef is exclusively accessible by boat. Dive excursions typically depart from dive schools and charters, with the journey taking approximately 15 minutes.
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Clement Reef
Conditions are Good
Best Dive Window
07:00 - 14:00
Optimal conditions expected
Current conditions near Clement Reef show 26° air, 31° sea temperature, 0.2 m waves, and 16 km/h wind. Forecast data is refreshed regularly to ensure accuracy.