Malaysia with baby + diving?? is it possible?

[SilverSixpence]

Hi, DH and I are planning a trip to Malaysia (will be our last proper holiday for 2-3 years as I'm going to be working and will only get short holidays ) We;ll be going for two weeks and I really want to make the most of it. We'd like to get in a few days in kuala lumpur, a few days in a rainforest/jungle type location (or somewhere similar where we can walk a few hours with DS who will be 10months)and rest in a nice seaside area where we can dive and/or snorkel.

now is it even going to be possible to get in any diving? will i be able to find reasonable care for DS for a few hours if we do end up going? can you recommend anywhere to stay/visit? or am i just being totally unrealistic

hope it is possible, as we are doing it at easter when our new baby (not yet born!) will be around 8 weeks old! We are going to KL for 12 days and whilst there are flying up to Langkowi for 4 days to dive. Internal flights for all 6 of us are 154 (yes, for ALL of us!) and we've found a hotel in Langkowi from 68 per night per room. We had to double check the prices as they seemed so cheap but that is right! (berjaya hotel)
ref diving, I'm lucky in that my DH is a diving widower so he will babysit whilst I dive with the eldest 2 kids. You may have to take it in turns with your DH diving so that each of you gets a turn to dive/babysit but I certainly wouldn't let that put you off going. I'm sure there must however be some resorts that do have babysitting services, we found our hotel on www.asiatravel.com
so have a look and see what they offer.
Good luck

If you want to dive in Malaysia you really need to go to the East Coast (sorry mumoverseas)

The Perhentian islands and Redang have some good diving. Perhentian Besar (big island) has bigger resort type hotels, where you might be able to get some babysitting - try the Coral View Island resort.

I've heard the Perhentian Islands are good for diving, only prob is DH is not interested in diving really so unless any of those sites are good for other things he might not have fun. Although if there is good snorkelling not too far from the shore then I can leave him playing with DS in shallow water perhaps?

whats the water temp like at that time of year?

DH went diving in Langkawi and said it was fab, he is a serious diving (not at all like me who won't even venture too far in the pool). We stayed at the Westin resort and they have babysitters. Have a fab time

what about malaria?

we've booked our holiday, we couldn't decide so now we're going to KL, Redang island for 4 days, then penang and langkawi!

i wont get to do my padi course as planned, but will try and get in a couple of guided dives at redang as will DH.

can anyone recommend a hotel in redang?

Can't help with the hotel in rendang Silver but don't write off the PADI course.
If you are worried you won't have time to do it all out there, why not think about doing a referal course where you do the boring studying bit and basic training in the UK and then your open water dives in Malaysia? I did this years ago, spent a few weeks in the UK doing the first parts and then did my OW dives on the barrier reef. Also, it means you don't 'waste' precious holiday time doing studying. I think I've also read that some places you can do the first part online. Have a look at the PADI website. Enjoy your holiday. We are going on Friday and can't wait now

i've actually done PADI scuba diver already, which is most of the theory, but it was 2 years ago now so not sure if it will count. As long as I get to dive, I'm not that bothered about the certificate, I'll probably just try and organise a week on the red sea at some point and learn there.

have a good holiday

mumoverseas - no offence but I think you're mad to go away with an 8 week old, assuming you could go overdue that could be a 5/6 week old! Crazy! You realise you could still be bleading by then? Ruling out diving I assume as you can't use tampons. I see you already have 2 chilren so I'm not being patronsonising.

I have been to KL and didn't fin enough to keep us going for 4 days yet alone 12. Have you got lots planned? may be we missed out too much? Langkawi is lovely though.