THE 20TH EDITION OF MALAYSIA INTERNATIONAL DIVE EXPO (MIDE) 2026

Adrian Stacey
on July 5, 2026
at 4:41 am

Celebrating 20 Years of Diving Excellence: MIDE 2026 Concludes a Landmark Anniversary and Sets New Opportunities for the Future

The 20th edition of the Malaysia International Dive Expo (MIDE) 2026 concluded on a high note, celebrating two decades of bringing together the global diving community under this year’s theme, “Forged by the Ocean – Two Decades of Passion, Purpose and Protection.” Held from 5-7 June 2026 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), Kuala Lumpur, the milestone edition reaffirmed MIDE’s position as Malaysia’s premier dive and ocean lifestyle exhibition.

The event was officially opened by YBrs. Mr Chua Choon Hwa, Deputy Secretary-General (Tourism) of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), who officiated the launch and delivered a keynote speech on behalf of YB Dato’ Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture.

MIDE 2026 welcomed over 19,887 visitors from 58 countries, including Malaysia, with attendance increasing by 18% compared to the previous year. The strong turnout reflects the event’s growing appeal among divers, travellers, businesses, and ocean enthusiasts from around the world.

Over the three-day event, visitors explored the latest innovations in diving equipment, underwater photography, dive travel, marine conservation, and ocean-related experiences. The expanded showcase of watersports, sailing, and boating further enriched the visitor experience and reflected the growing interest in the broader ocean lifestyle sector.

The expo attracted 212 exhibiting companies from Malaysia and 13 other countries, with 71 international exhibitors represented from across the globe. The event also welcomed 25 companies making their MIDE debut. International participation grew by 12% compared to the previous year, underscoring MIDE’s growing stature as a leading platform for business networking, market expansion, and international industry collaboration, diving and marine tourism sectors. MIDE 2026 also generated an estimated RM41.1million in sales revenue for exhibitors, demonstrating strong demand for diving, marine tourism, and ocean lifestyle products and services.

Over the past 20 years, MIDE has evolved from a dedicated dive expo into a leading ocean lifestyle platform that supports Malaysia’s diving industry and promotes the country as a premier dive tourism destination. Guided by valuable feedback from exhibitors and visitors, MIDE remains committed to continuously enhancing the event experience while creating meaningful opportunities for industry growth, collaboration, and public engagement.

Table of contents

BUSINESS, NETWORKING & INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT

Dive Travel Mart by Tourism Malaysia

The Dive Travel Mart, organised by Tourism Malaysia, provided a dedicated platform for international buyers and exhibitors to connect, fostering new business opportunities and promoting Malaysia as a premier dive tourism destination in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026.

Tourism Philippines B2B Networking Session

The Philippines Department of Tourism hosted a dedicated networking session aimed at strengthening tourism and business connections between the Philippines and Malaysia. The initiative provided a valuable platform for dive operators, tourism stakeholders, and industry representatives from both countries to explore collaboration opportunities and promote cross-border dive tourism.

Strengthening the Connection Between Diving and Tourism

MIDE continued to bridge the diving and tourism sectors by promoting diving destinations, supporting tourism development, and creating opportunities for industry stakeholders to collaborate in advancing sustainable marine tourism.

Networking and Business Engagement

The expo provided a valuable platform for exhibitors, buyers, tourism stakeholders, conservation organisations, and diving professionals to connect, exchange ideas, establish partnerships, and explore new business opportunities within the regional and international diving market.

HIGHLIGHTS OF MIDE 2026

Participation of New Government Agencies

MIDE 2026 welcomed the participation of Malaysia Civil Defence Force (APM), Marine Police, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Fire and Rescue Department Malaysia (BOMBA), and the Marine Department Malaysia, further strengthening engagement between government agencies, industry stakeholders, and the diving community while promoting significantly towards public education, safety awareness, industry development, and career exposure for future generations.

Soft Launch of TerengganuTravel.com

The Terengganu Pavilion hosted the soft launch of TerengganuTravel.com, a comprehensive digital tourism platform designed to showcase and strengthen the entire tourism ecosystem of Terengganu through enhanced accessibility and digital engagement.

Silent Auction Debut

Introduced for the first time at MIDE, the Silent Auction generated strong interest among attendees while supporting meaningful causes and encouraging greater community participation throughout the event.

Pool Try Dive Returns

Returning by popular demand, the Pool Try Dive programme once again offered visitors the opportunity to experience scuba diving firsthand in a safe and controlled environment, inspiring many first-time divers to explore the underwater world.

Scuba Syndicate Podcast: 20 Years of MIDE… and the depth we shared since.

An engaging conversation with Ms Ness Puvanes, Organizer of MIDE, exploring the evolution of MIDE and key developments in the diving industry.

Evolution of Dive Gear and Equipment

Visitors had the opportunity to discover the latest advancements in diving technology, equipment, and underwater innovations from leading manufacturers and industry brands.

Expert Insights and Interactive Discussions

A comprehensive programme of workshops and seminars delivered valuable insights on diving, marine conservation, underwater photography, safety, travel, and emerging industry trends.

Technical talks on diving equipment, safety practices, and diver medical care
Experience sharing by seasoned divers, including underwater photography and global dive destinations
Marine conservation, reef protection initiatives, and sustainable diving practices

Keynote Speakers and Esteemed Guests

Industry leaders, experts, government representatives, and renowned speakers shared their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives on the future of diving, tourism, and ocean sustainability.

Highlighting two distinct panel discussions on Dive Training and Public Safety Diving, featured leading industry experts and enforcement agencies in collaboration with key sector partners.

The Dive Training panel, moderated by Nick Hogle, Scuba Podcast Host, brings together Vincent Lai (SSI Instructor Trainer) and Anand Chandra Sekaran (PADI Course Director) to discuss evolving standards of diver readiness, competencies, and certification preparation.
The Public Safety Diving panel, moderated by a NAUI representative under the theme Positioning Malaysia as ASEAN’s Public Safety Diving Leader, convenes the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia, Royal Malaysia Police Special Action Unit, Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), and Sultan Ahmad Shah Maritime Academy, focusing on operational capability, inter-agency collaboration, and the advancement of structured training and infrastructure to strengthen Malaysia’s regional role.

Careers in Scuba Diving: Advancing Talent Through Industry Connections

The career initiative received an encouraging response from participants seeking opportunities within the diving industry. The growing interest reinforces MIDE’s commitment to supporting talent development and encouraging greater industry participation to meet future workforce needs.

Best Booth Awards

The Best Booth Awards recognise exhibitors who demonstrated exceptional creativity, innovation, and engagement in their booth presentations, celebrating those who enhanced the overall visitor experience at the expo.

1st Winner – Selamberr Dive Adventure Sdn Bhd – Malaysia

2nd Winner – Tourism Promotions Board Philippines – Philippines

3rd Winner – Sarawak Tourism Board – Malaysia

Cool Strategic Partner Award was conferred upon RHB Ocean Harmoni in recognition of its distinguished partnership and continued contribution as a key strategic collaborator-ship in business as well as conservation.

Pioneer Recognition Award

The Pioneer Recognition Award honours experienced divers for their long-term contributions and dedication to the diving industry in Malaysia.

1^st Pioneer Recognition – Mr Clement Lee

2^nd Pioneer Recognition – Late Mr Michael Tong

3^rd Pioneer Recognition – Datuk Robert Lo Ming Hoe

Long Standing Appreciation Award

The Long-Standing Appreciation Award honours exhibitors with 10 years and above of their participation in MIDE, in appreciation of their loyal support and long-term partnership.

20 years

SK Cryogenics Sdn Bhd

19 years

B&J Diving Centre Sdn Bhd
Rainbow Runner Asia Sdn Bhd
Dragonet Diving

17 years

PADI Asia Pacific Pty Ltd
Divers Alert Network
GTS Travel Service Sdn Bhd

16 years

Kids Scuba Dive Academy
NAUI Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd
Quiver Adventures Sdn Bhd
Hypergear Malaysia Sdn Bhd
Sealantis Dive Centre Sdn Bhd

15 years

Sabah Tourism Board

14 years

Escapeinc Photography (KL) S/B
Skoobaholik Sdn Bhd
Seaventures Dive Rig Sdn Bhd
Turtle Bays Divers
A&L Adventures & Leisure Sdn Bhd
SDI TDI Malaysia

13 years

Tourism Malaysia Promotion Board
Tourism Promotion Board Philippines
Tenggol Coral Beach Resort
Prestige Scuba Sdn Bhd
Raja Ampat Dive Lodge

12 years

Poni Divers

10 years

Planet Scuba Sdn Bhd
Tioman Development Authority
Borneo Divers and Sea Sports (Sabah) Sdn Bhd
Dive Semporna Sdn Bhd

School Engagement Programme

Students from Nexus International School Malaysia participated in a special educational programme featuring RHB’s Financial Literacy initiative and introductory sessions on scuba diving, marine conservation, and ocean awareness conducted by TRACC Borneo.

RHB @ Teens Zone

The RHB Kids Zone provided an interactive learning environment where young visitors explored financial literacy, marine conservation, and ocean-related educational activities through engaging and family-friendly experiences.

Teen Education Zone

A highlight of the expo, the Teen Education Zone offered an interactive and family-friendly space designed to introduce children to the wonders of the ocean and the diving world. Through engaging hands-on activities, it encouraged early ocean awareness and curiosity in a fun and accessible learning environment. The zone was further enriched by the participation of conservation partners Miracle Keepers, The Sea Monkey Project, and RHB Ocean Harmoni, who shared impactful messages on marine conservation, sustainability, and biodiversity protection, inspiring the next generation to become ocean stewards.

Lens Beyond Ocean Photo Competition

A long-standing home-grown highlight, the Lens Beyond Ocean (LBO) Underwater Photo Competition once again attracted strong attention at the expo, showcasing a powerful collection of underwater imagery from talented photographers. The award-winning works were exhibited throughout the venue, offering visitors an immersive visual experience of life beneath the waves through diverse perspectives and artistic expression.

This year’s winners were recognised for their outstanding creativity, technical precision, and storytelling impact across categories. The winners were:

Macro Category – Stephanie Doniger, with a prize sponsored by Aldive Resort
Wide Angle Category – Khairom Mustaqim, with a prize sponsored by Temanyelam + Aryan Resort
Compact Camera Category – Mohd Asyraf Md Arif, with a prize sponsored by Silver Reef Dive Resort
Best of Malaysia by a Malaysian Category – Tay Liang Wei, with a prize sponsored by Atlantis Dive Resorts & Liveaboards
3-Minute Video Category – Amy Lawson, with a prize sponsored by The Buwan Dive Resort

Their works highlighted not only artistic excellence but also a deeper appreciation of the marine environment, inspiring both divers and ocean enthusiasts alike.

Judges:

Roy Legi – Underwater Photographer (Indonesia)
Nurul Yazid – Underwater Photographer (Malaysia)
Chong Wan Yong – Underwater Photographer (Malaysia)

In celebration of LBO’s 15th anniversary, MIDE also presented Lens Beyond Ocean Through the Years, a special gallery showcasing winning works from the competition’s inception up to 2025, highlighting the evolution of talent and creativity in underwater photography and videography over the years.

PURCHASER’S LUCKY DRAW

A major highlight of the expo, the Purchaser’s Lucky Draw was introduced to reward and celebrate attendees who supported the event through on-site purchases. With an impressive total prize pool of RM160,000, the draw generated strong anticipation and excitement throughout the three-day expo. In conjunction with MIDE’s special 20th edition, a grand prize was awarded daily, adding a thrilling finale to each event day.

Grand Prize Winners:

Day 1: 5D4N diving experience package (6 dives) for 2 pax, valued at RM6,300 — awarded to Mr. Goh Kiet Rhee (Malaysia) – sponsored by Ceningan Divers
Day 2: 8D7N expedition with Neomi Cruise (Alor–Ambon) for 2 pax, valued at RM26,000 — awarded to Mr. Henry (Malaysia) – sponsored by Neomi Cruise
Day 3: 8D7N luxury liveaboard experience onboard the Maldives Legend Fleet for 2 pax, valued at RM24,000 — awarded to Mr. Galaxy Siew (Malaysia) – sponsored by Maldives Legend

The initiative stood as a gesture of appreciation to visitors, reflecting the vibrant support of the diving community while delivering one of the most anticipated and memorable moments of the expo.

The expo concluded on a high note, marked by an energetic and vibrant atmosphere filled with meaningful exchanges, inspiring moments, and valuable industry connections. As the event drew to a close, participants departed with renewed enthusiasm and anticipation for the next edition, reflecting the continued growth and momentum of the diving community.

AsiaEvents Exsic extends its sincere appreciation to all partners of MIDE 2026, whose support and collaboration were instrumental in the success of the event:

With special appreciation extended to all Exhibitors, Official partners, Sponsors, Suppliers, Dive agencies, and Speakers whose collective contributions made MIDE 2026 a resounding success.

The Next Chapter of MIDE

As MIDE enters its next chapter, preparations are already underway for an even stronger and more impactful edition in 2027. Building on 20 years of success, MIDE 2027 will deliver enhanced programmes, stronger international participation, expanded business opportunities, and initiatives that support both industry growth and ocean stewardship.

Announcing the next phase of MIDE’s industry development initiatives, MIDE Director, Ness Puvanes, said:

“MIDE is expanding its vision beyond an annual expo to create greater impact for the diving, tourism, and marine industries through platforms that drive business growth, collaboration, and regional connectivity. In line with this, the MIDE Dive Tourism & Trade Exchange will be launched alongside MIDE 2027 as a dedicated B2B platform positioning Malaysia as a regional hub for dive tourism trade in Southeast Asia.

The initiative will bring together dive operators, tourism boards, travel buyers, destination representatives, resorts, liveaboards, industry suppliers, and key stakeholders from across the region to foster networking, partnerships, business matching, market access, and knowledge exchange, further strengthening MIDE’s role as a catalyst for industry and tourism development in the region. Further details will be announced in due course.”

MIDE looks forward to welcoming exhibitors, partners, industry stakeholders, and visitors to MIDE 2027 as it embarks on its next chapter of growth, collaboration, and industry development.

About the Organizer

AsiaEvents Exsic (AEE) is the force behind MIDE, with over 28 years of experience in exhibitions, media, leisure, and hospitality. AEE has a proven track record in curating successful local and international trade and consumer shows and has been recognized with numerous excellence awards for its contributions to business events and tourism in Malaysia.

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