Sharon Gourlay

Sharon Gourlay

Founder of Dive Into Malaysia

Expertise Malaysia travel, travel planning, travel booking

Education Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies from Griffith University, Certificate III in International Travel Sales from AFTA Education and Training, Graduate Diploma of Education from Monash University

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Highlights:

  • Featured in many publications including USA Today, Qantas, Families Magazine Australia, Daily Mail and more
  • Speaker at numerous travel blogging conferences including Travel Blog Exchange (Tbex), Travel Blogging Summit and Travel Massive and is well known in the travel blogging community
  • Holds a BA in Asian studies including the Malay language, teaching and travel agent qualifications

Experience:

Sharon first fell in love with Malaysia in 2004 when she travelled up the west coast, eating everything available. This was further affirmed in 2015 when Sharon and her family, including two young kids, moved to Penang for a year. She doesn’t think anywhere could be better to live.

Sharon has travelled to 98 countries and spent many years of her life exploring the globe. This has lead to many skills from quickly working out the best way to travel from A to B to finding the best hotel. These days she primarily travels with her 3 children currently aged from 7 – 13 years old so she also has many family travel kid wrangling skills!

Sharon completed an arts degree majoring in Asian Studies at Griffith University. This included studying the Malay language and she loves learning more about the history and culture in this part of the world.

Her favourite part of Malaysia is Penang, closely followed by East Malaysia or Borneo as it’s often called.

When not writing for this site, Sharon is out exploring the world and everything Malaysia.

Education:

Sharon’s educational background enables her to share and teach you how to plan your own trip to Malaysia as easily as possible. Her travel qualification enables her to work as a qualified travel agent and has meant she has learned many tips and tricks for booking travel. Her teaching qualification helps her explain it all to you here.

Her humanities degree has helped her love of everything history, language and culture and grown her appreciation for this part of the world.

You can read more about Sharon and her family here.

Sharon’s Guides To Malaysia

langkawi best things to do on a yacht Eagle Square from the sea

24 Incredible Things To Do In Langkawi: Complete Guide 2024

Have the ultimate Langkawi vacation with this list of the top things to do in Langkawi from the Langkawi Sky…

Pulau Dayang Bunting 

Langkawi Island Hopping Tours And All The Best Places! [2024]

Langkawi itself is a beautiful island, but for the ultimate tropical island adventure, consider island hopping Langkawi style! Langkawi island…

Pulau Beras Basah.

Perfect Langkawi Itinerary Revealed! 2 – 5 Days In Langkawi 2024

Looking for the perfect Langkawi itinerary? Here it is! Whether you are looking for 2,3,4 or 5 days in Langkawi,…

So much great snorkelling in the Perhentians

Top 15 Things To Do In Perhentian Islands [2024]

Full guide of things to do in Perhentian Islands including the best diving, snorkelling, trekking and more. All the best…

Eagle Square, Langkawi

EXACTLY How To Go to Langkawi from Kuala Lumpur [2024]

Need to know how to go to Langkawi from Kuala Lumpur? We cover all transport options so you can choose…

Turtle Sanctuary Beach, Perhentian Islands, Terengganu

How To Get From Kuala Lumpur To Perhentian Islands [2024]

Want to know how to get from Kuala Lumpur to Perhentian Islands? It’s easy! Here’s all the ways you can…

how to go pulau perhentian from singapore

Exactly How To Get To Perhentian Islands [2024]

How to get to Perhentian Islands including flights via Kota Bharu and Kuala Terengganu, buses, and the ferry to Perhentian…

Shangri la Rasa Sayang Penang

Best 5 Star Hotels In Penang [2024]

Looking for the best 5 star hotel in Penang? Click here for our list of the best luxury hotel in…

Kuala Lumpur

Best Hotel Near KLCC Kuala Lumpur For All Budgets [2024 Closest KLCC Hotels]

List of the cheapest and best hotels near KLCC and Suria in this most convenient location in KL. Find your…

infinity pool Kuala Lumpur

Best 5 Star Hotel In Kuala Lumpur List: Luxury Hotels In Kuala Lumpur [2024]

Looking for the best 5 star hotel in Kuala Lumpur? Click here for our list of the best luxury hotel…

Hotel near us embassy kuala lumpur

CLOSEST And BEST Hotel Near US Embassy Kuala Lumpur [2024]

List of the closest and best hotels near US Embassy Kuala Lumpur. Click here for all the top options super…

Sunrise in Tanjung Balau Desaru

What To Do In Desaru Coast, Malaysia [2024]

Have the best Desaru trip with this guide to know exactly what to do in Desaru so you can see…

Desaru beach

The Ultimate Guide to Desaru Beach, Malaysia [2024]

Complete guide to Desaru Beach: This guide includes tips for the best beach resort in Desaru, when to visit, things…

Laguna Redang ferry to Redang Island

EXACTLY How To Get From Kuala Terengganu To Redang Island [2024]

Heading to Redang? Here’s exactly how to get from Kuala Terengganu to Redang Island from the cheapest to the fastest…

Beach at Redang Marine Park

EXACTLY How To Go From Kuala Lumpur To Redang Island [2024]

Need to know how to go from Kuala Lumpur to Redang Island? All the options are described here in detail…

Redang Island jetty and boat

EXACTLY How To Get To Redang Island [2024]

How to get to Redang Island including flights via Kota Bharu and Kuala Terengganu, buses, and the ferry to Redang…

KidZania Kuala Lumpur

KidZania Kuala Lumpur Review: A Fun-Filled Experience for Kids and Adults Alike [2024]

Full review of visiting KidZania Kuala Lumpur. Everything you need to know including where it is, what you can find…

KL Sentral

CLOSEST And BEST Top 12 Hotel Near KL Sentral Kuala Lumpur [2024]

List of the closest and best hotel near KL Sentral Kuala Lumpur. Click here for all the top options for…

Archway of Kota Sultan Ismail Petra in Kota Bharu, Kelantan

Best Budget Hotel In Kota Bharu [2024]

List of the top budget hotel in Kota Bahru options. Click here for a comparison of each cheap hotel choice…

Beach in Kuantan, Malaysia

EXACTLY How To Go From Kuala Lumpur To Kuantan [2024]

Need to know how to go from Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan? Taking a flight, train, bus or car is described…

Boeing 777-300ER business class seats Emirates

Emirates 777-300ER Business Class Review✈️: Is It Worth It?

Want to spoil yourself and fly in Emirates Boeing 777 business class? Or have you already booked and want to…

Langkawi cruising

The Ultimate Malaysia Itinerary For The Ultimate Trip✅ 5 Days To 2 Weeks+ [2024]

Looking for a Malaysia 5 day itinerary or Malaysia 2 week itinerary or anything in between? Click here for the…

Hotel Boss Singapore Pool and gym

Hotel Boss Review Singapore: Everything You Need To Know ✔️

Looking for a comfortable hotel in Singapore that’s relatively affordable? I have an option for you! In this article, I’m…

Genting Highlands

EXACTLY How To Go From KL To Genting Highlands✅[2024]

Need to know how to go from KL to Genting Highlands? Taking a bus, cable car or car is described…