Felice L asked:


As a diver, I am always looking for a perfect place to dive, but doesn’t burn a hole in my pockets as well. I want a good place with good facilities, comfortable accommodation, good weather, good scenery and good food plus good security.

You know where I have found the place? Right in the island of Borneo on the Northern tip. The place is Sipadan, Mabul and Kapalai and Mataking islands on the Celebes Sea.

Up north you have the Sulu sea where you have Langkayan island and to the West, you have the pristine waters of the South China Sea. Three vast seas in one trip. Beautiful spots, lots of interesting marine life, big pelagic fishes and action or if you prefer the muck diving, exploring for the vast variety of critters in the ocean floor .

I am a calculative person, meaning I would work my budget out and exploit to the maximum. I am taught to get maximum out from minimum at the work place and this is the principle I applied. Maximum from minimum resources! Traveling to Malaysia and reaching the state of Sabah, there is a certain sum of money being spent, right? If you have traveled half the world to reach this place, you would want to explore as many diving sites as you want. The beautiful part in this place is that the four sites are quite near to each other. The experience is unique in each one though.

For example, at Sipadan, it is big fish action, the Barracuda, Turtles, sharks and rays. At Mabul and Kapalai, it is the macro life on the ocean floor, the weird critters you have never seen before.

It is unique to be staying on houses built on stilts over the sea. Where do you get to sit on your balcony and by looking down at the water below, you can watch the antics of the Mantis Prawn? This is one unique place. And the conversion of currency is USD1 gives you RM3.4 (Ringgit Malaysia). A can of coke cost you about USD50cents. So how about that for spending power at this place?

There are a number of dive resorts with PADI status at these dive paradise. The renting of diving equipment is a bargain compared to other places I have visited.

And getting to Sabah is easy as the capital city Kota Kinabalu is well connected to major airlines from USA, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Philippines, Japan, South Korea, Brunei, Bangkok, Macau, Shanghai, Australia and Kuala Lumpur.

Scubaworld asked:


The crystal clear waters and brilliant white sandy beaches of the Perhentian Islands in Malaysia have for many years captured the hearts and imaginations of the backpackers and travellers who passed through. Recent years however have seen a different type of traveller coming to the Perhentian Islands, as their reputation as a premier diving destination has slowly increased amongst the scuba diving community.
In fact it would be fair to say that a large amount of the success of the Perhentian Islands as a scuba diving location should be attributed to the neighbouring Thailand, and the dive resorts of Koh Tao, Phuket and Koh Samui. Large numbers of travellers who have learned to scuba dive in the larger Thai resorts often find themselves gravitating to the natural beauty of the Perhentian Islands. Looking for one last dive before the hustle and bustle of Kuala Lumpur and Singapore!
The Perhentian Islands comprise of Pulau Perhentian Kecil and Pulau Perhentian Besar, and are located approximately 20 kilometres off the coast of Malaysia. Offering what can only be described as a slice of paradise, the palm fringed beaches encircle these tropical islands, whilst the clear blue waters hide a wealth of marine and coral life below.
The scuba diving in the Perhentian Islands is of a high standard, and a wide range of dive sites has meant that the islands have become a popular destination for people looking to take a scuba diving course. There are approximately ten major dive sites which are regularly visited by the dive centres in the Perhentian Islands. Of these, Tokong Laut (Temple of the Sea) is widely acknowledged as being the best dive site on the islands. A large rocky outcrop of boulders just off the northwest coast of Perhentian Kecil offers some of the best examples of soft coral formations in the region. This carpet of stunning soft corals provides a home to a wide variety of marine life including kingfish, barracuda, nurse sharks and black tip sharks.
For fans of wreck diving, there are two excellent dive sites in the Perhentian Islands. The Sugar Wreck, a 90 metre cargo ship which sank in 2000, and the Vietnamese Wreck were it is still possible to dive inside the wreck itself.
If you are planning to go scuba diving in the Perhentian Islands, the best time to visit is between April to October, when both the visibility and weather are at their most favourable. November to March sees the monsoon season, when the weather becomes poor and access to and from the islands becomes limited due to the rough seas.
The Perhentian Islands offer superb scuba diving, and the shallow nature of the dive sites here make it a good choice for the novice or more inexperienced scuba diver. However what makes the islands so very special is their stunning natural beauty and undeveloped landscapes. You truly feel as though you are diving in your very own piece of paradise!

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dive buzz diver asked:


If you like turtles and sharks, great drop offs and reefs to snorkel then you will love Sipadan. This island off the east coast of Malaysian Borneo used to boast the worlds best shore dive. About 10m/30ft from the beach the wall drops to 680m/2200ft. Since 2005 the island is a marine park and is protected from dynamite fishermen and over diving by the Malaysian Navy and Sabah Parks officials. Divers must stay on close by Mabul or take day trips from the coast town of Semporna.

For such a wonderful dive site you would expect premium prices, but Sipadan is surprisingly accessible for those on a shoestring budget. Get yourself to Kuala Lumpur or Singapore and follow the tips below for a unforgettable dive holiday without breaking the bank.

Book your international flight to Kuala Lumpur or Singapore and then get yourself to Semporna via Tawau.

How to get from Kuala Lumpur to Tawau

Book a flight from KL to Tawau with Air Asia for around RM200 plus taxes.

Air Asia leaves from the Kuala Lumpur LCCT which stands for Low Cost Carrier Terminal. Its about 10km from the main international terminals. Follow the signs from arrivals to the car park and you will find the bus station and a transfer bus for RM1.50. It takes around 15 mins but leave some time to spare.

Air Asia are very strict about excess baggage and its expensive but they are very friendly to scuba divers. Pack your gear separately and identify it when you check in and you will pay maximum of RM30.

How to get from Singapore to Tawau

Book a flight from Johor Bahru to Tawau with Air Asia for around RM200 plus taxes.

Johor Bahru is the Malaysian town across the causeway from Singapore. After you land, take the train into town and then a bus from Queen Street bus station to Malaysia! Total cost less than S$5. You will need to get a taxi to Johor Bahru airport (also called Senai airport) because the buses are difficult to find but this should only cost you RM20 or so.

How to get from Tawau to Semporna

All day boats to Sipadan and transfers to Mabul resorts start in Semporna, a fishing town 100km from Tawau. The diving day and resort transfers start early so it is better to go direct to Semporna when you arrive.

Leaving Tawau airport you have two options. The bus ticket counter will sell you a ticket to Tawau (RM10) and direct you to the bus behind the police station. Tawau town is 30km from the airport south. Semporna is 70km north. If you go to Tawau first you will have to retrace 30km on your second bus before getting closer to your destination.

So before you buy your ticket to Tawau, go and look behind the police station. You will likely find a mini bus going direct to Semporna and they charge only RM20. Save yourself two hours and RM20 and go direct!

If you are tired, late or fancy splashing out, a taxi costs around RM100 and will fit up to 3 tired divers and their gear!

You could save yourself all that hassle by booking diving ahead. Most dive resorts will come and collect you if you book ahead.

So, when you get to Semporna what are your options to dive on Sipadan? Surprisingly you can do day trips from Semporna or stay on an island resort for much the same price so you choose for other reasons.

If you want to enjoy the relative freedom of staying the mainland so you can go shopping and choose your restaurant in the evening then your cost is longer boat times to the days diving. If you want to get away and take advantage of unlimited diving and short boat trips then you must book several consecutive diving days and stay all-in on an island resort.

Staying in Semporna and having day trips

Scuba Junkies are probably the largest day tripper from Semporna (website offline at publication date). For smaller boat groups you might try Blue Sea Divers who opened this summer and are a couple of doors down the road.

Staying on the island resorts

Many of the resorts on Mabul and Kapalai are expensive but there are budget options. The cheapest is definitely Uncle Chang’s Sipadan Mabul Dive Lodge. It’s very basic, mattresses on the floor and shared bathing but you go to the islands for the diving and the resort for rum party evenings not to catch up on your sleep.

For a little more money you could try something totally different and take a room on the converted oil rig called SeaVentures. This offers you the opportunity for unlimited diving under the rig with your buddy which makes it all great value. You also have more chance of getting some sleep on the rig!

Staying in Semporna

Whether its one night before a resort transfer or several days and day trip diving, your best option in Semporna is Scuba Junkies backpackers lodge. They have beds for as little as RM20 per night and that includes breakfast.

You might be tempted to go a little upmarket to City Inn or Dragon Inn hotels where you will an ensuite room but watch out, these do not include breakfast nor offer any refreshment services at all.

Sipadan is not the only diving destination in Sabah. Why not spend a few days in the state capital and discover the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park just half an hour from the town jetty.

Kota Kinabalu is a very easy town to spend a few days in. There are many backpackers but for sure the classiest is Velvet which opened early 2007. The rooms are immaculate and they offer free use of the washing machine! You can go white water rafting, submerge yourself in sulphur baths or for the more adventurous you can climb the mountain.

T.A.R. marine park has a range of diving including several artificial reefs close to the islands which are very successful in attracting a range of fish. You can see some spectacular marine life even when the visibility is low when compared to Sipadan. While several dive centers operate in Kota Kinabalu, we found the customer service of Sabah Divers to be second to none and at a very good price.

You can see my dives in Sipadan and Abdul Rahman Marine park on theDiveBuzz

Edward Wilson asked:


If you are looking for an adventure, unlike anything you have experienced before, Belize is just the right place for your vacation. Discover a network of fast flowing rivers and cascading waterfalls, spectacular limestone caves, lush rainforests, world class fishing, diving, and snorkeling, mysterious Maya Ruins, and miles of beautiful white sand beaches. There is so much that makes Belize a paradise for travel lovers.The following are just a few examples and possibilities for an adventurous vacation in Belize.ATM Tour (Actun Tunichil Muknal)Would you like to explore an ancient cave untouched for 1000 years? This popular site, popular among vacationers is as close as you will come. Near the Cayo District an ancient cave once used for Mayan ceremonies was discovered and left untouched, with human remains, and over 200 artifacts. Getting to the cave is just as exciting as you travel on foot for a 45 minute trek through the pristine jungle.. You will experience the natural beauty of Belize first hand with its abundance of exotic wildlife. ATM is a must for your Belize vacation.World famous Barrier ReefThe Belize Barrier Reef is a precious natural wonder and the second longest reef in the world. Home to one of the most important ecosystems in the world, the reef has 70 coral species and 500 species of fish. It is a natural wonder, yet at your doorstep while visiting one of the many fabulous Belize vacation destinations. The reef provides excellent world class diving, snorkeling, and fishing opportunities. No Belize vacation is complete without visiting the Barrier Reef. Tales of Mayan LegacyOne of the most important parts of Belize’s history is the Mayan legacy of outstanding palaces and temples. These historical monuments stand proudly and attract vacationers in huge numbers. The magnificent ruins of the ancient civilization are delight for everyone, not only history enthusiasts. While on your Belize vacation don’t forget to visit the famous archaeological sites like Caracol, Cerros, Lamanai, Actun Tunichil Muknal, Altun Ha, Cahal Pech, El Pilar, Nim Li Punit and Xunantunich. Southern Belize with Unlimited OptionsA favorite vacation destination, this beautiful, pristine area of Belize in the Toledo District embraces the sea, and possesses a lush jungle with many rivers and Mayan villages. Hike any of a number of trails leading to waterfalls and ancient caves.And when it comes to fishing, there are unlimited options to round off your vacation. Port Honduras Marine Reserve, Punta Ycacos Lagoon, Monkey River, and Punta Negra Lake all offer first class fishing experiences. This is a good choice for a Belize vacation.Sun Kissed Belize BeachesThe beautiful tropical beaches nestled by the Caribbean Sea are the best in the world. A relaxing vacation under the warm Belize sun with plenty of relaxing on any of the beautiful beaches is all you need to charge your batteries.. Choose from any of the island destinations, such as Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker, or on the mainland the Placencia Peninsula or Hopkins. Miles of absolutely beautiful serene, white sand beaches await your arrival on your vacation to Belize.Scuba DivingDue to unlimited scuba diving options in Belize, it has become one of the favorite dive destinations for scuba divers vacationing in Belize. It is simply up to you whether it is the coral reef or a shipwreck that you would like to experience during your vacation in Belize. However, the best diving spots include the world-known Outer Atolls - Lighthouse Reef, Turneffe Island and Glover’s Reef. With so many interesting things to do during your Belize vacation, you’ll surely have the time of your life and will want to come back again and again. To make your Belize vacation, a memorable one, plan your holiday beforehand by consulting a reputed travel agency. A fantastic Belize Vacation Package can go a long way to enhance your enjoyment.December to April is the peak tourist season in Belize. If you plan to visit around then, plan in advance and you can get some attractive vacation specials. Getting to Belize which is in Central America is very easy. Major airlines such as American, Continental, Delta, US Air, and Taca Airlines run daily flights lasting about two hours from several U.S. cities to Belize International Airport.

Liam G asked:


In short, Fiji is tropical paradise made up of over 220 volcanic and coral islands, of which only 100 or so are inhabited.

The archipelago is situated around 2,000 miles east of Australia, and is flanked by the world’s fourth largest barrier reef.

The main lure of Fiji when compared to other South Pacific resorts is the wealth of diversity that is on offer, both geographically and culturally. There truly is something for everyone from romantic couples and discerning travellers to thrill seekers and backpackers.

The main and largest island, Viti Levu is home to the capital, Suvo and the country’s main airport - Nadi. Although the capital doesn’t have much to offer visitors the island is amass with coral coast beaches, and has the largest concentration of costal resorts of all of Fiji’s islands.

The least developed area of Viti Levu is around the northern coast, where you will find some traditional Fijian villages backed by some of the country’s most beautiful mountains.

Just a few minutes by plane from Nadi are the Mamanuca Islands, which are easily Fiji’s most popular destination. Some of the islands are small enough to walk around, and others are bordered by miles of sweeping beaches. These islands are more geared towards those who wish to party all night, or indulge in leisurely water sports like banana boat rides, para-sailing and game fishing.

On from here are the Yasawa Islands which offer the perfect balance between traditional Fijian life and semi-popular resorts. The pace of life on these islands is generally quite slow, and there is plenty of opportunity to meet other travellers.

For the more romantic getaway then the most isolated island Rotuma, is undoubtedly the winner. Although the most expensive to get to and lacking accommodation, it offers an unparalleled amount of untouched beauty.

Lastly are the northern and southern islands that offer world class scuba diving and surfing opportunities and some excellent night time scuba diving expeditions. On land the dense rainforests and mountains make for exhilarating hiking treks.

With the wealth of activities on offer, it’s no surprise to hear that the Fuji has become a popular holidays destination. All of the extra interest in holidays to Fiji has made finding cheap holidays there a breeze a breeze.

Joe Mwangi asked:


Deep sea fishing in Kenya

Kenya’s coastal waters are gentle and warm fanned with mild monsoon winds, conditions that attract many varieties of fish, including Big Game Fish. The seas around Mombasa, Kenya’s major port, are considered one of the prime fishing grounds in the world, where fishermen of all classes, beginners to lifelong experts, can catch marlin, sailfish and shark, as well as Wahoo, dorado, barracuda, kingfish and other game fish. The proximity to the open sea means they are closer to the fishing grounds, so mid season (August to December) they fish near the reef for a minimum of five hours. When the northeast monsoon wind is blowing from December to April, the boats go further out and fish longer hours to pursue the great billfish. August to November provides really good sport for the big Yellow fin Tuna and the many smaller game fish. In among the Yellow fin Tuna are often found big Blue Marlin and a number of Striped and Black Marlin as well as Sailfish. The Yellow fin Tuna is one of the strongest fish that swim. During this season multiple hook ups are normal when the ocean can come alive with huge schools of Tuna in pursuit of smaller fish. During the bill fish season, which is from November to March, Striped Marlin are the most prolific, sometimes showing in packs of up to ten. Large Blue and Black Marlin are also quite common during this period.

Deep sea diving

Kenya boasts three beautiful marine parks with crystal waters, ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving. Most African Kenya coastal hotels have equipment for hire and offer reef trips in glass bottomed boats. Visibility is best in dry seasons - January to March and June to October and most the diving is drift diving. You need to be trained in order to dive, and you may be required to take a test. Take along your certificate. There are several companies offering recognized coursing and diving equipment for hire.

Top Kenyan water safari include

African Swahili dhow trips

Kenya deep sea boat trips

Marine park trips

Coral gardens tours

African Kenya wreck dive

Island vacation trips

Wind surfing beach safaris

Big game fishing trips

Kayaking in the ocean

African sea Kite surfing

Banana boat tours

Beach parachuting

Night African fishing trips

Elisha Burberry asked:



The Red Sea’s narrow, sheltered shores have extensive shallow shelves which allow marine life to flourish; the region supports over 200 hard and soft species of coral, over 1000 invertebrates and over 110 species of fish - 10 percent of which are not known to be found anywhere else in the world. The rich biodiversity of the area has been officially recognised by the Egyptian government, who set up the ‘Ras Mohamed National Park’ in 1983 to protect the Red Sea from pollution and over development.

As the world’s most northerly tropical sea, it is very popular with European divers and offers hundreds of top diving spots. Not only is it extremely diverse in marine life, but with an average water temperature of around 26C, good visibility and a small tidal range it is also considered a safe place to dive. Though the Red Sea laps the shores of several North African and Middle Eastern countries, including Sudan, Eritrea, Somalia, Saudi Arabia and Yemen, it is Egypt that is best known as the host of diving holidays.

For experienced divers, the Red Sea’s many wreck sites offer a fascinating glimpse of marine history and also how nature can take man-made materials and use them as a habitat. Examples of this includes the ‘Ghiannis D’, a Greek boat that sunk in 1983 after colliding with another wreck. Divers can swim through the deserted hull and see large moray eels, shoals of batfish, and butterfly fish.

‘Thistlegorm’, a British ship that was sunk by bombers in 1941 is rated as one of the top ten best diving sites in the world. Much of the huge vessel’s cargo is very well persevered and can still be seen, such as motorbikes, rifles and even train carriages!

Egypt is well equipped for hosting diving holidays, and divers of all levels - from complete beginners to experienced scuba masters - are well catered for. Live-aboard diving holidays are one of the best ways of maximising your underwater time and offer comfortable accommodation, with double or twin cabins, large air conditioned rooms with en-suite bathrooms available. Most also offer plenty of indoor and on-deck seating and a bar where guests can purchase soft drinks as well as beer and wine. Experienced crew members provide catering as well as guidance to the best diving sites in the area.

With such as wealth of diving opportunities, it’s little wonder that the Red Sea, and Egypt in particular continues to be one of the most popular diving spots in the world.

Stephen Morgan asked:


One of the fastest growing of all water sports in the world today appears to be scuba diving.The corresponding growth in increased and easier to use transportation links now makes the more obscure and hard to get to diving locations now much more within the reach of the average diver.In this article I really want to take a basic look at Scuba diving but also take a look at one of the world’s leading scuba diving locations in Grand Bahama Island.The activity of swimming underwater whilst using a scuba set is not unsurprisingly known as Scuba Diving. By carrying and using an independent source of compressed air, Divers are able to stay underwater for much longer than they would normally be able to.Scuba equipment gives divers the ability to stay underwater for periods way in excess of normal usage. The additional advantage to all of this as far as the diver is concerned is that it frees them up from being hindered and attached to some form of surface powered air system.It is more common to see scuba divers propelling themselves around underwater by the usage of flippers on their feet. That having been said it is not uncommon for divers who are undertaking large scale explorations’ to actually use a DPV (Diver propulsion vehicle). Commonly known as a scooter divers occasionally use sleds which are attached to surface boats to help them with moving large distances.The original equipment from which modern day scuba equipment was developed came from the use of oxygen rebreathers developed and sued by US Navy frogmen in World War II.Most people now recognize the term as being made popular by the equipment developed by Jacques Cousteau and Emile Gagnan.For the technically correct amongst us the term SCUBA is actually an acronym for the phrase “self-contained underwater breathing apparatus” but as with other technical phrases such as the word “laser”, the term scuba has now entered into normal linguistic usage and usually refers to scuba equipment, scuba diving etc.So to Grand Bahama Island. The reputation of Grand Bahama Island as a diver’s paradise has been growing ever since the earliest episodes of the TV Series “Sea Hunt” were filmed there.The seas around the Island boast elaborate coral gardens, a whole series of speciality dives, deep sites, cave diving and in fact a whole series of different dives.Grand Bahama Island is of course also famous for its “blue holes” – these are spectacular azure portals in the reefs through which you can descend, surrounded by reef wall on all sides. Depending on which way the current is going at any one time these holes can be “blowing” or “sucking” and the currents here can be quite strong and as a result quite dangerous if you are not an experienced diver.The geographical sub structure on which the Island is based is a massive limestone base and tied into this is also one of the other major reasons why people flock to this area of the world for diving and that is the massive underwater cave network that exists here.The underwater cave network that is located by and large within the Lucayan National Park is the second largest of its type in the world.The caves are still being explored, and there are numerous special dive programs that can take you into them (provided you are cave certified).

George asked:

Sekotong, South West Lombok, is unique amongst the other dive locations around Lombok. Here one finds diving as individual experiences at exclusive new dive sites around the south coast, and special day trips with the chance to go exploring in undiscovered waters. Located in the tropical bay of Sekotong, an 1,5 hour drive from Senggigi you can find the Sundancer 5star resort, and the location promises tropical sun, fabulous diving and short ways to and from the boats.

With over 3,500 species living in the Indonesian underwater world, there is one of the richest diversities of marine life to be found in this Indo-Pacific region. In comparison, the Great Barrier Reef has just 1,500 species and the Red Sea only 600. The dive sites in South Lombok reflect a good cross-section of what Indonesia has to offer, and you can “Dive in” and be fascinated by turtles, white tip reef sharks, cuttle fish, moray eels, frog fish, ghost pipefish and much, much more. South Lombok presents itself as a highlight for photographers and all scuba enthusiasts.

There are varying conditions throughout the bay of Sekotong. From easy and relaxed conditions in the protected bay to exciting and adventurous diving around Bangko Bangko and further south. This enables Sekotong to offer a great variety of dive sites for the experienced, as well as for the beginning diver, as well as fun daytrips for snorkeling and families!

Not a diver? Not a problem. The fascinating islands along the south coast welcome you with white sandy beaches for swimming, snorkeling and relaxing. Join a boat trip and view the breathtaking scenery of Lombok’s coastline and experience the pristine beaches while the divers are on the way. During the breaks you can enjoy the relaxed picnic together and have fun. There are also quiet a few opportunities to get into diving. You can do a “Scuba try out” free of charge in the shallow water. A qualified dive instructors or dive master will explain the scuba gear to you, and you can try out how comfortable you feel in the water breathing “bottled” air.