Where to go for a short week of diving from KL?

[sonar]

Hey all,

I am a fairly experienced diver who did his OW in Samporna 10y ago. I am planning to visit a mate in KL somewhere in April/ May. From there I want to go somewhere to dive for a week (3-4 dives a day). Either a nice town with some nightlife or a really cheap live-a-board (really cheap, like 80usd a day). I don't want to waste too much time/ money travelling so my first choice is not Sipadan.

Where would you suggest me to go?

- Would love to see hammerheads
- like strong currents; not too interested in lionfish, clownfish and other standard reef fish
- land travel from KL
- no strict- resort site
- solo backpacker
- on a budget
- don't like dive factories with 15 man on a boat

thx

[Quero]

You are not going to find that laundry list in any destination reachable by land travel from KL.
• Hammerheads are a possibility off Layang Layang, but that involves flights to Borneo and then to LL, and it's not cheap.
• Strong currents--not much of that at most of the east coast islands, but maybe at a couple of dive sites near Tioman or at Tenggol Island.
• Liveaboard at rock-bottom rates--look at Kaleebso. However, you have to expect lots of people on a cheap boat since the costs (especially diesel fuel) get divided up by the total number of passengers.

[sonar]

Hi Quero, thanks for your reply. Never expected to find all points in the list in one location. Read about LL; must be a nice place but not for this trip. Gonna have a search on Kaleebso.

[reefgarden]

Hi Sonar, ever think of diving in Miri? Miri is a small oil town and you will definitely enjoy short stay here. Kindly contact Co.Co.Dive for more info regarding diving. Co Co Dive | Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo)

They are having promotion now. The day dive package RM 350 included jetty/hotel transfer, 3 boat dives, lunch and refreshment on board, and rental full diving equipment !

[jh_MacLeod]

Hey all,

Where would you suggest me to go?

--thx

Maybe Perhentian Kecil would satisfy your fundamental requirements.

[sonar]

thx for your replies; forgot about this thread..

Plans changed a bit.. Going with a friend who needs to do his OW. Want to go to Tioman Islands. How is diving there? (have low expectations). Go from KL to Tioman, then to Singapore. Think we will stay in Tioman for `~5 days..

any info is welcome

[jh_MacLeod]

thx for your replies; forgot about this thread..
Plans changed a bit.. Going with a friend who needs to do his OW. Want to go to Tioman Islands. How is diving there? (have low expectations). Go from KL to Tioman, then to Singapore. Think we will stay in Tioman for `~5 days..
any info is welcome

The diving is fine there, so you may be pleasantly surprised. It's a good place to do OW because there are some relatively shallow sites which are still quite interesting with coral and creatures. Once your friend is comfortable, you might even be able to go out to a couple of the outer dive sites, if sea conditions are calm.

[sonar]

The diving is fine there, so you may be pleasantly surprised. It's a good place to do OW because there are some relatively shallow sites which are still quite interesting with coral and creatures. Once your friend is comfortable, you might even be able to go out to a couple of the outer dive sites, if sea conditions are calm.

ah good to hear. Let me remain sceptical so i can be happily surprised once there hehe. Do you have any tips regarding dive ops and/ or budget accomodation?

when I google the place i want to move & live there

[jh_MacLeod]

Do you have any tips regarding dive ops and/ or budget accomodation?

No, I usually don't like to promote specific businesses on the island. I have places that I like to stay, but I will dive with most of the operators there; just depends on who has a boat going where I want to go that day. There are at least two dive ops and two places to stay in every village that can fulfill your requirements; it just depends on which village you choose: Salang, ABC, or Tekek.

[Nics]

From KL it is just a short (and cheap by Air Aisia) flight to Manado. From there you'll easily reach Bunaken and Lembeh. Don't know if you'll find any hammerheads, but it is a beautiful place for diving.