Philippines, Borneo (Malaysian), Indonesia

[Patwa]

Hey Folks.....i'm just under 4 weeks away from leaving on a major diving trip.....I've already done quite a bit of homework, but could use some personal insight from those who've dived these areas before.....what are some of the key reef critters I need to look out for?

I'll be doing a mix of proper reef diving, with plenty of wall diving, maybe some drift diving....I might even do a liveaboard in Bali...not sure as yet. Also will try my hand at muck diving in Mabul!...really stoked for that!

Philippines...
-heading to Cebu to dive MoalBoal...spending 2 full days
-then off to Bohol to dive Cabilao and Balicasag island...spending 4 days

Borneo (Malaysia)...
-heading to Sipadan/Mabul/Kapalai....spending 3 days.....not too keen on diving Kapalai unless some of you think it's worth it....I mean, does it even come close to the awesomeness that is Sipadan??? i doubt it...amiright?

Indonesia...
-heading to Bali...have NO IDEA where to go...could definitely use some tips for this stop!! spending about 4 days
-then i'm off to Komodo Island...spendign about 3-4 days....gonna see the big 'ol lizard, then dive the heck out of the area.....what's better though, the south or the north?? I hear the north is crazy nice, but the south has some heavy currents in many areas.

any tips or advice is greatly appreciated

Zach

PS.....got my underwater rig sorted...planning to snap as much pics as I can to share when I get back

 

[AMW]

Sounds like a fantastic trip you have planned!
Sipaden is good diving, but, there is a downside that a lot of people don't know about until you get there: Depending on which resort you are staying at and how crowded the resort(s) are will also determine how frequently you actually make it out to Sipaden. Only 120 divers are permitted to dive Sipaden per day, and politics and money often determine which dive operation sends the most divers each day. I love Sipaden, but if I would do it again I would definitely do it via a live-aboard. The diving around Mabul is OK. If you are a macro-photographer it is fantastic! You will see flamboyant cuttlefish, etc, etc.

More bad news: The sea gypsies, many of whom work at the local resorts, also fin sharks on the back side of Mabul. This is disconcerting considering my goal of diving Sipaden was to see sharks!!!! You will see the massive school of 100+ bumphead parrotfish when you dive Sipaden as well as MASSIVE turtles.

Both the north and south of Komodo offers fantastic diving. Both having differnt fauna because of the different currents and water temperatures that occur. Definitely dive Cannibal Rock!!!!!

 

[Patwa]

exactly what i was looking for...thanks!

i'm also looking to see some sharks.....cabilao island in the phils has some of the largest schools of hammerheads...i'm going at the start of that season...however, if i only get to see one hammerhead, i'll be happy

 

[AMW]

There is a chance that you may also see thresher sharks as well. Unfortunately there is a lot of shark finning going on in the Phillipines.

If you 100% want to see massive schools of scallop hammerheads, most definitely visit COCOS island. You can also see thousands of reef sharks and rays. Evidently there have been recent tiger shark visits as well. Unfortunately, again, a lot of shark finning going on outside of the "protected" reserve area.

 

[slapshot]

No tips but I want to go! Waiting for the pictures.

 

[plecosword]

Hello, I don't know anything form diving but im dying to see pictures!

 

[lbaldrey]

Indonesia...
-heading to Bali...have NO IDEA where to go...could definitely use some tips for this stop!! spending about 4 days
-then i'm off to Komodo Island...spendign about 3-4 days....gonna see the big 'ol lizard, then dive the heck out of the area.....what's better though, the south or the north?? I hear the north is crazy nice, but the south has some heavy currents in many areas.

any tips or advice is greatly appreciated

Zach

PS.....got my underwater rig sorted...planning to snap as much pics as I can to share when I get back

If youre in Bali head to Tulamben. Beautiful Shore diving and corals everywhere.
Its probably on par with the Barrier Reef and better than Egypt. (Egypt has the best viz though) A day trip is all you need to do 3 dives...

Im hoping to dive Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia sometime soon.

 

[Patwa]

dude, skip Kota Kinabalu and head to Sipadan/Mabul FIRST!!!......it costs about $80 for a roundtrip flight from KK to Tawau

Tulamben is definitely an option, but just realized i'm quite limited in the amount of days i have left on Bali......that said, i'm prolly gonna dive Komodo National Park, then head back to Bali to drive around and see the island topside (by that time I would have done close to 15 dives on this trip.....I reckon i might be fed up with diving by that time!)

thanks for the tips tho! you're spot on about Tulamben from the research I did earlier!

Zach