Diving in Layang Layang and Mantanani, Malaysian Borneo

[tristan green]

Hi,

Just on the off chance is there anyone who has been to either Layang Layang or Mantanani in Malaysia?

I am planning a trip for a group of divers later this year and would welcome any feed back on either location and the resort facilities at each site.

Regards,
Tristan

[David Dixon]

Tristan - There is a report on Layang Layang on the BSAC Travel Club Website at: <a href="http://www.bsactravelclub.co.uk/reports/layang.htm" >http://www.bsactravelclub.co.uk/reports/layang.htm</a>

I understand that Mantanani is opening up again and it has been some years since tey stopped dynamite fishing there. There have been a couple of new wrecks discovered in the area too. - Travel Club Co-ordinator

Hi,

Just on the off chance is there anyone who has been to either Layang Layang or Mantanani in Malaysia?

I am planning a trip for a group of divers later this year and would welcome any feed back on either location and the resort facilities at each site.

Regards,
Tristan

[richard scarsbrook]

We had 5 days diving in Layang Layang (LL) this March. It was good and I would recommend it. The accommodation and food are fine - about 3 star UK hotel standard. The rental gear is adequate, but I would suggest if you are renting take your own extras such as a flag or DSMB, and a compass (LL is 300km offshore, has currents of about 1 knot off the ends of the island at times, and ocean swell). LL has a fleet of 9 or 10 identical dive boats, which are properly kitted out for the local conditions. Each boat holds about 10 divers. Only 2 boats were in use when we were there, because it was the start of the season and there weren't many guests. We were very impressed by the boatman - sharp-eyed and skillful. There are dive guides but you can dive on your own with a buddy if you prefer. The diving consists of big walls falling vertically to great depths, and coral plateaus. Plenty of fish including swirling shoals; sharks on most dives - we saw hammerheads, white tip reef, leopard, and grey reef sharks, often several on a dive; large marble rays, others saw manta also; exceptionally fine coral with many large fans, all in pristine condition. World-class diving, but unsuitable for beginners. The LL resort website is pretty accurate.

You reach LL by air charter from Kota Kinabalu (KK) in Sabah. If you do go to LL, it might be worth doing a few days there and a few days in Sipadan, which is easily reached from KK.

[tristan green]

Thanks for the run down.

I have dived in Sipadan twice in the last twelve months - hence I'm looking for somewhere else to try. It sounds like it is as good (with maybe better large sharks) as Sipadan.

Unfortunatley, the resort has now announced that it will be closing at the end of August - so our trip in September has been canned. I understand they only open through the summer season. I'll be trying to get there next summer instead.

I am now looking to take the group to Mantanani in September - does anyone have any information on diving there?

Cheers,
Tristan