Hi all, I am heading to KK for a week in June and have a few questions about diving in different areas around KK.
Planning to spend maybe 3 days diving TARP, as it's been about a year since I've been in the water and really need a refresher course to get back in the groove.
I understand that the TARP dive sites are all close to KK city, which sounds very nice and convenient, but after a few days, would also be interested in venturing a bit further.
Where else should we go to get a bit more variety?
Would you recommend going to Labuan for a few days? I've read its a 3-hour ferry from KK which is fine for me. I know Labuan is famous for wrecks but my husband only recently got his OW so I'm not sure whether Labuan is a good place for beginners?
If not Labuan, is it possible to do a short trip to Layang Layang? Seems like the Layang Layang resort only advertises 5-day packages... would prefer something shorter (2-3 days).
We have never tried a liveaboard, but am wondering if there are any good ones leaving from KK to perhaps Labuan or Layang Layang? Can do a short liveaboard trip from KK for just two days?
Looking forward to your expert advice and thanks in advance!
There will be other opinions this but I will give mine.
1) TARP is perfect for refresher courses (sapi island) and convenient as well given how close it is to downtown KK.
2) Labuan: people go to Labuan for wreck dives. At the moment, I think there is only 1 company thats active down there (the name escapes me but they are based at the seasports center, Labuan can be reached by air (30 min flight, prices are about RM158 per way per person, 2-3 flights per day by mas wings and malaysia airlines) and a 3 hour RM35 ferry ride from KK to Labuan.
You only go to Labuan for three reasons; to dive, to drink yourself silly till you drop and for work if you are in the oil and gas industry. Labuan also has cheap chocs, alcohol and sports brands (adidas/nike, 20% cheaper than KL or KK) and hotels are usually packed/sold out on weekends given the number of visitors it gets on weekends.
The wrecks are worth diving and checking out the surrounding islands are also worth the trip if you have the time and don't mind heading down to Labuan from KK.
Diving in labuan is SEASONAL especially during the wet seasons when diving companies do not go out.
2) Layang Layang is pricey given and you should probably check when's the best time to go as it is seasonal; But anyways, you wouldn't fly out to layang layang unless you were there for at least 5 days given the distance and limited flights out there. As XARIATAY has correctly stated, in reality, you are there for 4 days with the 5th being a 18-24 hour recovery period before flying.
It is out at the spartly islands and not nearby to KK.