Live-aboards in Singapore / West Malaysia

[Zippsy]

I am taking a poll: There seems to be a good variety of live-aboards available for trips out of Singapore and peninsular Malaysia. Which are the good ones? Why do you consider them good? Do you know of any to avoid? Why? If you regularly use both live-aboards and "resorts" (dive lodges), which do you prefer and why?

IMHO, I have seen a great variety of live-aboards and resorts in terms of service, acommodations, etc. Even though the live-aboards are often more expensive than resorts, the convenience makes me prefer them as long as the acommodations and service meet a minimum standard. I'm just talking about the weekend or weeklong trips out of Singapore / west Malaysia here. I'd probably have a different opinion if I was doing a trip outside the region. What are your thoughts?

 

[RSdiver]

I have been looking at the Ocean Rover as they run live aboard trips from Samui, Thailand to Singapore (and back) which they call "Adventure Cruise Trips"
Nice operation, well designed ship and world famous UW Photog Mark Strickland leads it.


Here is a map:

 

[lanun]

ever considered tioman ? http://tioman.com.my/

in the last 18 months we've spent ~ 3 weeks there.

stayed at a 90 ringgit a night chalet with hot water and air conditioning (snootier ones avail - check website) on salang beach.

why do i like it ?

1) i can do 2 boat dives in the morning/afternoon, and spend some more time underwater afterwards by doing shore dive either at the house reef, the pier or house wreck late afternoon or night

2) decent variety to the dive sites - sandy bottom, boulders, walls, canyons, pinnacles, swimthroughs, wrecks (some beyond recreational depth though i personally haven't done it yet)

3) loads of stuff to see - hard/soft corals, inverts, large/small fish, turtles, nudi's, etc. case in point at the house reef you can see anything from juvie moray to bumphead parrotfish to lionfish to cuttlefish

4) the kids can go snorkeling while i babysit and the wife gets a go at diving. there's a hiking trail, 'round island' trip, seafood barbeque, the all important banana.

5) i can do classes with a large array of dive shops offering SSI, PADI, IANTD, DAN and GUE (though this has shifted to Pulau Aur)

6) if you're into it there's access to SCR and CCR, as well as trimix

7) good mix of people from many countries - makes for interesting scuba talk or just to shoot the breeze

there's a boat fr SG you can take, or another option is to drive up to Mersing and take a boat from there. you can fly too but that would cut into your dive window

hope this helps. oh, the only other site i have done here is Pulau Payar - it's just 90 minutes away by boat from where i live.

 

[RSdiver]

I emailed the Ocean Rover when I saw the Adventure trips for 2003 were no longer listed on the website and received the following:

Thank you for your email.

Yes, low bookings as a result of the sars worries and Irag conflict meant we cancelled our planned move to the Gulf of Thailand for the low season (Jun-Oct).

At the moment Ocean Rover is in the Boat Lagoon Phuket and will be going into drydock for Sep/Oct for routine maintenance, hull anti fouling and a complete repaint. First departure will be 3rd Nov.

Can we help you to find something else?

Best regards,

Gregory Carlyle-Sclater
IT & Reservations Manager

Fantasea Divers/Ocean Rover Cruises
Wiset Rd, Rawai, Muang, Phuket, THAILAND
Fax: +66 7628 1389, Email: info@fantasea.net
www.fantasea.net & www.ocean-rover.com

 

[frogfish]

When I go diving from Singapore (...and don't fly !) I use in general White Manta as it is extremelly convenient (leaving from Singapore - no horrendous drive to Mersing), goes to some of the best sites around ( 7 skies, Udang Rigs...), is comfortable and modern

 

[Zippsy]

I looked into the three choices here and I guess I should not be surprised that they are three very different options. One is a US$2,000 (plus airfare) cruise on a stunning boat that sounds awesome (if I hit the lottery in the next few months). Another is a "down-market" option where I can do really cheap but good diving at Tioman. The other option is a very convenient and pretty decent boat for weekend diving (but somewhat expensive) anywhere in the southern part of the region.

I figure per person rates (twin sharing) about:
1) S$4,000 for a week of pure pleasure and 28 great dives.
2) S$250 for a decent diving weekend complete with cold showers, a fan, a drive to Mersing and 4 "Tioman" dives.
3) S$590 for a pretty nice and convenient LOB and 6-7 dives a bit better than standard "Tioman" dives.

I'm spoiled for choice.

 

[Albion]

frogfish once bubbled...
When I go diving from Singapore (...and don't fly !) I use in general White Manta as it is extremelly convenient (leaving from Singapore - no horrendous drive to Mersing), goes to some of the best sites around ( 7 skies, Udang Rigs...), is comfortable and modern

yay for the White Manta.

 

[frogfish]

Anyone one tried Samudera Quest ?

 

[blackice]

I can't wait to take a trip on White Manata , sounds good.

Heading to Manado in a weeks time on Murex, should be great, a nice change after diving Tioman 10 times in the last year!

Is White Manata the boat that they use for tech diving? They have Nitrox on board?

Cheers,
=-)

 

[blackice]

Any one seen the Samudera Quest, it has a lift to carry heavy divers up, cool if you have doubles and cameras.

Just plain cool, if you are tired, and it would add that little bit of luxuary that you miss not being on a Mike Ball boat.


=-)