Hey everyone! I need some advice on some recommendations for good Malaysia and Indo diving in June and July. I'm pretty experienced, love current and deep diving but fine with good vis as long as I can see something cool (sharks, mola mola, etc). Heard the dive shops in Komodo are a bunch of wimps and afraid of current. Anyways, last time I was in Asia was 1997 when Koh Tao had generator power for 6 hours a day and I drift dove off Gili Trawangan in Indoneia for $15. SO now I have 5 weeks again and want to do some quality diving with a backpacker feel (no expensive resorts but can go more high end then $1 to sleep above the dive shop etc . . . ) but way beter than Koh Tao, Perhentians,etc. Any advice? Looking about Mando, Bunaken, Lanbognam (sp?) but don't know a lot. Leaving in 10 days! Tell me what you think! I take all your advice seriously. Basically, wanna have some good hardcore dives beyond where they take DSD and the like out but still reasonable without having to book a liveaboard. Mahalo, amigos!
Malaysia and Indonesia in June/July!
- Thread starter drweed
- Start date
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
KT Darius
Registered
Hey dude,
Dive shops in Komodo have a healthy respect for currents because they are really ripping through the islands over there. DM's and Inst's are very knowledgeable about how to use Tide tables and judge sites because if they get it wrong, it's a major ******* up. Good diving though. We flew to Labuan Bajo, stayed at the Golo Hilltop- about 20USD a night with aircon, very clean. And dived with Dive Komodo. It was about 30USD for a 3 dive trip including lunch. Nicest corals I've seen in ages, lots of fish, mantas, a few small sharks.
Also had a some great and cheap dives in Tulamben in the north of Bali. The wreck is a great dive and there's loads to see. If you stay there, it's also about 20-30USD a night. We paid about 10USD a tank (own kit). Also have heard good things about Pulah Weh at the north of Sumatra for good cheap diving, but never been.
Also worth checking out a liveaboard trip if you've got the cash for it. My friends own Thailand Liveaboards - Liveaboard Indonesia, diving Thailand, Similan diving, Andaman dive trips and dive Komodo and they do trips to Komodo. It's hard not to find good diving in Indo. Have a great trip.
Darius
Dive shops in Komodo have a healthy respect for currents because they are really ripping through the islands over there. DM's and Inst's are very knowledgeable about how to use Tide tables and judge sites because if they get it wrong, it's a major ******* up. Good diving though. We flew to Labuan Bajo, stayed at the Golo Hilltop- about 20USD a night with aircon, very clean. And dived with Dive Komodo. It was about 30USD for a 3 dive trip including lunch. Nicest corals I've seen in ages, lots of fish, mantas, a few small sharks.
Also had a some great and cheap dives in Tulamben in the north of Bali. The wreck is a great dive and there's loads to see. If you stay there, it's also about 20-30USD a night. We paid about 10USD a tank (own kit). Also have heard good things about Pulah Weh at the north of Sumatra for good cheap diving, but never been.
Also worth checking out a liveaboard trip if you've got the cash for it. My friends own Thailand Liveaboards - Liveaboard Indonesia, diving Thailand, Similan diving, Andaman dive trips and dive Komodo and they do trips to Komodo. It's hard not to find good diving in Indo. Have a great trip.
Darius
Thanks man. Yeah, my friend thinks hes a hot shot and always thinks everyone else is a wimp when it comes to current . . . Thanks for the advice. I know there is good diving there and think I'm heading that way. All the different currents coming together . . . that's why there's cool **** there. Perhaps Sipadan first. I appreciate the help, still gong on an open itinerary
Dreamdivegirl
Contributor
Hi, if you're looking for some good diving (currents, good marine life) in Sabah then should consider Sipadan (you can go as cheap or as expensive as you want here). Just be aware diving at Sipadan is subject to permits. Lankayan has some nice diving (but not always deep). You could also try Usukan WW2 wrecks (deep, currents), Mayne Rock (currents, great reefs) and Pulau Tiga (currents, great reefs) accessible from Kota Kinabalu. Happy to give further info if these interest you. Enjoy your holiday!
dcubedsw
Registered
I'm also looking at Malaysia/Thailand for late June/July, preferably a liveaboard for a week. Do I need to be worried about destination in terms of monsoons? Although I'm going to get wet under the water, I don't want to drown on land! ;-) Thanks!!
Hey there,
I've done lots of budget backpacker diving over in that region. You might flip through my 10 week dive journal from last summer:
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/norcal/288911-5-31-8-13-09-trip-report-budget-diving-adventure-se-asia.html
But I've done two other similar trips to SE Asia too.
One jewel is in Tulamben Bali. $7 rooms $6 tanks at Puri Madha - farthest NW "resort" just off the liberty ship. If youre creative they will take you by car or boat to other locals for $10 a ride.
Ive heard Komodo is pretty busy that time of year so you may have to scramble for the cheap rooms. Philippines is off season and quite cheap. Something to consider.
Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.
Have fun!
Kathy
I've done lots of budget backpacker diving over in that region. You might flip through my 10 week dive journal from last summer:
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/norcal/288911-5-31-8-13-09-trip-report-budget-diving-adventure-se-asia.html
But I've done two other similar trips to SE Asia too.
One jewel is in Tulamben Bali. $7 rooms $6 tanks at Puri Madha - farthest NW "resort" just off the liberty ship. If youre creative they will take you by car or boat to other locals for $10 a ride.
Ive heard Komodo is pretty busy that time of year so you may have to scramble for the cheap rooms. Philippines is off season and quite cheap. Something to consider.
Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.
Have fun!
Kathy
broadreach
Contributor
June until late October/early November is officially the rainy season on the Andaman coast of Thailand and Malaysia, so rain is likely.
That said, it is not the peak of the rainy season - you're likely to encounter some sunny days as well as some rainy days. The rain also usually doesn't last more than an hour or so.
Chance of passing storms could also mean chance of poor surface conditions that could limit access to some of the exposed dive sites (Richelieu Rock, Hin Daeng, Hin Muang in Thailand)
The peak of the rain is usually in September/October.
If you go to Malaysian Borneo - you'll encounter a different weather pattern all together - June/July should be relatively dry.
That said, it is not the peak of the rainy season - you're likely to encounter some sunny days as well as some rainy days. The rain also usually doesn't last more than an hour or so.
Chance of passing storms could also mean chance of poor surface conditions that could limit access to some of the exposed dive sites (Richelieu Rock, Hin Daeng, Hin Muang in Thailand)
The peak of the rain is usually in September/October.
If you go to Malaysian Borneo - you'll encounter a different weather pattern all together - June/July should be relatively dry.
Dreamdivegirl
Contributor
Hi,
First of all I'll mention I run a dive business in Sabah, Borneo (as per my profile). My advise is based on my days as a tourist diver here and running a dive business here.
In June / July we are still in the 'Dry Season' in Sabah. June is typically a great month for diving - on the west coast from Kota Kinabalu, East coast for Lankayand and South East coast for Sipadan / Mabul. Calm seas, very dry (blue skies, 32C air temp, 30C sea temp) and very nice vis.
July can get slightly more unpredictable on the west and east coast of Sabah - whenever a large Tropical Storm hits the Philippines and is travelling westward it impacts the sea state (and vis for diving) on both of these coasts. Diving at Sipadan / Mabul is normally still very good in July.
There's only one liveaboard known to operate in Sabah at the moment - MV Celebes Explorer - I'm not sure of it's itinerary / price though.
So lot's of good diving to consider in Sabah. Wherever you choose to go, enjoy your dives
First of all I'll mention I run a dive business in Sabah, Borneo (as per my profile). My advise is based on my days as a tourist diver here and running a dive business here.
In June / July we are still in the 'Dry Season' in Sabah. June is typically a great month for diving - on the west coast from Kota Kinabalu, East coast for Lankayand and South East coast for Sipadan / Mabul. Calm seas, very dry (blue skies, 32C air temp, 30C sea temp) and very nice vis.
July can get slightly more unpredictable on the west and east coast of Sabah - whenever a large Tropical Storm hits the Philippines and is travelling westward it impacts the sea state (and vis for diving) on both of these coasts. Diving at Sipadan / Mabul is normally still very good in July.
There's only one liveaboard known to operate in Sabah at the moment - MV Celebes Explorer - I'm not sure of it's itinerary / price though.
So lot's of good diving to consider in Sabah. Wherever you choose to go, enjoy your dives
You can try doing a liveaboard trip on MV DiveRACE from Singapore to the East coast of Malaysia or Anambas (indonesia) region.
June / July would be the monsoon season in Phuket and many dive shops would not be doing Similan Islands, which is one of the best dive sites. The waves are big and it rains frequently during that time.
Instead, during that period, it is the diving season for dive locations in the South China Sea.
Do Check DiveRACE out yah. =) Definitely value for money!
Similar threads
