Mataking, Malaysia

[Rickg]

David,

We will be arriving in Singapore from Manado on 24 July on Silk Air M1273 at 5:30 PM. If you are going to be in town we would like to try to get in touch with you. Can you PM me or send an email to me at < rickgreatting@netzero.net > with your Tel # so we can give you a call?

Rickg

P.S. I'm jealous that you already made it to Mataking.

 

[Jazz]

Hi David,

Where is Mataking Island? I live here and have never heard of it being mentioned.

Jazz

 

[jkennedy]

Same here. Thanks for the review. Jack The Caymaniac

 

[davidlkh]

My journey started from Singapore.

Flew to Kota Kinabalu on Australian Airlines.

Then used Malaysian Airlines to get to Tawau.

1 hour car ride from Tawau to Semporna.

Then travel North East 1.25 hour on a twin 200 hp from Semporna to Mataking. So I am guessing it is about 40 nautical miles from the coast.

This island is extremely close to the Phillipines border with Malaysia.

In relation to Sipadan, Mataking is way way North. From Semporna you would travel eastward not far from the Indonesian border to reach Sipadan.

Whilst I was there, a typhoon blew through, so the water visibility was badly affected. The top layer 5 to 7 meters was quite murky and cold (mixture of fresh and saltwater). Once past this layer, I could see clearly down to about 25 to 28 meters.

Was told generally the visibility is quite good and averages 30 meters and gets better around August, September, October, November. I cannot confirm this since I obviously was not there during those months.

 

[davidlkh]

I have been to richer dive sites with greater marine biodiversity before, for example Sangalaki, Derawan, Kakaban, Maratua, Bali...

I have been to more prestine sites before, for example Pulau Weh, Miri...

But all sites have something unique, Mataking would be Frogfish heaven for me. Best of all, it is a place I can leave the kids while I go diving. They have activities like Batik painting, fire fly walks, turtle walks, coconut crab "hunting" (not for eating)... I felt at ease leaving the kids on the island. The whole family had a great time.

It may not be the BEST site in the world, but it is a place I can bring the whole family (parents, wife and children) for some enjoyment. At the sametime, I can get some decent diving. The only other place I can do all this with the whole family is Bali.

When I was following the dive group, I was not very happy as they zoomed along. When I discussed my own dive plan with the operator, entry, profile, exit, major underwater structures... so remember to discuss what you want out of the dive. But under such arrangements you do not get the local DM showing you around, you have to be your own guide.