Only a half day to dive in Singapore...

[montyburns130]

I'm going to be in Singapore the third week of September for a conference. We are going to have limited free time, but myself and a small group would like to break away for a half day to do some diving locally. I've read that all of the good diving is in Malaysia and some distance away, but I would be interested in any thoughts on where to dive near Singapore and which shop to dive with. We have a group of 7 or 8 divers. Thanks in advance.

 

[UnderwaterAsia]

As far as I am aware, the closest dive spot is in Tioman, southern Malaysia, but it may be tough to get there and back and dive in half a day. That said, there are quite a few dive shops in Singapore and they may be able to help you with some closer dive spots.

It may be useful to contact some of them - they could give you more specific details of the trips they run and how much time you will need.

 

[Zippsy]

ughhh. One Asia. One Passion. One Site. One Track Mind.


Phil's mostly right though as the usual places that Singaporeans dive are not half day do-able. Batam, Bintan, Sibu, Aur and Tioman take anywhere from a few hours to a half day each way AND you need a passport to get to them.

If you are diving on a weekend, you can do a dive at the southern islands of Singapore (search Pulau Hantu) but I think most operators that go there leave at around 9:00, do a dive, boxed lunch, a second dive then get back at 3:00 or 4:00. Note also that diving there is definitely poor man's muck diving. It's not as bad as most people say, particularly if you go with a good guide, but it's closer to diving in a mud pond than Lembeh.

Here is a good website to tell you about the place: Hantu Blog | Pulau Hantu | Singapore Marine Conservation Effort Note, I have no connection at all to the website or the organization. I don't even personally know any of the people behind the website.

 

[montyburns130]

Thanks, Zippsy. Good site. I will likely have 6-7 people with me. If we did a private charter and filled the boat, do you think that they would do a half day trip?

 

[Zippsy]

I would think that could be arranged. Most Singapore shops only dive as Hantu during the Tioman / Aur offseason (November - March) but I am pretty sure they could accomodate you. The Hantu Blog people are more of a club than a shop and they dive it year-round. They can help with a charter but I don't know if they provide guides. You still may want to talk to them first. Debby's contact is in the blog link above.

Shops that dive there are:
51 Scuba - PADI Dive Center | Singapore | Malaysia | Hong Kong
Diventures Scuba / Diving in Singapore
Pulau Hantu | Dolphin Dive Adventures an

 

[memorex77]

I would think that could be arranged. Most Singapore shops only dive as Hantu during the Tioman / Aur offseason (November - March) but I am pretty sure they could accomodate you. The Hantu Blog people are more of a club than a shop and they dive it year-round. They can help with a charter but I don't know if they provide guides. You still may want to talk to them first. Debby's contact is in the blog link above.

Shops that dive there are:
51 Scuba - PADI Dive Center | Singapore | Malaysia | Hong Kong
Diventures Scuba / Diving in Singapore
Pulau Hantu | Dolphin Dive Adventures an

Hi,

I've done Pulau Hantu during the offseason beginning of last year. Viz was about 0,5-1m, but I did get to see a few seahorses at 10m. We basically stayed right there and watched the seahorses, then went up again. Pulau Aur/Tioman I'm doing every chance I get, but Hantu dropped off my list.