retired_kellyk

I just came back from another diving trip last weekend. Been doing that a fair bit before the diving season ends around here. I'm in south east asia which has a wealth of diving.

retired_rachelst

Where in SEA? Malaysia has some stunning island, although i haven't been in years. Have to go back one day. Used to go to the ones in the South East (I think) - Pulau Rawa, Pulau Babi Besar, etc.

retired_kellyk

I'm now based in Malaysia. I've been spending weekends in Sipadan and Bali. Every dive yields something nice to see.

I'm planning a dive to the Maldives or to Bunaken in Indonesia next year.

retired_rachelst

This is the best island in the world:
Pulau Babi Besar.
Seems like a bit more developed though than when I used to go there in the mid-90s

retired_kellyk

I remember the island...off the east coast of malaysia. 8 years ago really fab. There's been too much development there now. In Malaysia the best diving location is in Sipadan. Its ranked as one of the top 3 dive spots in the world.

They have a magnificent dive location called Barracuda point which lives up to its name. On my first dive there, I spent 15 mins holding onto the reef as I gawked at the thousands of barracuda making their way..led by an eagle ray and a leopard shark.

Pulau Babi and the rest of the islands in that group are beginning to get overdeveloped, that's very sad. Its a really pity, thank god the same is happening a bit more slowly in eastern malaysia.

Layang Layang is another good place..home of the hammerhead

retired_rachelst

Yeah I caught a barracuda there when I was around 12. Was bigger than I was :thup:

I think Pulau Babi is different from Babi Besar btw. They're close but Babi is bigger, from what I remember.

retired_davidd

went on a date with one once - as boring as a mullet....

retired_skjoyner

I've done a couple padi courses, open water and advanced open water, havent dived in a year mind, was meant to be doing some local diving this summer but never got round to it.

retired_kellyk

One thing about diving...is where you learn and how good your company is. I like night diving, but I know quite a number of people who fear it because of their experiences while being taught.

If you enjoy it, there really is no turning back. It's very intoxicating especially when you're at 40m.

retired_babukpaul

yeah i'm a sports diver with BSAC

Have about 30 dives to my name.

Best diving i've ever had was in Honduras. Just magnificant.

Beats diving in the cold here.