Curacao, 3.-6.3.2008
Dive shop: Lions Dive Shop
Temperature: 26-27 C
Visibility: 15-20 m
Depths: 15-25 m, 30 m is considered a deep dive
Dive types: slopes, coral reefs
Marine life: moray eels, turtles, Spanish lobster, scorpion fishes, flounders, barracudas, crabs and shrimps
Diving in Curacao is comfortable. Shallow depths, no current, warm enough even in shorties (some dive without any wetsuit!). Dive operators, at least Ocean Encounters in Lions Dive, have well maintained rental gear and spacious and fast dive boats. See can be a bit rough, so getting back to boat may be a bit tricky.
Diving is not the best in the world, but very nice, and certainly better than in northern Caribia. Sea life and coral is not as lively and colorful as in Asia, but encounters with turtles, moray eels and barracudas were nice. Curacao is however more for underwater photo shooters than for video freaks. More stable than moving objects.
Similan, Thailand 8.-12.2.2007
Dive shop: Chalong Sea Sport liveaboard
Temperature: 26-28 C
Visibility: normally 10-15 m, 20 at its best
Depths: 15-35 m
Dive types: sea mounts, boulders, slopes, coral reefs
Marine life: manta rays, leopard sharks, black blotched sting rays, octopusses, cuttlefishes, morey eels, see snakes, scorpion fishes, barracudas, one or two turtles!
Similan gave what it promised. Visibility wasn't very good but that's what manta rays like. Especially in Koh Bon we saw many mantas. Liveaboard is the way to go to Similan although day trips are also possible. Four dives a day, good meals and good rest make liveaboard the best choice. Best dive sites: Richelieu Rock, Koh Bon, Deep Six, Christmas Point.
Kapalai, Mabul and Sipadan, Malaysia 4.-8.8.2006
Dive shop: Sipadan-Kapalai Resort
Temperature: 28-30 C
Visibility: 15-25 m, after storm 5-10 m
Depths: 10-35 m
Dive types: boat dives in Sipadan (wall), muck dives in Kapalai & Mabul
Marine life: hammerhead, leopard sharks, grey and white tip reef sharks, turtles, bumphead parrotfishes, barracudas, tunas, frog fishes, ghost pipefishes, cuttlefish, nudis, scorpion fishes, crocodile fishes
Last time we were in Sipadan Island in 2003. We didn't have a videocamera then so we had to revisit Sipadan and its turtles and barracudas. As accommodation in Sipadan isn't available at the moment, we stayed in nearby Kapalai, a very nice water village resort.
Diving in Sipadan was almost as good as before, but due to stormy season only half of the dive sites were in use. Strong storm also mixed up the waters so visibility wasn't always perfect, and the rougher the sea the longer it took to get to Sipadan by speed boat (20 min-40 min). The schedule included two morning dives in Sipadan and one afternoon dive in Kapalai-Mabul area.
Marine life in Sipadan is still very rich. Turtles are everywhere and also a good variety of sharks. Big schools of barracudas at Barracuda point, as well as bumphead parrotfishes. Jacks and spade fishes also appear in big groups. Coral looks pretty healthy, and the walls and drop-offs are breathtaking. We didn't see the damage that the famous barge did to the coral - naturally they don't take you diving at that point. We read on local newspapers that the plans to build concrete facilities on Sipadan are now on hold and a more ecological plan is sought after.
Diving in Kapalai and Mabul is a lot different compared to Sipadan, muck diving, sandy bottom with some coral too here and there. There is a lot interesting things to see e.g. black giant frogfish, ghost pipe fishes, mandarin fish, cuttlefish laying her eggs, snake eel taking a swim.
Kapalai resort is very comfortable. The bungalows are big and they have nice terraces to the sea and bathrooms with both shower and tub. There is no aircon but the wind takes care of it! Food was very tasty and there was always a lot to choose from. The only minus is that the dinner time is very short, from 7-8 pm, so if you like to do a proper night dive you'd need to go after dinner.
Pulau Perhentian, Malaysia 28.7.-1.8.2006
Dive shop: Flora Bay Divers
Temperature: 29-31 C
Visibility: 10 - 20 m
Depths: 10-25 m
Dive types: Boat dives (sea mounts & rocks, slopes, wrecks)
Marine life: yellow tail barracudas, nurse sharks, cuttlefish (mating), moray eels.
Back to Perhentian Islands after seven years. Not as good as before, more damaged coral, less marine life, but still some very good dive sites like our favourite Tokong Laut. Yellow tail barracudas were still there, and small nurse sharks, but no turtles or reef sharks on our 9 dives. Seven years go they were around nearly on every dive. Water temperature has risen 1-2 degrees and the traffic on the islands is heavier than before. Best thing that we got on the video was mating cuttlefishes, two males and a female.
We stayed at Flora Bay Resort on Perhentian Besar and used Flora Bay Divers. The dive shop was organized and well kept, but concentrated mostly on dive courses rather than keeping good care of fun divers. Be prepared to take care of your own equipment, carry them on and off the boat etc. A minus is also that thee is no possibility for night dives, only if AOW course is on.
Raja Ampat, Irian Jaya 10.-20.8.2005
Dive shop: Grand Komodo Tours
Temperature: 27-29 C
Visibility: 15 - 25 m
Depths: 20-40 m
Dive types: From boat/dingy: wall&slope dives and one airplane wreck
Marine life: Wobbegong shark, pygmi seahorses, banded pipefish, nudibranches of all kinds, manta rays, giant sting rays, crocodile fish, juvenile file fish, juvenile bat fish,
spider crabs, orangutan crabs, moray eels, octopus, langustini, bamboo shark, giant trevalley, great barracudas
Grand Komodo was again our choice for the liveaboard. Their boats are quite small, typical Indonesian boats, with less than 10 guests and quite affordable too. We had good diving in Raja Ampat, during 9 day trip we did 33 dives. Beautiful coral reefs and good variation between dive sites. We didn't see much big fish during this trip as the currents were not so favourable, but we did see some Manta rays (best time would be Feb-Mar), wobbegong sharks and giant sting rays. Turtles and reef sharks we not as plentiful as in some other places we have dived in Indonesia - propably they have ended up in local peoples dinner tables!
Dominican Republic 12.-15.3.2001
Dive shop: Sea Pro Divers, 4D/8 dives 230 USD
Temperature: 27 C
Visibility: 12-15 m
Depths: 17-24 m
Dive types: Boat
Marine life: Moray eels, crabs, langustini, stone fish, garden eels
Egypt – Sharm El Sheik 7.-11.3.2000
Dive shop: Red Sea Scuba Schools, Rosetta hotel, 5D/10 dives 240 USD
Temperature: 22-23 C
Visibility: 15-20 m
Depths: 15-30 m
Dive types: Boat, 5 days 10 dives 240 USD
Marine life: Tunas, turtles, trigger fish, sting rays, lion fish, Napoleon fish
Finland – Helsinki, Päntari, 16.6.1999
Temperature: 6-14 C
Visibility: 5-7 m
Depths: 15 m
Dive types: Boat
Marine life: None
Indonesia – Bali, Menjangan Island, 3.-5.7.1998
Dive shop: Spice Dive
Temperature: 29 C
Visibility: 15 m
Depths: 15-25 m
Dive types: Boat, 35 USD for two dives
Marine life: Napoleon fish, barracudas, turtles, moray eels
Indonesia – Bali, Tulamben Liberty wreck 7.7.1998
Dive shop: no dive master, 10 USD per tank
Temperature: 28 C
Visibility: 10-20m
Depths: 20-25 m
Dive types: Beach dive
Marine life: Sting rays, garden eels, bumbhead parrotfish
Indonesia – Bali, Nusa Lembongan&Penida, 28.7.2000,
Dive shop: Bali Safari Dive, 3 dives 80 USD
Temperature: 25-29 C
Visibility: 20 m
Depths: 23-30 m
Dive types: Boat, heavy surf, strong currents, drift dives,
Marine life: Reef shark, turtle, trigger fish, sea snake, sting rays
Indonesia – Lombok, Gili Islands 11.-26.7.1998
Dive shop: Blue Coral Diving, Padi Rescue Diver course 250 USD, tanks 10 USD
Temperature: 28-29 C
Visibility: 15-25 m
Depths: 15-30 m
Dive types: Boat
Marine life: reef sharks, turtles, bumbheads, sting rays, some damaged corals
Indonesia – Bali, Candidasa 2.8.2001
Dive shop: Maoka dive, 2 dives 40 USD
Temperature: 28 C
Visibility: 15-20 m
Depths: 23-31 m
Dive types: Boat (local fishing boat), up&down currents
Marine life: Reef sharks, shrimps, squid, moray eel, lion fish, stone fish
Indonesia - Bali 15.7.2002, Selang&Lipah
Temperature: 25-28 C
Visibility: 15-20 m
Depths: 30 m
Dive types: Boat, slope & wreck
Marine life: Tunas, turtles, reef sharks, sting rays
Indonesia – Komodo ja Flores 6.-19.8.2000
Dive shop: CN Dive and Grand Komodo Tours
Temperature: 27-28 C
Visibility: 20-25 m
Depths: 20-40 m
Dive types: Boat, medium-strong currents, down currents
Marine life: Manta rays, squid, turtles, langustini, sea snake, reef sharks, leopard shark, grey shark, bumpheads, crocodile fish, cuttle fish, crabs, shrimps, moray eels, tunas...
Indonesia – Komodo 4.-9.7.2002
Dive shop: Grand Komodo Tours, 7D/7N 1000USD, Tarata
Temperature: 27-29 C
Visibility: 15-25 m
Depths: 17-30 m
Dive types: Boat, slopes&wall, drift, night, medium-strong currents
Marine life: Tunas, barracudas, turtles, Napoleon fish, leaf fish, reef sharks, mimic filefish, eagle ray, electric ray, cuttle fish, octopus, nudibranches, stone fish, langustini, spider grabs, ribbon eels, moray eels, bumpheads...
Indonesia – Alor ja Maumere 6.-18.8.2001
Dive shop: Grand Komodo Tours, Alorra
Temperature: 26-29 C
Visibility: 20-25 m
Depths: 25-43 m
Dive types: Boat (liveabord), wall&slope + night dives
Marine life: Hammerheads, eagle rays, octopus, pygmi seahorse, crabs, langustini, shrimps, medusa, barracudas, turtles, different moray eels, sea snakes, frog fish...
Indonesia – Manado 27.7.-4.8.2004, 13.-16.8.2004
Dive shop: Two Fish Divers, 10D/9N 20 dives 600 USD, Thalassa Dive Centre
Temperature: 27-30 C
Visibility: 10-25 m
Depths: 17-30 m
Dive types: Boat, wall&slope, muck dives
Marine life: Seahorses, ghost pipe fish, mantisshrimps, mandarine fish, mimic octopus, anemonen shrimp, squids, frog fish, eagle ray,rock lobsters, napoleon wrasse, tunas, barracudas, reef sharks, turtles, ribbon eels, moray eels...
Indonesia –Lembeh Strait 7.-9.8.2004
Dive shop: Sulawesi Dive Quest, 25 USD/dive, accomodation&food 25 USD/night
Temperature: 27 C
Visibility: 15-20 m
Depths: 18-30 m
Dive types: Boat, slope & muck, swim throughs
Marine life: Ghost pipe fishes, leaf fish, anemone crab, snake eels, mantisshrimp, frog fish, dragonet fish, pegasus simone, cockatoo waspfish, pygmi seahorse, octopus, pipefish, nudibranches...
Israel – Eilat 31.1.-5.2.1997
Dive shop: Manta School, Osku puukila, CMAS* (Taina)
Temperature: 22-24 C
Visibility: 15-20 m
Depths: 10-25 m
Dive types: Easy beach and boat dives for beginners
Marine life: Typical reef fishes, moray eels, lion fishes
Malaysia – Pulau Perhentian 2.-8.7.1996 and 30.7.-20.8.1999
Dive shop: Steffen Sea Sports and Perhentian Dive-Centre, Padi Dive Master course
Temperature: 29 C
Visibility: 10-25 m
Depths: 12-20 m
Dive types: Boat and beach
Marine life: Sting rays, giant & yellow barracudas, turtles, reef sharks, moray eels, trigger fish, groupers, trevalleys, bumbheads, batfish...
Malaysia - Pulau Redang 21.-25.8.1999
Dive shop: Redang Dive-Centre
Temperature: 27-29 C
Visibility: 15 m
Depths: 18-26 m
Dive types: Boat (old fishing boat)
Marine life: Nurse shark, rays, mirrorfish, batfish, lizard fish, barracudas, turtles, spanish dancer, jacks, moray eels, nudibranches
Malaysia – Pulau Tioman 28.-30.6.1997
Dive shop: Dive Asia
Temperature: 29 C
Visibility: 12-15 m
Depths: 10-20 m
Dive types: Boat
Marine life: Some damaged coral, typical reef fishes, sting rays
Malaysia – Sipadan 5.-10.8.2003
Dive shop: Sipadan Dive Centre
Temperature: 27-28 C
Visibility: 15-25 m
Depths: 15-40 m
Dive types: Shore & boat, wall dives
Marine life: Turtles, hammerhead, reef sharks, barracudas, frog fish, shrimps, stone fish, leaf fish, lion fish, moray eels, crabs, nudibranches, langustini, Napoleon wrasse, tunas...
Spain – Fuerteventura, 4.2.-7.2.1999
Dive shop: Pro-Dive Fuerteventura, Corralejo
Temperature: 17-18 C
Visibility: 15 m
Depths: 12-28 m
Dive types: Beach, difficult entry (waves)
Marine life: Barracudas, octopus
Spain, Gran Canaria – Las Palmas 26.12.2002, Kalais and Boris Wrecks
Dive shop: Aquanauts, 2 dives 72 euros
Temperature: 21 C
Visibility: 10-15 m
Depths: 22-28 m
Dive types: Boat (zodiac), wrecks,
Marine life: Angel shark, moray eel, spider crabs, parrot fishes
Spain, Tenerife – Galletes 26.12.2001
Temperature: 21-22 C
Visibility: 20 m
Depths: 20-26 m
Dive types: Boat
Marine life: Angel shark, atlantic sting ray, moray eels, flounders, white scorpion fish, barracudas, shrimps
Thailand – Ko Phi Phi 27.-28.6.1996 and 5.-18 .7.1997
Dive shop: Sea Frog, Padi OW (Timo -96) and AOW -97
Temperature: 30-31 C
Visibility: 10-15 m
Depths: 12-34 m
Dive types: Boat (long tail)
Marine life: Leopard shark, sea snakes, turtles, moray eels, stone fish, barracudas
U.S.A., Florida – Key Largo 22.3.2004
Temperature: 26 C
Visibility: 20-25 m
Depths: 10-13 m
Dive types: Boat, wreck
Marine life: Barracudas, batfish, crocodile fish, crabs, lobsters, moray eel