Malaysia (Dive Sites)

Advantages: One of the best in the world. Even recomended by Jaques Custo!
Disadvantages: A slog to get to and certainly not cheap. No nightlife.

...the East Coast of East Malaysia and it is argued that it lies amongst the top five diving sites in the world. The thing is a lot more than five dive sites claim that they fall in that category, you name it: French Polynesia, The Azores, other islands in Malaysia, Australia and Vanuatu to name just a few. All the brochures promise superb diving and everyone who comes back from there raves about it, I think though Sipadan rises above these and does ...
...the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia and in my opinion compared to Sipadan it wasn't much. I've heard people rave about Redang though, what makes Sipadan so much better is the sheer untouchedness of it. In Redang you can see where the coral has died, the variety of fish is pitiful when compared, I saw a load of tiny sharks once and did I mention Turtles. Turtles indeed where Sipadan ranks very highly. On my first dive I saw one and was fascinated, ... Read review

Advantages: Everything about the day - Activities, weather, food, atmoshphere...
Disadvantages: Rocky boat ride to island

This was the first ever scuba dive, and i can tell you, it was one of the best experiences of my life! Langawai (i think thats how you spell it!) is a fairly large island just off the coast of Penang. If you go, take some sea sickness pills as the boat ride is very, um.., bumpy. Just off the coast of Langawai are many smaller islands. I went to one of these smaller islands, which was arranged by a small company. When we arrived, we boarded a floating ...
...the large selection of local foods, sunbathe, snorkel, take a glass-bottem boat ride, walk through the glass tunnels onder the sea, or, of course, scuba dive. The prices were very reasonable, but the best thing was that you with only 15mins preparation, you could go diving with all the gear - even if it was your first time. The staff are very friendly, english speakers who are always willing to help you out. It is actually fairly simple, but you ... Read review