quick help- beginners asia-advice please

Hi folks,

Never been diving in Asia as yet.

Have just recently been personally offered a cheap flight to any of the below destinations:

Kuala Lumpur , Kota Kinabalu , Kuching , Langkwai , Medan , Cebu , Penang , Bali

Siem Reap , Surabaya and Yangon.

I live in Ireland.

If you were me, and had 10 days vacation to spend- where would you advise me to go- given that I would like great diving from a photgraphy point of view-but that my time is short- and I dont want to spend along time on a plane to get there.

All advice greatly appreciated.

Damo

Bali without a doubt.

have a great trip!

Scott

Bali without a doubt.

 

have a great trip!

 

Scott

Absolutely !!! second that

have fun

Diggy

+1 for Bali from given choice. :-)

Bali, agreed for sure!

Brilliant guys-thanks so much for ur kind replies.

Two more questions

1. Why do you like Bali?

2. Name a good dive operator there???

Sorry for the asks- I'll do my own research too- but again all advice welcome

Thanx again

Damo

my recommendations in order

1. Cebu - a variety of dive locations that are reachable from Cebu city. (but will need to take ferry, car or combination to get to the better locations)

2. Bali - Easiest in terms of travel... Wide selection of resorts from high end exclusive uber-expensive to budget backpacker hotels. Easy to get around the island via car. Some of the more popular dive sites are just an hour by boat from the near the airport (for Mola Mola's and Manta's)

3. Kota Kinabalu - you've got Sipidan and Layang Layang nearby but involve local flights , boats and buses...

Siem Riep and Yangoon - save those for a non diving trip. Amazing places though.

1. Why do you like Bali?

 

Damo

Wow, that could take a long time to answer! Diverse diving, inexpensive, great people/culture. My most recent Bali dive report can also help answer that question.

As one who just returned from Bali with Scott, I can confirm that Bali is an incredible choice. Never been to the other places, but I can't wait to get back to Bali!

Hi folks,

 

Kuala Lumpur , Kota Kinabalu , Kuching , Langkwai , Medan , Cebu , Penang , Bali

Siem Reap , Surabaya and Yangon.

 

Damo

Let a malaysian answer this, most of your above 11 destination are not diving place.

Kuala lumpur = from KL you gotta transfer by flight, bus or car to east coast island of malaysia, and the travel times take about 5 to 7 hours exclude boat, ferry to dedicated island.

Kota kinabalu = From KK you can take a flight to Tawau then by road to Semporna about 2hours journey, you can choose to stay in semporna or another hour boat ride from semporna to nearest island diving resort for diving at Sipadan Island. Diving in Sipadan need daily permit from Sabah tourism ministry, recently, this permit are limited to dive center.

Kuching = never heard of any diving activities.

Langkawi & Penang = from this 2 islands you can dive at pulau payar, nothing much to shout about, merky greeny water.

Cebu = a variety of dive locations that are reachable from Cebu city. (but will need to take ferry, car or combination to get to the better locations) Pakman advised.

Bali = With 10days vacation, this is the best destination, you can dive at menjangan 2days, then travel down to tulamben liberty wreck, seraya and surrounding for 4day, then try your luck at nusa peninda 2days for the famous Sun fish aka Mola mola.

Still the best are Bali.

Cheers

Again many many thanks my friends for all your replies- thats exactly what I need to know.

Now all I gotta do is do it

Again thank you all so much

Wetpixel rox!!

Damo

Hi folks,

 

Never been diving in Asia as yet.

Have just recently been personally offered a cheap flight to any of the below destinations:

 

Kuala Lumpur , Kota Kinabalu , Kuching , Langkwai , Medan , Cebu , Penang , Bali

Siem Reap , Surabaya and Yangon.

 

I live in Ireland.

 

If you were me, and had 10 days vacation to spend- where would you advise me to go- given that I would like great diving from a photgraphy point of view-but that my time is short- and I dont want to spend along time on a plane to get there.

 

All advice greatly appreciated.

 

Damo

Bali is wonderful. Great diving in Tulenben. Besides diving If you are up for site seeing go spend a few days in Ubud. The Temples are very interesting. If your girlfriend/wife is going with you go spend a few days at Taman Rahasia, aka Secret Garden, it's nestled in the quaint artist's village of Penestanan, Ubud. http://www.balisecretgarden.com/

It's a very beautiful romantic place. It will make big points with your girl.

Have fun.