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LAYANG LAYANG, BORNEO
Year:2003
Pelagic encounters in the South China Sea
Season: February-October
Visibility: 15-40 metres
Water temperature: 27-29°C
In the middle of the South China Sea, 300 kilometres off
the north coast of Sabah (East Malaysia) in Borneo, lies the
remote coral atoll of Layang Layang. Here, thirteen coral
reefs are linked together to form an atoll some 14 square
kilometres in extent, yet only one reef breaks the surface of the deep
turquoise ocean to form a mere scrap of an island. The island
rather surprisingly supports a three-star diving resort, a
1,000-metre runway and a naval base as well as thousands of breeding
sea birds! The combination of rich and nutritious ocean
currents, the unique off-shore location and the deep water
surrounding the atoll makes Layang Layang an exciting destination
for pelagic encounters and stunning coral-rich diving.
The finest diving is to be found at the outer fringes of the
atoll along the dramatic, coral-festooned, plunging walls. All
the dives are slow drifts along the walls. The coral species found
on the seaward edge of the atoll are of the
acropora and porite varieties which have the type of structure which endures the
wave action of the open sea. On the reef crest, coral gardens
support superb populations of invertebrates with cowries, cone
shells and several varieties of nudibrachs (the latter found
particularly on ledges or shelves). Huge domes of brain coral, forests
of staghorn coral and, at deeper depths, elegant gorgonians,
bushes of black coral, sea fans and enormous barrel sponges all add
to the diversity of this coral paradise. It is, however, the
pelagic encounters that lure adventurous divers to the remote reefs
at Layang Layang.
At most dive sites the crests of the reefs can be found at
depths of between 5 and 10 metres and
D-Wall is no exception to the rule.The pretty coral garden on the reef crest supports an
abundance of small, brightly-coloured tropical fish that forage
for food amongst the coral. On the wall, at deeper depths,
Emperor Angelfish and Coral Groupers trawl the reef while
several large 'snarling' morays can be found hiding in the
crevices. Large schools of elegant Schooling Bannerfish,
surgeonfish, jacks and fusiliers are also found in the open water and
Manta Ray sightings are not unusual.
There can be few more awesome sites than a school of
Scalloped Hammerhead sharks sweeping their weirdly shaped
heads backwards and forwards in their search for food and
at Gorgonian Forest you are likely to encounter a formation
of these startling creatures cruising the open water. Close to
the reefs it is possible to find individual hammerheads or
maybe come across a Leopard Shark resting on a ledge. At more
shallow levels are the 'forests' of gorgonians that lend their
name to this dive site along with wonderful whirls of whip coral
and the rare black coral.
At Dogtooth Lair some divers have described seeing
'hammerhead wallpaper' after they have witnessed the sight
of weird and fascinating hammerhead silhouettes against
a background of deep blue. Here the sometimes fierce
currents bring rich nutrients which provide the essential base for
the food chain which ends with these mighty sharks. As the
name suggests, Dogtooth Tuna are frequently encountered
cruising the steep walls.
Diving at Layang Layang can be quite unpredictable due to
its off-shore situation but, at its best, the superb visibility and
the possibility of exciting pelagic encounters offers the diver
some most unusual experiences.
For those wanting the best chances of seeing schooling
hammerheads, we recommend a visit to Layang Layang in April
or May. These bizarre-looking sharks can turn up at Layang
Layang at any time of year, but for some reason they are
consistently recorded within safe sport diving limits between April and
May. Even then they can be unpredictable.
LAYANG LAYANG ISLAND RESORT
Layang Layang Island Resort is a dedicated dive resort
which currently has 86 rooms. Each air-conditioned room has
two queen-sized beds, refrigerator, satellite TV and attached
shower room with toilet. A dip in the freshwater swimming pool is
a welcome way to cool down in the midday heat. Five meals
a day, featuring both Asian and International cuisine, are
served at the pool-side verandah. The island is self-sufficient in
fresh water as the desalination plant ensures a constant supply.
Three boat dives a day are offered by the resort's dive
centre; two in the morning and one in the afternoon. Fast
catamarans speed divers to the dive sites which are from 10 to 20
minutes boat ride from the main dock. Shore diving is available in
the lagoon for those who wish, but, in keeping with most
lagoons, fish life is rather limited.
The resort is served by a daily charter flight during the
season. An overnight stay in Kota Kinabalu is normally required
before onward travel to Layang Layang as the outbound
charter flight operates in the morning. On the return journey you
will arrive back in Kota Kinabalu by mid-morning, in time to
connect with flights to Kuala Lumpur etc.
£773 (non-divers: £604) for 5 nights on Layang Layang
£864 (non-divers: £667) for 6 nights on Layang Layang
£955 (non-divers: £730) for 7 nights on Layang Layang
Includes:
· Charter flights Kota Kinabalu/Layang Layang/Kota Kinabalu.
· 5, 6 or 7 nights full-board accommodation on a
twin-share basis at Layang Layang Island Resort.
· 5, 6 or 7 days diving (usually 3 boat dives daily, but only 2
on day of arrival and 1 on day prior to departure), dive guide,
cylinders and weights.
Additional Nights: £91 (without diving: £63).
Single Occupancy Supplement: £28 per night.
Deposit: £100
FLIGHTS
The airfares shown are the least expensive fare category
available at the time of going to press. We will quote you
the airfare applicable, based on current fare levels and
booking class availability, at the time of booking. the usual
airfare deposit is £100.
MALAYSIA AIRLINES
Malaysia Airlines has daily midday departures from
London (Heathrow) to Kota Kinabalu via Kuala Lumpur, arriving
the following morning or midday. After an overnight in
Kota Kinabalu, continue to Layang Layang next morning.
Return from Layang Layang to Kota Kinabalu on any day of the
week. There are daily return flights in the evening from Kota
Kinabalu via Kuala Lumpur, arriving at London (Heathrow) the
following morning.
Flight connections are also available from Manchester to
Kuala Lumpur at no additional cost. Flights depart from
Manchester on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Return flights leave
Kuala Lumpur on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
£625 for departures 1 January-30 June (excluding Easter),
1 September-9 December.
£710 for departures at Easter, 18-31 August, 25-31 December.
£885 for departures 1 July-17 August, 10-24 December.
Weekend Supplement: £12 each way for departures from
London, Manchester or Kota Kinabalu on Fridays, Saturdays or
Sundays.
Includes:
· Scheduled flights London (Heathrow)/Kuala
Lumpur/Kota Kinabalu/Kuala Lumpur/London (Heathrow) by Malaysia
Airlines.
Business Class Upgrades: These are available on
Malaysia Airlines between the UK and Kuala Lumpur or
Kota Kinabalu at attractive rates. Please contact our office
for details.
Overnights in Kota Kinabalu:
£40 per night room-only at the luxurious Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort on a twin/share
basis. A single occupancy supplement of £40 per night applies.
Please note: Airport/hotel transfers cost £7 each way.
Business Class Upgrades: These are available at attractive
rates on both airlines. Please contact our office for details.
SINGAPORE STOP-OVERS
Why not take the opportunity to explore Singapore as part
of your holiday? Malaysia Airlines fly between London and
Singapore daily and stop-overs are available at no
additional airfare. We can arrange your hotel accommodation: for details please
see the Southern Thailand entry in this brochure.
COMBINING LAYANG LAYANG
WITH SIPADAN OR MABUL
Why not extend your holiday in Borneo and combine a visit
to Layang Layang with a stay on world famous Sipadan island
with its incredible diving and/or Mabul island with its fascinating
'macro life'? Important: no intervening night is required in Kota
Kinabalu between Layang Layang and Sipadan or Mabul as one can
travel between islands during a single day (but only in this direction).
Reports from previous trips to LAYANG LAYANG, BORNEO:
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