| A small atoll off the coast of Borneo in Malaysia, | | | | season is November to March. The water |
| Layang Layang is definitely an unbelievable dive | | | | temperature ranges from 26C to 30C year |
| destination for all levels of scuba diving fans. Described | | | | round!There is just one resort on this atoll which is now |
| as "a little gem, a sparkle within the deep blue sea. Like | | | | owned by the Avillion Hotel Group. Staying at this |
| a mariner's dream, it stands all alone, a striking haven in | | | | resort is the best way you can dive this atoll. The |
| the wide ocean awaiting a visitor." Layang Layang is | | | | resort is closed from September through to February |
| also known as 'The Jewel of the Borneo Banks', it has | | | | each year which is the worst part of the rainy season. |
| created for itself a calm lagoon which teems with | | | | As a side point, the inhabitants of the deep blue sea |
| wildlife. As many as 13 coral reefs have formed here, | | | | are not the only treasure on Layang Layang. Situated |
| creating a magnetic underwater scenery. | | | | on the other end of the island is a bird sanctuary |
| Layang Layang is situated 180 miles from Kota | | | | where migratory swallow, egret, brown foot bobbi, |
| Kinabalu in the South China Sea and is typically | | | | crested terns and other feathered creatures find a |
| reached by sea plane. It is an atoll 14 square kilometres | | | | resting place on a predator free breeding ground after |
| in diameter jutting 2000 meters from the Ocean | | | | a long journey. |
| depths. Underwater visibility is up to 50m and the | | | | Another great dive site is Shark's Cave. For some |
| extraordinary coral gardens of these virgin atoll reefs | | | | reason, this Layang Layang diving site has an |
| surrounding Layang Layang Island has never been | | | | abundance of sharks of various varieties. At a depth |
| fished or experienced any kind of man-made pollution. | | | | of about 30 metres, on a sandy ledge, you are most |
| One of the best dive sites in Layang Layang (although | | | | likely to encounter leopard sharks and whitetip reef |
| admittedly you'll be hard pressed to top most of the | | | | sharks. |
| dive sites here) is Dog Tooth Lair. This Layang Layang | | | | Moving on, you'll glide past coral formations - |
| dive site is named after the schools of large dog-tooth | | | | gorgonians, black corals and barrel sponges - till you |
| tunas frequently found cruising here especially along | | | | find yourself at the mouth of a cave. The cave can be |
| the drop-off. | | | | penetrated to a length of about five or six metres. |
| The reef itself has a variety of coral gardens, | | | | Within the cave, you'll find leopard sharks, whitetip reef |
| complete with overhangs and ledges, just before the | | | | sharks and nurse sharks asleep on the floor. Watch |
| site plunges into the 2,000 metres abyss of the open | | | | out that you don't block their exit out of the cave |
| South China Sea. At the shallow end of the reef, you'll | | | | though - you may be the object of an attack from |
| find schools of barracuda, big-eyed jacks, fusiliers and | | | | these otherwise docile creatures. |
| surgeonfish on the move. | | | | Heading back out again into the open sea, you may |
| Another great dive site is Shark's Cave | | | | encounter sightings of hammerhead sharks, grey reef |
| April and May is the best time to see schools of | | | | sharks, manta rays and eagle rays, all gliding past you |
| scalloped hammerhead sharks, which gather to | | | | in the open waters. Layang Layang diving is mostly |
| perform mating rituals. | | | | about big fish action and this site is a good bet for |
| April through October is the best time to visit. The rainy | | | | plenty of big fish. |