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