Layang
Layang Island
Layang Layang when translated means 'Swallow's Reef' (although there
are no swallows present) is fast hecoming another of Malaysia's premier
dive destination after the world-famous Sipadan Island. l'his oceanic
atoll is situated in the South China Sea about 300 kilometres north
west of Rota Kinabaln, the capital of Sabab. The little land mass supports
a luxurious 90-room dive resort, a Malaysian Naval base and a nesting
colony for several sea-faring migratory birds.
The reef
topography is essentially made up of a rich growth of hard corals; some
are shallow that they break surface during low tides, but most begin
at depths of about 5 metres and the wall plunges to about 2000 metres
to the ocean floor. The deep-water attracts numerous pelagics and offers
some exciting encounters off the wall.
Gorgonian
Forest
Most dive sites around Layang Layang follow a similar dive profile with
the reef top starting at 5 to 10 metres and sloping steeply down. Corgonian
Forest, as the name suggests, is a virtual forest of fabulous sea fans
swaying with the currents along the slopes from about 15 metres down
to 40 metres. Bushes of black coral and whip corals share the seascape
with small marine reef fishes.
The stillness
of the dive site is interrupted by the presence of scalloped hammerhead
sharks, either solitary, swimming close to the reef or in a school,
cruising off the wall in the open water usually against the flow of
the currents. It is a magnificent sight to hehold, their heads swaying
from side to side unlike any other shark, swimming in formation. An
advice to underwater photographers: These animals are easily spooked,
especially if you utilise a flash. They are best photographed with available
light, capturing their silhouette shapes in the blue water.
'D'
Wall
This is an interesting wall dive, with the reef top starting at about
5 metres and plunging down rather steeply at an inverted angle, cutting
off the sunlight. Visibility is usually better than most sites around
and is about 40-plus metres. Coral life on the face of the wall is quite
spartan, probably from the nature of the steep wall. Several black coral
bushes, colourful dendronephthya soft corals, sponges and clusters of
tunicates carpet the wall. The coral garden is populated with small
reef fishes darting about, red coral trout and several hig emperor angels.
Big moray eels make their home in several crevices on the wall, playing
hide and seek with divers, popping in and out of the lair. In the openwater,
schools of surgeonfish, fusiliers, jacks and sometimes manta rays cruise
by. Large schools of Pennant Butterfly fish also can be seen hovering
around the coral garden, probably seeking out food. White tip reef sharks
are frequently sighted, and after a while you stop noticing them. The
reef top is quite interesting with abundant marine creatures foraging
for food among the hard coral formations, keeping the diver occupied
during his safety stop.
Dog
Tooth Lair
Located just minutes from the resort, Dogtooth Lair probably got its
name from the numerous sightings of these tunas encountered during dives.
The reef topography starts at about 8 metres and slopes down into the
depths. Passing schools of barracudas can be seen at the shallows along
with fusiliers and surgeonfish. The wall is typical of those around
Layang Layang, featuring steep walls of corals, interspaced with small
ledges. There is also a popular site to encounter the schooling hammerheads
swimming against the current. Dogtooth Lair can sometimes experience
fierce currents due to its location at the corner of the atoll. However,
currents bring rich nutrients and attract a chain of predators.
Valley
An easy dive located at the western tip of Pulau Layang Layang is a
gentle slope beginning at about 10 metres and slopes to about 20 metres.
This site features excellent hard coral growth with small reef fishes
inhabiting the coral garden. You will find countless fish ranging from
tiny gobies, blennies and wrasses to reef sharks. Numerous nooks and
crevices provide a hideaway for invertebrates like crabs, shrimps and
also fishes such as red coral trout and other snappers. Also look out
to the sandy patches - you might see the occasional leopard shark resting
on the sandy bed.
Getting
There
The nearest kickoff point to Pulau Layang Layang is from Kota Kinabalu,
Sabah. Where direct flights are available from Tokyo, Taipei, Kaohsiung,
Seoul, Hong Kong, Manila, Cebu, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. From Kota
Kinabalu a private charter company flies clients to Layang Layang, arranged
by Layang Layang Island Resort.
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