Diving in Layang Layang
Hammerhead Sharks at the Coral Atoll
Located in waters 2,000 metres deep, Layang Layang is an atoll of 13 linked coral reefs. The resort island is part of the 600 islands, reefs and shoals in the South China Sea known as The Spratly's.
The atoll isn't that large - it only covers an area of 14 square kilometres. Situated about 300 km off the Borneo coast, the atoll is surrounded by waters teeming with a rich biodiversity of marine life and some of the most heart-stopping diving opportunities around.
Although concentrating on only 1 feature does not do justice to the island's varied reefs, the draw card for divers from all over the world is the chance to see vast schools of hammerheads cruising around. This is one of the very few places in the world where, at the right time of year, you have a good chance to drop down into an enormous school of hundreds of these marvelous creatures.
The extraordinary coral gardens of these virgin atoll reefs surrounding Layang Layang Island, have never been fished or experienced any kind of man-made pollution. They are undoubtedly the healthiest reefs in Malaysia and rank as high as any for fish species and coral diversity too.
The visibility in these waters often exceeds 40 metres. In fact, the extraordinary visibility and exciting variety of marine life can sometimes be misleading and dangerous to divers - watch your diving depth and no-decompression times, you could well be deeper than you think!
Highlights
D'Wall - in truth we could have chosen any of the sites here as Layang Layang diving promises healthy fields of coral with all manner of activity going on. Clear water and proximity to the awesome sites are great features of the diving here but the reason most people go to Layang Layang is the chance to spot the famed scalloped hammerheads that cruise around this tiny island.
Don't just imagine yourself hanging in crystal waters at 25 metres as hundreds of hammerheads cruise past only metres from you mask - do it!
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How to Dive Layang Layang
The island of Layang Layang consists of little more than a landing strip, a navy base and a dive resort. No liveaboards make it out this way so there is only 1 show in town.
Diving Season
The resort is open between the months of March to August and you cannot dive here outside that time. The hammerheads and other big pelagics are present more or less throughout this time with a greater frequency of sightings around the March - May period.
Reef Summary
Great for: Large animals, wall diving, reef life and health and visibility
Not so great for: Beginner divers, snorkelling and non-diving activities
Depth: 5 - >40m
Visibility: 20 - 40m
Currents: Gentle
Surface conditions: Calm
Water temperature: 25 - 30°C
Experience level: Intermediate - advanced
Number of dive sites: ~20
Access: Dive resort
Recommended length of stay: 5 - 8 days
Dive Site Descriptions
For more information on the detailed Layang Layang dive sites:
• Layang Layang tourist information
View a map of:
• Sabah - Borneo - Malay Peninsula
• Scuba diving vacation enquiries
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