May 11th, 2010
Some of you may already know of muck diving if you have been a scuba diver for long time. I would say that muck diving could be one of the most interesting diving if you were interested in macro, unusual, or photogenic creatures. Muck diving in Lembeh will never ever disappointing you. If you are an underwater photographer, please visit Lembeh with your camera.
There is a variety resorts available from luxury to budget around Lembeh straits. All resort will pick you up at the Manado airport and transfer you to the resort by car and boat. It takes about 2 hrs from the airport. The resort where I stayed and had diving is that Two Fish Divers because;
- They are PADI 5 stars Dive Resort and very professional.
- It is very reasonable price even though they have decent service.
- It is very quite and relax resort.
- They have another resort in Bunaken Island.
If you are interested to have some dives in Bunaken, Two Fish Divers will be definitely your first choice. Two Fish Divers has a resort in each island, Bunaken and Lembeh. Two Fish Divers will arrange transportation as per your request between their resorts, which will cost 40EURO (could be shared with other passengers)
Access to Manado
From Singapore;
Silkair, which is an associated company of Singapore airlines, has direct flight to Manado every 2 days in the morning. It takes about 3.5 hrs and cost US$130-150
From Denpasar (Bali)
Lion air, which is an Indonesian local budget airlines, has direct flight to Manado once everyday. It takes about 2.5 hrs and cost US$80-90. Your resort will book a flight for you and it is usually cheaper to book in local.
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September 10th, 2009
Yoron Island is the southernmost island of Kagoshima prefecture in Japan, one of Amami Islands. When Okinawa used to belong to U.S, Yoron Island was southmost part of Japan. Yoron island is surrounded by reefs.
Transportation
There is an airport in the island so that you can take a flight to the island from either Kagoshima or Okinawa. A couple of ferries are also available to the island. If you have time and no money, ferry can be your budget transportation. It takes 4hrs from Okinawa, 19 hrs from Kagoshima. If you take a ferry from Kagoshima, the ferry stops each Amami islands. You can stop over the island with your ferry ticket within a week.
Ferry
There are so many beautiful and quite beaches in the island. You can enjoy marine sports such as sea kayak, wind surfing, or snorkeling. B&G Kaiyo centre will help your marine activity during your stay.
Diving
Yoronjima is very popular island for scuba divers. There are a variety of diving spots around the island for beginner to expert. You can enjoy landscape, reef & corals, tropical fish, and wreck diving. All spots are just 5-10 mins by boat. After each diving, you go back to a port, take a break on the ground and replace your tank. 3mm full wetsuit should be enough for you since water temperature is around 29 degree. There are several diving shop but I will recommend to you Marinelife Mr.Ikeda who is the owner of the diving shop will help your diving plan according to your request.
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July 20th, 2009
Koh Tao is a well-known resort island for scuba diver as well as backpackers. There are lots of bars, restaurants, and budget hotels. You won’t get bored there. However, it may not be recommended for the family trip since it is not a quite island but still possible since there are a couple of five stars hotels such as Jamakiri Resort and Thipwimarn Resort. I will talk about these resorts in another article.
Koh Tao is known as an island where you may be able to see whale sharks. Yes, you are likely to see them if you are lucky enough. I unfortunately could not see the during my trip though. If you are expecting something special other than whale shark, Koh Tao cannot be your choice if you are well experienced diver. I would recommend you that it is better to go to western Thailand because you can see more variety of underwater beings. Corals in shore is almost dead. Hence you cannot see the beautiful landscape.
Another benefit of diving in Koh Tao is to take a course. Since they have multiple good sites for open water lessons, there are many new starters there. Of course, the price is also reasonable. I also took the Rescue Diver Course and EFR at Asia Divers. It was so much fun and well-organized. Asia Divers is one of the most popular diving shops in Koh Tao as well as Buddhaview
In conclusion, I would give three stars out of five starts for Koh Tao regarding diving.
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