Sabah Parks has announced that Malohom Bay in Gaya Island is closed until further notice. It is closed due to construction of new resort within the bay.
I am a bit disappointed by this development. I used to snorkel in Malohom Bay at the Hornbill Beach. It is an amazing snorkeling site. The reef was beautiful with lots of marine life and the water was crystal clear.
I do hope that the developer take measures to minimize impact to the reefs and marine life. I will revisit the beach once development is finished and see if the place is still as good as it was before.
Another favorite snorkeling destination of mine. The reef was shallow, making it very suitable for snorkeling activity. The current was very strong and there was no way I could swim against it. So I decided to just go with the flow and just drift.
Taking photos was quite tricky while drifting. But after a few tries, I figured out some tricks of my own. When I spot my subject in front of me, I will duck dive and drift with the current, all the while my camera is ready. When I get closer to my subject, I will click as many times as I can manage. If I see something I would like to photograph and its below me when you spotted it, well….. that's a missed opportunity already.
Sal's tip: Most of the photos I take while snorkeling are upside down ;) I find that its easier and this was I reduce damage to the corals.
Siladen was a delightfull surprise for me. You will see on the photos below that this reef is almost 100% corals. Soft corals mostly. The strong current is actually a very nice accessory for soft corals because looking at the soft corals was like looking at a field of grass with soft wind blowing through.
Photo: Serenity. By Sal
Photo: Color of the Reef. By Sal
Upon entering the water, I was able to see that the majority of the corals on this reef are soft corals. But there are some small colonies of hard corals as well. I don't know if the hardies were just starting to grow or maybe the softies are naturally dominant in this reef. There were some very fierce warfare going on in this place.
Photo: A small colony of hard coral trying to fend off the soft coral from smothering it. By Sal
Photo: I sure hope the Giant Clam is ok. By Sal
I'm sure you all noticed by now that most of my photos from Siladen are of marine organisms that do not move. It was not easy to photograph those that can move while I drifted.
Sal's tip: Be careful of stinging corals. Always watch out for them especially when current is strong and you cannot control your speed.
Photo: Stinging Hydrozoan.
For more information on Bunaken National Park and how to get there: Manado Tourist Info
Photo: Open-Heel split fins - be sure to buy booties with these.
Whether you want to play around or dive amidst coral reefs, your fins will increase your ability to move quickly and efficiently through the water. Swim fins are available in a wide variety of styles, colors and designs. Here are some options you should consider when buying you fins. Size and stiffness largely dictates fins efficiency.
1. Open-heel fins or closed-heel fins? Select open-heel fins and booties if you’re going to enter from rocky shores. Sal’s tip: I use closed-heel fins because most of the time I enter the water from a boat or sandy beaches. It’s a drag to have to carry extra equipment (the booties).
2. Flexible fins are good for beginners. With more practice and exercise, you can build your leg muscle and move on to stiffer fins.
3. Split fins slice through the water to decrease turbulence and increase power. Sal's tip: I find that this kind of fins decrease chances of leg cramps for me.
4. Power fins have vented slots in the blade of the fins. They redirect water flow more efficiently and provide more thrust for the effort.
Whatever fins you choose to buy the most important thing is comfort. Choose the right fin size for your feet. Different manufacturer may have different sizes. Don’t be shy to try on the fins before you buy them.
Photo: Closed-Heel long fins suitable for snorkeler with strong leg muscle.
Sal’s Tip when Buying Closed-Heel Fins 1. Try on the fin on one foot. Make sure it’s not too tight. 2. Put the foot with the fin on the ground. 3. Try to tiptoe with that foot. 4. If fin comes off, it’s too big for you.
Your fins are extension of your legs in the water. Fins need very little in the way of care and maintenance.
1. Always rinse your fins with fresh water after a snorkel adventure.
2. On a snorkeling venture, keep your fins out of direct sunlight as much as possible when not using it. Keep your equipments under a shady tree while you sun bathe ;)
3. Soak fins in warm soapy water and dry completely before storing. Sal’s tip: If you have any food grade liquid silicone such as Seal Saver, put a few drops on the rubber portions of the fin and using a clean dry cloth, work the silicone into the rubber. Wipe it off after an hour. Then store your fins.
4. Always inspect your fins before a snorkeling trip. Inspect the foot pocket area of the fin for any cracking or signs of dry rot. If you have strap fins, inspect the areas nearest the buckles. If the strap does show signs of dry rot, it is best to replace the strap as soon as possible and make sure that the buckles of strap fins are functioning correctly.
There are a few way to enter the sea. It depends on which you are comfortable with and also on the type of reefs.
If the reef you are planning to visit is close to shore, then the best way to reach that reef is by swimming from shore.
Shore Entry
1. Enter the sea water and stop when you are waist deep in the water.
Sal's tip: Wear booties if you are on a rocky shore. I stepped on stonefish once :(
2. Put on your mask and snorkel first.
3. Put on your fins.
4. Swim away.
Sal's tip:I usually just ignore the sands in my fins and clear them once I am in deeper water. This is because if you clear them in the shallow, chances are some sands will still enter again besides, you might step on corals unintentionally.
Boat Entries
Backroll entry (only if you're not wearing snorkeling vest)
1. Sit on the edge of the boat.
2. Put on your mask, snorkel and fins.
3. Check yourself and your equipments. Make sure that nothing is dangling and in danger of being 'sangkut'.
4. Hold your mask to your face, hold your breath and just roll backward off the boat.
Giant stride entry
1. Put on your equipments.
2. Stand at the edge of your boat.
3. Hold your mask to your face and breathe deeply.
4. Take a big step off the boat.
Watch this video of a couple of guys doing backroll. See how they hold their mask before flipping back.
I have some friends who are very much afraid of heights. So the 2 boat entries are not possible for them. As a result, they devised their own way of entering the water from the boat. This is also a good entry for those wearing snorkel vests.
Beginner's entry
1. Put on you mask and snorkel.
2. Enter the water using the ladder (Most dive/snorkel boats are equipped with a ladder to make exiting the water easy).
3. Hold on to the ladder while you put on your fins. You can also let go of the ladder and put on your fins while floating.
4. Swim away.
Exits
Shore Exit
1. Swim until water is waist deep.
2. Take you mask & snorkel off.
3. Steady yourself and take your fins off.
Sal's tip: Be aware of incoming waves. Keep your body steady in the water by keeping your stance wide.
4. Walk to shore like a pro ;)
Sal's tip: I use full foot fins and no booties. So on rocky shores, I will bring my slippers with me so that I can walk safely to shore.
Boat Exit
1. Hold on to the ladder.
2. If you wear weights, you may hand over your weight belts first.
3. Take your fins off and hand them over to a friend in the boat.
4. Climb up.
5. Mask & snorkel off in the boat.
Sal's tip: Never open your mask and push it to your forehead while still in the water. A freak wave might come or you might push it off your head. Becareful you might dislodge it and lose it underwater. If you have to open your mask, push it down to your next instead.
Photo: Humbug Dascyllus are cute and can always be found hiding between coral branches. By Sal
A good mask is a valuable asset for any snorkelers. So once you have purchased one that is right for you, it needs proper care. There is nothing more annoying than not being able to see underwater because of a scratch on the lens or fogged mask. Here are some tips to care for your mask.
1. Always rinse your mask after every use. Get rid of any salty residue and clean out sands and grits.
2. Dry before storing. If you store your mask before it is dry, fungus or other slimy things might grow on your mask. Yuck!
3. Do not dry mask under direct sunlight. This will degrade the silicone on your mask or turn a clear silicone yellow.
4. Give your mask a thorough cleaning periodically. I usually brush my mask with an old toothbrush and use toothpaste or shampoo.
Sal’s defogging tips. I use a few cheap and free things to defog my mask since I never buy the commercially prepared anti-fog solution.
i. Toothpaste (not the gel type) ii. Shampoo (I like Sunsilk Shampoo) iii. Shower gel iv. Saliva
Rub your choice of anti-fog above all over the lens of your mask. Just before putting on your mask, rinse thoroughly. You should have no problem with your mask fogging underwater.
Except if your mask is still new!
New masks often have a film of oil on the lens for protection during shipping. I usually put toothpaste on the lens and keep it there for an hour before rinsing it off. If your mask still fogs after this, repeat the process.
Oh yeah! The saliva… bacteria and all that huh?!? *LOL* don’t worry about using your saliva. I do this all the time. It works great and nothing happens to me yet ;)
A mask can make or break a dive. So getting one that is right for you is vital for your satisfaction underwater.
1. Size. Pick a mask that fit your face. Women and children usually use mask size small – medium and men medium - large.
2. Lens. Single lens mask offers wider view but if you have vision problem, a double lens mask is for you. Corrective lenses for your double-lens masks are available.
3. Color. The silicone skirt comes in 2 colors, black and clear. I use the clear one because it gives me more peripheral view plus the light color helps reduce anxiety. The black silicone is good for those taking underwater photos. It reduces the light and blocks side movements, which can confuse you sometimes.
4. Fit. To find the perfect fit just follow these simple steps.
Photo: Single-lens mask with black skirt
i. Touch the mask to your face lightly (do not put on the strap) and use your fingers to make sure there are no gaps between your skin and the skirt.
ii. Gently push the mask onto your face, creating vacuum within the mask.
iii. If the mask stays on your face without the strap or your hand holding it in place, then that mask fits your face.
iv. Just exhale through your nose to remove the mask.
I love Bunaken! I was there with my friend who was conducting a Snorkeling Marine Education Programme with students from Japan & Indonesia. We stayed on Bunaken Island in a village called Tanjung Parigi. There are many resorts on Bunaken but we stayed at the villagers homes (homestay). I know that Bunaken is famous for scuba divers but it is also a great place for snorkelers. There are lots of shallow reefs that can be explored. I was there in September and there were some pretty strong currents in the area, so please be careful.
Just in front of Tg. Parigi is a great snorkeling area. Swim a few meters off the shore, you will encounter the seagrass bed. I spent hours exploring the seagrass bed here. It is indeed a nursery for the marine life, among other things. I encountered lots of baby fishes and they all looks very cute J It is best to snorkel during high tide, however, you can still explore the area during low tide. Just put on your booties and you can walk on the seagrass area. While investigating the seagrass bed during low tide, I saw mantis shrimp hiding in holes, an exposed anemone with anemone fish hiding underneath it for protection (that's where the puddles are) and lots of colorful marine invertebrates.
This was my first experience taking underwater photos while snorkeling instead of scuba diving. I find that it is a bit harder because I have to hold my breath while I duck in for a shoot. Most of the time I fail to take a good photo on the first dive so I had to go back up for a breath and duck in again in hope that my marine model hasn't swam away too far. I loved the challenge it presented!
Here are some photos on the seagrass bed.
Photo: The seagrass – where things hide… By Sal
Photos: Porcupine Pufferfish and Cowfish hiding. By Sal
Photo: Baby Triggerfish taking shelter among the seagrass. By Sal
It was also fascinating to see 2 ecosystems meets.
Photo: Where 2 worlds meet. Seagrass growing among branching corals. By Sal
The coral reef area was equally interesting. During my trip there I was very much into butterflyfish and there were lots of them on that reef. The anemones were also very colorful unlike anything I have ever seen in Sabah.
Photo: A pair of Butterflyfish. By Sal
Photo: Frustrating! I was trying not to move so much but alas…. By Sal
Once again I would like to remind snorkelers planning to visit Bunaken. Please always be aware of the currents. They can be very strong in this area.
Snorkel is a ‘J’ shaped tube that is used to breathe when one is floating on water. It is a simple equipment but there are a few things to think about when buying a snorkel. Keep in mind that comfort is very important when buying snorkeling equipment.
1. The first thing to look at is the mouthpiece. This little thing will be in your mouth for hours so a good fit is essential. Make sure that the mouthpiece is not too hard or too wide for your mouth. Sal's tip: If you like a snorkel but not the mouthpiece, remember that replacement mouthpiece is available. 2. Some snorkels have soft, flexible silicone tubing at the turn of the snorkel tube. This makes for better fit. It will also ensures that the snorkel stay close to your face and decrease drag.
3. Some snorkels have a purge valve under the mouthpiece. This purge valve uses gravity to push water out of the tube when you blow. This is easier on your lungs rather than pushing water out of the snorkel through the top of the tube.
4. Some snorkels have ‘dry tops’ on them. These snorkels have special one-way valve that allows water to be purge out when you blow and prevents water from entering the tube.
5. Your snorkel shouldn’t be more than 17 inches long. Our lungs do not have the strength to move against the water pressure. So, longer doesn’t mean better here ;)
6. Some snorkels are equipped with special safety features such as whistle or bells. These are a good idea for your kids.
A snorkel that will make your life easier ;)
At the end of the day it all comes down to your budget. If you’re willing to spend more money on your snorkel, then by all means buy one with all the trappings =) but a basic snorkel will do just fine as it does meet the primary goal, which is to enable you to breathe.
Mastering snorkeling skills will open up a new breathtaking world for you. You will find that a snorkeling adventure is unlike anything you have ever experienced on land. Everything in this underwater wonderworld is exciting and exhilarating.
It is recommended that you get some basic training for your safety and also safety of other marine life. Also take note of reef etiquette.
The first thing to do is getting the right equipments. Comfort is of utmost importance when choosing what is right for you.
1. Mask & Snorkel Masks are used to enable you to see underwater clearly. There are many masks out there. So choose one that you are comfortable with. How to buy a mask.
A snorkel is just a short tube attached to your mask to enable you to breathe while you're floating. Here are some guides to help you choose a snorkel: How to buy a snorkel.
Sal's tip: Brightly colored snorkel will make it easier for your friends on the surface and underwater to spot you =)
2. Fins Choose fin style and size according to your body. If you have small body and large fins, you will tire easily as your fins will overexert you or worse cause leg cramps. How to buy fins.
3. Snorkel Vest You can use a snorkel vest or a life jacket to keep you afloat. Another equipment you can use to stay floating is a bodyboard :)
4. Rash guards & wetsuits Rash guards protect you from the sun and abrasions. If you plan to be in the water for more than 1 hour, it might be a good idea to wear a wetsuit. Wetsuit will protect your body from abrasions and keep you warm. How to buy a wetsuit. Sal’s tip: Wetsuits are easier to put on when wet!
So once you have your basic snorkeling equipments, lets head on to the islands!
i. Prepare your mask. Make sure you rub some anti-fog liquid on the inside glass of your mask. You won’t be able to see anything if your mask fogs up. Attach your snorkel to your mask. Sal’s tip: You can use liquid soap as anti-fog too. Rub some onto the glass of your mask and rinse them off before putting it on. Another option is toothpaste. Just make sure you rinse all the toothpaste off cause they can sting your eyes.
ii. Put on your equipments and enter the water. Your body is naturally buoyant. Be calm and keep your body afloat.
iii. While floating, breathe slowly through your snorkel. Do not move your head too much as this will get water into the tube.
iv. If water enters your snorkel, blow hard to expel the water. Then take a cautious breath slowly to avoid inhaling water, just in case you didn’t push out all the water.
v. When you’re using fins just kick your legs slowly. Maintain your ankles and knees relaxed to prevent leg muscles from cramping and practice keeping your fins just below the water level. You should avoid using a bicycle type of kick. As you become adept in this skill, you will no longer need to use your arms to propel yourself underwater ;) Sal’s advice: Always snorkel with a buddy.
The best way to improve your ability to snorkel is by practicing. So get your gears and jump in. Enjoy!
Lankayan is more of a dive spot rather than a snorkeling haven. The reefs in Lankayan are patch reefs and depths are about 25m average. So not an ideal place to snorkel. The resort on the island will recommend the house reef for snorkelers. There is a sandbar nearby which they bring snorkelers but you would need a boat to reach the area and that means paying more.
Photo: Puffed up pufferfish by Sal
The sandbar is a bit of a disappointment. I didn’t see as many fishes as I was expected. On the plus side, I did encountered 2 black tip reef shark swimming by curiously and just as quickly they swam away when they realized that we were just some boring snorkeler and not a tasty meal ;)
Photo: Juvenile Black Tip Reef Shark by Sal
On good days, the visibility of the sea in Lankayan is exceptional. However, during rainy days, the visibility will be terribly compromised by river runoffs from mainland where the palm oil and logging industry are flourishing unmonitored. So do be careful because the river runoff doesn’t just include sediments but may contain harmful chemical and pesticides. You can actually see a layer of river runoff in the sea water. River runoff is basically fresh water and because of the difference in salinity, the runoff will be a visible layer on top of the sea water. It is usually green in color due to the algae in the runoff.
Photo: A lot of river discharge into the East Coast of Sabah
Reefs surrounding the island are good places to snorkel. Unfortu nately, you would need to swim out a bit. Personally I think it is worth the swim. You do have a choice of renting a boat to send to the outer reefs of the island. If you plan to swim out, make sure you check the tide table because you will have problem accessing and exiting the reefs during low tide.
Lankayan House Reef is still the best place for snorkeling I think. Late afternoon, almost always, you will encounter a turtle swimming at the house reef. Shy juvenile black tip reef sharks are plenty around the island. You could find small critters hiding in nooks and crannies - they are very interesting to photograph.
Photo: Nudibranch by Sal
Overall, if you plan to snorkel only in Lankayan, then it is better to limit your stay to 3 days max. It if a great island for R&R though =) so you might want to stay longer for that. For those who plan to dive in Lankayan then plan to stay longer because they do have lots of dive sights. You might see whale sharks in the area too!
Lankayan is a beautiful island with white sandy beach and clear blue water. It is situated on the East Coast of Sabah in the Sulu Sea. Lankayan is one of the island within Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area (SIMCA).The 2 other islands within SIMCA are Tegaipil and Billean.
Photo: Lankayan Island Sunset Bar @ Sunrise by Sal
My first time snorkeling in Lankayan is an exciting and a little bit scary experience. The sandy bottom of the shallow was quite devoid of marine life but only a few meters into the deeper water, I encountered a shallow reef (during low tide, this reef is exposed, so the best time to go is during high tide). The visibility on that day was superb. I could see until about 10m ahead of me. The view on Lankayan house reef was spectacular. Butterfly fish in pairs, moorish idols, triggerfish, parrotfish and angelfish all put on a show for me.
Photo: Batfish by Lan
As I swam to the reef’s egde, I could see a small green turtle passing by. I swam quickly towards it to get a better view. Watching a turtle swim is like watching a ballerina dancing gracefully. They have an air of serenity and peacefullness about them. It was truly amazing!
The reef edge is an intersting area. This is where you can see marine predetors waiting to catch careless reef inhabitants. As I was enjoying the scene blow me, a white tip reef shark swam by. I was a startled, but only a little bit (LOL). After a few seconds to get my composure back, I carried on with my snorkeling. And then, because I can see 10m ahead of me, I saw the shark coming back again. I stopped short for a bit and kinda prayed a little. The shark wasn’t so big, it was slightly more than 1m but its teeth are still scary looking. The shark circled once and swam away.
My heart had enough exciment for one day and I couldn’t appreciate the scenic view after that. So I went back to shore….. still satisfied, still happy =)
Posts
