Another popular island near Semporna is Pulau Mantabuan with turtles, eagle rays and coral in all shades and colors.
| Inserted/Added by: | scuba_junkie |
| Rated: | Rated 2.0, 3 votes |
Send us your images for this dive region[Add Image][Add Movie]
Mantabuan is a volcanically formed and mostly submerged island that is paradise for divers who want to see magnificent coral and with unsurpassed visibility. Located northeast from the ancient volcano of Bohedulang, Mantabuan is one of the best islands in the area for manta rays, especially when the currents pick up. Eagle rays and devil rays can often be found in the blue as well.
The real star of Mantabuan though is the black coral. Usually found at much greater depths, this rare and precious coral can be found in just 22 meters of water. Black coral has long been valued by humans for purposes ranging from protection against curses to decoration in jewelry. Black coral is Hawaii's official state gem, but divers must go well past 40 meters in order to see it. It's a surreal feeling swimming through the huge bushes, ranging in color from white to green to purple (the term black comes from the color of its skeleton). We hesitate to give the exact location of the bushes as black coral is frequently harvested for use in jewelry, and it's market value approaches that of gold.
In addition to the black coral, pristine soft coral and large table coral can be found throughout the entirety of the island. Huge coral boulders in the shallows provide shelter to a large number of marine life, including myriad nudibranches, painted lobsters, blue-spotted ribbon rays, and thousands upon thousands of reef fish. When the tides permit we usually have lunch along the palm tree lined white sand beaches where the local Malaysian military, who have a base on the island, will offer you extremely strong rice wine.
Visit our partners! Or become one.
Other
- Pom Pom Island Resort, Sales Office, A--1, Karamunsing Capital, Loro...
Pom Pom Island Resort
| Pom Pom Island Resort www.pompomisland.com +60 88 484083 +60 88 234088 | Sales Office, A--1, Karamunsin... 88000 Kota Kinabalu |
Pom Pom Island Resort with PADI Dive Centre is a beautiful, peaceful, paradise island found situated off Borneo coastline. Taking only 45 minutes by boat, you can escape the everyday world on our small island. You can enjoy complete relaxation and tranquillity surrounded by white sands, tropical vegetation and turquoise seas.
The Resort has a range of luxury detached Beach, Garden and Water Villas constructed for every comfort including air conditioning and fans, hot showers, own balcony or terrace. The Water Villas offer panoramic views over the sea, whilst the Beach villas are nestled under trees with sea views. Our packages include 3 meals per day plus free flow of snacks, juices, coffee and teas in our famous traditional Malaysian Restaurant. Enjoy turtle spotting from our jetty, you maybe lucky enough to witness baby turtles running to the beach from our hatchery. At our PADI Dive Centre you can learn to dive or if already qualified experience amazing diving and snorkelling in the clear blue waters of the Celebes Sea watching beautiful coral fish and turtles. We are situated close to Mabul and Sipadan and have similar marine life to Mabul with amazing macro creatures, such as frog fish, shrimps, crabs and nudibranchs, these are found on nearly every dive. After diving you can enjoy a relaxing traditional massage in our massage spa or if you are feeling more energetic, you can swim or kayak round our paradise island.
[Add Message]Messages from readers:
[Add Divelog]Divelogs from members: