Don't sweat it. Dive into the weekend with an underwater adventure
Ivana Goh
Sibu sunset
IF IT'S getting too smoggy for you in Singapore, perhaps it's time to head out of town, down to the beach and into the water for a refreshing dive weekend.
Imagine this: Wave goodbye to your colleagues on Friday and you could be taking in an invigorating dive by Saturday morning. Follow that up with a cruisy afternoon dive before hitting the beach for sunset cocktails. Catch up on your beauty sleep on Sunday before heading back, ready for another working week.
And now, with the proliferation of budget flights serving even the smallest of one-mosque towns in Indonesia, you don't have an excuse.
We show you how to get down (underwater) over the weekend without breaking the bank. Just don't forget, if you do one dive, wait 12 hours before flying. If you do multiple dives, wait 18 hours.
1 Close to home
Sibu and Rawa are but two of the tiny islands that hug the coast off Mersing in Malaysia. Divers and snorkellers alike will find clear waters and sandy beaches, far from the madding crowd but in pleasing proximity to Singapore.
How to get there: A quick drive to Mersing or Tanjung Leman, where a speedboat whisks you away to the islands. Resort operators do offer bus packages from Singapore if you don't want to drive.
Where to stay: Sea Gypsy Village is the closest to Singapore, with traditional Malay-style chalets facing the sea. It is supremely child-friendly - with a morning kids club, afternoon games and evening baby-minding services - so don't leave the kids at home! Chalets start at RM210 ($85) a night with lower rates for backpacker-style accommodation (www.siburesort.com).
Rawa Safaris Island Resort, a 30-minute boat ride from Mersing, has chalet packages starting from RM295 a person for full room and board the first night. Subsequent nights are cheaper. If you don't want to dive, guests can rent snorkel gear, kayaks and hobie cats to explore the island (www.rawasfr.com).
Best time to go: March to October
Diving in Tioman
2 Something for everyone
The biggest island on the east coast of peninsular Malaysia, Tioman offers more than just easy diving on its wrecks and reefs. Dad can play 18 holes of golf and mum can relax with a day at the spa, and snorkellers and beachcombers have their pick of calm, protected bays sheltering some unexpectedly decent coral.
How to get there: Berjaya Air flies daily to Tioman from Seletar in a 28-seater Dash-7 (www.berjaya-air.com).
Where to stay: If you're on a budget, the oldie but goodie Swiss Cottage on Tekek beach has rooms that start at RM75 a night (www.samudra-swiss-cottage.com) and sits right next to the popular Tioman Dive Centre (www.tioman-dive-centre.com).
Or, splash out and stay at Berjaya Tioman Beach, Golf & Spa Resort. The Internet rate for a chalet with all mod cons starts at RM385 (www.berjayahotels-resorts.com).
Best time to go: March to October
3 Adrenaline rush
Bali is home to a number of world-class dive sites. Novice divers can check out the USAT Liberty wreck in Tulamben, a two-hour drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport. Experienced divers can brave the cold but crystal-clear waters of Nusa Penida for the chance to spot the rare mola-mola. Watch out for unpredictable currents!
How to get there: Bali is a quick flight from Singapore, and the route is served by a plethora of budget airlines.
Where to stay: The Watergarden's private bungalows (US$125, $178) are nestled amid lily ponds and waterfalls. It is centrally-located in Candidasa. (www.watergardenhotel.com).
The Mimpi Tulamben at the foot of Mount Agung is a two-minute walk down a volcanic rock beach to the USAT Liberty wreck. Designed with divers in mind, some of the cottages feature a stunning outdoor shower accessible from the outside. Rates start at US$90 a night (www.mimpi.com).
To sample multiple dive sites, try a dive safari. Aquamarine Diving schleps you and your luggage between dive site and hotel starting from US$235 for a 2 day/1 night package (www.aquamarinediving.com).
Best time to go: Diving is great all year round. To catch the elusive and weird-looking mola-mola, try August to October.
Dive into the deep blue sea
4 Get wrecked
Can't be bothered to fly? Want to dive more than twice? Fed up with surly customs officials casting dubious looks at your bulging… dive bag? Try a liveaboard. White Manta runs weekend trips to Aur, where you could spot manta rays, whale sharks and many wrecks, including the famed 7 skies wreck - a 98000-tonne bulk carrier sunk in 1969.
Cabins on the White Manta and Black Manta are pretty luxurious as liveaboards go. There is even an onboard masseuse to ease out those post-dive kinks. The nosh is Thai or Western-style food, and the only extras are very reasonably priced drinks ($4 for beer, $40 for a bottle of wine).
Best time to go: White Manta runs liveabords all year, but weekend trips out of Singapore only run from March to October.
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From TODAY, Living – Weekend, 29/30-Aug-2009
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