Diving Layang Layang in the Spratly Islands

Layang Layang diving features

sharks

turtles

tuna

barracuda

DESTINATION OVERVIEW
Layang Layang is a man made island that sits on a long string of reefs in the middle of the South China Sea. Collectively called the Spratlys, these islands and atolls are much coveted by neighbouring countries. The Malaysians put foot to "soil" and claimed Layang – or Swallow's Reef – by building a small naval outpost there.

Nowadays, the Royal Malaysian Navy shares the island with divers who want to see what this isolated atoll has to offer. Tales of pelagics are rife. At certain times of the year hammerheads are said to appear in massive numbers.

Out of season, there is an impressive quantity of other pelagic species. Constant currents across the reef attract masses of big animals – small white tips, large grey sharks, dog tooth tuna and giant trevally along with clusters of striped barracuda and schools of jacks. There are large turtles on the reef tops and families of juvenile sharks under bommies.

There are small critters too like juvenile razor fish, arc-eyed hawkfish and ghost pipefish hiding in the corals. Inside the lagoon, an easy shore dive across the sandy bottom was the place to hunt out mantis shrimp, tiny gobies and the Picasso trigger fish.

Seasons
Year round.
Visibility:
10 – 40 metres
Water temperature:
26 – 31º C
Deco chambers: Labuan, Singapore

Flights to Kota Kinabalu then private aircraft to the resort
Accommodation
Layang Layang Resort

SCUBA DIVING
For people who like to see "big stuff" this is an ideal destination. There's always a pelagic or several on every site on every day. The seas here can be rough though and poor sailors should think about that as you can't escape the conditions.

OPINION
We travelled to Layang out of season which meant we missed the hammerheads but it was uncrowded when we went. The diving was still excellent and well run, buffet meals were delicious and facilities were good.