Dive Report: Pulau Payar 9 December 2006

First Dive: Lembu Rocks
I dove Lembu Rocks on 5 November and the visibility has significantly degraded since then. There are thousands of what appear to be something in the jellyfish family in the water. They are about 6-12 cm in length and look something like worms and have translucent pearls, about 5-6 pearls per “jelly worm”. They don’t affect visibility but the fact they are there shows a current change and that means murky water.

As we headed deeper, circling the rocks and the visibility worsened so our divemaster took us to shallower parts at the base of the boulders. The visibility got better, about 5 meters or so and we saw a couple of moray eels. Near the end of the dive we saw something in the nudibranch family. It was about 10 cm long and brownish in colour. First time I had seen whatever critter it was. Just after that we were doing our “safety stop” by exploring the shallow areas of the rocks when we happened upon a turtle. I am not sure whether it was a green turtle or a hawksbill turtle but it was a juvenile, not full grown and the first I have seen a turtle in Payar waters. How do you tell the two species apart?

Second Dive: Coral Garden
This was an excellent dive. The visibility was about 8-10 meters the entire dive and it seemed like miles of vis compared to the murkiness we had experienced in the deeper waters around Lembu Rocks. It started out great as we saw a boxfish just after descending. That was followed by a nice hermit crab. As we headed up a slope, we could see a Napoleon or humpheaded wrasse in the shallower waters above us. It was almost 2 meters in length but never came down for a perfect viewing but close enough to enjoy it for 30 seconds or so.

We saw a several other interesting things during the dive, razor fish, puffer fish, a fish that camouflaged itself against the rock and a moray eel. Our divemaster petted the eel under the chin, something I disagree with and think that most things like that wind up “biting” someone in the end.

So, the visibility has degraded at Payar but I would rate both dives above average. Also, my divemaster said the jellyfish worms bring in whale sharks during the month of December so it might be a good time to try a dive at Segantang. I also met a guy named “Jack Dolphin” on the ferry who is a tour guide in Langkawi who said he could guarantee snorkeling with whale sharks and knew of several dolphins but couldn’t guarantee sightings of the dolphins. Rates were around RM220 for 6 hours. Email me if you are interested in his contact information. I want to try going up there and seeing whale sharks sometime in early 2007, maybe over Thaipusam holidays.

Comment from Scuba Explorers

When we started this blog, I wanted it to be a place where we could provide information to other divers. I knew that if I wrote a poor review of a dive operator, it could generate some heat but it could also be beneficial to those reading it. I reviewed Scuba Explorers and said they were OK but not spectacular and listed a couple of reasons for doing so. Charlie, the owner, commented on my review and I want to post it here so everyone can see it. I feel if he enacts the measures he says he will in the comment, then the blog will have served its purpose in being a knowledge centre for all divers, whether dive shop owners or dive master or divers.

He said:
Scuba Explorers and Tenggol Island Beach Resort are totally independent identity. The rates, both for diving and resort stay are predetermined by the resort and the operator Scuba Explorers have no say what so ever. Scuba Explorers cannot provide any discount with out consciences (consent) form the resort office form KL.

Scuba Explorers is starting out another operation in Pulau Tenggol independently, at a different resort at Tenggol Resort, Pulau Tenggol. The accomodations are also basic but at a cheaper rate and better customer service.

Although Scuba Explorers will still help out in Tenggol Island Beach Resort initially and on special request later on.

You can check out Scuba Explorers web page at http://www.scubaexplorers.com.my . The web site will also tell you how to get there.

2007 rates will be out soon.

I do ask this question, "If the resort and dive shop are "totally independent", then why can you not offer discounts unless the resort gives you permission?" Is this a common contract agreement because other dive shops have given discounts to divers.

We wish your new shop success and if you want specifics on how customer service can be upgraded, feel free to email.