Diving at Pulau Aur; Part II- FINAL

One thing for sure, all of us were very excited about diving at Pulau Aur. While most of us caught some sleeps before our first dive @ 9am, a couple of us sat @ the veranda, chit chatting & munching on the rambutans & mangosteens that were bought from mainland… hmm.. yum yum….

Breakfast was served @ 8.30am.  The portion was more for 20 pax than only for 8 of us!  I thought more people would join in but only to find out that we had the whole island to ourselves on Friday!!!  The Singaporean groups will only arrive on Saturday.  Wow, that’s the 1st time ever I felt so exclusive on an island.

Breakfast was really awesome

After our scrumptious breakfast, we were ferried to the pontoon by a small boat to gear up while waiting for our dive boat, an old fishing boat.  We (or more like the boatmen, a pakcik & his assistance, Awang) loaded 10 over tanks of air & our gears into the boat before setting off to our first destination, Pulau Pinang (not Penang Island) for surveys.  Another 3 survey sites that followed for the next 2 days were Diver’s Lodge House Reef, Rayner’s Rock & Pulau Lang.

On the boat heading out to our dive site

These surveys are done by Reef Check Malaysia’s certified eco-divers.  Since my eco-dive certification in March this year in Perhentian, I’ve done surveys @ Perhentian and this trip – Aur and I definitely plan to go on many more.  What is more rewarding than being able to do something you’re passionate about & contribute back to the ecosystem?

On the floating pontoon on Pulau Aur

I am glad that I invested in an underwater housing for my camera. Though they are no ‘National Geography’ quality, I am still very much happy and satisfied knowing that  these pictures were taken by myself. Take a look…

A Batfish

A table coral

Simply beautiful!

Amazing marine creatures

The following is an excerpt from the Reef Check website:

“Reef Check is an international volunteer programme that works with communities, governments and businesses to scientifically monitor, restore and maintain coral reef health.  In 2001, Reef Check appointed a National Coordinator for Malaysia, to promote Reef Check and carry out training and surveys. With the support of funding from the British Government, Reef Check is now being established in Malaysia as a non-profit organisation, active in coral reef conservation and promoting the key goals of Reef Check: Research, Education & Conservation. “

You can google ‘reefcheck malaysia’ to find out more.

Eco Divers doing their survey at one of the sites at Pulau Aur

Diving at Pulau Aur has been a great experience for me. While the highlight of the trip was the deep ocean and it’s inhabitants, I would say the company of co-divers added colors to the trip as well. I enjoyed it totally and can’t wait for my next dive.

p/s:  So have you found out where Pulau Aur is?

Click here to read the 1st part of Meun’s diving trip at Pulau Aur.

by Meun