We got a late Sunday night flight out (9 hrs) - unfortunately with no sleep, into to Kula Lumpa then hopped on another flight to Tawau. 1 hr drive through the Palm Oil plantations to Semporna Port for a 45 minute boat ride to Kapali.
We checked in and had lunch then went to the dive centre to gear up. Our first dive was 30mins later in the man made reef of boats and house frames. The water was lovely clear and warm.
We had a lovely dinner watching the sunset and tried to have an early night as we had to be up early for a 5.30am boat ride to dive at Sipadan.
Mikey went to sleep quickly but I kept hearing things outside so went out on to the balcony and watched at least 10 turtles swimming past the balcony light and come up for air. I went to sleep with the doors open next to the bed watching turtles swim past - Awesome!
Kapali Dive Summary
We managed to visit Sipadan on two day visits (8dives) - all of them - Amazing!
Turtles, Massive bump-head parrot fish, sharks and lots of other fish.
 |
| Turtle |
We also managed to visit 6 other dive sites viewing rays, nudibranches, and lots more fish!
 |
| Nudibranch |
Unfortunately thought the wet season was still hanging around, so only the 1st and last days where sunny.
We meet up with a lovely honeymooning couple from Wales and London, who are about to head to the Falkland Islands for a year.
Also some pro-divers form Springfield in Brisbane, who where enjoying a relaxing visit.
It was great to relax with them all at the end of the day, comparing notes from the dives.
 |
| Peacock Mantis Shrimp |
Due to not being able to fly 24hours after diving, I just snorkeled around Kapali in the morning for an hour. Packed up had lunch outside in the shade for an hour and got burnt to a crisp!
 |
| Green Turtle on the sand bar |
Boat, then drive back to the Tauwau then flight to Sandakan, then on to the Sandakan Nature Resort in the pouring rain! Had dinner and bed early due to early pick up the next day (only on boat transfer a day).
Lankayan
With the continuing pouring rain we got transferred to Sandakan Yacht Club, for our 1.5 hour boat ride to Lankayan Island. Unfortunately for us that was not the case this morning!
The Sulu Sea was very rough, with 3m swell, plus the rain! It was like riding a mechanical bull for 2:45 hours!
We all cheered when we got off the boat!
We were shown to our rooms, had a quick shower and changed into dry clothes.
 |
| Lankayan Island, when the weather cleared. |
We had a beautiful chalet overlooking the beach with a 4 poster bed with mossie netting (I called it the princess room).
 |
| Our bed room at Lankayan |
 |
| View to our chalet while snorkling |
We then checked in and had a lovely lunch. We then walked out to the Jetty and sorted out our dive gear. We then had our orientation dive off the Jetty.
Lankayan Dive Summary
The resort, beach, staff and food were wonderful.
But unfortunately we didn't have very good weather, it rained most nights and morning then cleared up for the rest of the day.
 |
| Nudibranch |
Diving was a mixed experience (we believe it would have been better in nicer weather), towards the end of the week when the weather was a bit better the dives where great.
Unfortunately the current can be very strong and I got dragged on one dive (2 others as well) and had to get rescued by the boat, but I went back in on the 2nd go (the 2 German divers refused).
 |
| Spotted Ray |
 |
| Lion Fish |
We saw puffer fish, lobster, schools of fish, but the viability was mainly poor. The dive masters were very professional and we always had 2 on every dive.
Mikey and I snorkelled out the front of our chalet a few times and saw some Jawfish and various other fish.
We loved watching the baby black tipped sharks swimming in front of the restaurant every night.
We were also lucky enough to see 61 Hawksbill Turtle hatchings - we watched them get released on the beach and about 50ish swam off to their new life. 10 were very tired from their ordeal and took a bit longer to get going. Unfortunately we know at least one became shark breakfast - Yikes!
On the last day we hired a kayak and paddled around the Island and got to see 3 turtles (very fast swimmers).
 |
| Jawfish, found while snorkeling |
 |
| View from our deck chairs |
Had and early night (first night without rain) as we had to be up at 5.30 for the boat ride back to Sandakan (much better this time). Van to the Airport then fly to KL.
Kuala Lumpur
We checked in to the marvellous Pan Pacific and the Airport. Hopped on the KLIA Express train into the City (28 min ride, compared to the 90 min drive), then changed trains to the KLCC.
Came out the station at the KL Petros Twin Towers (KL's most Popular tourist destination), these buildings are a feat of engineering - Amazing!
 |
| Petronas Towers |
We then went into the Suri Shopping Centre underneath for 4 hours of shopping. Back to the Hotel for a rest then early up for our flight back home.
In summary a great holiday, the rain didn't stop us from doing anything!
Gallery
Slide shows
Kapalai
Lankayan
