A remote island just five kilometers long, Pulau Aur is located forty miles from Peninsular Malaysia’s east coast. With healthy coral reefs and fast paced deep water channels where manta rays, hammerheads and whale sharks can be found seasonally, it is a wonderful place for experienced divers to get away from the crowds found in many other desirable tropical locales. There are more than ten dive sites to experience around this tree-covered isle; here are just five to whet your appetite.
Rayner’s Rock
One of the best places in the area to encounter manta rays and whale sharks, Rayner’s Rock is a monolithic boulder that rises up from the sandy bottom 40 meters below the surface. Covered in soft coral and sponges in a rainbow of colors, this gigantic boulder is surrounded by smaller rock formations where moray eels and massive groupers hide. Gigantic humphead wrasse and sleek barracudas can be seen swimming in endless swooping arcs around the rock, and a brilliant array of tropical fish in all sizes, shapes and colors add to the overall magical quality the site possesses. There is a current here most of the time, and visibility tends to be in the twenty meter range most of the time. Be careful as you travel between sets of boulders, as there tends to be heavy surge in the open spaces.
Pinnacles
At Pinnacles, a strong current provides huge pelagics the incentive they need to stay in the area. With everything from schooling trevally and jacks, snappers, yellowtail and chevron barracuda to tiny nudibranchs and crabs that cling tenaciously to the rocks, the site is home to an almost unbelievable array of marine life. The tops of the first two pinnacles are at about 12 meters, while the top of the third is at 16 meters. The seabed here is at 30 meters, allowing for a comfortable, if somewhat energetic dive. Watch for the white and black tip reef sharks that are often encountered here, and keep an eye out for manta rays, eagle rays, and the occasional whale shark.
Seven Skies Wreck
Lying beneath 67 meters of water, the Seven Skies is the wreck of a 262 meter super tanker which is sitting upright on the bottom. Broken in two pieces as the result of the explosion that sent her to the bottom, the massive ship’s funnel can be accessed at 24 meters during low tide. Ten meters below that, the main bridge deck makes a fun place to explore, as the glass is missing from the huge windows and you can swim right through without worrying about entrapment hazards. From there, you can access the main deck at 45 meters. Expert divers can find penetration points into the holds, which are in varying states of decay. Hazards include wires and cables, as well as depth and the possibility of entrapment, so unless you are properly prepared and qualified to enter this wreck, do not do it.
The outer regions of the Seven Skies are covered in a healthy blanket of hard and soft coral, sponges, and anemones. A fantastic ecosystem, and an entire world unto itself, the wreck is home to almost every kind of sea creature imaginable, including huge pelagics. It is not uncommon to encounter sharks and rays here, and schools of trevally, barracuda, and others orbit the ship in endless flashes of bright silver.
Undang Oil Rigs
Not a site for new divers, and one of the best dives in the Pulau Aur area, the Undang Oil Rigs are abandoned, but look as though the companies that left them behind could start work at a moment’s notice. Be careful not to be tricked into boarding the oil rigs themselves – though lifeboats, fire extinguishers, and other elements are just as they were left, the landings are rusty and there is at least a 10 foot tidal swing in the area.
Once beneath the surface, you will find giant trevally, big bumphead parrotfish, and huge shoals of barracuda out in the blue, plus thousands of tiny fish and lovely soft corals and other creatures on and around the structures themselves. The best features here are between 10 and 40 meters, even though the bottom of the rigs are at about 81 meters beneath the surface. Be cautious if the current is running, as there is no shelter and it is possible to be swept away from the structure. If it is calm though, you can enjoy a very relaxing and scenic dive.
The Anambas Islands
A group of islands located east of the main shipping lines and midway between Singapore and the Natunas Archipelago, the Anambas Islands are mostly unexplored, though there are dozens of wonderful places to dive surrounding them. With channels and coral reefs, beautiful beaches and incredible wildlife, these peaceful islands are inhabited by friendly indigenous people who use old fashioned fishing techniques. A visit to the Anambas requires careful planning, as there are no dive centers and as there are no accommodations to speak of.
Just as there are no dive operators on the remote Anambas Islands, there are no dive centers anywhere near Pulau Aur. All diving takes place from liveaboards, although there are bungalows at Aur where you can enjoy a brief stay on land. Most liveaboard safaris that include Aur Island as part of their itinerary also visit Tioman, Redang, and Tenggal. The best time to visit is during the dry season, between April and September. If you want to see whale sharks, then your chances are best during the beginning of the season, with the most sightings occurring during late April and early May. Last, but certainly not least, while it is always important to plan in advance, the importance of booking ahead cannot be stressed enough here. Liveaboards have limited space available, and it is basically impossible to get a spot at the last minute. It is vital to begin planning several months before your scheduled vacation.