exploring the S2

It's been a long time since my last dive with Alu-alu staff exploring new dive sites around Perhentian. Last week, in some sort of inaugural opening of diving season, Anuar took us out to recce a new dive site north of the Perhentian Kechil island.

What I discovered was very interesting, I never thought that the new site is teemed with fishes and large stingrays. The reef's structure and depth makes it an interesting place even for beginners. It's divided into two sides with different maximum depths and on the shallower part (around 18m) was where we saw the most marine life. I spotted a large stingray which I think was a Bull ray (picture left), innumerable fusiliers and trevallies and a Great barracuda, morays and invertebrates that we often found populating the ocean floor hiding underneath the crevices.

Farouk and Shukri separated from the group to explore the northern side while I maintained at the area with Sabrina checking out the stingrays and admiring the visibility; it was about 18m viz because I could clearly see the surface from where I was. Later after the dive, I realised that I should have followed Farouk and Shukri. They discovered more marine life including a Guitar shark passing by in close proximity, an approachable school of Bumphead parrotfish, marbled grouper checking them out and sighting of a school of barracudas. But the highlight of that detour, was the Guitar shark.

It's definitely the place that I want to go back and explore again, hopefully in the near future... and definitely the place that I'd recommend if you plan to dive Perhentian some day. I'm not sure what the dive site name will be, depending on whether Anuar wanted to use the original name from the locals or perhaps just to leave it anonymously known as the "S2".

Season Opening 2007

We've been getting a lot of emails from friends and customers to ask us why the delay in updating our news from the island blog.  We can assure you it wasn't intentional, although we do admit we have been slacking in posting updates of late (well, as you can see, the last update was in August). 

Truth be told, we've been busy setting the stage for a grand re-opening next season with a brand new facade & facility but with the same old passion for diving (we love the Perhentians!).  Thanks to the tremendous support from our customers and friends of Alu Alu, we are once again expanding. 

We will be open for business from February 17th 2007 until end of November.

Come and celebrate the season opening with us!

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Perhentian diving is awesome, what's next?

Scuba diving in Perhentian island is indeed awesome, we can't agree more.  Half way through the season, despite a slow start (World Cup fever!), island is playing a catch up game now.  Most rooms are already booked up and visitors without early bookings will be disappointed.  We do advise for those planning to visit to secure the rooms first - send us an email and we will try to help. 

Although we love our beach, you can stay on other beaches and still dive with us.  We will pick you up at your doorstep for FREE. Now, how's that for service :-)

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