By Irwan Ismail @ Sorte Diver (PADI Instructor)

Kuala Lumpur, April 26: During our trip to Brunei on April 11th, we were impressed with the macros marine life. Though, the initial idea was to explore the four wrecks which is the Cement, American, Australian and the Blue water wrecks or famously known as the “Big Four”.
It begin in 2013 during the Malaysia International Dive Expo (MIDE), my dive buddy, Hafiz Azzad Zubir, a PADI Divemaster and I decided on exploring Brunei dive sites. I took the leisure package and he took the Wreck specialty course package.

So we meet up with Steven Ng (left), the managing director of Oceanic Quest, a 5-star PADI Dive Centre during the expo to arrange for the logistics.
On April 11th, we took the first flight out, Malaysian Airlines (flight MH 730) to Brunei. Upon arriving there we were greeted by two Oceanic Quest crew who is very friendly and helpful. It took us about 20 minutes drive to the dive centre.


Upon arriving to the dive centre, we were greeted by the friendly Oceanic Quest crew, felt more like a family. First day is more light and easy, sorting out the diving gears and cameras.

There, we met Divemaster Ali Umasangadji (left), one of the best spotter in the world, who is one of the few people who started muck diving in Lembeh, Indonesia. Exchanging notes and experience, he has taught me a lot about marine life macros habitat. Wish I could stay longer to learn more, but another trip to Brunei is already in my mind.
After few days diving in Brunei, I dare say that Brunei has a grade A macros, equivalent those find in Anilao and Lembeh.
You can join my Facebook page for trips and event here (SORTE MET STELA, SCUBA DIVERS).

Below are some of the images I took during the 4-days trip. All of the photos was taken using the Canon G12, Single Sea&Sea YS-D1 strobe and Subsee +10 lens:
























Also, I have made a short video of the macro life there as well, enjoy.
April 14, 2014, we took the Malaysian Airlines flight MH 731 and headed home to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Next Brunei trip is already in discussion.