The wonders of Brunei’s macros has to offer

By Irwan Ismail @ Sorte Diver (PADI Instructor)

Me with PADI Divemaster Hafiz (left), embarking on a journey to Brunei from Malaysia.

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.

Steven Ng from Oceanic Quest, Brunei.

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 11^th, 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.

Entrance to the dive centre.

Dive Centre Facade

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.

Me with Divemaster Ali Umasangadji (right), the best top macro spotter.

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).

Always setup your equipment a day before you dive. Check and double checks especially on the o-rings. You don’t want a leaking camera spoil your trip.

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:

Four Lobed Porcelain Crab on a whip coral. – Picture by Irwan Ismail

Four Lobed Porcelain Crab on a whip coral. – Picture by Irwan Ismail

Four Lobed Porcelain Crab on a soft coral. – Picture by Irwan Ismail

Yet to be indentified, most likely a shrimp. – Picture by Irwan Ismail

Sawblade shrimp on a whip coral. – Picture by Irwan Ismail

Sawblade shrimp on a whip coral. – Picture by Irwan Ismail

Sawblade shrimp on a whip coral. – Picture by Irwan Ismail

Nudibranch: Asean Bornella. – Picture by Irwan Ismail

Porcelain crab. – Picture by Irwan Ismail

Sea Pen shrimp on a sea pen coral. – Picture by Irwan Ismail

Nudibranch: Chromodoris. – Picture by Irwan Ismail

Nudibranch on a leaf fish. – Picture by Irwan Ismail

Leopard anemone shrimp. I manage to capture one of the rarest shrimp in the world according to Ali Umasangadji. – Picture by Irwan Ismail

Nudibranch: Doriprismatica atromarginata. – Picture by Irwan Ismail

Nudibranch: Hypselodoris bullockii. – Picture by Irwan Ismail

Goby fish on a whip coral. – Picture by Irwan Ismail

Goby fish on whip coral. – Picture by Irwan Ismail

Goby fish on whip coral. – Picture by Irwan Ismail

Emperor shrimp on sea cucumber. – Picture by Irwan Ismail

Cowry. – Picture by Irwan Ismail

Cowry. – Picture by Irwan Ismail

Bruce’s Hinge-beak shrimp. – Picture by Irwan Ismail

Bruce’s Hinge Beak Shrimp. – Picture by Irwan Ismail

Leopard Anemone Shrimp. – Picture by Irwan Ismail

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.