Luconia Shoals

The shoals consist of expansive reef complexes divided into North and South groups. The coastal waters of Sarawak are known for their turbid conditions and heavy sediment loads. Luconia offers the complete opposite. The immense distance from the mainland means river runoff never reaches these offshore reefs. The result is excellent open-ocean visibility.

You dive steep vertical walls plunging from 12 m down to 40 m. The structural topography is dramatic. Gorgonian sea fans and hard corals cling to the vertical faces. The marine life shifts away from the macro critters of the coast towards pelagic species. Divers frequently report encounters with manta rays and reef sharks. Dogtooth tuna and dense schools of rainbow runners swim in the strong currents.

South Luconia Shoals

Skill level: Advanced | Depth range: 12–40 m Deep walls and dramatic vertical drop-offs dominate South Luconia Shoals. The immense distance from the mainland keeps the water clear. You can expect strong currents along the reef walls. Encounters frequently feature reef sharks and dogtooth tuna swimming in the blue water alongside large gorgonian fans.

North Luconia Shoals

Skill level: Advanced | Depth range: 12–40 m The North Luconia Shoals offer similar sheer walls plunging into the deep. Pelagic marine life is the main attraction here. Schools of barracuda and tuna congregate in the currents. Manta rays are sometimes seen swimming along the edges of the drop-offs.

Diving the shoals is strictly a liveaboard endeavour. Operations in this sector are highly specialised and extremely limited. The primary vessel servicing this route is the Tubbataha Dos operated by Dive at Borneo Sdn Bhd. The boat is a 155-tonne dive vessel departing from Miri. It suits up to 25 guests across ten air-conditioned cabins. Standard itineraries for Luconia Shoals require a four-day and four-night package. Operators use advanced echo sounders to determine safe passage through the reefs. Because of the offshore location and the potential for unmoored blue-water drift diving the operator prohibits solo diving completely. The Sarawak Wrecks & Reefs package combines this offshore potential with coastal diving.

The team consults operators immediately prior to booking to confirm current access and the likelihood of interception.

Located in the South China Sea the shoals face intense monsoon systems. The primary dive season runs from late March through October. This window avoids the destructive Northeast Monsoon. During the winter months from December through February heavy seas force all operators to close. The open-ocean swells render the crossing entirely unviable.

March and April mark the season opening. May to July offers some of the best open-ocean crossing windows. The peak window for minimised weather risk and prime liveaboard conditions falls between August and September. Dive operators run trips only when maritime security conditions allow. October and November see increasing winds and weather unpredictability rises sharply. Any expedition in the shoulder months depends entirely on the forecast. If you plan to cross over to the east coast read the guide on when to dive Sabah.

This destination is tailored exclusively for highly experienced Advanced Open Water divers. The offshore location means you are diving deep walls far from any terrestrial markers. Blue-water drift diving is a strong possibility. Strong surface currents and open-ocean swells require excellent buoyancy control. You must be comfortable managing your air and depth on vertical drop-offs. It is not suitable for novice divers or anyone wanting a relaxed tropical reef.

Luconia is seasonal and arranged entirely on request so you need mainland alternatives. The smart way to plan a Sarawak expedition is to treat the offshore liveaboard as a bonus and anchor your trip around more certain coastal diving. Read the general travel information for logistics.

Miri: The Miri-Sibuti Coral Reefs National Park serves as the primary starting point for diving in Miri. The reefs are turbid patch reefs heavily influenced by terrestrial runoff from the Baram River basin. This sediment occasionally limits visibility to roughly 10 m but provides an ecological shield against coral bleaching. Researchers note a healthy hard coral cover ranging from 22% to 39% dominated by massive species like Diploastrea and Porites. Surveys recorded bleaching in 6.7% of corals and found coral disease virtually non-existent. The area features over 40 distinct dive sites. You will find shallow macro gardens like Eve's Garden at 7 m alongside the Kenyalang Wreck resting at 22 m. The Atago Maru is a World War II Japanese commercial ship sitting in 14 m of water off the coast of Lutong.

Kuching: The waters off Kuching and Talang-Satang hold significant World War II shipwrecks. The Japanese invasion fleet advanced on Borneo in December 1941. The Dutch submarine HNLMS K XVI intercepted and sank several vessels. The Katori Maru is a 150-metre troopship resting at 21 m. It has suffered from illegal salvaging but remains a critical artificial reef hosting schooling barracuda. The Hiyoshi Maru sits at 21 m while the IJN Sagiri rests slightly deeper at 26 m. These wrecks demand advanced buoyancy control due to frequent strong currents. Kuching also offers the Talang-Satang National Park. The Sarawak Forestry Corporation regulates this area strictly to protect endangered green and hawksbill turtles. General visitors are prohibited from coming within 2.8 km of the Talang-Talang islands, Pulau Satang Kecil and the Ara-Banun Wildlife Sanctuary without special permission. You dive alongside an approved guide using rented life-support gear to prevent contamination.

Labuan: For historical shipwrecks diving in Labuan offers 4 wrecks with verified identities. These include the American Wreck and the Cement Wreck. Labuan works well as a specialist add-on.

Sipadan: You can cross over to Sabah for diving in Sipadan and its famous oceanic drop-offs. Direct flights connect Miri to Kota Kinabalu and you then fly onward to Tawau. Sabah Parks issues 254 Sipadan permits a day. The island is closed every November but the surrounding resorts stay open.

A Luconia Shoals expedition suits experienced divers who want to explore one of the most remote offshore environments in Southeast Asia. It appeals to divers who understand the practical realities of a remote liveaboard expedition. If you have exhausted the mainstream Malaysian destinations and want a true frontier experience this is the place.

It does not suit novice divers or anyone looking for a standard beach holiday. It is not for divers who expect guaranteed departure schedules. The weather and the authorities have the final say on every trip.

• Miri
• Kuching and Talang-Satang
• Labuan
• Sipadan
• Sarawak Wrecks & Reefs

Send your dates along with the names of everyone coming and your certification levels. The team comes back with what can be arranged based on the liveaboard schedules and current maritime access.