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Feet Do Blogging

Diving in Borneo – always awesome!

11/9/2016

55 Comments

 
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Diving in Borneo is amazing, it’s as simple as that. Not only does it have one of the world’s most interesting places to search for macro-life but also one of the world’s top diving sites on its doorstep – Sipadan!

So far, we have visited twice with a plan to return again and and on all occasions we stayed at Scuba Junkie on the island of Mabul. We honestly cannot big this place up enough and will wax lyrical about it given the opportunity!

We chose Scuba Junkie because of the 5* reviews on Trip Advisor; they didn’t just live up to our expectations, they exceeded them, in fact I would say they blew them out into the stratosphere!  Seriously, I should have shares in this place for how much I rave about it.

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Scuba Junkie accommodation on Mabul
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The beach on Mabul
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So what makes this area so special? If you like your large marine life such as hammer heads, white tip reef sharks or huge schools of fish like Jacks or Parrot fish, then Sipadan is for you which you can book as a day trip from Mabul. If you love your underwater structures and the huge abundance of life that goes with it, check out Kapalai, but if macro diving is your thing, then you need to head to Mabul – the term “muck diving” apparently originated here and if you have never heard of it or think “nah, I like to see the big stuff”, you may surprise yourself!

The amazing colours and variety of life such as nudibranch or frogfish could make you look at diving in a completely different way… it did for me!
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Wikipedia describes Mabul as “arguably one of the richest single destinations for exotic small marine life anywhere in the world”.
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But I’m not going to talk about it – that is reserved for sitting in a bar with a beer and a log book going over the day’s adventure – no, I’m going to show you and let the photos speak for themselves!
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This post is dedicated to just Mabul and Kapali; I started to include Sipadan but there are just so many amazing photos, I have had to split the two… Sipadan is currently a work in progress so watch this space for that post in a few weeks time!

Mabul – a macro diver’s paradise
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Dive site - Stingray City
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Crocodile fish
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Large Black frogfish
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Willains Chromodoris nudibranch
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Blue spotted stingray - at Stingray City dive site!
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Green turtle - turtles are everywhere in Borneo!
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Spotfin butterfly fish
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Pufferfish
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Yellow tail fusiliers
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Another Green Turtle - I said they were everywhere didn't I!

​Kapalai House Reef - visually spectacular
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Simon at Kapalai House Reef
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Orange Spotted Grouper
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Oriental Sweetlips
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Large black frogfish
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Flamboyant cuttlefish
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Banana nudibranch
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Orange Frogfish
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Nembrotha nudibranch
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I found Nemo!! A false anemone fish - Clownfish
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Elvis - a giant of a Giant Moray Eel
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Picachu nudibranch
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Ornate ghostpipefish

North Kapalai 

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Long-Jaw Mackerel
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White eyed Moray eel
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Two spot snapper
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Blue Striped snapper
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Oh look - another Green Turtle!

South Kapalai
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Nudibranch
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Broadclub cuttlefish
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Spiny puffer fish (porcupine fish)

Have you dived or snorkelled in Borneo? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

If you like this post - pin it!
A stunning pictorial blog of diving in Mabul/Kapalai on Borneo! Check it out!
55 Comments
Juliette @ Snorkels to Snow link
12/9/2016 08:01:14 pm

I've just put Borneo on my bucket list after reading this! What an amazing place to dive. Great photos too! I have never seen a crocodile fish before. So much colourful marine life! Although to be honest I would go diving there just to see the turtles :P

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FeetDoTravel
13/9/2016 02:13:42 pm

Yaaaay, I'm so glad Juliette! It truly is an amazing place to dive, it's why we keep returning ... they say you see so many turtles you will become bored with them ... would love to know what you think when you have been :-)

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Lauren Barratt
16/9/2016 10:05:27 am

Wow!!! The pictures are beautiful, going to add diving at Scuba junkie on my list for when I island hop my way from Oz to Thailand!! Beautiful pictures which tell a great story, love it!

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FeetDoTravel
16/9/2016 01:36:13 pm

You definitely should - you will have an amazing journey from Oz to Thailand and I met people there doing the same route! You will not regret it, the vibe at Scuba Junkie is awesome ... as well as the diving!

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Lolo link
16/9/2016 10:23:45 am

WOW!! Your pictures are stunning and make me want to learn to Scuba Dive even more! I've been talking about learning forever! I've saved this for when that day comes! #WeekendWanderlust

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FeetDoTravel
16/9/2016 01:44:09 pm

Thanks Lolo, watch out for our next pictorial blog on Sipadan in a few weeks time to also whet your appetite I think you should take the plunge (tee hee) and try scuba diving, then you can see amazing marine life such as this and it totally changes your perception of travel and what else you c an do :-) Please let me know if you make it ... learning to dive and going to Borneo!

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Cat link
16/9/2016 01:51:31 pm

OMG the photos look stunning! I am a diver too and would be very interested to visit there! Thanks for sharing :)

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FeetDoTravel
16/9/2016 06:41:55 pm

Thanks Cat, diving in Borneo is truly stunning and I hope you get a chance to experience it yourself sometime :-)

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the grey traveller link
16/9/2016 03:18:15 pm

Beautiful colours.

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FeetDoTravel
16/9/2016 06:43:01 pm

Thank you Dawn, yes the colours are magnificent, a rainbow of life underneath the surface!

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Stephanie (1AdventureTraveler) link
16/9/2016 03:49:27 pm

Awesome photos of Mabul and Kapalai House Reef! Love the nudibranches, frog fish and so much more. Photos are amazing and captured such great colors. Looking forward to your pictures on Sipidan. That's where I have dived and loved it. I would love to go back and do some more diving! Thanks so much for sharing!

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FeetDoTravel
16/9/2016 06:49:46 pm

Thanks Stephanie, we are quite partial to nudibranch you know, Simon absolutely loves them!! There are so many opportunities to capture the amazing colours - it's why I love it there so much. Hope you enjoy reminiscing over our Sipadan blog when it's released as I'm sure you will agree it's an awesome place!

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Travel Lexx link
16/9/2016 06:23:53 pm

Absolutely stunning photos - this has made me want to dust off my PADI card (I genuinely have no idea where it is) and head to Borneo. The marine life is just incredible and you found Nemo! I have too in Thailand but I have no proof! Would love to see a parrot fish first hand too! They are amazing. Thanks for sharing

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FeetDoTravel
16/9/2016 07:17:47 pm

Thanks Alexei, I think you should put Borneo on your list of destinations! We will be diving in Thailand next year so I hope I get to see Nemo there as well. Parrot fish are gorgeous underwater :-)

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Paul and Carole link
16/9/2016 07:32:54 pm

Fantastic photography, just makes you want to dive! Great inspirational post!

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FeetDoTravel
17/9/2016 04:56:19 pm

Thanks guys, so glad you found it inspirational ... that was the aim :-)

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Anisa link
16/9/2016 07:51:36 pm

Wow those pictures sure do speak loudly!!! I cannot believe it, I had no idea that the diving was so good. Those colors! and so many exotic fish! So can you see that kind of stuff snorkeling too or is it really only if you do diving? Thanks again for linking up with #TheWeeklyPostcard

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FeetDoTravel
17/9/2016 04:58:56 pm

Thanks Anisa, diving really is a different world so full of colour! Yes you absolutely can see stuff like that snorkelling, in fact sometimes you see things that make divers envious ... it's always worth checking out these amazing places for that reason, even if you're not a diver.

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Garth link
16/9/2016 07:56:21 pm

Wow, incredible photos! so colourful! I wish I could be like you guys and dive, but it's just out of my comfort zone, maybe one day! seeing your close up adventure like this makes me want to learn. However I do love snorkelling so can appreciate the feelings you must have had seeing all these incredible fish! some of them look prehistoric and a bit scary! Beautiful destination too and so cool you found Nemo!!

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FeetDoTravel
17/9/2016 05:01:48 pm

Thanks Garth, there is a surprising amount of colour in the ocean isn't there and you can see some of this marine life just by snorkelling so you won't be missing out on everything! There is an awful lot of prehistoric life, it's amazing and yes, a little bit scary I won't lie lol. As for Nemo ... I love finding him when I dive, I smile into my regulator :-)

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Ahila link
16/9/2016 11:46:53 pm

I have never been diving but your photos of your diving trip in Borneo are amazing, especially that of the green turtles! #TheWeeklyPostcard

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FeetDoTravel
17/9/2016 05:02:53 pm

Thank you Ahila, I'm so glad you like them ... and who doesn't like turtles, there is something rather cute and endearing about them!

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debz58 link
17/9/2016 05:19:54 am

What a wonderful collection of fish etc. colours are beautiful!

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FeetDoTravel
17/9/2016 05:05:11 pm

Thank you, yes there is a wonderful amount of colourful fish and life in the ocean, it's surprising isn't it!

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Kreete link
17/9/2016 05:26:54 am

Oh WOW! These photos!! They are absolutely amazing! So clear and with vibrant colours. Can I ask you what camera and housing are you using? I am looking into getting a camera for diving and it would be great to get results like you have! Have you done an underwater photography course aswell? Anyhow, great job as always!

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FeetDoTravel
17/9/2016 05:08:50 pm

Thanks Kreete :-) We use an ordinary Fuji camera and bought an underwater housing for it, this was actually the most expensive part! Neither of us have been on any course but we love our photography on land and then started taking pics underwater, there has been a bit of trial and error and a lot of rubbish photos over the past couple of years but we think we are getting there with patience lol. Feel free to message me if you want to discuss diving or photography :-)

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Lisa link
17/9/2016 12:09:50 pm

Your pictures are so awesome. The colors are so stunning. Not a diver myself but alot of friends and family do and I will definitely share this. I can imagine it's a beautiful place even if you are just exploring.

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FeetDoTravel
17/9/2016 05:16:51 pm

Thank you Lisa and thank you for sharing this with your friends and family :-) Maybe one day you will considering joining them and yes, it is a beautiful surreal place to be :-)

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Christina M link
17/9/2016 02:27:10 pm

Any dive recommendations for Zanzibar? I saw you have been to Tanzania on your map and am working on planning 3 days of SCUBA in Zanzibar before heading out on safari in Tanzania/Kenya.

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Ruth link
17/9/2016 04:08:33 pm

Your pictures are beyond amazing! I see why you want to keep visiting Borneo. Hope you find more cool diving spots in the future.

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FeetDoTravel
18/9/2016 08:34:49 am

Thanks Ruth, I'm glad you see why we keep returning! I wonder what new and cool dive spots we will encounter this year when we return!

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By land and sea
17/9/2016 07:40:51 pm

What kind of camera do you use for the underwater photos? They are so clear and colorful! This looks like a great place to visit! I'm sure the snorkeling here is great too?!

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FeetDoTravel
18/9/2016 02:17:29 pm

HIya, we use an ordinary camera that can take photos normally and in the water once it has been placed into an underwater housing so it's a Fuji F660 EXR with a Fuji WP500 underwater housing. The snorkelling is stunning as well, that's the beauty of Mabul, you don't have to be a diver!

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David link
17/9/2016 08:39:11 pm

Seriously, your underwater photography just continues to blow me away!!! Almost makes me want to overcome my claustrophobia and start diving. That eel looks evil, but those colours are so vibrant. Malaysia seems to be a place with more and more places to visit, I hope to return and see more of it soon. #FeetDoTravel

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FeetDoTravel
18/9/2016 08:37:53 am

Awww thanks David, that's so kind of you to say. Are you OK with snorkelling as you can still see some amazing things on the surface :-) Elvis the moray does look evil doesn't he but apparently moray's can be quite sweet with divers ... although I wouldn't want to chance my luck with my hand near it's mouth lo. Malaysia has amazing places to visit - watch out for our blog in the next month on 8 Amazing things to see in Borneo - that should whet your appetite even more!

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Barry link
17/9/2016 11:20:08 pm

I spent 6 weeks travelling around Borneo last year but didn't make it as far as Sipadan. Although I was CouchSurfing with a dive instructor at Kota Kinabalu and he did mention that Sipadan had some of the best dive spots in Borneo, so the stunning pictures don't surprise me. Have pinned my my travel Asia board!

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FeetDoTravel
18/9/2016 08:39:35 am

Thanks Barry, I hope you make it back to Borneo, we intend to explore it further when we next return :-) Your couch-surfing Dive Instructor was right - Sipadan is awesome and we will be releasing that pictoral blog in the next few weeks so keep an eye out !

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Lyn aka The Travelling Lindfields link
18/9/2016 12:24:27 am

What stunning photos! I am so impressed by the fact that you have named every fish. How did you do that? I wouldn't know one fish from another. I have never dived but I love to snorkel. This place looks wonderful.

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FeetDoTravel
18/9/2016 08:42:10 am

Thanks Lyn - my husband Sy has to take credit for naming the fish - he is about to start training as a Dive Master and fish identification is part of it so he has become rather good; it helps when we fill in our dive logs that's for sure! You can see some amazing things when you snorkel as well - especially turtles as they need to come to the surface to breath :-)

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Erin Klema | The Epicurean Traveler link
18/9/2016 03:55:41 am

Wow! Amazing underwater photos of the wildlife. How did you capture these?

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FeetDoTravel
18/9/2016 08:43:27 am

Thank you Erin .. I always believe there is a lot of luck involved on any safari whether it be on land or in the ocean .. luck and patience lol. So glad you like the result :0)

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Vyjay link
18/9/2016 05:17:02 am

The fascinating undersea world comes alive vividly and vibrantly in the stunning pictures that you have captured. Isn't it really wonderful to see such a colourful and unique life, down below in the water, in their natural habitat.

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FeetDoTravel
18/9/2016 02:11:39 pm

Oh yes Vyjay, it truly is wonderful the life you see in the underwater world and it's the sole reason I dive, the colours, the unique fish and coral and you just never know what you are going to see next!

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Anna link
18/9/2016 02:49:33 pm

This marine life looks amazing: all colors, forms, shapes! nature is the most talented decorator on Earth! thanks for sharing #TheWeeklyPostcard

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FeetDoTravel
22/9/2016 06:03:47 pm

You are so right Anna, nature is the most talented decorator on Earth! What Mother Nature has given us is stunning...and there is always so much more to explore, I can't wait to see more when I return for more diving this year

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Jen link
19/9/2016 05:30:09 pm

Wow, this must have been an amazing experience! I haven't tried scuba diving yet but I would love to someday.

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FeetDoTravel
22/9/2016 06:02:17 pm

Diving in Borneo is an amazing experience, and just keep wanting more! I hope you get to give it a go one day, even if it's a "Discover Scuba" course to see if you like it :-)

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Becki link
21/9/2016 08:27:13 pm

Wow, your pictures are so colourful and vivid!! I've never really thought of diving before, but after these pictures I'm definitely adding it to my bucket list!

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FeetDoTravel
22/9/2016 06:00:43 pm

Thanks Becki - the underwater world is wonderfully colourful so I hope you achieve this bucket list tick off! If you need advice, Sy will be training to be a Dive Master so may be able to help :-)

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Paul Kirtley link
22/9/2016 01:51:31 am

Hi Simon,

I really enjoyed looking through these photos. What a wonderful place to dive. Thanks for sharing (and for drawing my attention to your blog).

Warm regards,

Paul

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Simon - FeetDoTravel link
22/9/2016 08:06:17 am

Hi Paul, Thank you very much for taking the time to look over the blog, I'm so pleased you liked it! We'll be posting lots more adventures on here as we travel around and I see you have already signed up to our newsletter, so you'll be notified first of new blogs and website features :-)

Thanks Paul, all the best!!
Simon

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Helena link
24/9/2016 04:38:48 am

These photos are absolutely stunning!! I scuba dive and hadn't thought of Borneo as a diving place before. I am adding it to the list!

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FeetDoTravel
26/9/2016 11:47:05 am

Borneo is a stunning place to visit for scuba diving, and it's not too far from Australia - there were quite a few Aussies there when we visited. Hope to see you there one day!

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Anna Schlaht link
24/9/2016 07:50:07 pm

Wow, Angie. What incredible photos! What camera do you use? :O I think I saw more of a variety of fish in your photos than I've seen in my entire life elsewhere. What an experience!

Mr. Nerd and I are thinking about getting scuba certified, but he's afraid of being underwater and is still warming up to snorkeling, so we might stick to that for a while first. But if we ever get to the point of diving this this, we'll have to check out Borneo for sure!

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FeetDoTravel
26/9/2016 11:49:29 am

Thanks Anna, we use a Fuji F660 EXR with a Fuji WP500 underwater housing and are very happy with it :-) Glad you enjoyed the fish, they are so colourful aren't they and there is such variety! The other Foot used to be scared of large explanses of water until he started snorkelling and now he is on his way to becoming a Dive Master so you just never know what the future may hold for Mr Nerd :-)

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