Author Topic: Diving Unjang or Unjam (Read 239 times)

run · « **on:** October 14, 2011, 09:09:26 AM »

Unjang is a malay word referring to the Fisherman’s fishing trap underwater at depth more
Than 20meters. Normally the place is far away from the corals . Just sandy bottom.
The trap is mark with a buoy and a rope line that goes straight down to the traps.
Between the ropes, the fisherman tied together some palm leaves act as a sanctuary for the smaller fishes to hide.
Where there are small fishes around , there will be bigger predators nearby and so many kind of
Fishes big or small attracted to this site.
Unjang is not an official dive site but due to its marine diversity, it attracts divers to venture to these locations.
Divers may want to avoid from bumping to the fisherman who owns the Unjam. Your presence might not be welcomed.
Not all Unjangs are nice to visit. There are hit and misses.
Some unjangs may have lots of fishes , some may not.
Mostly these sites have currents and so divers are advise to dive decend and ascend using bouy line.
Since it is a deep dive so it is advisable to have deep stops at certain depth.
Bottom time 22min. Maybe lesser than that if you have another dive before that. By the time you reached the bottom you
Might have only a few minutes left. Depth at 28m-30m.
Before entry, DM advised to divers not to venture far away from the rope depend on viz.
If there is current on the surface, negative entry is advised to experience divers. For novice divers a rope will be provided.
All divers will group at 5m and decend one by one until reached bottom.
If the viz is bad, the dive will be aborted. If not, then go and find some adventure.
Unjangs highlights are razor fishes juvenile, lots of nurse sharks associate with sandy bottom dwellers, scorpion fish
Nudis,puffers,garupas, filefish, moray eels and lots more.
Since this is a sandy bottom, it is better for divers who still have finning issue not to stay near to the bottom. Give way to the
Underwater photographers to have their time taking the pictures.

Deco stops is mandatory for those who exceed the non deco bottom time.

What can you gain for only less than 20min bottom time? A lot. Along the ropes many smaller or macro marine life lives on it.
So you still can enjoy a view while ascending for your safety stop.

Have anyone here tried diving unjangs?? Maybe perhaps can share a few stories.

nanda666 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 14, 2011, 12:07:17 PM »

don't know what happened to your formatting on that piece, Run

!!

Well....I did a number of dives of Perhentian's "fish house"...that's what we called it la...

It was pretty far out from the island itself.

A number of bamboo poles stick out of the water and palm leaves are tied on them. Bamboo polls are weighed down with a concrete block. Max depth was 42m.

The dive is pretty much in the clear blue so you have to be careful not to lose sight of the bamboo poles. Current can be strong at time too.

As you mentioned, loads of small fish on the poles/leaves with the big boys (Barracuda/Trevallies/Jacks) checking out the place too.

Don't know about the other operators but Bubbles DC seem to be the only ones that take divers out there. (And only by special request!!

)

run · « **Reply #2 on:** October 14, 2011, 12:28:31 PM »

yaaa ..i really dont know what happen to the format. Tried to fix it but still it looks beserk. hehehe. well as long as the forumers can read it clearly so ok lah.

I see so Bubbles DC can do this special request ya. Next perhentian trip i will go there. hehehe thanks for the info.

Unjang normally will be far away from the island so i understand why it is situated at the open sea. Max 42m hahaha
wow..once touch down have to go up back again.

Spearfishers too love these sites right?

nanda666 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 14, 2011, 01:06:00 PM »

There is actually 2 or 3 "unjangs" out there but we have to dive at the ones without the fishermen...

.....they get quite angry when they see us there as we scare the fish away!!! (or that's what they say!!

)

I think a whale shark was also sighted around there...good luck on your next trip there!!!

Diving Unjang or Unjam