Trip Planning - Need Suggestions

[jkandls]

I have been considering the Sabah region. But which area, Mabul, Sipadan, Mataking, Layang-Layang, plus others. Would consider a liveaboard. Some things I am looking for : Good variety of small & larger pelagic life, some muck, minimum 3 dives per day, lots of life & color. The only liveaboard I have heard of is the MV Celebes Explorer, any feedback on this boat would help.

thanks

JK

 

[scubaeric]

I have been considering the Sabah region. But which area, Mabul, Sipadan, Mataking, Layang-Layang, plus others. Would consider a liveaboard. Some things I am looking for : Good variety of small & larger pelagic life, some muck, minimum 3 dives per day, lots of life & color. The only liveaboard I have heard of is the MV Celebes Explorer, any feedback on this boat would help.

thanks

JK

Hi JK,

I recently traveled to Sabah, Malaysia and stayed at Sipadan-Mabul Resort on Mabul. Check them out at Sipadan-Mabul Resort

Great operation! We dove Sipadan, Mabul and Kapalai... Mix of big stuff and little stuff.

I've posted pics on my web site at scubaeric dot com

Feel free to email me if you have any questions.

Eric

 

[Tassie_Rohan]

Ditto - I've stayed at SMARTS water bungalows twice now: sipadan has nice walls with abundant baracuda, bumpheaded parrotfish and turtles, while Mabul has good macro - flamboyant cuttlefish, ribbon eels, frogfish and even a bluering occy: so a nice mix of diving. I would allow a week there to see it all.

 

[OnTheSpot]

The dive sites of Sipadan and Mabul are all pretty close together which is why there are not any (decent) liveaboards operating in the area. It would be great to have a liveaboard that takes in Sipadan as part of a greater itinerary with eg Sangalaki or Lankayan as well but that doesn't exist.

So for Sipadan it is all about resorts. Be sure to check through all the Sipadan/Mabul Resort Options

Am sure you will find one in the right price bracket for you. However I would not recommend the Celebes Explorer - you won't get much in terms of the convenience of a liveaboard but you will have the restrictions on space, comfort and dining that a lower end liveaboard tends to involve.

Layang Layang is an awesome spot too but I think given what you are lookiing for, i.e. Good variety of small & larger pelagic life, some muck, minimum 3 dives per day, lots of life & color. then it has to be Sipadan/Mabul.

Cheers

 

[jkandls]

Thanks for the info, sounds very good, just deciding now between here & the Philippines.