Sipadan Diving getting there

[Terryb]

Well My buddy and I are booked in at Borneo Divers on Mabul for the 2nd week of February. Thanks Luko for all the comments and helpful posts.

I have one more question, we plan on staying 2 nights, beginning and end of trip in Tawau. Does anyone have any recommendations on what hotel to use and how should we get between the airport and hotel in Tawau?

Cheers,

 

[frogfish]

If I recall correctly, and things havent changed the most decent place to stay is Marco Polo hotel - Nothin fancy but ok...

 

[Midget]

The taxi ride was a bit expensive in '09 but sorry I don't remember exactly how much.
I suggest you go to Semporna instead of Tawau. Tawau city is like 45 minutes from the airport the opposite direction from Semporna. I remember the taxi cost wasn't a whole lot different to go from Semporna vs Tawau. Going to Semporna for the overnight on your way to Sipadan will save you travel time.
Both cities are crappy and dumpy.....Semporna maybe a bit worse. Both are over run with cockroaches.
I like the Heritage in Tawau and Sipadan Inn for Semporna.

 

[Luko]

The Heritage in Tawau gets my vote too something like 50USD/night double bed, I wouldn't stay in Semporna.
The airport is 28km from Tawau downtown (1/2 hour ride) and 80km from Semporna (75 minutes)

 

[Big fish63]

sipadan inn is a good price for a decent room the taxi from tawau airport was 90myr. is it chinese newyear at the time your going or have you just missed it?

 

[Big fish63]

thats in semporna sorry forgot to say that

 

[Terryb]

Thanks everyone,

Big fish, the Chinese New Year starts on 03JAN so I think I will miss most of it. I don't know how big a deal it is at Mabul but it's supposed to end on the 18Jan.

Cheers,

 

[Luko]

Thanks everyone,

Big fish, the Chinese New Year starts on 03JAN so I think I will miss most of it. I don't know how big a deal it is at Mabul but it's supposed to end on the 18Jan.

Cheers,

I suppose you mean 03FEB, Terry.

 

[Big fish63]

Hi mate the only reason I was asking was because I originally wanted to go back on the 6th of feb but seaventures was fully booked. I was thinking it was because of chinese new year. Its not that its a big deal in mabul its that you get a lot of chinese on holiday at this this time. I'm sure you will have a great time.

 

[Terryb]

OK thanks for the notice. I am diving Similan Islands in Thailand on the 2nd and was told by a few operators that a lot of boats were filling up, most likely due the the Chinese New Year.