A great dilemma - 6 weeks but where?

[Mucksavage]

I am on the verge of booking a great dive holiday. My choices are between the following and I'd love your get some opinions.

6 weeks in the Philippines from mid June to end of July (bare in mind that its monsson season although so many people say this doesn't really effect Cebu etc.)

Three weeks in Malay Borneo - Sipadan etc and three weeks in Bali.

If anyone has an insightful tuppenceworth on my split decision that would help!

Come to think of it I could possible split three weeks between around Cebu and Borneo too!

 

[TravelSimone]

Well... what else are you interested in doing? Is this going to be dive, dive, dive? Do you want to do something other than dive?

If you want to do something other than dive, my vote would be a Sabah (Borneo) and Bali combination. I am getting ready to do the exact same thing a month from now. I have been to Bali many times, but have never been to Borneo.

In Sabah, we are going to go on a river and jungle tour, as well as dive Sipadan and Mataking. In Bali, we are going up to Menjangan for diving, but then will just visit friends and take in some cultural sightseeing the rest of the time. However, there is a lot of diving around Bali- enough to keep you busy for a couple of weeks. Also the weather in Bali from mid-May through mid-September is perfect. It will be dry season and the humidity will actually be very pleasant.

Ultimately... I think the deciding factor might be the amount of money you are willing to spend. Sipadan and Mataking are not inexpensive dive destinations (I still have sticker shock).

 

[Mucksavage]

To be honest my main priority is to dive although I will take the chance to do other things of course. Money won't be the deciding factor as if I make it to Sipadan I will invest the money in making it memorable for life (in a budget way!). Mind you as a solo traveller I am wary enough of the resort nature of diving around Sipadan.

Have you made it to the Philippines Simone?

 

[TravelSimone]

No, I have never been to the Philippines. I can't give you any advice there. You might want to post your specific questions in the actual geographic forums, as you'll probably get better advice.

I'd also suggest that you do consider Bali and then possibly a liveaboard around Komodo. That time of the year will be great in terms of weather in that part of Indonesia. 6 weeks really is a long time to do some great diving in Malaysia and Indonesia.

 

[victor]

How about traveling from North Thailand through Peninsula Malaysia and Singapore to Sabah.

Bus, Rail, and Taxi's links make traveling in this part of the world relativly easy.
Start from Bangkok
I am not familliar with Thailand however you will get pleany of sugestions on the board.
Posibilities could include a liveaboard to the Andeman Islands or the similians.

Malaysia
You should visit Perhentian, Redang and Tenggol, maybe Tioman.

Have a look at http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=183691title=
and http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=183272

If you like wreck diving then there is some spectacular wreck off this coast.
see http://www.recntec.com/diveshop/images/stories/wrecks/wrecks_malaysia_web.jpg

From Jahor or Singapore it's a short flight to Sabah and Sipadan.

That would keep me very happy for 6 weeks.

 

[AlanWald]

Weather is very nice in the Manado area of North Sulawesi, Indonesia (Bunaken and Lembeh Islands) in June/July which is the dry season (it can rain, but rarely much) . (no cyclones because they are very close to the equator)

Dive sites are minutes from the land based resorts, no need to book an expensive and cramped liveaboard.

You can fly from Bali to Manado or vice versa on domestic airlines for little money (a few years ago people were getting tickets for US$80). Prices fluctuate a lot. You can get to Manado from Singapore on SilkAir (owned by Singapore airlines, so if you fly in on Singapore Airlines and continue on with SilkAir it is usually cheaper, you could even book an open jaw, Singapore to Manado on Silkair - then any domestic, Manado to Bali and then SilkAir or Singapore Airlines back to Singapore)

It is the busy season so you should book ahead.


It is a good area for solo budget traveler as there are many dive operators who offer budget single rooms. e.g. Two Fish Divers http://twofishdivers.com/ has dive operations and accommodation on Bunaken and Lembeh Islands and provide a local experienced dive guide with every dive (three divers per guide maximum) . Two Fish policy does not limit your time diving like some operators. Always ask the policy. Some places say one hour only. I usually average 85 minutes. Night dives are great at Lembeh.

 

[Mucksavage]

Some great advice there. I am interested in Sulawesi AlanWald. Someone mentioned to me recently that Sipadan is great but that Semporna where most people are based (can't see myself on an expensive resort) is a bit of a dump and not great to hang around in for a couple of weeks. aybe I am better off just heading to Bali and popping to Sulawesi or vice versa and catching Sipadan another time.

I'm not to interested in covering loads of ground. I am happy to spend a week or two in the same place getting to know people and am happy enough to dive great sites more then once. In fact I love it.

Thanks for everything so far and if there are any more tips out there let me know!

 

[malaysia-islands]

Menjangan is really fabulous. You probably could not go wrong if you decide to dive there. Check out my dive report from Menjangan (only did two dives due to time constraint).

As for Malaysia, Sipadan is highly recommended. I feel a wee bit sad if that was the impression you received regarding Semporna. I would never hesitate to go there, wallet and time permitting.

Anyhow, since you have yet to set up your mind, do check out my travel site: Islands of Malaysia which should give you a brief idea what you can expect.

Bon voyage and happy planning!