Ambon/Maluku or Sipadan/Mabul or Bali (awful decision maker)

[Scuba_Pro46]

Hi guys,

Ok so I have lots of information on all three but can't decide!! The trip will be for around 7-12 days I imagine and in March/April. I have just got my 7D wet so I want a good mix of critter and WA action but maybe leaning more towards the critter side. I have been to Lembeh and done a lot of the Philippines, these three stand out at the moment, can someone please agree/disagree with me on the following points and PLEASE help me choose (what would you do?):

1) Ambon/Maluku - Obviously critter diving is great but heard flooding last year may have ruined a few sites a little? Have also heard of great wide angle dives outside of the bay? March/April is a good time for this area.

2) Sipadan/Mabul - The easiest cheapest for me to get to from where I am, however I am not sure how great Mabul is for critters and i don't really understand how Sipadan works diving wise & who to stay with! I know its great for WA though?

3) Bali - Has it all and I am very keen on this, however March is a dodgy time weather wise? especially for Tulamben and Lembongen areas? Liberty wreck is luring me in of early mornings with bumpheads and afternoons of muck!!!


Any help would be great,

Thanks,

Luke

 

[Luko]

Stuff I know you already know :
1- was a little disapppointed two weeks ago with Laha sites all covered with silt. However the further away you dive from Ambon (Haruku, Nusa Laut), the better the coral dives get.
2- Stay with Borneo Divers. Mabul is not up to Ambon nor Tulamben. However Sipadan is better in terms of big/schooling fishlife than N/Sulawesi.
3- Bali is great, coral is wonderful in Nusa Penida and Liberty wreck. Tulamben/Seraya is on a par with Ambon and Lembeh, fewer Rhinopias and Mimic though more weird nudis, as many shrimps.


Komodo, Komodo, Ko-mo-do ! (also coupled with Bali).

 

[Tippytoes12]

Hi there

We have dived Bali / Lombok on more than one occasion and love it.

We dived Sipadan in November and for us it really did surpass Bali , but not Komodo.

For 7 to 10 days I would pick Sipadan.

The numbers of sharks and turtles , as well as the quality of the coral in most sites in Sipadan were staggering. We stayed and dived with Scuba Junkies and had a wonderful time above and below water. They run a great but very busy operation. For every 3 day package you get one day in Sipadan if you book far enough in advance. However in November many of the other resorts were half empty and on our Sipadan days there were only 60 ish divers in the water ...120 permits per day are available. Mabul is fine ,we are not muck enthusiasts but loved the huge turtles which were everywhere.

The Malaysian Government , in my very humble opinion have done a great job protecting the environment and as a result keeping Sipadan really special for visitors. The permit system is confusing and not perfect , but it has the desired result.

Bali also has wonderful diving and the island itself is fabulous , but you need more than 10 days.

I hope you have a great trip

 

[Scuba_Pro46]

Thanks Tippytoes! Luko again Thanks!

I am very put off by busy dive sites! Not for me. How busy is Sipadan in March/April time?

Thanks,

Luke

 

[Luko]

You need to target very specific weeks :
Beginning of march, I've already been alone with a guide only for me on the dive boat, able to dive 4 days in a row on Sipadan.
End of April, golden week, 120 divers on Sipadan, total (Asian) madness.

 

[cephalopod2]

Stuff I know you already know:
1- was a little disapppointed two weeks ago with Laha sites all covered with silt. However the further away you dive from Ambon (Haruku, Nusa Laut), the better the coral dives get.

Luko have you posted any more thoughts on your 2013 trip in another thread? I couldn't find anything but would love to have more info. I am also considering a Mar Ambon trip.

While I am writing, anyone have thoughts on the best land-based way to dive Nusa Laut? Cape Paperu is the only land op I have heard of who seems to dive it (ruled out Mahu based on Luko's earlier report!) but they require a minimum of four to run the trip -- may not be enough divers who want it. Have heard great things about Nusa Laut and am hoping to see it while in the region but don't want to trek all the way over to Paperu then be shut out.

 

[Luko]

Luko have you posted any more thoughts on your 2013 trip in another thread? I couldn't find anything but would love to have more info.

I am not sure I will write a full report so check your PM box.

 

[jake11]

We were in Ambon at Maluku Divers Resort in March and the weather was fine! Great macro diving. We were in Sipadan on the Celebes Explorer in Sept. and it was a fantastic trip. That is where we saw our first blue ring ocotpus, first bobtail squid, first flamb. cuttle fish etc. It was a great combo with the huge bumpheads, schooling barracudas and schooling jacks! I am not sure of the weather in March but we loved our trip there!!! We didn't run into any crowds on the boat while diving there except when we did the house reef at one of the resorts. Check them out. It is not a luxury boat for sure but we had a great time!

 

[Scuba_Pro46]

So the decision is....Komodo & Bali,

7 day liveaboard and then Tulamben, Ambon, Alor & Sipadan will have to wait!

 

[AlMitch]

Cant go wrong with that decision!

---------- Post added January 23rd, 2013 at 07:54 AM ----------

i am not sure i will write a full report so check your pm box.

what???