Apo Island/Dauin or Sipadan?

[mjgoodman]

Hi All,
So, Apo Island/Dauin or Sipadan? I like schooling fish and muck diving. A flamboyant cuttlefish and blue ring octopus are at the top of my “must see” list. Painted frog fish never get old. I have 125 dives mostly in Indonesia (Komodo, Raja Ampat, Bali, Bunaken, and Lembeh), South Africa and Mozambique. I’ve got 2 weeks in early November and want to hear everyone’s opinion. I’d like to get in at least 3 dives per day. Seaventures or Billabong on Mabul look promising for Sipadan.
What do people think?
Thanks.

 

[gee13]

I believe if you've listed the world famous sites visited, then Sipadan has to be added. Amazing pelagic life, and to boot superb muck diving in Mabul/Kapalai. I cannot remember how I managed to get to see schooling barracuda and mandarinfish in 1 day. Well that's almost as good as Maldives, where I got to see Mantas and Whale Sharks within 2 hours!

 

[Dreamdivegirl]

The Muck diving at Mabul (near Sipadan) is fantastic. Get the right Dive Guide and they'll be spotting everything on your 'to see' list.

I've stayed at Seaventures before and the diving below the platform is Frogfish heaven . You'll also see Painted Frog Fish at the 'artificial reef' in front of one of the other Resorts (lots of wooden crate features).

Seaventures is perfect if you just want to dive, dive, dive and see your room as somewhere to sleep (it's basic, clean).

Hope this helps. Enjoy your holiday!

 

[okidoki]

Try Mataking island which is a boat ride away from mabul and sipadan but has much better viz and plenty of macro www.matakingisland.com

 

[The Wolf]

Try Mataking island which is a boat ride away from mabul and sipadan but has much better viz and plenty of macro www.matakingisland.com

Mataking is not just a boat ride away from Mabul, its hours away!

Seaventures or Scuba Junkies but the advantage of seaventures is:

1) its a diving community who put up there
2) facilities are basic and clean
3) unlimited diving below the rig and as much muck diving as you can do in the time you're there, including night dives if you're rated up to 8pm.

Mabul is also brilliant and you would be shocked if I told you this but, turtles below the chalets and jetty's..including eels..!

 

[Nishan]

Would second Seaventures. Best value for money deal in Sipadan. The unlimited dives under the rig are great with excellent macro like pygmy seahorse, frogfish, scorpionfish, decorator crabs etc. And Sipadan gives you a great pelagic and macro combination which I havent see in many other places. At least not in one place.