Borneo
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Pearldiver07
Contributor
I can vouch for Sipadan Water Village.
Was there in 2005, and it was a treat. I didn't get one of their "best" suites, but mine was roomier than I've had before. The top-of-the-line ones had jacuzzi's too.
I can say this about the diving: During our "check out" dive off of the dock we saw an ornate pipe fish, clown fish, several varieties of lionfish, razorfish, Pink & Tomato Anenome fish (often called Clownfish), striped catfish, and several large turtles.
A great sun-down dive from the dock is to see the mandarin fish mating.
Most of the dive trips require that you start suiting up when you leave the dock, or you're not going to be ready when they hit the site. Sipadan is the furthest, about 20 minutes away. Kapalai is about 10 minutes.
One thing i like about the resorts being over the water is you don't have the fly/gnat/mosquito issues. The bugs don't fly that far out.
Anyway, that is the trip I now judge others against. But I warn you, it will be a tough act to follow.
About the only pain is getting there. You go from L.A. to Taiwan, next stop is Kota Kinabalu, then a quick hop to Tawau, where you board a van from the resort to go to Semporna, then on the water ferri to the island of Mabul. Plan a full 24 hours en route. Funny though, once on the boat I was fully awake and ready to go again!
On the way back, I stayed in Kota Kinabalu and visited the oranguatan sanctuary on Borneo. A great way to round out the trip.
Hope that this helps....
Was there in 2005, and it was a treat. I didn't get one of their "best" suites, but mine was roomier than I've had before. The top-of-the-line ones had jacuzzi's too.
I can say this about the diving: During our "check out" dive off of the dock we saw an ornate pipe fish, clown fish, several varieties of lionfish, razorfish, Pink & Tomato Anenome fish (often called Clownfish), striped catfish, and several large turtles.
A great sun-down dive from the dock is to see the mandarin fish mating.
Most of the dive trips require that you start suiting up when you leave the dock, or you're not going to be ready when they hit the site. Sipadan is the furthest, about 20 minutes away. Kapalai is about 10 minutes.
One thing i like about the resorts being over the water is you don't have the fly/gnat/mosquito issues. The bugs don't fly that far out.
Anyway, that is the trip I now judge others against. But I warn you, it will be a tough act to follow.
About the only pain is getting there. You go from L.A. to Taiwan, next stop is Kota Kinabalu, then a quick hop to Tawau, where you board a van from the resort to go to Semporna, then on the water ferri to the island of Mabul. Plan a full 24 hours en route. Funny though, once on the boat I was fully awake and ready to go again!
On the way back, I stayed in Kota Kinabalu and visited the oranguatan sanctuary on Borneo. A great way to round out the trip.
Hope that this helps....
That looks resort looks awsome PearlDiver. I would love to visit that place. However my fiance's idea of a vacation is laying out by a pool with a cocktail in hand sunning herself. I forgot to mention she is not a diver. I have tried to get her into it but she is terrified that a shark is going to bite her tush. There is no convincing this one to even try it.
I have looked at Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort, Kota Kinabalu and Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa, Kota Kinabalu. This is the type of resort I have to choose. Anyone know about these places or somewhere like these places.
Thanks all.
I have looked at Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort, Kota Kinabalu and Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa, Kota Kinabalu. This is the type of resort I have to choose. Anyone know about these places or somewhere like these places.
Thanks all.
Wisnu
Contributor
This Sutera Harbour Resort - Hotel Accommodation Kota Kinabalu Sabah is our favorite - very complete facility incl. spa, dive shop and other sport facilities, not far from city center - best value for money.
Or, you may consider this most luxury resort in the island - Hotel in Borneo The Empire Hotel and Country Club easy access for Labuan wrecks diving (4 nice wrecks) within 1 hour from the resort.
Or, you may consider this most luxury resort in the island - Hotel in Borneo The Empire Hotel and Country Club easy access for Labuan wrecks diving (4 nice wrecks) within 1 hour from the resort.
Eskasi
Contributor
Real shame that she does not dive....Mabul/Sipadan is paradise for divers....topside or UW. I too use this as my base of comparison. It's a tough act to follow. Sipadan water village does cater mainly to divers. A stone's throw away, you have Mabul water bungalows. It costs more and is also over water. The difference here is TV, A/C, Spa, etc. If only for 3-4 days, she could get some spa treatments while you go about diving. The snorkeling would be good too. If you could only just get her to try discover scuba off the jetty, I am sure the sight of clownfish would change her mind.
If she does not dive, I would suggest perhaps 3-4 days before she gets bored (depending on her tolerance for doing nothing and getting spa treatments).....then go off to see the Orang Utans, etc. Round your trip off with perhaps a short stay in Kuala Lumpur and check out the city. I rather do 3-4 days of spectacular diving and a week of touring, than 10 days of mediocre diving and a grumpy wife topside....
If she does not dive, I would suggest perhaps 3-4 days before she gets bored (depending on her tolerance for doing nothing and getting spa treatments).....then go off to see the Orang Utans, etc. Round your trip off with perhaps a short stay in Kuala Lumpur and check out the city. I rather do 3-4 days of spectacular diving and a week of touring, than 10 days of mediocre diving and a grumpy wife topside....
try our resort in mabul we have a swimmimg pool BORNEO DIVERS MABUL RESORT
Scuba Susie
Guest
Hello Haris!
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Hey Haris,
Hey old friend. I wonder if you remember me? We were in SMART in May of '06. We were part of the California Divers...you still talk with Hank I believe. We had a blast with you there. Glad to hear you are still there and sounds like you are doing well too.
I am returning to Mabul in Oct '08. Maybe we can get together for a drink? Would love to see you again and hear your crazy stories!!!!
Remember the great all girls dive while the guys did the turtle cave? We saw the sharks mating up close! Woo weeee!
See ya soon
Susie
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hey Haris,
Hey old friend. I wonder if you remember me? We were in SMART in May of '06. We were part of the California Divers...you still talk with Hank I believe. We had a blast with you there. Glad to hear you are still there and sounds like you are doing well too.
I am returning to Mabul in Oct '08. Maybe we can get together for a drink? Would love to see you again and hear your crazy stories!!!!
Remember the great all girls dive while the guys did the turtle cave? We saw the sharks mating up close! Woo weeee!
See ya soon
Susie
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