Cheap Diving in Sabah - recommendations?

[02wrx]

Hello all,

New to this board and hoping some of the experienced divers in Malaysia can help me out!

My wife and I will be travelling to KK in a week's time where she will be doing her OW certification. We are looking for somewhere to dive around the area that is similar to Koh Tao (where we have also dived). Cheap diving and accommodations with good dive shops. We would consider Sipadan, but seems like it is quite expensive. Or is there enough in the KK area to dive for approximately 10 days? (My guess, is not...)

We are looking for maybe in the area of $25-35 per dive with equipment? Is this possible in Malaysia? From what I have read, there should be some similar price ranged diving as Koh Tao with better sites!

Thanks in advance.

 

[Goodtime Adventures]

Hi there,

Sabah is home to some world class diving, which sadly is not often condusive to cheap! If you can afford it, Sipidan is absolutely epic - we normally recommend Scuba Junkie to our customers. You may be able to get some discount if you are both doing multiple days diving. Definitely worth asking...

Alternatively, closer to KK is the island of Labuan - a ferry ride away towards Brunei. There is some great wreck diving there, and some reef diving too. The other benefit to Labuan is that its tax free, which can help save costs in other areas, even if the diving is not as cheap as you'd like.

Also close to KK is Pulau Tiga and the Abdul Rahman marine park. We have no direct experience of diving there, but could also be worth checking out as other options if you decide to base yourselves in KK rather than heading down to Semporna/Mabul for Sipidan dives.

If you do decide to dive Sipidan, make sure you book in with a dive operator well in advance, as permits are limited and there is often a waiting list. That being said, we found Mabul and Kapali dives to be equally as outstanding in quality.

Hope this helps, happy dive planning

 

[Evan Soon]

Mabul should be a good choice. Although I have not been there and there is a different price range for foreigners and locals but if you try their home stay and not do Sipadan than i doubt the price would be expensive.

 

[02wrx]

Thank you both for the replies!

We did end up in Semporna. Thanks to the busy season, we are not able to stay on Mabul, but I guess this little town is a bit cheaper anyway. Trying to find some permits to get to Sipidan.

Anyone had experience with either:
Borneo Unlimited Marine Sports
Borneo Speedy Dive

They do have permits on one day during our stay, but I am only able find feedback on one company.

 

[racerx_]

how'd the pricing work out for you in semporna?

 

[bracko]

If you can at all afford it I would recommend not staying at Semporna. It's not the nicest place to stay.

 

[sOt0nGx]

Kapalai house reef

 

[02wrx]

how'd the pricing work out for you in semporna?

Much cheaper than staying on Mabul. about 55 MYR for double, A/C room with ensuite (City Inn). Yes, Semporna is not the nicest place to stay, but if you are just there for diving and want a clean room, it is not a bad option.

 

[02wrx]

Kapalai house reef

TOp 3 for me too, along with AWAS just off of ScubaJunkie's jetty