Diving in Kota Kinabalu - need advice

[EvaL]

Hello. I usually plan family gatherings and dive trips separately. But I'm hoping to do both this time to Kota Kinabalu end of December to early January with family members who are older and don't dive. So, Mabul/Sipadan, Layang Layang are OUT of the question because I don't think there is anything there for them to do over there and it's not fair for me to dive while they stay in their hotel room. They are OK with shopping and sightseeing around KK while I go diving (day trips) so long as I meet them for dinner. I understand some divers train at Tungku Abdul Raman Reserve such as Pulau Marmutik. If you know the diving around KK, I hope you can answer my questions:
1. How is the diving around KK? I'm hoping to do 3 days of diving - is this too much or too little? I also plan on 2 days of sightseeing. It would help a great deal if you can recommend places to dive or sightsee around KK.
2. Do you know of any good hotels not far from KK (so my family can travel to KK) and travel agents/dive ops?

Thanks so very much for your help.:11doh:

 

[Wisnu]

We stayed at Sutera (Pacific) Harbour resort - very complete entertainment, spa, recreation and sport (water & topside) facilities for familiy. Luxury at reasonable cost. Check www.suteraharbour.com
For diving, two DS, one near the pool and one near the Jetty offer 2/3 dives/ day diving and snorkeling at TAR which only 15 minute by boat.
The diving itsself just average diving

 

[EvaL]

Wisnu, thanks for the information. I've been checking on Sutera on the web - it's nice. I'll do it so long as there is OK diving. I understand their dive shop is Borneo Divers. Did you book the hotel online directly or though a travel agent? Thanks again for your help.

We stayed at Sutera (Pacific) Harbour resort - very complete entertainment, spa, recreation and sport (water & topside) facilities for familiy. Luxury at reasonable cost. Check www.suteraharbour.com
For diving, two DS, one near the pool and one near the Jetty offer 2/3 dives/ day diving and snorkeling at TAR which only 15 minute by boat.
The diving itsself just average diving

 

[Wisnu]

EvaL, I always compare : regional promotion rate, local travel agent, corporate rate and finnaly direct call to bargain. Our deal ussualy RM 200 - 250 ++ for the Pacific.
January 2007 probably we'll be there too - but not so sure when - is not too far from where I live.

Cheers

 

[EvaL]

EvaL, I always compare : regional promotion rate, local travel agent, corporate rate and finnaly direct call to bargain. Our deal ussualy RM 200 - 250 ++ for the Pacific.
January 2007 probably we'll be there too - but not so sure when - is not too far from where I live.

Cheers

Thanks again Wisnu. I'm asking my travel agent to check and will compare her rates with the hotel's internet rates. RM 220-250 looks good for me.

 

[malaysia-islands]

What a coincidence. I'll be going to Kota Kinabalu in less than 2 weeks (can't wait, it's my favourite city in Malaysia). Most of my colleages will stay at Pacific Sutera Harbour (our corporate rate is RM215+, a deal between the resort and my company), while Magellan Sutera Harbour goes about RM280+.

Anyway, I plan to stay at Shangri-la Tanjung Aru and Le Meridien Hotel instead. Oh yes, diving, plan to do 3 dives for 1-day after I finish my conference. Should cost about RM200 for 3 dives mainly because the islands are very close to the city centre.

I haven't dive in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park yet, but I've snorkeled at both Manukan and Sapi (2 out of the gazetted 5 marine park islands). For trip report and photos, see below. Hope it'll be of some help for your travel planning:

Sapi beach: http://www.malaysia-islands.com/html/tar-marine-park/beach/sapi.shtml
Manukan beach: http://www.malaysia-islands.com/html/tar-marine-park/beach/manukan.shtml
Sapi snorkelling: http://www.malaysia-islands.com/html/tar-marine-park/snorkel/sapi.shtml
Manukan snorkelling: http://www.malaysia-islands.com/html/tar-marine-park/snorkel/manukan.shtml

Back in 2003, I've stayed at 3 different resorts (working there for 1 month):
Hyatt Regency Kinabalu: http://www.malaysiahotelreview.com/sabah/hotel/hyatt-regency.shtml
Nexus Karambunai: http://www.malaysiahotelreview.com/sabah/hotel/nexus-karambunai.shtml
Shangri-la Rasa Ria: http://www.malaysiahotelreview.com/sabah/hotel/shangri-la-rasa-ria.shtml

As of top side attractions, why not bring your family to the majestic Mt Kinabalu. The national park (a UNESCO Heritage Site) is really special.
Kinabalu National Park: http://www.malaysiahotelreview.com/sabah/destination/taman-negara-kinabalu.shtml

 

[EvaL]

What a coincidence. I'll be going to Kota Kinabalu in less than 2 weeks (can't wait, it's my favourite city in Malaysia). Most of my colleages will stay at Pacific Sutera Harbour (our corporate rate is RM215+, a deal between the resort and my company), while Magellan Sutera Harbour goes about RM280+.

Anyway, I plan to stay at Shangri-la Tanjung Aru and Le Meridien Hotel instead. Oh yes, diving, plan to do 3 dives for 1-day after I finish my conference. Should cost about RM200 for 3 dives mainly because the islands are very close to the city centre.

As of top side attractions, why not bring your family to the majestic Mt Kinabalu. The national park (a UNESCO Heritage Site) is really special.
Kinabalu National Park: http://www.malaysiahotelreview.com/sabah/destination/taman-negara-kinabalu.shtml

Thanks for the wealth of information on diving, prices and things to do, Malaysia-islands. I've just been checking the websites for Shangrila and Hyatt. Terimah Kasih. Will definitely check out Mt Kinabalu. Have a good trip to KK!

 

[t-rocks69]

EvaL just came back in august. i have been going to KK for 6 years and i can say since the last time i went 2 years ago the little city has changed a lot. i still love the place and should have my family living there by next year.

Any way try Sabah divers and ask for neville his a dive master for them lots of fun and will take you to dive site that the locals don't go to. his from New Zealand has lots of tattoo's and know the local scene really well. sutrea harbor is a nice place to stay but its a little far from the city for me ( i like to walk a lot) le meridian is a real nice place very new just opened this year if am right. i stayed there this time. i usually stay in my apartment but it was rented out. the promanade has gone down hill badly. but the hyatt is still well maintained. Tanjung aru i haven't stayed in but not as nice as sutrea. how long are you staying if its a long time like a month you might think of renting from Likas square are wakkikki apartments. i stayed at likas before when i brought my mom with us. 3 bed room penthouse around 1400sq feet, full kitchen and i think maid service 2 or 3 times a week for around 750 usd a month.

for site seeing around KK you have monospiad village, the cultural musem, the phillapino market near le merdian. at night in tanjung aru beach you usually have tradtional dancing as well as food stalls. ( i don't eat at the fancy one in the front that is all lighted i go to the back where the locals go and order from the different stalls there. if you never have been to malaysia i can give you some tips on foods and how the ordering and paying goes. they have a local zoo but i have never been but i have been to other countries zoo's and they are pretty bad and depressing.

shopping lots centerpoint mall , wisma merdecka (spelling). several new ones opened up. if you are looking for gold are jade i can recomend a shop near the hyatt have always given me great prices and you can argue about price.

resturants unless you are one of they types that only wants to eat in hotels. the best food is the little open restraunts and i can give suggest some including one on a large pond are small lake that puts on a show. or if you have transport an excellent one outside of KK about 30 mins. it all fresh seafood>(live) as well as one inside the city near the movie place.( live seafood go pick and they kill and cook). any way if you are interested i will have to ask my wife about names and places.

near the promanade they have a water front area with a few small bars. the Bull and Cock is one of my favorites or across from the Hyatt they have a place called upstairs.

if you need more precise info let me know and i will try and get it for you. my wife's a local so she will know the names and directions better then i would.

http://www.sabahtourism.com/ heres a good site for general info on the area.

peace troy

also email me at troynarvaez2000@yahoo.com

 

[malaysia-islands]

Woohoo t-rocks69, quite a long post eh!

Anyway, I've booked Le Meridien, Shangri-la Tg Aru and Gayana Island Resort for my business-cum-leisure trip to KK next week. Can't wait. Praying for fabulous weather.

I play to do 3 dives with Sabah Divers (http://www.sabahdivers.com/special2.php) - not sure how good they are. I haven't done any reservation yet. I plan to visit their office when I'm there. Also I need to check out the weather condition for the first few days whilst at conference.

 

[IceIce]

Hi, I've dived in KK (Tengku Abdul Rahman National Park) on March 2005.
Someone mentioned, I dived with DM Neville, he is a nice and cheerful guy. But for the operator, Sabah Diver, I certainly don't give a thumb.

I was there early March, and I must say, that TAR is not my favorite destination.
I dived in Sapi and Mamutik area, I don't know whether it was because of the season, but the water was murky. The sea life was okay, not fantastic but I saw big school of squid, however the coral was not in good condition definately. The number of fish was not abundant and I don't remember much variety. I was there doing my AOW, I did my Deep Dive in 0-2 feet visibility, it sure left me some 'deep' impression.