Diving in Kota Kinibalu

[bs63366]

I was wondering what the diving conditions are like in Kota Kinibalu around mid April, also if there are any good dive shops for that area as well. I have a group that is going out this way and some would need to also rent gear. If anybody wants to suggest any good sites that are not very far from Kota Kinibalu, that would be very helpful. Thank you for all the input.

 

[Wisnu]

Diving in TAR is not bad, some time curent can be stiff. April should be okay for diving.
Borneo diver has an outlet in luxury, nice and cosy Sutra Harbour resort. They operate from Mamutik island, 15 minute from Sutra Harbour.

 

[skipperharis]

yes it's not bad diving around tunku abdul rahman park, you can contact Borneo Divers on their website(Borneo Divers)

 

[OnTheSpot]

April is in the so-called dry season, so you should have more chance of sunny, calm days, which will make for good viz and glassy seas. In the TAR park currents are mild to non-existent. Lots of coral, sandy bottoms, excellent macro life - turtles and a variety of rays are not uncommon.

The TAR Park is right on the doorstep of the city - there are 5 islands between 10 and 20 minutes boat ride away from the city centre with a varied selection of dive sites. Quality of the sites vary, but are interesting, especially considering the proximity to the city.

A little bit further away is Pulau Tiga - potentially good for a group - diving is ok, but there's a mud-volcano, which makes for excellent lunch-on-shore entertainment Mantanani is another popular site, but is a few hours drive.

There are several dive shops in Wisma Sabah, Likas Shopping Complex - there's no dive shops in Sutera Harbour though, just a small Borneo Divers office.

Other operators to consider are Borneo Dream and Dive Down Below - both of which you can find via Google.

 

[Zippsy]

I dived at TARP a while back with Excel Divers and thought they were quite good. There is a trip report here: Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park Trip Report

 

[bs63366]

Thank you all for the good information it has givin me a good place to start with. One more question, what would the water temps be around mid April? Does anyone have any experience with Dive Down Below?

 

[Zippsy]

It should be at least a balmy 27-28C. I've not heard of DDB.

 

[OnTheSpot]

Water temperature is always hot Down Below is a good outfit, specialises in groups, is based on a secluded part of Gaya Island, good knowledge of the local reefs and are passionate about diving. Equipment is new and well maintained, which although it should be a given, is not true of all the operators in KK.

 

[Dreamdivegirl]

Hi, depending on the diving experience of your group there are a few good dive sites all accessible from Kota Kinabalu. You have already had good feedback from others on diving in TARP (easy, leisurely diving along coral reefs) - Edgell patch is particularly nice.

You can also dive some large WW2 wrecks in Usukan Bay (for minimum PADI Advanced Open Water Divers due to depth). Or try Mayne Rock (north of Kota Kinabalu) where you dive around large boulders (18m - 7m) and typically find juvenile Nurse Sharks and Bamboo Sharks on most dives there.

Pulau Tiga has some stunning coral pinnacles, lots of fish life, Cuttle Fish, Blue Spotted Rays etc. You can get currents here so I'd suggest you need to be a confident diver to go here.

I've dived Mantanani once and whilst the vis was excellent I was disappointed by the amount of damage done to the reef by coral bombing. The Dugong has also disappeared.

So a good choice of diving from Kota Kinabalu - depending up on your diver experience level.

Enjoy your trip.