Diving in Malaysia around November

[bracko]

hi,

due to some great flights from Australia I'm spending 10 days in Malaysia coming in and out of KL. I'm aware it's monsoon season up there, but have been advised that the Borneo, Sipadan, Mabul are OK during these times. is this true?

I'm travelling alone and wouldn't mind being comfortable (i.e. my own room), but not looking for luxury. At the end of the day the accommodation is a means to an end, but I don't want to stuff around too much with vans/trucks... ideally lob the gear in the boat and off we go.

Any ideas on where to stay? I've seen the ex-oil rig which sounds like a good novelty for a few nights, does anyone know the best place to book it? I have seen one site which was asking for 3,000RMB for 5 days.

apart from that, where else would be a good option? how far are the boat rides around the area?


cheers for any information you can offer

 

[Quero]

For the oil rig, the name of it is SeaVentures Dive Resort. These dive resorts typically have set prices, so the only way you get any kind of a discount is if the booking service you use offers one, and the margins are pretty small already, so there's not a whole lot of discounting possible.

Since you would have to factor in the cost of air tickets to get to Sipadan anyway, you could also consider going onwards from Kuala Lumpur to dive beyond Malaysia. For example, you can head up to northwestern Malaysia, take a ferry over to Koh Lipe (Thailand) and dive there. It's in season then. You can hop on a shuttle to Bali. You can make your way up to Phuket where the season will be getting underway and maybe catch a liveaboard to the Similans. You've got lots of options with KUL as your entry point.

 

[TheWartHog]

Hi Bracko

My wife and I dived Sipadan, Mabul and surrounding dive sites last November, 2nd-11th 2012 - fantastic diving, some of the best I've ever done. The weather was great too, just a couple of quick showers in our 9 days there.

Stayed with Scuba Junkies on Mabul Island, they were great. Besides bungalows they also have dorm rooms if you want to keep the cost down. SJ guarantee 1 permit for diving in Sipidan for every 3 days you dive with them. The rig looked interesting to stay at too but you are rather confined there I think. There are other dive centres to stay at on Mabul too.

We flew from KL to Tawau with AirAsia and SJ arranged a pickup from Tawau to Semporna, hopped onto their boat straight to Mabul Island - easy.

Sipadan is, IMHO, one of the best dive sites in the world – hope you have a great time there.

Cheers
TheWartHog

 

[Tippytoes12]

Hi there

Having done the Similans and Sipadan on more than one occasion I would say that Sipadan is far far better ...there is just no comparison. The islands in Thailand are probably more beautiful than Mabul
and of course the Thai food is wonderful , but for diving Sipadan is fantastic.

Also getting to Sipadan from KL is so easy , there
is an early morning flight to Tawau with Air Asia , you will be on Mabul
or the oil rig for a late lunch .

At that time is of year it is the lowish season
so you have a greater chance of extra days at Sipadan.

After diving I would really recommend a few days in the Sepilok area for great wildlife.

Best fishes

 

[OnTheSpot]

I've been to Sipadan twice in November and all I've had is some afternoon showers. Diving is fantastic and a league above the Similans especially at that time of year, early season in the Similans can be a little hit and miss. The seaventures platform is a nice novelty but you can get things a little cheaper on Mabul island itself. The Sipadan Mabul Resort is a nice option and discounted at the moment, like Seaventures offers unlimited self guided shore dives. If you only have 10 days then I personally would just stick to Sipadan and maybe go to Sepilok as a previous poster has suggested.

 

[bracko]

Awesome... thanks guy, you've confirmed a few things for me. Scuba Junkies Mabul hotel is one that caught my eye and I'll probably stay with them. I think I'll just have to cop the additional 50% and get my own room. on the oil rig I wouldn't really mind if I was sharing (as I've done this on liveaboards) but if I'm staying on land I wouldn't mind a creature comfort or two.

just a thought at the back of my mind... do any liveaboards hang around during November?

 

[Quero]

just a thought at the back of my mind... do any liveaboards hang around during November?

At Sipadan? There is one, but it's not a budget option. It's called Celebes Explorer.

 

[chillyinCanada]

When I went to Sipidan/Mabul, signed up as " willing to share" and so didn't have to pony up any extra, yet only had to share my room for two nights whilst on Sipidan itself, which actually turned out to be fun because my new roomie was quite the character. Then had sweet digs at Borneo Divers on Mabul all to myself. I was in the last groups the last of the peoples allowed to stay on Sipadan and the first to stay in the new resort on Mabul. You could try that strategy and hope for the best. Might save you some money and get you your own room or you'll be able to share with a person that will be an enjoyable addition to your time there.

 

[Quero]

What a positive attitude, chilly! I love it!

 

[bracko]

At Sipadan? There is one, but it's not a budget option. It's called Celebes Explorer.

saw that at dive the world website. it looks to be a good option. I'm seriously considering it as I can see the value in it.