diving in Sipadan

[ScubaduoAdventures]

Though Layang has quite good diving and a chance to hammerheads if that is of interest if you are going there to match the diversity that Sipidan has to offer we think you may not find it.
W e really think you have more of a chance being hit in the head by a piece of space junk falling out of the sky than being kidnapped from sipidan now, also the reason those tourists were able to be taken from Sipidan at the time was because hardly anyone was on the island and there were no patrol boats. Now you cannot step on the island for environmental reasons and they have patrol boats in the area, if you stay on Mabul you will be surrounded my a lot more divers.
If you still do not want to go to Sipidan may we suggest south east Borneo Indonesia in the area of Derawan and Sangalaki, though we think Sipidan is spectacular we believe the all around diving in this area to be even better with all the macro critters at Derawan, Mantas at Sangalaki and huge amounts of fish life around Kakapan. There is even a non stinging jellyfish lake which you can dive in.
Not sure if you are a single traveler or not but if you have issues about safety such as this one you may want to consider joing a group, we have some Hosted Group Dive Adventure Trips to some of the most exciting destinations in the world on our website @http://www.scubaduoadventures.com
Please feel free to ask us any questions.

 

[mydivecenter]

Well, we are back.
Thank you all for the advises.
Against logic, we decided in the last minute to go to Sipadan
We went to Borneo Divers in Mabul Island and are we ever glad we did it despite the travel advisory warning from different countries.
The resort is a wonderfully clean, it has a swimming pool.
The resort staffs were friendly, helpful, attentive and always with a smile. No requests too small to handle.
The dive masters are absolutely top rated professional, caring, helpful and always keeping an eye on us while we were in the water. Not once, did we feel uncomfortable or been left out in unfamiliar water.
Just when we thought it can't get any better, then we met Clement Lee, the operator and owner of the resort. What an enthusiast and what a graceful host. He dove with us as well as other groups from different countries and I think he did it because he is in love with the sport and not because he has to. In fact, I think he was more excited than anyone of us everytime he saw something interesting in the water. Leaf fish, frog fish, turtles, thousands of barracuda, thousands of jack fish not to mention head fish, sharks, eagle rays, nudibranches, pygmy seahorses.
Our comfort level sky rocketed when we found out he also owns his decompression chamber in the same resort. That's right, his own chamber. Now, how many resorts can say that??
Definitely high on my "to do it again" list

 

[victor]

mydivecenter
What was the situation with permits?
This is the one issue that puts me off going to Sipadan.

 

[mydivecenter]

We were lucky
We were promised 1 day during booking but offered to dive in Sipadan for 3 days when we get there. The 2 extra bonus days were offered on a "when available" basis. it was offered during dinner time after they make their final head count.
We did not attend the 3rd day because we wanted to experience muck diving.
It was as incredible as Sipadan except now we were looking for much smaller creatures. not the same experience but equally fascinating if not more exciting. It is a dream site for people who enjoy photography.
The staffs in the resort were more then accomodating. Friendly, helpful, shy in most time.
There were 2 dive guides accompanying us in the water each day.
One boat captain stayed on board, which is more than whay i can say as compare to some of my experiences I had in the Carribbean.
The dive guides are absolutely some of the best professionals I have come across. Stay close to them and you will see more then you bargain for.
There is a pro videographer in the resort, available for private and group taping. suggest you talk to him first before going in, he will spend more time with you to make sure you are in the clips. Price of taping is reasonable and affordable even by my standard.
The food is clean, simple in presentation, adequately tasty and more then enough for anyone.
The wine was good, reasonably prices, beer is fairly inexpensive and all other drinks are free.
Snacks available after each dive
Nothing to complain.
Take lots of sun tan lotion
I definitely will return when I have more time

 

[Bronson]

Koot, how was your trip?

 

[Koot]

I have been putting it on a scale of 12 out of 10. It exceeded my expectations and I was expecting a spectacular dive experience.

The marine life was very abundant and we saw tons of species. The staff at Kapalai Resort were accommodating and efficient. I got one day to Sipidan (4 dives) and it was fantastic. The following day the dives at Mabal and other sites were just as interesting but more macro and very enjoyable and interesting. My package was 4 nights / 5days and I was able to get in 10 dives. The orientation and one other from the resort jetty and this alone was a terrific dive site. My only disappointment was my own camera skills and not capturing the under sea world the way I would like to have. Oh well my memory plays it over in perfect technicolor, even if my photos showed poor camera setting.

The dive groups were small and people were very friendly.

If you are concerned about the security issues and who isn't. I would say they are taking all responsible precautions. The resort has a military presence that is discrete and not oppressive. Sipidan has a higher level of presence, and visibility. There were military ships in the vicinity each day and they provided confidence that Malaysia was taking risks responsibly and maintaining a visible presence. There were fast small Navy boats and bigger more open sea Navy ships ships in the distance.

I hope to return to Kapalai/Sipidan some day in the near future.

 

[danwig]

Just returned from 9 days at Sipadan Water Village on Mabul Island. Pretty much echo experiences already relayed here. SWV is a class act as well, multiple divemasters, professional staff, and the police boat from Semporna actually docks there every day or so for a while and there is a police station (such that it is) on Mabul Island. There is a military presence on Sipadan now, and it has been declared a marine park. They do set limits for the amount of divers for day on Sipadan, and it is by permit system.. while a restriction, I applaud the effort, Sipadan island itself is truly a diving treasure and needs to be preserved, it is spectacular there is really nothing else to say. We got 3 days out of the 9 diving Sipadan, but as others say the macro diving on Mabul and Kapalai is quite interesting in its own right.

 

[gee13]

Danwig is Froi and Sandra still there? I was well looked after whilst at SWV. Just wished they had Nitrox available.

 

[danwig]

Danwig is Froi and Sandra still there? I was well looked after whilst at SWV. Just wished they had Nitrox available.

Yes they are.. see attachment

 

[gee13]