Diving Sipadan during the thanksgiving week?

[sanspooh]

We would really like to go diving in Sipadan in the thanksgiving week, that is nov 18 to Nov 27. We have contacted a few travel agents but they all say there is no guarantee we will get even a single day of diving there :-( ..

1. Anyone know if thanksgiving week is usually a busy week for diving there?
2. Anyway we can book our diving permits in advance for that week? Or are we at the mercy of the resorts?

Please chime in.. thanks.

 

[cjibber]

We dived there last month with Scuba Junkie. We contacted them directly and told them the dates we wanted to go. They told us how many days diving we would get at Sipadan before we booked (3 days out of 7). Probably worth sending them an e-mail (info@scuba-junkie.com)and seeing what they can offer.

I have no idea how busy they are at the time of year you are going.

 

[Searcaigh]

My advice is to make sure you find accommodation on Mabul or Kapalai, that way you reduce the traveling time to Sipadan by almost half so no need to leave very early in the morning when the Sipadan dives occur, and you also have good diving on your doorstep too.

As for November, there is the NE monsoon for Malaysia but I do not think this affects east Borneo

 

[samtihen]

Geez, I didn't realize it would be so busy! I should probably book ahead right now.

 

[Quero]

It's not a question of "busy" but rather an issue of promising permits for Sipadan when the permit system is not within the control of the resorts. Having said that, the resorts I use when booking my customers (yes, I'm an agent) all give an informal promise of a minimum number of dives at Sipadan over a 5-day stay, and your trip, sanspooh, would qualify for sure. If you'd like more information, feel free to drop me a PM.