Diving Sipadan

[fantasia]

We've made our decision and are definitely going to Malaysian Borneo for 4 weeks half Januari

We really want to go diving at Sipadan (staying in a resort on Mabul?) but are kinda on a budget. The cheapest price I saw sofar was $145 a day. I also found out Malaysia Airlines is offering package dive deals including domestic flights. What would be our best option? Since we'll be there for four weeks, would it be cheaper to book it over there? I greatly appreciate any information you can give us.

 

[_Bella_]

Your cheapest option would be to not book in NL but wait till you get to Kota Kinabalu and book your lodgings there. You can also stay at the one resort on Kapalai, and I've heard of a few people that stay in Semporna. Kapalai would be allright, but Semporna would be a long boat ride every day. I think the only cheaper way to get flights would be a malaysia air/air asia combo and I'm not sure it would be cheaper. Roundtrip KUL-TWU is around EUR 80,- on Air Asia at the moment.

 

[farrakhan]

I know you have probably heard this all before, but Sipadan is worth the little bit extra you might have to spend. Contact Clement Lee at clement@borneodivers.info he is who we dived with and he may offer you some "deals".

Of all the diving I've done across the world Sipadan is by far the top of my list. Hammerhead sharks, manta rays, eels, sea snakes, turtles, dolphins, all within the first 3 minutes of the first dive.

Try and get them to take you into turtle cave as well. An amazing experience, but be sure you feel confident as it is a full over head cave dive.

If you require further info or would just like to discus feel free to contact me.

 

[okidoki]

Hi Fantasia,

Talk to Cindy Collet she is the marketing manager for SMART on Mabul mabul@po.jaring.my she will be able to give you all the info you need and she is Dutch as well.
You can fly very cheap with air Asia as well check out their website www.airasia.com.

 

[malaysia-islands]

We really want to go diving at Sipadan (staying in a resort on Mabul?) but are kinda on a budget. The cheapest price I saw sofar was $145 a day.

May I suggest do it like I did. I stayed at Dragon Inn Resort on the mainland town of Semporna and make day trips to Sipadan or Mabul.

People are staying at the more expensive island resorts like Mabul Water Village Resort or Kapalai Dive Resort because they want to get to Sipadan quickly, say in less than 1 hour. My boat trip to Sipadan from mainland took about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. And I only paid between RM80 ($20) to RM100 ($25) per night staying at Dragon Inn Resort.

Since we'll be there for four weeks, would it be cheaper to book it over there? I greatly appreciate any information you can give us.

Definitely cheaper to book in KL, or Kota Kinabalu, or in Semporna itself. Or you can follow the recommendations to contact the dive operators directly, instead of using your country's travel agents.

Things can get overpriced when quoted in USD or Euro

 

[malaysia-islands]

Just would like to add that I've emailed North Borneo Diver (found their email from the web), and they replied about the "economy" diving package to Sipadan.

Basically it is a 2- or 3-dive package, originating from the mainland Semporna, hence it will be cheaper. Cost about RM300 for 2 dives with equipment rental. I plan to do that some time next year. I simply can't afford staying at Mabul or Kapalai again

 

[hallboy]

who was the dive op you used from semporna? 2 dives a day? 3 dives? How was a diving day? At what time was the departure? the first dive? the second dive? at what time where you back? What to do in Semporna?? Sorry to ask so much questions.

 

[malaysia-islands]

who was the dive op you used from semporna? 2 dives a day? 3 dives? How was a diving day? At what time was the departure? the first dive? the second dive? at what time where you back? What to do in Semporna?? Sorry to ask so much questions.

Hallboy, I haven't gone there yet. I'm planning to.

North Borneo Dive operator, offering either 2- or 3-dives, the price starts around RM250 for 2-dive without personal scuba equipment. Leaving Semporna around 9am, be back don't know, I guess after you're done chasing the turtles

Semporna? Interesting town! Love the local sea-gypsy architecture and their fishing boats. See my travelogue here:http://www.malaysiahotelreview.com/attractions/bajau-laut.htm

 

[Mark Goodchild]

Some general information on the area can be found here and a liveaboard report here.

Hope it helps!

 

[hallboy]

it helps a lot: Live board seems to be the only way to make 3 dives a day ( sometimes 4 ) on Sipadan itself.

Did you stay on board all the time or could you explore mabul, go to the beach etcetc? How is semporna? things to see in that place?