feedback: Sipadan Scuba

[The Wolf]

Not really. The question was which operators have you been diving with?

I think there are quite a few people out there who have been guaranteed spots, myself included, and countless more.

Its irrelevant which dive companies I go with; I rotate according to when I am needed by the dive companies out at Mabul and Kapalai.

Each dive company is allocated x number of guarranteed spots each day BUT 1 resort gets more than everyone else. Hence my comment that if you are guarranteed a spot by the resort/dive company, its not a "guarrantee" because if there are 60 divers, and 20 slots available to that resort each day....you can figure out what I am saying I think.

There are some politics going on behind the scenes..

 

[Zippsy]

Why is it that if a resort has only, say, 20 spaces, they can't guarantee these to 20 people????? Sounds simple to me.

 

[InDaWata]

Its irrelevant which dive companies I go with....

Each dive company is allocated x number of guarranteed spots each day BUT 1 resort gets more than everyone else. Hence my comment that if you are guarranteed a spot by the resort/dive company, its not a "guarrantee" ...

Ah, totally disagree with you mate.
To be honest, it would really help to know which outfits you dove with.

A place that gets guaranteed permits and guarantees spots to customers, that arent really guaranteed at all seems like it should be avoided.

I know that there is a daily waiting list that exists at some (all?) dive shops in case of extra permits being allocated or people not showing up. But in this case I wouldnt say these are guarantees at all.

 

[The Wolf]

Ah, totally disagree with you mate.
To be honest, it would really help to know which outfits you dove with.

A place that gets guaranteed permits and guarantees spots to customers, that arent really guaranteed at all seems like it should be avoided.

I know that there is a daily waiting list that exists at some (all?) dive shops in case of extra permits being allocated or people not showing up. But in this case I wouldnt say these are guarantees at all.

Well, there is 1 resort in particular who gets more permits than the rest for political reasons...won't name that resort for obvious reasons, whilst everyone else are sure of 10-13 dive spots (hence early bookings being neccessary to secure your name on that list) whilst last minute bookings are left to their own devices...it really also depends on which season you go...ending up going during peak seasons means your chances are significantly lower, if not restricted MAYBE to 1 sipadan trip over 3-4 days..whilst those who are lucky get 2 days out of 3 or 4....it really depends.

 

[Going Down....]

I spent two months diving with Sipadan Scuba erlier this year. As far as dive shops go in Semporna - these guys are up there. They focus on training more so than day trips - so they are a good option if you plan to upgrade your dive credentials whilst on holidays. I agree with the other comments. Sipadan has only so many permits per day. If you don't enroll in a course or book well in advance - you will be dissapointed. During peak periods it is hard to get to Sipadan - pre-planning is very important..... Sipadan is well worth the hassle though!....