feedback: Sipadan Scuba

[wombatski]

Hi Fellows Divers,
Does anyone out there have feedback on the outfit Sipadanscuba.com ? Dive shop in Semporna, Sabah. They seem ok but are a bit controlling and push product.

I'm aware of the permit situation there, that's ok. your feedback on this dive outfit very much appreciated as I don't have many dives. If people can suggest other good dive shops in Semporna that would be great too.

Cheers,
wombatski

 

[DevonDiver]

I can't comment on Sipidan Scuba, I never dove with them.... but I would recommend Scuba Junkies (http://scuba-junkie.com)...just over the road in Semporna. They are a decent dive operator. They run 3 boats - normally daily trips to Sipidan, Mabul/Kapalai and Sibuan. They offer their own accommodation (cheap and basic), including a back-packer dorm...and have a decent bar and great live band every friday...also the best pizza in Borneo. They are also a fun bunch of people...and the permenant staff are exceptionally knowledgeable (and able to find) the rare marine life there.

If you are going to Semporna...pick your dive center and book your accommodation and sipidan permits WELL in advance. Confirm, confirm and confirm AGAIN that they have your details and everything is in place for you.

 

[wombatski]

Thanks Andy, your advice is appreciated.
Regards,
Kerry

 

[sipadan diver]

I've been diving with most dive centres and resorts in Semporna, Mabul and Kapalai over the years and Sipadanscuba is one of them. I found them professional and perfectly competent.
If any of the resorts or dive centres appears pushy it is because they need your early confirmation in order to reserve a spot for you to Sipadan.

 

[The Wolf]

The fact remains, no resort can guarrantee you a permit until the day before you actually dive...don't know who started this "yes, we can guarrantee you a permit" crap but thats the reality of the situation.

If you are out there for 3-5 days, you should be able to get at least 1 day out at sipadan at the minimum unless there are 500 japanese divers out and about..in which case you really shouldn't have been out there to start with...

I was out there last week..got 1 day out of 3 at sipadan and couldn't complain.

I am not willing to be a complete bastard about the whole thing because I understand why they have a quota system in the first place.

 

[InDaWata]

The fact remains, no resort can guarrantee you a permit until the day before you actually dive...don't know who started this "yes, we can guarrantee you a permit" crap but thats the reality of the situation.

Are you sure about that? Which shops have you been diving with?

 

[The Wolf]

Are you sure about that? Which shops have you been diving with?

I happen to live and work in sabah and hv been diving here since 1989. Does that help?

And the fact I am at sipadan and mabul at least 5-7 times a year.

 

[xariatay]

Our trip was on 1st to 5th May 2009. Started planning in Dec 2008, confirmed our trip with Scuba Junkie in early March 2009, we asked for 2 days at Sipadan, Scuba Junkie was able to confirm our 2 permits for 2 days (3 dives a day). The permits were in our Names & Passport numbers...
We were told by the DM that only 1 DM was allowed on each boat to Sipadan. So newly certified divers, please inform the dive center... Btw, for our trip, Scuba Junkie did not allow our 1st day of diving to be at Sipadan, which we thought it was quite reasonable, so the 1st day at Mabul was a good tune-up after abt 5mths of non-diving...

 

[QBit]

Scuba Junkie was able to confirm our 2 permits for 2 days (3 dives a day). The permits were in our Names & Passport numbers...

Yes. The same for us for the last two years. Our spots were guaranteed and we got them. But you must book in advance- you can not turn up and expect to be guaranteed a spot.

 

[InDaWata]

I happen to live and work in sabah and hv been diving here since 1989. Does that help?

And the fact I am at sipadan and mabul at least 5-7 times a year.

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.