Help planning trip this May

[Sidhu]

Hello to all!

My first post on these forums!
I am 20+ dives down with Diving in the andamas and Goa. I am SSI Advanced Adventurer certified.

I have a work trip scheduled in KL on the 1st and 2nd of May, and can take bout 10days off post that.

I would like to have a vacation and dive, not just only dive. I also need this to be a budget holiday. Ideally i would like to keep it to 2 dives a day, but it seems 3 a day is the norm in these waters. That is cool.
Sipadan is the obvious choice, but I just got a revert back from Scuba junkie, and it seems a tad pricey.

My other alternative is to take a flt to Phuket. Plenty beer and good diving ??? I consider this cause it does seem to turn up cheaper. But I have no idea about the quality of diving.

So I am going to do as advised here.

Thank you all for your time!

Sidhu

 

[Tippytoes12]

If you are in KL in May , then Sipadan would be perfect. We stayed in Scuba Junkies and had a wonderful time above and below the water.

Phuket diving is not nearly as good.

Another alternative would be the Perhenthian Islands, have never been but they sound nice.

Bali is also great, Lembongan and Tulamben..but you will spend more time travelling of course.

 

[racerx_]

I second that. Perhentian, sipadan, or tenggol is supposed to be awesome too.

Or fly to Lombok or bali

 

[Sidhu]

Excellent!
So Thailand is out.

Perhentian i am reading is a risk in off season. For lack of amenities.
Which leaves me with the option of flying within Malaysia (TWU) or Bali, flt tickets pretty much the same.

As a backpacking destination, which is cheaper, Bali or the Mabul area ? Dives included. in Bali I can imagine that I would have the option of being more flexible with my dives, as in not having to stay with a dive resort to dive with them etc. ?

Thank you all so much for taking the time, if you thinking Im mad considering others over an opportunity in Sipadan. Please let me know. But do note i am only 20 odd dives down.

Cheers!
Sidhu

 

[nicitis]

I second Scuba Junkie - they were really great fun. If choose to go to Sipidan, whoever it is with, then it will no doubt be pricey. I wouldn't say it was particularly backpacker friendly but if you buy a package you get everything included (except alcohol and soft drinks - coke etc) so once you pay then you're done. But trust me when I say the diving is amazing! You don't need to be an super advanced diver to enjoy Sipidan and the surrounds - it's a great place that can be enjoyed by all levels.

Bali is great for backpackers - and can be as cheap or as expensive as you want....so in theory could be pretty wallet friendly if that is one of your main concerns. The diving is great value, with my expense calculations it worked out to be $30 USD per dive (including equipment rental etc) and we went diving in Gili T, Tulamben (USS Liberty is a must in my opinion) and Nusa Lembongan. Plus there are other things to do on Bali, if you want a break from diving.

Food for thought I hope
Nic

 

[Sidhu]

Food... thanks, Thats another issue, im a vegetarian, and being tied into a full board could be a disadvantage ? Especially in the SE, not like they would have Pizzas Margherita included ? haha...

Anyways, what reviews on Borneo Global Backpackers ? I have been sent an all inclusive package of RM2077, includes 9 dives, 1 day at Sipadan, I think all permits and jetty fees etc included, including the new GST, lodging (dorm) and full board. 5day 4 nights. I need to figure out how this compares to the package sent by Scuba Junkie.

Thanks to all.

---------- Post added March 10th, 2015 at 12:17 AM ----------

Uh.. one more question... How much is a Pizza and a beer at Scuba Junkie ?

 

[nicitis]

You can't really buy extra food - I didn't try so unsure but didn't see any extra food options other than from the gift shop so things like chips etc - but they do have vegetarian options every meal so you're fine in that sense - it's even clearly labelled as such to stop us meat eaters stealing it!! And theres lots of pasta, rice etc served and usually vegetables too.

A beer will set you back 10RM - 20RM ($3-$5 USD) - also worth bearing in mind alcohol is on the more expensive side in Malaysia.

Can't help regarding Borneo Global Backpackers I'm afraid