Malaysia (area) resort for both diver and non?

[doctock993]

I'm probably headed to Penang in late April for a 2-3 night stay and then was thinking about taking a 5-8 night stay in a very nice/ luxury/ non-budget hotel/ resort where I would be able to do boat/ shore dives while my non-diving gf could snorkel/ do whatever people do at a beach if they don't dive
From the reading on this forum, and a little other research, it seems that someplace other than Penang will be where I will want to go. A little travel is OK, but would prefer not spending a ton of time traveling around S.E.Asia.

I'm PADI Nitrox/ AOW certified, with a strong preference for long, non-wreck, photo dives.

Suggestions?

Also, any comments about average water temp, conditions, surface/shore biting bug infestations, etc in the April-May season?

 

[Luko]

Sipadan is the best you can have around, Diving is first class, snorkeling on Sipadan is outsanding, the beach is also very nice. You need to travel to fly to Tawau/Borneo tho.

For photo dive, it's difficult to have a better location than Mabul/Sipadan, check my reports (went 3 times last year).

 

[FWADIVER]

While sipiadan is the quoted diving destination there are plenty of other small islands and resorts where you can go diving, and there is a little more for a non diver, gem island is one, sibu is another that comes to mind. Langkawi is also a possibility. I'd follow up with a travel agent if you have never been to masia before.

 

[Luko]

Langkawi is also a possibility.

FYI Matt, there's very little diving in Langkawi if none. The only option is further away in Payar, which is not really a diving highlight in M'sia.

there are plenty of other small islands and resorts where you can go diving, and there is a little more for a non diver, gem island is one, sibu is another that comes to mind.

For the two that you mentioned you should point they quite tame for diving : neither Gem/Kapas nor Sibu are really recommended locations for diving or snorkeling.

At least Tenggol, Redang or even Tioman would be better options. Except that because of last year weather and El Nino, some large coral areas have been bleached and destroyed on this shallow coast, other have been closed for diving.

I'd follow up with a travel agent if you have never been to masia before.

I'd better ask people who have been there and know than just a travel agent in the US ...
And maybe if you didn't know there are also honeymoon type of resorts around Sipadan location like Mataking or further up north Lankayan.

 

[FWADIVER]

I dont get to south masia much, my inlaws live in ipoh. Gem island was good diving, hammerheads and turtles I couldn't ask for much more. Going to langkawi this year and I have heard its a crap shoot for vis, but that on good days it is quite beautiful. I was thinking more following up with a masian travel agent, The wife and I usually book everything thru a highschool friend of hers that has been to most of the resorts. If you were just interested in snorkeling and no diving I would say hands down pangkor is the best place in masia to go, beach and island are fantastic.

 

[Luko]

Going to langkawi this year and I have heard its a crap shoot for vis, but that on good days it is quite beautiful.

Well... there's nothing to call home about in Payar. Firstly it's a long way then it's 12m at the deepest, very few dive spots, some small reef sharks and lotsa asian tourists snorkeling with yellow lifejackets yes , but nowhere even as good as the East coast (...and dont get me on Sabah). You'll see by yourself. A better option is to go across the Thailand border on beautiful Koh Lipe.

I went diving to Pulau Payar for 1 day then I was off for the rest.. fortunately I didn't stay long on Langkawi... and went south to ...Pangkor...

pangkor is the best place in masia to go, beach and island are fantastic.

..where it was a huge disappointment with beaches!
The problem with Pangkor is that it is located in the Malacca straits hence don't expect clearest waters, even on the beaches. I wonder whether you are not mismatching with the overly priced Pangkor Laut resort located on the tiny Pangkor Laut isaland... in this case Tanjong Jara, on the other eastern side is a better option, just in front of Tenggol, which is probably th best island for diving on continental M'sia.

If you want beaches then go to the Perhentians or Redang, but puleeze... not the western coast! :shocked2:

On the other hand in Pangkor, I was staying right in the middle of the Hindu festival of Thaipusam... interesting but man, that was gory...

 

[FWADIVER]

The problem with Pangkor is that it is located in the Malacca straits hence don't expect clearest waters, even on the beaches. I wonder whether you are not mismatching with the overly priced Pangkor Laut resort located on the tiny Pangkor Laut isaland... in this case Tanjong Jara, on the other eastern side is a better option, just in front of Tenggol, which is probably th best island for diving on continental M'sia.

Yes pangkor laut is overpriced and caters to westerners mainly, I stay at the pan pacific (at least that is what it used to be called, not sure now they have changed management since) where it is much more reasonable, I think the last time we stayed 3 nights, breakfast and dinner, plus whatever drinks we ordered was something like RM800. They have a private beach on a cove there which they groom daily, the water was very clear, the only down side is when the tide comes in there are often jellyfish, but it was easy to see them coming.

 

[Luko]

They have a private beach on a cove there which they groom daily, the water was very clear, the only down side is when the tide comes in there are often jellyfish, but it was easy to see them coming.

I've stayed at the Pan Pacific too, located on Pantai Dewi Putih or somename approaching. I didn't have many great things to say about at the time I was there :
You're right about the jellyfish, except I remember the seawater was so green & gloomy you couldn't even see them.

There was a herd of macaques which was trying to rule the hotel premises, I remember whiplashing one with my belt on the balcony of our room, as he almost bit my daughter.
Starting from 3PM they came running on the grounds chasing after kids, the fun was that one day after, many guests were waiting for the macaques with a stick in their hands.

The Pangkor taxi mob is a real mafia, they overcharged to go downtown and since Pan Pac is away from anything they could easily racket the tourists with high fees.

Apart from that Pulau Pangkor is nice to go around on a moped and very interesting at Thaipusam, although I wouldn't go for a beach or a dive stay.

 

[doctock993]

Great news, now gf wants to try scuba & if she likes it will certify!

Can anyone comment specifically on the following resorts?
Kapalai Resort
Sipadan-Mabul Resort
Pom-Pom Resort

 

[Midget]

Kapalai is gorgeous. I loved everything about it.