Malaysia dec 2010

[jeja26]

Hi out there
We are plannning a trip to Thailand in December 2010 and beginning of Januay 2011. We have been told that Malaysia should be good as well and been talking of popping down with Air Asia for a short spell.

How is the diving i Malaysia this time of year?
Where willl it be possible and where not - thinking monsoons and other local hurdles.

Because of our time schedule we do not want to spend too much time travelling from one spot to another.

Any ideas much appreciated

 

[Zippsy]

December is not the time of year to dive most of the South China Sea so the islands on the east side of peninsular Malaysia are closed for diving for the season. You should still be able to dive around Borneo though if you can put up with rain. Sipadan can be dived then. Kota Kinabalu's TARP is a bigger city land based option. You could also consider Pulau Weh in Aceh, Indonesia which is on the right side of the weather.

 

[buddy-boo]

I would also recommend Sipadan. Although it maybe a bit lengthy to get to it is 120% worth it!!! From Kuala Lumpur it's a 2 hour flight to Tawau, then 1 hour taxi to Semporna. You can stay on Mabul Island (40min speed boat ride from Semporna). World class diving in Sipadan- you won't be disappointed (sharks, turtles, barracuda, bumphead parrot fish, currents, absolutely stunning coral gardens). Diving off Mabul is great too- if you like small stuff.

How long are you planning to stay there? If you dive Sipadan you need permits that need to be booked well in advance, but you have plenty of time to apply. If you don't mind super-basic acommodation, Billabong Scuba can give you 3 days our of 4 guaranteed in Sipadan.

 

[jeja26]

Thank for the advice. Seems to be the wrong time of year. We are looking at a week or so , as we still are going to Thailand as first priority.

I have been looking at Borneo and Sippidan, and am well aware of the complications with permits. I do however find it a bit pricy too - but as you guys mention - the diving seems to be something special.

You mention the rain in Boreo - is this all day rain or showers in the afternoon / evening?

How can you be sure that the dive center you may buy the package from can supply the permits for diving? Is there a risk of being ripped off?

 

[jeja26]

Just one more question for Zippsy:
Is this the place you recommend ?

Travel tips, Gapang Beach, Pulau Weh (Weh Island), Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia

Geography in this part of the world is not my strong side :confused6:

 

[buddy-boo]

We stayed with Billabong Scuba last September. We applied for permits in July. You can be absolutely sure they won't rip you off. We told them what days we wanted to dive Sipadan and they guaranteed those days! Billabong is very small operation with not a lot of divers so you can be sure that there is enough permits for everybody staying with them. We met few people there who said that they just walked in to their office in Semporna and were able to dive Sipadan the next day It seemed that Billabong had some kind of connections on Sipadan, which may seem dodgy but we did not go into all the 'politics'- we had absolutely breathtaking 4 days of diving on this fantastic island.

The accommodation there was very bad (mattress on the floor, fan, no hot water, shower from the bucket, food not great), but for us it was all about diving.

What I would do next time I visit is book accommodation on Mabul with Scuba Junkie (they have really nice, new rooms for 80RM pp) and book all the diving with Billabong (they are only 10 min walk from SJ).

When we were there the weather was not that great (there was a storm when we were leaving, which made a boat ride super exciting and bumpy!!!!) but this did not affect diving one bit!!!

 

[broadreach]

I do however find it a bit pricy too

you can easily do Sipadan on the cheap. Do a search on this board.
If you're willing to stay in Semporna (a somewhat gritty town) and take the 1 hour+ boat ride to Sipadan every day, You could stay at Lee's resthouse in Semporna (the best value imho) and dive with Scuba Junkies.
Flights on Air Asia through Kuala Lumpur will not break the bank either.

 

[jeja26]

Thanks for info. Will look into Sippidan again

 

[InDaWata]

My opinion:

1) If you have to choose between diving in Thailand and Sipadan- go with Sipadan!
2) It is definitely worth it to splurge a little extra to stay on Mabul!

 

[jeja26]

"If you have to choose between diving in Thailand and Sipadan- go with Sipadan!"

Going to Thailand is our main destination this time for other reasons than diving (but will be diving liveaboard off the west coast, Simillian etc) and therefore Sippidan will be a bonus as we are "passing by" and Air Asia does make things possible out there