Malaysia in July

[delbhoy]

Hi all,

My girlfriend and I (both 25 yrs of age from Ireland) will be traveling to Malaysia for the month of July. We will be backpacking around both peninsular Malaysia and Borneo. Whilst there we hope to do some diving.

We are both certified to Advanced open water level and have dived in Thailand, Australia and Fiji. However it will be two years since my girlfriend has dived and 1 year since I have dived. My girlfriend has about 16 logged dives and I have 25 (last diving was in South Africa).

We hope to dive Sipadan but from researching the forums I fear we may be a bit inexperienced. I plan to visit peninsular Malaysia first and hope to take a refresher scuba course in the Perhentians. Can anybody recommend a dive operator in the Perhentiens?

Once we brush up our skills we will head to Sipadan. I am looking at staying on Mabul. Can anybody recommend which of the dive operators would be more suited for a young outgoing couple (we hope to do about 10 dives around Sipadan)?

Many thanks for reading
Delbhoy

 

[pakman]

I wouldn't be too worried. You could do the refresher dives right on Sipidan. Just talk to the resort in advance to let them know your concerns. I went to Sipidan with less than 20 dives and my gf at the time had just got certified over in KK. Other than being an air hog, the diving was fine and we had a great time on Sipidan.

 

[victor]

Perhentian is well worth a visit and the diving would be a lot less preasurised while you regain experience.

I would recommend the small Island Perhentian Kecil as it is quieter and the dive operations were very layed back.

If you are prepared to rough it, e.g. no AirCon then expect to pay less than R100 per night on the beach and less than half that if you are back a bit in the jungle.

Meals are very cheap 10 to 20 ringet per night.

Beer and wine are available but remember to ask politely. If you offend the locals, as a swiss lady did, then they can make it obvious that they don't want to serve you.
B & J on Tioman is well worth a stop at if you have the time.

 

[delbhoy]

Many thanks for the replies guys. I feel reassured. I will look into your suggestions. If anybody else has any suggestions for dive operators I would appreciate it.

Thanks again.

 

[gklem]

Check out florabay resort at Perhentian Besar. Nice place with warm and friendly staff. The diveshop is run by a Course Director called Azman. You can be assured that your diving there will be fun and safe.

 

[goodeatsfan]

I'd recommend Florabay to you too, but be warned, accommodation there is a little on the Basic side. That said, I wouldn't want to waste whatever precious time I have in Sipadan doing my refresher.... a faster, cheaper, far more comfortable and simpler option in malaysia would be to do your refresher with B&J in pulau tioman. but thats just my 2 cents.

 

[victor]

If you have the time then I sugest an afternoon at Elephants Sanctuary Kuala Gandah Pahang Malaysia http://impressions.com.my/RelatedServ/Klshortmain/ele_sanc/more_ele.htm

Well worth stopping of at. Hint, if you ask nicely they will put your girlfriend on the last elephant ride, get your camera ready it is a good laugh.

Tioman Island is well worth a visit if you have the time. I have only dived with B&J's but they are good and they have 2 centres on the Island, the one in the north is at a more layed back resort so you can pick and choose. http://www.divetioman.com/

 

[delbhoy]

Thanks a million for the replies guys I really appreciate it. We are hoping to go to both the Perhentians and Tioman so we will check out Flora bay and B+J's.

Victor - Thanks for the tip about the elephant sanctuary.

On another note I contacted all the dive operators around Mabul, there all said that diving around Sipadan is not guaranteed, this is from one of the operators,

"We regret to inform you that regarding your request to dive in Sipadan Island. To be able to enter Sipadan Island, permit required. Due to limited quota and approval permit only announce a day before, we would not able to tell who can go diving in Sipadan."

I think I will be taking my chances all the same.

Thanks again
Delbhoy

 

[TravelSimone]

Thanks a million for the replies guys I really appreciate it. We are hoping to go to both the Perhentians and Tioman so we will check out Flora bay and B+J's.

Victor - Thanks for the tip about the elephant sanctuary.

On another note I contacted all the dive operators around Mabul, there all said that diving around Sipadan is not guaranteed, this is from one of the operators,

"We regret to inform you that regarding your request to dive in Sipadan Island. To be able to enter Sipadan Island, permit required. Due to limited quota and approval permit only announce a day before, we would not able to tell who can go diving in Sipadan."

I think I will be taking my chances all the same.

Thanks again
Delbhoy

I am going to Sipadan in May, and from everything that I have heard, the dive operations need two weeks notice with your name, country, and passport number for them to arrange the proper permits. We also plan on diving Mataking out of Semporna before we head out to Mabul. Even the dive operator in Semporna requested our information for permits.

Given the remoteness of Mabul, and the limited number of spaces there, it is probably best to make reservations ahead of time. We actually had to change our first choice of days, because the resort where we wanted to stay didn't have the availability.

 

[nizaha]

Highly recomended go to Flora Bay..See Azman ..all his staff very well trained and professional. Nice accomondation , private bay..during evening local boy play soccer on the beach..close to divesite and etc...

i rather do my refresher course in perhentian island and diving in Sipadan !!