Night in Tawau,night in Kota kinobalu ???

[peterbkk]

This whole "how to get to Sipadan" exercise has always been a challenge. These days there are more flights but it still seems to be complex. For me, flying from Bangkok, I prefer to get all the flying done in one day so I go BKK-KLIA-BKI(KK)-Tawau, arriving late evening in Tawau. Then, early next morning, drive to Semporna and out to Mabul. This gets you there in time for the afternoon dive, basically using a day and half to travel.

I had hoped that with Air Asia doing direct BKK to BKI (KK) flights, I could get from my home in BKK to the resort in Mabul in one day, ready for a full day diving on the second day. But the timing of the Air Asia flights don't allow that (plus their ridiculous baggage limit which means you pay a lot extra to bring your own dive gear).

Still, the diving on Sipadan is worth the hassle of the journey!

Regards
Peter

 

[alc16]

Who offers dive packages that can be booked on the net to Mabul or can one just turn up on the island? Also, do any places offer dive courses as my other half wants to complete her PADI OW (she'll do theory/classroom & pool dives & hopefully get signed off!) before we go.

Cheers

 

[peterbkk]

Who offers dive packages that can be booked on the net to Mabul or can one just turn up on the island? Also, do any places offer dive courses as my other half wants to complete her PADI OW (she'll do theory/classroom & pool dives & hopefully get signed off!) before we go.

Cheers

Borneo Divers are the oldest and, in many opinions, the best on Mabul. They'll arrange diving, accommodation and land transport over internet / email.

http://www.borneodivers.info/

You can do a Padi OW course there but, IMHO, that is a big waste of valuable vacation time. I would recommend full certification at home and then you can get maximum time diving.

Regards
Peter

 

[alc16]

Borneo Divers are the oldest and, in many opinions, the best on Mabul. They'll arrange diving, accommodation and land transport over internet / email.

http://www.borneodivers.info/

You can do a Padi OW course there but, IMHO, that is a big waste of valuable vacation time. I would recommend full certification at home and then you can get maximum time diving.

Regards
Peter

Thanks for this - i'l drop them a line.
Can't get a full cert in Shanghai due to time restraints/work hence she'll do half the course there and the final half on holiday. Also she didn't want to do a course during our whole holiday period so we need a little flexibility.

Someone mentioned stamping of passport at Tawau or lack of....how can I get this done as i'm flying Shanghai to KL and then KL direct to Tawau (only have a 2 hour transfer period)? Does the reply from Malasisa-islands recommend actually checking through immigration of KLIA and coming back in? Or is there another way to do this in KLIA? Sorry for the info extraction!

We're booking independently (ie not through agencies) so trying to get as much advice/experiences as possible here.

 

[pakman]

I think someone mentioned there is an immigration desk at Tawau although you could exit the airport without getting stamped. Best to find it and get the proper stamps as I think he ran into some trouble leaving. But I vaguely remember my last time I went to Tawau via KK and KL that I had to get a stamp in KL for entry into Sabah. But that was years ago...

 

[Diver Dennis]

That was me Pak. I had a huge problem trying to leave and it cost me time and $$$$$.

 

[peterbkk]

Someone mentioned stamping of passport at Tawau or lack of....how can I get this done as i'm flying Shanghai to KL and then KL direct to Tawau (only have a 2 hour transfer period)? Does the reply from Malasisa-islands recommend actually checking through immigration of KLIA and coming back in? Or is there another way to do this in KLIA? Sorry for the info extraction!

If you fly through KLIA, you will clear immigration and customs there and, from then on, your journey will be "domestic". KLIA has a very efficient immigration process so you'll be through it in minutes. On your departure, the process will be reversed. No customs requirement but you'll clear immigration and leave the country at KLIA.

Here is the official process from KLIA's website:

2)Transfer Procedures

2a)International To Domestic

· Your flight will be arrive at Sat A. or at the International Level of the Contact Pier at MTB
· Follow the signs and proceed to the nearest transfer desk
· Collect your boarding pass for your next flight, if you have not been issued one
· Check the Flight Information Display (FIDS), for your onward boarding/ departure gates, if you have been issued a boarding pass.
· Board the aerotrain to the MTB if you arrive at Sat A.
· Look for signage indicating Domestic Departure Gates and proceed to the trans-border Immigration counter for inbound clearance ,which is one floor below.
· The Customs check point is located just beyond the Immigration area. You will only need to have your hand luggage checked as your other baggage will be checked through to your final destination
· Proceed to the the Domestic A or B Departure Gates for your next flight


2b) Domestic To International

· Your flight will arrive at the Domestic Level of the Contact Pier at the MTB
· If you have not been issued a boarding pass for your onward journey, collect one at the nearest Transfer Desk
· Check the Flight Information Display (FIDS), for your onward boarding/ departure gates, if you have been issued a boarding pass.
· Proceed for Immigration clearance
· Proceed to International Level at the MTB or board the aerotrain to Sat A.
· Proceed to Departure Gate for your next flight

(http://www.klia.com.my/index.php?ch=62&pg=134&ac=2633)

Regards
Peter

 

[alc16]

Thanks Peter - excellent advice.

Here's another....

What good dive operators from Semporna are recommended?
- must have Chinese (mandarin) speaking/reading instructors for Padi o/w
(ie. can offer PADI o/w referrals for completion without being language hinderence - i've actually seen the chinese PADI material of my gf!)
- decent BC & wetsuits on hire for dive trips (for me!)

I've actually contacted one of the said operators on Mabul but i'm not sure they're able to accomodate language differences hence looking for options on Semporna. I still don't agree with certifying in that area but we're time deficient and i'm able to occupy myself diving....erm in Sipadan