North Borneo seasons?

[Zeamonkey]

Finally have the opportunity to go to Sabah for diving this winter, but not sure whcih month would be the best Jan, feb or march? Thinking Sipadan/Mabul.... Anyone have been there in these months? Any help appriciated!!!!!

 

[hiddenaughty]

Finally have the opportunity to go to Sabah for diving this winter, but not sure whcih month would be the best Jan, feb or march? Thinking Sipadan/Mabul.... Anyone have been there in these months? Any help appriciated!!!!!

Best month to dive Sabah is around Mar - June, It's windy season around end of the year.. for Mabul or Sipadan will be Whole year round.. Try to avoid Windy season as all day/dive trip to Sipadan depart from Semporna / Mabul / Kapalai.. *No one is allow to land on the said island EXCEPT the Park people! Divers/Snorkellers will have to stay on the dive boat most of the time.:lam:

 

[Zeamonkey]

So its windy all year at Mabul and Sipadan? and is season then less important? Was thinking December/January....

 

[ScubaJoel]

So its windy all year at Mabul and Sipadan? and is season then less important? Was thinking December/January....

Hi, I have been to Mabul in may and december last year. In december you have to expect some rain and wind, but its still very much okay.

As hiddenaughty stated its might not allowed to land on Sipadan. AFAIK its not allowed to stay overnight there...

Since we have been the first which dives around Sipadan at january 2nd, we had our SI on a beach at Sipadan, but things might have changed since then..
Anyway, make sure your dive operator has a toilet on board.

 

[hiddenaughty]

Most of the dive operator are using the standard Dive boat which doesn't have any toilet facility :11: I heard that there are lots of cheap package to Mabul with boat dive & unlimited beach dive, while diving at Sipadan subject to additional charges per dive wonder if it's true :06:

 

[DontLieToMe]

When I was there this April we did our surface intervals on the beach at Sipadan. This was true of all of the operators.

 

[ScubaJoel]

When I was there this April we did our surface intervals on the beach at Sipadan. This was true of all of the operators.

So they still go one with it.

Hm, I wonder... using the jungle as toilet is not very hygienic.

 

[ScubaJoel]

Most of the dive operator are using the standard Dive boat which doesn't have any toilet facility

Sure, but there have been plans from one resorts to use its big liveaboard for the SI, f.e. for toilet and cooking reasons (and to rent out to other operators)

I heard that there are lots of cheap package to Mabul with boat dive & unlimited beach dive, while diving at Sipadan subject to additional charges per dive wonder if it's true

I can imagine that's true - and I think its okay - since this must be the operators which operate from Semporna or around. Its not that interesting and they have to attract customers with lower pricess than the operators located on Mabul. And from Semporna to Sipadan its quite a bit...