One more about Sipadan

[PeterVV]

Hi, I have looked through a lot of posts here but dodn't quite find what I was looking for.

I would like to go to Malaysia NeXT year and dive Sipadan. I would like to know which dice op to go with for the largest chance of going to Sipadan?

I heard that staying at Mabul is much better than Semporna. What do you think?

Thanks

 

[Quero]

I think stay at Mabul. And I think stay at an op with 14 permits (which is the max) and the fewest number of rooms for guests. You may have to write to the ops to ask how many permits they've got. For example, I think ScubaJunkies has just 11, and they use them for both their Semporna-based and their Mabul-based guests together. Sipadan-Mabul Resort has 14, but they split them amongst their guests at SMART and the Mabul Water Bungalows. The only op that can guarantee diving every single day at Sipadan is the liveaboard, and that's because they've got 14 permits and 14 guests on board their boat.

 

[PeterVV]

Thanks for your advise. I also saw that a place like Scuba Junkie has a policy where you book a number of diving days, let's say three and then one will be at Sipadan.

I think we will go for Mabul. Any recomendations? I think we are in the mid range. not backpackers but also not five star.

 

[DevonDiver]

Wherever you stay, increase your chances by wandering around the other operators and seeing what they can offer on a given day. Scuba Junkies always used to have a 'reserve list'.

 

[Quero]

That's sort of the minimum number of days you can book and expect them to issue a permit to you. It's a very common policy. If you don't want high end, don't go to Kapalai Dive Resort or Mabul Water Bungalows, and if you don't want super-budget, don't go to Billabong, Uncle Chang's or any of the others right in that area. In the middle, there's a range of prices, with SeaVentures, Scuba Junkies, Borneo, all being towards the bottom of that tier and SMART, Sipadan Water Village and the like towards the top of the tier.

 

[1diverdude]

For Sipadan if you want to stay at Mabul island look at Borneo Divers Mabul resort or Seaventures dive rig. Have to book a minimum of 3 nights to get a guaranteed permit but the diving is awesome and worth the money. Both have over 10 permits each and not always full :0 stay in Semporna go out with Sipadan Scuba - they also provide permits at a cheaper rate.

 

[PeterVV]

Thanks Guys. Great answers. I now know what too look for.