Questions on Sipadan

[thirtyaughtsix]

Firstly, I'm new to the group so I'd like to say hi.

My question is: Would I be a bonefide idiot for not diving Sipadan if I happen to be in eastern Sabah? I arrive next week and don't know when I'll get back to Borneo.

I'm concerned about the viz this time of year and the reports/rumors that it's really gone down hill. The recent pics some of you have look promising but maybe it's better to come back some other day when the season is right and the reef is in better shape?

I have to visit a friend in Bangkok on this trip so I thought the Andaman was a more pragmatic choice. I have neither the time nor the money to dive both (at least in any reasonable fashion).

thanks much,

ken

 

[Zippsy]

IMHO, the answer is yes - you would be an idiot for skipping Sipadan. Unless you are planning to be back in the neighborhood in 3 - 10 months, I would dive Sipadan now if I were you. I dove it in February which is still the monsoon season. Viz was down to 10 - 15 meters on all dives but one. It rained everyday but the seas were fairly calm. And it was still the best diving I have ever done comparing it to the Maldives, Andaman, Cayman, Utila, Anambas, Lembeh, Boracay, the Spice Islands, penisular Malaysia, etc. Depending on how much time you have, you may also want to do some of the muck diving on the nearby islands of Mabul or Kapalai. Don't miss Sipadan though. There is nothing wrong with the reef and if it has "gone downhill" it has gone from a 100 to a 99. I'd put Grand Cayman at 60 on the same scale. You may not get to see the whale sharks or mantas of Richileau Rock, and you may not even see any of Sipadan's hammerheads but you will not be disappointed.

 

[thirtyaughtsix]

Thanks, Zippsy. That's what I was hoping to hear.

k

 

[Zept]

At this time of year, given a choice between Sipadan and the Similans (Andaman Sea), I would go to the Similans.

I have been to both places, and I would rate Similans in season over Sipadan out of season. A friend of mine went to Sipadan at Christmas one year and it wasn't good... seas were so rough that sometimes they had to carry their gear round the island before they could get into the water.

Of course, it also depends what kind of diving you prefer...

Z

 

[ssra30]

Depends on what you are looking for. If you are looking for beautiful coral reef then Sipadan is not the place, especially if you can go to the Similans/Richeliue. If you like macro life, the Similans cannot compete with Sipadan/Mabul/Kapalai. For fish, I saw the largest school of jacks and barracudas or reef sharks in Sipadan that the Similands did not even come close.
At this time of the year, visibility around Andaman Sea will be much better than Sipadan but for macro life, 10m visibility should not be a problem at all.
Depending on where you are coming from, generally I feel that Sipadan/Borneo is a lot more difficult to get to than Phuket/Andaman Sea so chances of going back there is not very good, unless you plan specifically to go there for diving so if you happen to be in Sabah, I probably would not give up a chance to go to Sipadan or for that matter of fact, it might not be too difficult to get over to Sangalaki either.

 

[jiveturkey]

I was on Sipadan in late november. It was the best diving I've ever done. I was blown away. It was better than I expected and my expectations were high considering it's reputation. Yes. Go there.



I plugged 16 shells from a thirty-ought-six....

 

[thirtyaughtsix]

thanks, folks. all good things to think about.

i guess i will defer to the doctrine of homer which says:

"lisa, you can't go this far and then not go further..."