similans v. sipadan

[scren]

i need opinions here!
i am flying into KL on may 6th and have a week to dive before meeting a friend in bangkok in the pm on may 13th. i had originally planned to fly to phuket and do a 5 nt/4 day liveaboard to the similans, weather provided of course. my back-up plan if the weather doesn't comply is to dive in malaysia-- likely sipadan. now i have heard conflicting advice, some say i should just do sipadan regardless of the weather in phuket...

so here's my question:

if weather is not an issue, would you prefer the liveaboard in the similans or having 4-5 days in sipadan? and why?

thanks! i cannot make up my mind...

 

[tboxcar]

I have not been to the Similans (only Phuket and surroundings), but my experience in Sipadan almost 2 years ago was unforgetable!!!!! I think most would agree Sipadan is still a dive site all divers should see!!! Let's just hope it does not get 'too trashed'!

 

[Batfish]

if weather is not an issue

Well, it might be an issue that you cannot ignore. Normally, early May is fine for diving in the Similan Islands, but the season can change early. I recall in 2000 we had rough weather by mid April already and by the end of the month could not reach Richelieu Rock. One thing you can be sure of is uncrowded waters. It's the end of the season, many boats stop at the end of April, and if the weather is good it is a great time to dive there. If you're booking in advance, be sure to check that the trip is actually confirmed - has enough people booked to go out.

By contrast, in the Sipadan area you will be entering high season, and indeed you may not be able to find places available! Certainly, if you wish to head for Sipadan, try booking right now. The first week of May is "Golden Week" - a big Japanese holiday - and guess where all the Japanese divers are going....Since your dates start May 6th, you might be OK...

Some info on dive sites:

Similan Islands

Sipadan

 

[Jason Ooi]

Sipadan a lot of marine life, turtles paradise...You can chose stay in Kapalai Island or Mabul Island.
I will recommend go Sipadan instead of Similan you never regret....

Jason

 

[save-money-diving]

At this late date it may be hard to book Sipadan Now ... remember new regulations limit only 120 divers per day ... however .. the Similans would be uncrowded .. weather permiting ..... good luck ....

 

[scottfiji]

just got back from a similan liveaboard
marine life was lacking, but vis was good
I'd definitely pick indonesia over thailand any day if you enjoy marine life
if you just like vis and "structure" (e.g. - rocks), maybe choose similans
not much photo ops in similans either

 

[malaysia-islands]

Interesting topic.

I just got back from Sipadan 2 weeks ago. This was well before this 120-divers-per-day ruling came into act. So I'm not too sure what it will be like in May. The key is to book in advance. I have some phone numbers of diver operators in Semporna where you can call up and ask.

On viz, I start to think Similan has the upper hand. My 3 dives in Sipadan were rather murky. But having said that, the variety of large marine species in Sipadan is simply unmatched. I've just finished editing my dive photos from Mid Reef, South Point and Barracuda Point and all I can say is that I'm quite satisfied with how the pictures turned out despite the shortcomings. I'm talking about getting really close to a number of green turtles and black-tip sharks before releasing my shutter.

In any case, good luck!

 

[Jason Ooi]

Unfortunated I went back November year 2005 Similan liveaboard, marine life was lacking as well. No Whales Shark and mantas, but I went to Hin Muang and Hin Daeng I found numbers of mantas.
Jason

just got back from a similan liveaboard
marine life was lacking, but vis was good
I'd definitely pick indonesia over thailand any day if you enjoy marine life
if you just like vis and "structure" (e.g. - rocks), maybe choose similans
not much photo ops in similans either

 

[Christian]

i need opinions here!
i am flying into KL on may 6th and have a week to dive before meeting a friend in bangkok in the pm on may 13th. i had originally planned to fly to phuket and do a 5 nt/4 day liveaboard to the similans, weather provided of course. my back-up plan if the weather doesn't comply is to dive in malaysia-- likely sipadan. now i have heard conflicting advice, some say i should just do sipadan regardless of the weather in phuket...

so here's my question:

if weather is not an issue, would you prefer the liveaboard in the similans or having 4-5 days in sipadan? and why?

thanks! i cannot make up my mind...

I have been to both and Sipadan has the superior diving.

Similan Islands is a nice dive location and with tghe right conditions very good (but the best in Thai waters are inmo Richelieu Rock in Surin Isl. & Hin Mouang outside Lanta), but Sipadan is always very, very good, even when the viz is murky. On a good day, Sipadan must be almost unprarallelled for the tropical diver. The diversity and wealth of life, big and small, is just amazing.

/christian

 

[scren]

hmmm....the poll seems to be leaning towards sipadan thus far, i am really glad i asked! i appreciate all the input and will start looking into where i can still get reservations. thanks, and i look forward to hearing any more advice from you all! maybe now would be the time to ask about where i ought to stay there? i know there aren't many options, but i have gotten reports about either staying on the actual island or staying nearby, any input on this?

thanks again, i am very excited about the trip, hope i can get into sipadan now!