Sipadan as a backpacker, need advice.

[Scuba Scotty]

All,

My girlfriend and I are going on an extended SE Asia travel starting October - as in, quitting our jobs, selling everything, and going to Asia for an undetermined amount of time. I'd like to go to Borneo, dive Sipadan, trek etc.

Question: Do Scuba Junkies or Uncle Changes get ANY permits to go to Sipadan???

On all of the quota information I can find these operations are never mentioned as being in the 120 pool.

Question: Of the resorts that for sure get permits, who's the cheapest???

Question: I'm looking to go in October. Is this a relatively slow time of year for them???

Question: The economy sucks, everywhere, in your opinion is that a strong advantage??? (less busy)

Final Question: Is doing a divemaster internship there a good cheap way to dive Sipadan a lot? If not where would you do yours?

THANK YOU - I'm teetering on whether we should go to Borneo at all at this point.

-Scotty

 

[xariatay]

We r going to Sipadan with Scuba Junkies in early May. Got them to arrange for 2 days of permit, they said confirmed. Well, will report back again when back!
Congrats on your freedom!

 

[kathydee]

Last year I dove sipadan with scuba junkies. cheap $3 dorms or $18 rooms. DM's were overworked & exhausted & bring your own gear or test it 3X and stick very close to your partner. Malaysia Borneo is not really a place for the cheap backpacker scene. Lots of ecotourist 3 day 2 night $400 packages. But you can squeek by in dorms & in the market. YES sipadan is worth it!! Just take airasia to tawau & catch SJ van over but make reservations & get a confirmation because it is very hard to get a permit & I heard things are even tighter now.

At SJ dive masters rotated boats & sites think they got to Sipadan about 1X a week.

have fun!