Sipadan: Borneo Divers, SMART or Scuba Junkie....

[jgurp]

At the end of March we will be going to Borneo for 3 weeks and will finish this trip on Mabul. The first 2 weeks we won't be planning a lot, but for Sipadan we want to make a reservation on 1 of the resorts on Mabul because I have read it will give you a better chance on diving days on Sipadan when you make these well in advance.
But which one to chose....
I'm thinking about Borneo Divers, SMART and Scuba Junkie (the new one on Mabul). The last one is the cheapest, but I think I read somewhere the chance on permits with SJ is slightly less. Probably because they have to devide the same amount of permits over 2 locations.
About Borneo Divers I've read that they give you the biggest chance on permits and they are in the same (high) price range as SMART I think (about 180 euro a night). While SJ is about 100 euro a night. And about SMART well, to me the pictures I saw they seem to have the nicest chalets of the three.....

So which one to pick... Please some advice....
Jacques

 

[tstormdiver]

I did Borneo Divers about 3 yrs ago with my LDS (about 20 of us). Out of 10 diving days, I think our group dove Sipadan 4 or 5 times. The bad thing about diving Sipadan, was it was 4 dives on those days, with very little break in between. The house reef off of the resort was unlimited diving (with advanced noticed for late night or early morning dives) & some very good diving at that. The staff was phenomenal! When I lost my camera on the house reef during a night dive, they sent out 3-4 divers & 2 boats to search for it. Although it was never found, I was impressed by the extra effort given to find it. Even so, I managed to get in 42 dives in 10 days of diving,... well worth the 30 hrs of travel to get there.

 

[MALAYSIANNARCO]

I did Sipadan-Mabul-Kapalai early this year. Was at Sipadan Water Village. I'm not that sure on the services by all the other three resorts named above, but i guess each got their own strong side. All resorts are located very much nearby and within walking distance. You may also find several homestay that provide diving services on the other side of the island. Their rate are ultra cheap and friendly with basic accomodation for those who did not demand luxury living or VIP treatment.

I was there for 5 days and did, well i think just about 14 dives. The house reef is good enough to dive and full with all sorts of stuff. Turtles are everywhere (i hope it will continue to be like that) and all the dives are good with viz of 15-30m. The rooms (a.k.a water bungalow) are spacious and satisfying. The food are good although not great. As for me, worth the money i pour in for the trip.

As for Sipadan, one will have to wake up very early in the morning for that. I had three dives at Sipadan and sufficient SI for food and all the other stuff. Yes, since only 120 visitors are allowed to visit Sipadan on daily basis, the resorts had their own share of numbers they are allowed to bring. Scuba junkie only have 9 if i'm not mistaken. Talk to the resort if u wish to dive more at Sipadan and usually the resorts will do their best to help. Just remember, you will have to pay sort of a levy money for each day you are diving Sipadan. This does not come under your booked package.

 

[Average]

Loved the Seaventure rig, loved Scub Junkies. Visited the Water Village... and for me, there was not enough "diving triip" Flair. I kinda felt like I am in a noble hotel, expected to see people in ties eating their foi gras Also the age average was probably the highest of all the resorts I saw.... I loved the mood on the Seaventure Rig, the house Reef is fantastic. It was more relaxing than living on "land". But still, Scuba Junkies were great, you mingle with all those people during Lunch and Diner time. When going on a diving trip, I don't really like a 5-star hotel experience....I need clean rooms, good food and great diving atmosphere. Got both with the Junkies and on the Rig. Rig = smaller room, but it makes up with a unique style of "living". Where else can you enjoy a sundeck with a great view, check your watch... hmm... 2pm? Hey, wanna go for a five? sure! And then get into yur gear and stand on the elevator, give the GO sign and be hoisted down directly into the water!?

 

[gee13]

Guess the beauty of being on the oil rig is that you dont have a view of that damn ugly oil rig :mooner:

 

[ocdiver1]

I've stayed at both SMART and SeaVentures and enjoyed both, would give nod to Seaventures for being slightly cheaper and was just very cool to stay on a converted oil rig! And good (free) house reef diving below the rig...there's an elevator that you descend straight into the water. Great staff and food. I stayed there at a busy time (Chinese New Year earlier this year) and still had the opportunity to go to Sipadan 4x

 

[Zippsy]

Guess the beauty of being on the oil rig is that you dont have a view of that damn ugly oil rig :mooner:

HEY! That's my line!

 

[jgurp]

Thanks for your replies,
If it wasn't for the money I probably would have chosen one of the others (more permits to devide per day), but now I chose Scuba Junkie.
They promiss 1 day Sipedan if you go dive for 3 days.
We arrive in the afternoon, so first night SJ in Semporna. Then 3 nights SJ on Mabul and the last night SJ Semporna again.

 

[The Wolf]

Scuba Junkies are probably ranked at the bottom of anyone's list. They are catered for budget divers if you want to look at it from that point of view.

Rankings as far as resorts close to Sipadan.

1. Kapalai
2. SMART
3. Borneo Divers/Seaventures
4. SCUBA Junkies

Seaventures doesn't get enough credit for the excellent facilities and atmosphere on board. It actually has excellent macro and night diving below the rig and suits divers who don't want sand all over their gear and camera's. It actually is why I have ranked it alongside BD.

 

[gunkter]

Will they let you solo dive the house reef from the seadventures rig? I'll be travelling to Semporna alone, and the one advantage I see of this place over Uncle Chang / Scuba Junkie is the ability to pop in the water anytime for a quick dive below, but without a travel buddy I don't want to have to keep finding somebody who wants to dive at the same time as me. thanks