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

[DevonDiver]

There's great shore dives from Mabul island. No reason why you can't dive anytime you want, with any of the companies there.

I actually prefer being on Mabul island itself and having access to those shore dives - they're shallower so you can enjoy more time and more dives per day. The 'seaventures' artificial reef (under the rig) is 16-18m... so it's quite limiting for multi-dives and long photo dives. Quite often some current there also. In contrast, Mabul shore dives are as shallow as you want them (5-10m) which offers exceptional bottom time and effectively no limits on your dives-per-day. Awesome night diving off the island also. The muck critters around Mabul are stupendous.

ScubaJunkies is 'backpacker' orientated, albeit higher-end with the new(ish) Mabul resort. Super-cheap and low-end backpackers can stay at Semporna. That's great if you love an informal, low-budget vibe. Not so hot if you prefer luxury and pampering. Very motivated staff, lots of positive energy and lots of socialising. For that reason, I think it's good for the solo traveller.

All of the dive operations there have an 'allowance' of permits for Sipidan. Scubajunkies have one of the higher allowances. However, they're also busier - so more permits is also balanced against more divers. That said, you can book your permits in advance, before arrival. Do that and you're happy.

Also, there's nothing to stop you booking accommodation with one operation and booking Sipidan dives with another. Book book book your permits wherever you can before arrival.

 

[Kahuna.]

Consider Mataking as well. A little further away from Sipadan but lovely diving there too.

 

[jeremyl]

As a single traveller for this trip I am interested in Scuba Junkie. I dont mind dorm living. But their 4-day Sipidan tour is spendy enough to make me consider other options. I have ~1wk total and want to dive my butt off. Can anyone advise on the best overall deal for me? Being solo a lot of the options are more expensive. A Liveaboard (sharing with someone random) becomes a reasonable option. (I assume Celebes is the only option here?). While the deluxe water huts are certainly awesome looking I dont think its in the budget for this trip (will prob bring my wife here one day after she gets her cert - no, this trip is not an option for her).

My concern is having the best experience - and that I have found is highly dependent on the op and guides. I dove with a backpacker resort in Honduras (because all others were booked) and felt the guides were highly lacking. Most were transitional and several had less experience that me (which isnt much ~250 dives). With dive prices probably being similar at most places, whats my best bet for overall value/experience/etc?

I welcome advise!

 

[chooitan]

I would choose SMART over the other 2.
Better resort, better food, accommodation and dives.
You can also book through me and I can guarantee at least 1 days diving in Sipadan.
You also enjoy 12% off the published rates.

Write to me at
chooitan@gmail.com






QUOTE=jgurp;6138703]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[/QUOTE]

 

[Quero]

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
Jacques

All of the dive operations there have an 'allowance' of permits for Sipidan. Scubajunkies have one of the higher allowances. However, they're also busier - so more permits is also balanced against more divers.

The maximum number of permits any dive op taking divers to Sipadan is 14 per day, and many ops get fewer (as few as 7 per day). Naturally, the fewer divers any op is hosting, the greater the chances of a diver "getting lucky." There are times when business is slow at an op that the op might "sell" its permits to another op so that the op that buys some surplus might end up with more than 14 permits on a given day. But the number they are pre-alotted by the Sabah authorities never exceeds 14 per operator.

You can also book through me and I can guarantee at least 1 days diving in Sipadan.

Jacques, you can get this "guarantee" regardless of who you book through. It has absolutely nothing to do with the booking agent. The promise of minimum numbers of visits to Sipadan is dependent on the operator's policies, and no operator will favor one agent over another. The operators all recognize that the overwhelming majority of divers who make the trek to Mabul/Kapalai or even to Semporna do so to dive at Sipadan island, and they try hard to keep people happy.

 

[chooitan]

The ranking for the resorts in this area will have to be
1. SMART Water Bungalows
2. SMART Land Based Bungalows / Kapalai Resort
3. Sipadan Water Village
4. Borneo Divers
5. Sea Ventures
6. Scuba Junkies / Sipadan Dive Lodge

SMART RATES BOTH IN 1st and 2nd place for me because of many reasons
A. Great resort with good rooms and food.
B. Good guides, boats and equipment
C. Best FOC house reef dives both day and night.
D. Waste treatment plant.
E. Contribute to the village welfare.

Why is Scuba Junkies last?
A. No respect for the locals when they opened in Semporna.
B. Rude guides with little respect for divers from other resorts.
C. Again no real positive impact now they are in Mabul.

I have been diving in Sipadan and Mabul since 1995.

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.

 

[DevonDiver]

I would choose SMART... book through me

Edited to reflect personal bias and financial motivation to the advice.

Better resort, better food, accommodation

More expensive resort, more expensive food and more expensive accommodation.

Whilst quality of service is a factor in determining 'better'... it is also important to realize that some (many?) customers also prioritize cost amongst the factors that they associate with the 'best' choice for them.

and dives.

How so? Do they go to different dive sites to all the other scuba operations in the area?

You can and I can guarantee at least 1 days diving in Sipadan.

Paying top-notch prices, I'd expect a lot more guaranteed Sipidan diving than that.

The ranking for the resorts in this area will have to be
1. SMART Water Bungalows
2. SMART Land Based Bungalows / Kapalai Resort
3. Sipadan Water Village
4. Borneo Divers
5. Sea Ventures
6. Scuba Junkies / Sipadan Dive Lodge

Oh... will it? Based on what criteria? Yours?

Personally, I don't need fresh water lillies floating in my spa bath, or silk-clothed waitresses pouring my wine at night. Any cost beyond a comfortable bed, a cold beer, a home-cooked local meal and access to world-class diving is waste of cash to me. I'd rather spend that money on more diving... or diving kit... or diving books.... or even more diving kit...

Now... if I was on a honeymoon, then I'd probably choose SMART. If I was there to dive, then I'd go with the most cost-efficient operator who offered sufficient safety and hygienic facilities.

The point being = it is wrong to adopt an arrogant attitude based on ignorance of the market focus of a business. Likewise, it is wrong to assume that every customer has the same values, or desires the same services, or is willing to pay the same prices as the market you are targeting.

Why is Scuba Junkies last?
A. No respect for the locals when they opened in Semporna.
B. Rude guides with little respect for divers from other resorts.
C. Again no real positive impact now they are in Mabul.

These are all accusations that should be supported... especially when you have an obvious vested and financial interest in promoting the competition. Tut Tut.

I found Scuba Junkies to be very good as a dive operation. Of course, they target a different market (backpackers), so the fripperied spa-dwellers might find that to be a bit of a culture shock. Young people, having fun... friendly, inclusive and down-to-earth... with an emphasis on diving, not luxury living.

I've seen SMART running scuba lessons. Wasn't impressed to be honest.

Not sure what you mean by 'respect for locals'... or how that impacts on their guests. The only 'negative' inter-action I saw on their behalf was the discrete campaigning against destructive fishing practices (shark fining, dynamite fishing etc). On that note, I don't see what 'big-bucks' SMART resort is doing for the locals either... the prosperity certainly doesn't seem to be transferring to the resident population?!?

 

[yogen]

The ranking for the resorts in this area will have to be

Why is Scuba Junkies last?
A. No respect for the locals when they opened in Semporna.
B. Rude guides with little respect for divers from other resorts.
C. Again no real positive impact now they are in Mabul.

I have been diving in Sipadan and Mabul since 1995.

Have dived with Scubajunkie and chose them because of word of mouth. The facilities are basic at the Mabul resort but enough if diving is your priority. Water is heated by solar heaters and hence showers are luke warm. They do not serve sea food in order not to support local fishing methods. Dynamite fishing still continues and you can hear the load bangs.

In terms of diving - they offer all the local dive sites. If you book in advance they can guarantee Sipadan. The permit for Sipadan is issued for the individual diver - name and passport number is on the sheet issued and you need to sign in first before you can dive. So call ahead - and make sure there is a spot when booking your dive holiday.

 

[MALAYSIANNARCO]

Fellas, although many responded to this posting, i believe none was discussed on the budget stay places located on Mabul itself. Yep, you heard it right, BUDGET stay. More to a homestay.

They offer basic stay facilities. But great food and even GREATER diving experience. Some of the budget operators might not have permit to Sipadan but no doubt that they can get it for you. Just to name a few, Big John Scuba [BIG JOHN Scuba | Facebook], scubajeff [Mabul Sipadan Holiday | Diving Guest House | Accommodation more than Bed and Breakfast], sphere divers [Spheredivers Lodge Mabul Island] and many more.

I understand each and everyone of us here have their own level of preference when it comes to a dive holiday but If you are just looking for a long trip, cheap basic stay with similar diving experience to the big hotels and resorts, you might want to consider the homestays where you can still have turtles splashing water just on your deck. Worth the money and you will have a longer stay. In fact, people from every part of the world were there. I've never stayed with them but i've done quite a homework since i'm planning to revisit Mabul - Kapalai - sipadan.

Just google em up and see if for yourself.

 

[DevonDiver]

Some of the budget operators might not have permit to Sipadan but no doubt that they can get it for you.

If not allocated permits - then they'd have to negotiate with dive operations that are. In high season that'd be a non-starter. In low-season, you might get very very lucky.