Sipadan Diving getting there

[notyoung]

I am also going to Sipadan in late March, but on the way back we return to Semporna at 9 a.m. and our flight leaves in the evening, any recommendations on where to 'hang out' with the family, including two teenagers? Thank you!

There are certain options

1. Where does your flight takes you after Tawau? KK or KL?

2. Which airlines are you on? MAS or AirAsia?

Reason:

1A. If you are on MAS and flying to KK, I would suggest that you change your flight to 2:40pm and go to KK. It's a much bigger town and more things to 'do/see' then either Semporna or Tawau.

1B. If your flight is set-in-stone, then I would suggest you take a bus (RM10/- per head) to Tawau to pass the time till your flight in the evening. You might also want to consider checking into a hotel for rest, bathe, etc. From Tawau you could get a taxi to the airport for RM45/-

Hope this helps

 

[Luko]

I am also going to Sipadan in late March, but on the way back we return to Semporna at 9 a.m. and our flight leaves in the evening, any recommendations on where to 'hang out' with the family, including two teenagers? Thank you!

Something I don't understand.
usually the resorts offer two transfer services per day one going out early at 6AM to catch the 9AM flights , the other at 11AM to catch the 2PM flights. Are you sure you're going with the first transfer?

Anyway you still have to populate that longish waiting time... poster above is right. You should rather go through KK... and if you're stranded in Tawau... well, all I can say is good luck...

 

[Midget]

Semporna is not a good place to hang out. Tawau is barely better, but it is a hair better. It has better restaurants.
The problem is you'll have your luggage so you won't be very mobile.
Best to try to get an afternoon boat from your dive op so that you have less time to kill.

 

[Bubbledup]

Well My buddy and I are booked in at Borneo Divers on Mabul for the 2nd week of February. Thanks Luko for all the comments and helpful posts.

I have one more question, we plan on staying 2 nights, beginning and end of trip in Tawau. Does anyone have any recommendations on what hotel to use and how should we get between the airport and hotel in Tawau?

Cheers,

We spent a week with Borneo Divers on Mabul last April. It was our second trip there, and we enjoyed it immensely. However, we chose to spend three days in Kuta Kinabalu on the way home, just to unwind. KK, I have to say, and I know I'm being judgmental, is the most boring place in this world, bar none. I've found that to be true of Malaysia in general. I've stayed in some truly ratty places in Indonesia and elsewhere, but they all had some positive aspect about them. Our KK lodgings were clean, but that's about all I can say. Also,it's my experience that Malaysians are not the friendliest people you'll find in your travels.

 

[Luko]

...is the most boring place in this world, bar none.
I've found that to be true of Malaysia in general.
it's my experience that Malaysians are not the friendliest people you'll find in your travels.

Most incredible generalizing nonsense cr*p I have been reading for a while... you probably haven't been traveling for long. First start learning to spell KOTA (city) and not KUTA.

 

[Bubbledup]

Most incredible generalizing nonsense cr*p I have been reading for a while... you probably haven't been traveling for long. First start learning to spell KOTA (city) and not KUTA.

Give me a break, Superstar. I've been traveling since before your mother was born. I've been diving for 48 years. I admit I was generalizing, but that's the way I feel about Malaysia. Have a nice day.