Sipadan from Roach reef resort?

[hallboy]

As anyone has tried this resort island. It seems to be a litlle bit farest than Mabul/Kapalai
from Sipadan, but cheapest also, and not mostly limited to muck diving like those 2.

 

[malaysia-islands]

As anyone has tried this resort island. It seems to be a litlle bit farest than Mabul/Kapalai
from Sipadan, but cheapest also, and not mostly limited to muck diving like those 2.

I haven't tried yet. Correct, Mabul and Kapalai are just too expensive for my wallet.

But please check the distance between Roach Reef to Mabul or Sipadan, if the boat journey takes 1 1/2 to 2 hours, better off staying in mainland Semporna like I usually do.

 

[hallboy]

40minutes....

 

[malaysia-islands]

40minutes....

Sounds great. If you find the room rate is affordable.

I usually stay at the mainland (Dragon Inn Semporna) because it is relatively cheaper.

 

[hallboy]

wich dive op? What is the total cost ( 3 dives+ food+ Dragon inn ) each day compared to Mabul: 145 $ or 600 aftre change?

 

[malaysia-islands]

wich dive op? What is the total cost ( 3 dives+ food+ Dragon inn ) each day compared to Mabul: 145 $ or 600 aftre change?

For my upcoming trip, I plan to use North Borneo Diver. They are quoting RM250 for 2 dives. Since I don't have any equipment, rental of BCD, wet suit, regulator and fins will set me back another RM50. I think they will provide packed lunch.

Dragon Inn? For my past 2 trips, I paid RM88 and RM66 per night at different room types. Some people would say Semporna town is kind of a dump, which is correct, but if you just stay at the resort, everything is quite clean and manageable. Plus the cultural values of the sea-gypsy people witnessed in Semporna are simply unmatched, even for a fellow Malaysian like me.

For more readings, pls check my travelogues-
Dragon Inn: http://www.malaysiahotelreview.com/hotels/sabah/dragon-inn.htm
Sea-gypsy: http://www.malaysiahotelreview.com/attractions/bajau-laut.htm
Underwater sipadan: http://www.malaysia-islands.com/sipadan.htm

Currency exchange: $1.00 = RM3.77

 

[scubadudee]

I've used NorthBorneo before.....not bad.

I think there is a one time cost for the "marine park fees" think it is RM50. Think for some others or those with a larger group they may consider absorbing the cost of it though.

RRR is actually one of my planned trip coming year...any suggestions? Thinking of doing a Safari; island hop diving for 2 days then back to Resort or even mainland.

 

[malaysia-islands]

Scubadude, I've never been to RRR, so can't help you there.

But when thinking back about it, I did remember about the RM50 *fee*, which seems surreptitious. Regular marine park fee in Malaysia should be RM5 per pax only (as far as Terengganu Marine Park, Tioman M.P or Johor M.P are concerned).

Me and my buddy felt cheated, but during the end of the day, the boatman returned back the RM50 because he said there was no marine enforcement that collect fees during that day. Kinda weird. Hope the authority would make a one-stop centre to collect all these fees.