Sipadan-Mabul dive resort

[Mucksavage]

I thought SMART was decent and professional. Food was average though.

In the evening try and get off resort (which ever one, they're all dull) and visit Uncle Changs Backpackers - its about the best night life around - mix of locals (or mainly Filipinos) and visitors, live music, cheap rum . . .

 

[The Wolf]

Seaventures <<--- stay here if you are on a budget, want ease to get on/off boats to head out diving and don't want sand on all your gear or on you and are specifically there to dive. Good, experinced DM's.

Borneo Divers <<--The pioneer dive company in the area, they have won more awards than any other dive company in Malaysia for a reason. Put aside the average food quality and choices but the warm ambience at the "resort" and you will have a good experince. Diving around mabul is also excellent.

 

[Terryb]

Hey Luko,

How was the diving and the viz during your trip in February? What airport did you fly in too that was closest to Sipadan?

Cheers,

 

[giorgiana]

I have stayed and dived with Scuba Junkie on Mabul for a week in mid-February and It was a very nice experience . The resort in Mabul is very nice, small ( I think about 25 rooms) but very clean and relaxing place . The food is not so great, but OK for that price, and giving the fact that they don't have so many guests it is understandable why they don't offer a varied menu. The price is very good compared to the bigger resorts, we chose them after some hours of research :admin:
Diving was great , especially for me ( open water lacking experience) and I think the DM's are very good and have good knowledge of the scuba sites. I cannot compare them to the others, but they were great from my point of view.
The accommodation in Semporna is very very cheap, but I wouldn't they there again. For us it was not like a horror movie but i saw some rats dead or alive on that street , and heard of creepy bug experiences . If you can afford to spend a more 'normal' price (about 100 RMN per room) you can stay at Seafest hotel. We had to stay in Semporna one night at the begining (scuba junkie) and one night at the end of our trip because of the boat transfer from Mabul to Semporna ( you have to pay it extra if you are not diving in the last day ,so you can leave the island just in the morning).
If you want to dive on other islands you have to check with them , I noticed they chose the places depending on how many people they had, a rotation schedule by week, depending on weather and other things.
I hope these info's are useful and you have a great experience, both on land and underwater .

 

[ChaiLatte]

Hi, sorry to hijack to post, I hope the OP is ok with some additional questions. I am planning a trip to Sipadan-area in late February or mid February. Hope to do some diving at Mabul as well. How are the diving conditions in late November compared to mid February (visibility, currents, etc) ?

 

[Nudie Dreamer]

Sipadan is good to dive all year round but the best period would be from April - December as Jan-Mar the visibility is slightly affected due to weather. Hope that helps!

 

[Terryb]

Antoher question for all.

What, if anything, is there to do for a non-diver/snorkeler in the area? Means we will most likely have to stay on shore.

Cheers,

 

[under water]

Antoher question for all.

What, if anything, is there to do for a non-diver/snorkeler in the area? Means we will most likely have to stay on shore.

Cheers,

Can you clarify "in the area".
If you mean Sabah, there is a whole lot of great nature to explore. Orangutans, elephants, monkeys, nature, nature nature, hidden behind the palm plantations.

Borneo

If you mean Semporno... not so much for a tourist to do. Maybe lay in the sun, take in the local culture, shop in the markets, etc. Depends on your comfort level with places that are different.

 

[Terryb]

Thanks Under,

I was talking Semporno.
Sorry for the Hijack