Sipadan - Malayasia in June

[nikdevasar]

Hi

I have booked my flight tickets for !8th June 2013 for KL, Malayasia - From there I plan to take a flight to Tawau.
Need advise on
1. Is this a good time? Hope its not raining?
2. Should I stay in Mabul or Semporna
3. Whats a clean budget place with attached bathrooms?
4. What dive shop would you recommend

thanks
Nik

 

[Quero]

1. Yes it's a good time. Though it may rain, it's not considered "rainy season" at that time.
2. Mabul (Semporna is a really grottly place. Why travel half a world away to stay in a nasty place?)
3. A more important question is what budget-priced places have permits to dive Sipadan, because not all do!

Lowest cost budget resorts with permits: Uncle Changs; Billabong
Other/nicer backpacker resorts with permits: Scuba Junkies, Seaventures, Borneo Divers​

4. The resorts on Mabul all have resident dive operations and the rates are all inclusive (look for "dive packages"). You will want to dive with whatever op is affiliated with the resort you choose.

 

[logic8482]

I stayed at Seaventures, certainly more on the budget side of things, but was able to get permits for a couple days back in 2009. The reef under the rig is very interesting, but had very very strong currents on the days I was there.

Wherever you go you'll want to check on how many days they confirm or estimate you can get out to Sipidan.