Sipadan next weekend?!?

[mtnpool]

Hi Eskasi,

Thanks for the advice, I don't get cold easily, but I do plan to do a lot of diving, so I'll probably bring the 3mm. Also, thanks for clearing up the permit quota details, makes me feel a lot better now.

I've actually already booked the Grand Deluxe cottages at SWV - really looking forward to it!

 

[mtnpool]

Thanks again Robynne,

I was thinking of getting a shorty for the trip, but since you said you didn't see many divers wearing those, I guess I'll go with the 3mm full, although I don't get cold easily, wouldn't hurt.

Thanks also for the topside attractions suggestions - would love to do Sarawak as well, but only have budgeted a week apart from the diving, so will on do Sabah, hopefully do Sarawak some other time if I get to go back! I do plan on climbing to the peak of Mt. Kinabalu, seeing the orangutans, and the turtles, and the Goman-Tung Caves. I'll keep Borneo Adventures in mind in case the plans with Intrepid fall through. Looking forward to sharing some good stories and pics when I get back!

 

[Robynne]

Hi mtnpool,

Your so welcome. We also did Goman-Tung Caves, loved it!!! Enjoy your trip and safe travels.

Robynne

 

[cmonkey]

Hiya Robynne,
2 of us are heading to Sabah in 2 weeks (last minute mileage trip) from Pohnpei. It's been nice reading the posts in this category for dive operators. Thanks for your comments. We'll have 9 full days on Borneo, arriving originally into KK from Singapore.

What transport methods have you (and anyone else) taken to get from KK to other parts of the island, where bus schedules in the travel books show 10 plus hours? We're planning diving in/around Sipidan, Sandakan/Oran-gutans, the large caves, maybe turtle isl park. Would like to try Mt Kinabalu(sp?), but we'll see how time works out as I already know 9 days won't be enough.

Any additional input would be great , Thanks, Greg

 

[Robynne]

Hi Greg,

We flew KK to Sandakan, went to Sepilok (Orangutan Rehab Center) and on to Sakau by boat to see wildlife. We then were driven to Tawau and Semporna and took a boat to Sipadan Water Village (by Mabul). You can fly from Sandakan to Tawau but flight schedule is unreliable.

Mulu Caves are in Sarawak. You can fly KK to Miri and then Miri to Mulu (*requires 3 days). The Gunongtong Cave is near Sukau. This cave was fun but not as impressive as Mulu.

Climbing Mt. Kinabalu is a 2 day adventure.

With only 9 days I would suggest KK area, Sandakan/Sakau area and diving Sipadan.

I hope this helps Greg, if you need anything else just let me know. Borneo was a great adventure and certainly a trip I will never forget!!!!

Robynne

 

[Rich Coast Diving]

HI there, I just booked 1 day in advanced and we had a great time, we did not require any luxury because we just came to dive and that is what we did. Kalapai is great for the pigmey sea horse and some more small stuff, mabul we saw some frogfish. Booth dives were great and of course sipadan.
check out on you tube: Malaysia, Martin van gestel, we have posted our pictures there.
HAve fun!

 

[cmonkey]

Thanks a lot Martin and Robynne,
We head out 1 week from today and are very excited. Are planning on staying /diving at Kapalai, and are just awaiting final confirmation at this point.

Seems being a US citizen, living abroad and booking a dive trip in Malaysia, online with a US credit card to a Malaysian site, having the transaction process in Euros, on Paypal, which I've never used before, sort of got confusing. In the end I faxed the required info to the resort, bypassing the booking office, hence the wait for final 'paid' confirmation. whew.

Will be diving for 4 days, then some time around Sepilok and the Orangutan reserve, and on to a 3 day Kinabalangan river trip for wildlife. That's what is planned, and there are still 4 days to just wing it, yahhhhh.

Safe dives and travlels to all,
Greg

 

[Dive_pa!]

Hi mtnpool! Do post a trip report when you get back from your Sipadan dives. I'm also booked to dive there in July and we're also planning to stay in SWV...

Thanks also to everyone on this thread.

Dive safe,
Jao

 

[Coo]

Just as a thought - if you are into pygmy seahorses.... we just saw 7 of them (and three were pregnant) in the Semporna Island Park area on Sebangkan Island (not sure of spelling but the local Semporna operators can help you there!) which is remarkably close to Semporna. Our DM was thrilled as he has been diving there all his life and he has never seen even one pregnant one!

 

[serious_fun]

Its good to read the comments re: Sipadan and Mabul.

I'll be at SWV, via Semporna/Tawau, next Monday 16 June! I'll try to post a report after returning...maybe I'll get to meet some of you there.

until later........