Sipadan trip report 12FEB2011

[Quero]

Yes, cancellations do happen, and the operators are happy to offer permits for additional days to divers when there are extras floating about. But guests at the resort to which the permits are issued always get first dibs, and even then the permits are not reassigned months in advance (e.g., now for a July trip).

The way Borneo Divers operates, and this is true for the other resorts as well, is that at the time they confirm the booking, they promise a minimum number of permits in a given time frame, and they stand ready to increase that minimum if the demand for permits is smaller than the number of permits they have available. Terry's trip report is a good example of the frequency that individual divers can visit Sipadan when the demand for permits is small.

So, John, is it correct to assume that you sought out the permits once you were already on the island? I would certainly not encourage Searcaigh to start emailing other resorts and requesting permits, as the resorts will certainly reserve them for their own guests until the last possible moment.

 

[Searcaigh]

I don't plan to be booking with another dive operator, if there is a fair system in place I will go with the flow.

I dived Sipadan 19 years ago and I am not sure if it will still be the same, but the macro world around Mabul interests me more from a photographic point of view.

 

[Terryb]

Sounds like you know what to expect in Sipadan Searcaigh. I'll look forward to your trip report. Have a good one, I'm already envious.

 

[Searcaigh]

I have ordered a Tokina 10-17 to use for my Sipadan dives, pick that up when I am in the US next month, plus the extension for my port in Singapore on my way to Malaysia along with another port for the 105mm lens that I have not used for a very long time.

Still a long way off for me at the moment

 

[Quero]

Wow. You really are a serious photog! I've been looking at your shots on your "Sharkcage" site, and I'll look forward to the Sipadan images once they're up!

 

[Nishan]

jealous. wish i had my Tokina when i did Sipadan. regards permits i dived Sipadan (2 dives/day) 6 out of 7 days with Seaventures in 2007 and 2008 but i heard the system has changed since. two of my friends went last July and still managed 4 out of 7 days. they also did 3/day at Sipadan so total dives at Sipadan was similar to my previous trips.

 

[jh_MacLeod]

So, John, is it correct to assume that you sought out the permits once you were already on the island? I would certainly not encourage Searcaigh to start emailing other resorts and requesting permits, as the resorts will certainly reserve them for their own guests until the last possible moment.

During previous trips I have done that, but this trip I specifically booked 4 days with two different operators in order to get the permits I wanted. As you said, the resorts "hold back" permits for their guests. So, my point is that if you don't limit yourself to one operation, then the number of permits theoretically available to you is less limited - do the math. There are even several home-stay dive shop operations that have opened up who have no permits of their own. Somehow they manage to make a go of it.

Sounds like Searcaigh is more interested in taking photos than wall diving anyway, so Kapalai is going to be the best place for him . They've done some great work on their house reef and the variety of life there (some quite exotic) is amazing.

 

[Searcaigh]

Wow. You really are a serious photog! I've been looking at your shots on your "Sharkcage" site, and I'll look forward to the Sipadan images once they're up!

Thanks for the compliments Quero

Hopefully if Borneo Divers have a good wi fi connection you may see updates on a daily basis.

 

[The Wolf]

Mabul and Kapalai don't get the sort of recognition they do for macro....

 

[Terryb]

Searcaigh

BDM do have wifi but only in the main lodge and sometimes it can be slow. I had to minimize all my pics to email size to post on facebook.