Sipadan

[30MvizChicago]

Good Morning,

Doing some research while heading East across Malyasia and trying to make a trip to Sipadan pan out. Many of the permits have been booked through my inquiries of shops/resorts/etc. for my specific time frame (within the next few weeks in late April). There are two solid options (that can ensure 1 full day at the actual Sipadan island and not just it's reef system and outlying islands like Mabul) and i'm curious if anyone has any input:

1 - is Sea Ventures
It's an old oil rig that has accomodation on-site and the price for a 3 night/4 day trip ends up being 2300RM/760usd. this includes 10 dives, one of which is night and unlimited buddy dives in addition underneath at any time.

2 - is Sipadan scuba
This is based on semporna or KK and is also a 4 day trip that ends up being 1870RM/620usd. only 9 dives here, without a night dive and no extra buddy dives (compression allowing). i've also read from reviews that their equipment is older and not always in pristine shape.

obviously the price is quite expensive for SE Asia but everything i read tells me it'll be worth it. i'm most looking forward to some bigger pelagics as well as large schools of bigger fish (cuda, jack, etc). i'm under the impression this will only be found on the Sipadan day (1 out of 4) for either of these choices (or any other option out there because of the lack of permits) but just looking for some insight and personal experiences

anyone talk me out of the oil rig for the extra dough? or maybe for spending the money elsewhere as i have time to go elsewhere in malyasia as well as being in indonesia and thailand?

thank you for your time

 

[chillyinCanada]

If you are only going for 3 nights and only to dive, why should we try to talk you out of Sea Ventures? I haven't stayed there, but I've been diving under it. Lots to see as long as you are one to overlook man's contributions. Great muck diving underneath. It was awhile back but I met a diver who went to Mabul regularly and he told me he wouldn't stay anywhere else. Perhaps it is decent in there. Quite an eyesore from shore though!

If that's your option to get a day's diving in right at Sipadan, my rec is that you take it before someone else gets your permit.

Did you consider diving Lyang Lyang instead?

 

[30MvizChicago]

thanks chilly

yeah i think the extra money will be worth it in the end and they have guaranteed 3 dives on Sipadan itself.

i dont know much about lyang lyang but hear its amazing as well! have you been? we'll have the time so may head up to that part of the peninsula afterwards. worth the trip i assume? and is it inline price wise to the sipadan area?

thanks again

 

[James R]

The diving under that rig really is quite good, bring your macro lens and enjoy!

 

[duder007]

The diving under that rig really is quite good, bring your macro lens and enjoy!

I stayed at SeaVentures in fall of 2011 and found it to be great. While the accommodations are probably not as luxurious compared with the resorts on Mabul...the staff/people were very friendly and everything about the place was fine. The food was very good and the accommodations were comfortable enough. I kind of liked the uniqueness of the place.

The diving under the rig is very good (almost seemed better than the diving at Mabul island imo) and when I went, I was diving at Sipadan every single day.

The equipment looked pretty decent, although I had my own stuff.

I think Seaventures will be fine for you.

I'd be curious to hear how you find the situation in Sabah -- I plan on going back to Sipadan in early September. It appears things are settled down quite a bit but most governments are still advising against travel due to potential instability.

 

[Airpig87]

My local dive shop planned a 10 day trip in May last year staying with Borneo Divers on Mabul, we had a total of 43 in the group and everybody got at least 2 days/ 3 dives a day at Sipadan, some like myself was lucky enough to get 4 days! Im not too sure on the prices they have as our price included flights/accom/food ex Kuala Lumpur which was $2750 AUS. Borneo Divers may be another to have a look at though, they also allowed unlimited day/night dives on their house reef, besides the Sipadan days some of us were able to fit in 5 dives a day, stuffed by the end of it but we got our moneys worth for sure!

 

[greilinda]

We're looking at seaventures for a trip next year. I'd be very interested to read a report if you go

 

[globalbabe]

Numerous travel advisories have been issued this month from various governments (Canada, UK, and Australia, for example) stating that the coastal regions of eastern Sabah have been reclassified as 'Do not travel' areas, due to clashes between Philippine gunmen and Malaysian authorities.

According to the Canadian government:
"An armed group from the Sulu archipelago in the Philippines entered Sabah in early February 2013. Since then, clashes have occurred between members of this group and Malaysian authorities, resulting in a number of fatalities. Foreigners have been kidnapped on the islands off the east coast of Sabah, including Sipadan and Langkayan islands. Malaysian authorities have increased security in the region in response to past incidents."

As someone who has spent the last three and half years living and working in Iraq, Jordan and Pakistan, and having travelled extensively in places classified as 'Reconsider need to travel', I know that 'Do not travel' advisories are sometimes well warranted. At other times, they can be a little too paranoid. So I'm wondering what is the ground reality here. Is independent travel to, say, Kapalai or Mabul Islands or to Sandakan fine?

It would be good to get some insider knowledge from people who are based there or those who have visited the coastal area of eastern Sabah recently.

 

[Zippsy]

I believed that was answered here: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/malaysia-singapore/446661-lahad-datu.html

The only people that could not dive there over the past few months were the people who cancelled their trips or decided not to book them in the first place. Fewer divers in the area means fewer people competing for the limited Sipadan permits. I just wish I had the time to go.

 

[30MvizChicago]

sorry, dont have notifications up i guess. thank you for the suggestions/advice.

were just leaving kota kinabalu via bus from sandakan and semporna before that. as for safety (civil/philippine unrest) there is absolutely nothing to worry about. sabahs election was just last night and although it wasnt favorable for them, i didnt notice anytyhing different. there was no hostility or any other concern, in my eyes.

as for SeaVenture: it was an amazing experience! i highly recommend the rig to anyone heading to Sipadan. the accomodations were not 5-star so if thats what youre looking for i would find a resort. that being said, the equiptment, the food, the employees