Sipidan

[jmarriott]

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Does anyone know what the weather and visibility are like in Sipidan, or areas around Malaysia and Indo during the month of June. :11ztongue

 

[davidlkh]

I think you mean Sipadan.

The worse case are the trailing end of typhoons from Phillipines may sweep through that area during those months (april may june july). Very rare occurence. Most of the time sunny and nice.

Seas were choppy with sunny skies and vis was around 60 feet when I was there during June many years back.

 

[Bombarie]

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Does anyone know what the weather and visibility are like in Sipidan, or areas around Malaysia and Indo during the month of June. :11ztongue

I understand that June is one of the best months for diving Sipadan. We were there for 4 days / 3 nights in June 2002; it has become the reference trip. Just looked it up in the logbook to confirm, weather was indeed beautiful. One day had overcast skies, the others were all blue skies. Visibility u/w was in the 20 meter range, but one few dives we would occasionaly (especially on North side of the island) encounter peasoup (thin peasoup though - visibility would drop to something like 8-10 meters). No idea what this was, the jacks liked it though - never saw such a big school before (or after, for that matter).

Before diving in Sipadan, we did some diving on the Perhentian Islands. Also nice, but nothing compared with Sipadan. Visibility was less though, in the 10-12 meter range. Oh my....I need to get there again.

Last thing: If you got sufficient time, just walk in at the Borneo Divers office in Kota Kinabalu. You will then be eligible for the walk-in rate if there's space in their resort. We paid USD 400 for the whole 4d/3n trip, including equipment rental and flight to Tawau, which at the time appeared to be a great deal.

Have a great trip and watch out for those hammerheads ;->

Arjan

 

[jmarriott]

Cheers , thanks for the info on Sipadan. Jamie

 

[Ben_ca]

How's the security?

 

[Bombarie]

...appeared excellent in June 2002. There were a bunch of Malaysian marines on the island, dressed in civilian clothes (rifles in golf club bags, funny). They arrived in seriously fast gun-toting crafts; could have been used for invasion purposes I would guess.

Bin Laden would be unwise to direct his last supporters in the area to take some divers as hostages, they'd be pretty quick dead supporters. Moreover, the US Seals are chasing these criminals all over the Celebes Sea, they should have other priorities these days than getting their hands on innocent divers - like staying alive.

I'd be more worried about petty crime / robberies in Tawau and Semporna - those are grimly looking places overrun with Indonesian refugees. Not a pretty sight. But please, do not let this deter you - keep your wits around and you'll be fine.

Enjoy!

 

[David B]

I was at Sipadan in February and there were no security problems. Have to agree about Semporna. I actually walked round the town by myself and felt quite ill at ease.

 

[frogfish]

Divers from Singapore go there all the time and I haven't heard anyone expressing concern over security...

 

[animian2002]

I was there last month and never at once felt insecure cos we can see army/coast guard patrolling the island every day