Where to dive

[Staal]

We have done various Red Sea Day trips as well as various Red Sea Liveaboard trips - (North - South & Deep South). We are planning a trip to Asia - maybe Sipadan in 2011?. But we need advise - never been there.

Where is the best to go?
Should we do day trips or liveaboard?
Where is the best to dive?
What time of the year are the conditions the best to dive?
We are from South Africa so heat is no problem.
What are the most cost effective?
What are the pitfalls? (There always are)

Please give me good advice.

BlueReefDivers

 

[OnTheSpot]

Wow, you are planning ahead....

July and August are reputed to be the best months to dive Sipadan.

There are many different resort options offering all-inclusive packages at Mabul and Kapalai. You need a permit to dive at Sipadan - so you won't get to dive there everyday.

You should get more dives at Sipadan from MV Celebes Explorer liveaboard.

Also, have a look at Layang Layang for hammerheads from March to May.

 

[broadreach]

There are lots of different great spots, it depends what your budget is and what it is you'd like to see diving. Southeast Asia (Philippines, Eastern Malaysia and Indonesia) are blessed with the greatest marine bio diversity on the planet.
Here are some ideas (not in any particular order):

Malaysia:
1. Sipadan. It is true that your winter is supposed to be the best time for Sipadan, but really it is a year-round destination. Land based probably better. Do a search in the Malaysia board about the permit situation.
2. Layang Layang - mentioned above. This year, a couple of Liveaboards also started offering trips there.

Indonesia:
1. North Sulawesi, Lembeh Strait - great for macro diving. Lots of great critters that you really never see in the red sea. Your summer is the rainy season. Resort based.

2. Bali - Mola Mola in July-October. Rainy season during your summer. Resort based

3. Komodo - Big current, big fish. most people go on a liveaboard, but there are some land based operators as well

4. Raja Ampat - Liveaboard or resort based. Expensive and hard to reach, but incredible diving in pristine areas. Fewer sharks than other spots, but massive amounts of fish, fantastic corals, wobbegongs, pygmy seahorses etc.

5. Other excellent spots that are hard to get to include Banda & Alor


Philippines:
best to visit during the first half of the year, with March/April being the best months.
1. Malapascua - Thresher shark encounters
2. Donsol - whale shark encounters almost guaranteed (snorkel only)
3. Puerto Gallera
4. Dumaguete
5. Sogod Bay
6. Tubbataha reef (liveaboard only)



I suggest you start reading trip reports posted on this board to get an idea what to expect at different places.

 

[Staal]

Thanks a million - i will visit those links. Much appreciated.

 

[Staal]

Wow, you are planning ahead....

July and August are reputed to be the best months to dive Sipadan.

There are many different resort options offering all-inclusive packages at Mabul and Kapalai. You need a permit to dive at Sipadan - so you won't get to dive there everyday.

You should get more dives at Sipadan from MV Celebes Explorer liveaboard.

Also, have a look at Layang Layang for hammerheads from March to May.

Thanks a million - much appreciated.

 

[Staal]

There are lots of different great spots, it depends what your budget is and what it is you'd like to see diving. Southeast Asia (Philippines, Eastern Malaysia and Indonesia) are blessed with the greatest marine bio diversity on the planet.
Here are some ideas (not in any particular order):

Malaysia:
1. Sipadan. It is true that your winter is supposed to be the best time for Sipadan, but really it is a year-round destination. Land based probably better. Do a search in the Malaysia board about the permit situation.
2. Layang Layang - mentioned above. This year, a couple of Liveaboards also started offering trips there.

Indonesia:
1. North Sulawesi, Lembeh Strait - great for macro diving. Lots of great critters that you really never see in the red sea. Your summer is the rainy season. Resort based.

2. Bali - Mola Mola in July-October. Rainy season during your summer. Resort based

3. Komodo - Big current, big fish. most people go on a liveaboard, but there are some land based operators as well

4. Raja Ampat - Liveaboard or resort based. Expensive and hard to reach, but incredible diving in pristine areas. Fewer sharks than other spots, but massive amounts of fish, fantastic corals, wobbegongs, pygmy seahorses etc.

5. Other excellent spots that are hard to get to include Banda & Alor


Philippines:
best to visit during the first half of the year, with March/April being the best months.
1. Malapascua - Thresher shark encounters
2. Donsol - whale shark encounters almost guaranteed (snorkel only)
3. Puerto Gallera
4. Dumaguete
5. Sogod Bay
6. Tubbataha reef (liveaboard only)



I suggest you start reading trip reports posted on this board to get an idea what to expect at different places.

Thanks for the thorough reply. I will search for the appropriate threads regarding trip reports and will visit those links as quoted. Many thanks again!

 

[Dreamdivegirl]

Hi,

I run a Dive business in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah (Borneo Dream) so I can share information on going diving at Sipadan and Layang Layang. Both are world class diving sites and would easily rival some of the stunning drop-offs in the mid and deep south Red Sea (which I've dived many times via liveaboards).

For diving at Sipadan Divers generally go and stay at Resorts near Sipadan (which range in price) or go on day trips from Semporna. OnTheSpot has already mentioned about the liveaboard that operates in this area too. The nicest way (from personal experience) to dive Sipadan is to stay at one of the Resorts near / on Mabul or Kapalai. If you're looking for a budget option then you should check out Seaventures Mabul (I've stayed there personally).

You can dive at Sipadan all year round. Overall, the best conditions exist from April to December, especially July and August. January to March can see some unsettled weather and a decrease in visibility but the diving can still be fine.

The diving at Sipada is fantastic. As a Turtle nesting island you see turtles galore on every dive - it will blow you away. There's also a range of Pelagics too. If you like muck diving then you'll enjoy diving near Mabul and kapalai. You'll find a range of interesting critters including nudibranches, mandarin fish, pygmy seahorse etc. etc.

The only downside to going to a Resort near Sipadan is that diving there is subject to Diving permits. It used to be 120 diving permits issued per day by Sabah Parks, I understand this has just bee increased to 300 per day. So diving at Sipadan is not guaranteed. The best chance you have is to go there when it's quieter.

Now on to Layang Layang. There is one resort at Layang Layang. I personally found the quality of the coral reefs / drop-offs at Layang Layang more impressive than at Sipadan (I get easily impressed by vibrant colours!). The Resort is open from March - 31st August each year with April - May being the most popular time to go there due to the Hammerhead mating season. Again, you see a nice range of Pelagics and all the usual suspects you expect to see on tropical drop-offs. The good point is you get to dive the dive sites at Layang Layang everyday. However, it is expensive to go there. The Resort is nice (has a swimming pool, free wifi, great food).

So, two world class dive sites for you to consider in Sabah alongside all the great recommendations made already.

Wherever you go, have a great holiday!