Budget stay and dive ops on Mabul

[huisen]

I'd like to know more about the budget stays on Mabul island. I've done the resort thing - SMART, SWV and Borneo Divers in the last two years - but now I'd like to know more about the more affordable alternatives and I know zilch about them. Outfits like Big John, Uncle Chang, Billabong and Scuba Junkie. I've been looking up old posts and looking for info on the web but I'd be grateful for a fresh and direct opinion. Trouble is, I don't know anyone who's been....

Thanking you in advance!

 

[OnTheSpot]

Not much of a response here - understandably.

'Dive paradise - Stay in a S*&%hole' = doesn't really work.

 

[huisen]

not much of a response here - understandably.

'dive paradise - stay in a s*&%hole' = doesn't really work.

lol :d

 

[harakiri]

Hi huisen,

I dived Mabul and Sipadan last year in April. I dove with Billabong and stayed at their accommodation both on Semporna and Mabul.

Their Semporna accommodation is shared room, very basic backpacker level. Bathroom and toilet aren't good. There is better accommodation available around the dive shops for not much more money so shop around.

Billabong's Mabul accommodation is some sort of homestay arrangement. It's pretty poor quality, even by low budget backpacker standards. Bathroom and toilet are in barely working condition. Food is included here as part of their diving prices, but it's bland and repetitive. You will get used to eating fried bananas with condensed milk during your dive intervals.

Didn't get to visit Uncle Chang, but they look to be a bit better quality.

I raised my concerns about the standard of accommodation to the Billabong manager after my stay so I hope that things have improved since then. BTW, my view of the accommodation was shared by several of the guests.

Only reason why I went with Billabong was they were the only shop that managed to get me 2 days diving at Sipadan (I ended up diving 3 days). No option for unlimited jetty diving.

For my next trip to Sipadan I would definitely not go the budget route and look at one of the resort packages that offers unlimited diving off their jetty.

Hope this helps!

 

[xariatay]

Eh, we stayed at Scuba Junkie's "new" resort Mabul, the rooms were quite nice! & the price was really reasonable! Some photos here... http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/4603256-post17.html
When we walked around the island, we were pretty glad to have chosen to stay at SJ's new Mabul resort... so there! n some ppl using SJ's dive service but couldn't get the accommodation were quite sore that they had to pay almost or more to stay at a less "classy" place...

 

[huisen]

Hey, thanks you guys. Info much appreciated and helpful. Looks like I'll be sticking to the slightly better accomadations for the wife's sake! I'm keen on going to the Seaventures platform. I've dived under it but have never set foot on it! Scuba Junkie's new resort could be a go though.

harakiri, noticed you're from Perth. I just came back a week ago from a holiday there. I've been thinking about diving Rottnest, hopefully next year. Have you dived there yet?

 

[OnTheSpot]

Seaventures. Can have a good laugh there. Some people love it. However the rooms are, mmm....simple. Good atmosphere though and no mossies. Here is a video which gives you a good idea what it is like to stay there: Seaventures video

 

[harakiri]

Hey, thanks you guys. Info much appreciated and helpful. Looks like I'll be sticking to the slightly better accomadations for the wife's sake! I'm keen on going to the Seaventures platform. I've dived under it but have never set foot on it! Scuba Junkie's new resort could be a go though.

harakiri, noticed you're from Perth. I just came back a week ago from a holiday there. I've been thinking about diving Rottnest, hopefully next year. Have you dived there yet?

Yup, dived at Rotto plenty of times during the past year. Lots of nice caves and swimthroughs. Decent amount of marine life although nowhere close to what you'd get at a good sites in Malaysia (e.g. Perhentians).

 

[gee13]

Huisen next time you in perth, let us know. we can hook up with Harakiri for a few dives. I did a Rottnest night dive last night and it was really good.

On topic though, budget stays is exactly what you get, I much prefer midrange. With Mabul being so small Im amazed at the number of accomodation options. I just hope it doesnt get too overboard. Scuba Junkies new resort was just being constructed when I was last in there. I wouldnt like anymore to go up with the burden of pollution on the island which is an issue. Imagine how uw life was in Mabul a long time ago.

 

[The Wolf]

Hey, thanks you guys. Info much appreciated and helpful. Looks like I'll be sticking to the slightly better accomadations for the wife's sake! I'm keen on going to the Seaventures platform. I've dived under it but have never set foot on it! Scuba Junkie's new resort could be a go though.

harakiri, noticed you're from Perth. I just came back a week ago from a holiday there. I've been thinking about diving Rottnest, hopefully next year. Have you dived there yet?

IF you are there to DIVE and not to enjoy the sand and beach, seaventures is for you. Its reasonably priced, dm's are sound, atmosphere is diver oriented and you get what you pay for. I was out there just 3 days ago for 3D2N and had a blast and I would highly recommend it.

But be aware, if you are expecting the 5star treatment, this is not for you. I liked it because:

1) no sand so gear was always clean and sorted
2) easy access to the boats using their hydraulic lift/ramp up and down
3) comfortable, if not simple rooms with a good/cold aircond, clean bathroom and room
4) Good atmosphere filled with divers who were there to dive. Good vibes
5) Food was good
6) Free dives (buddy system) below the rig anytime you wanted, including night dives up to 8pm for qualified/advanced divers

And I got my day out at sipadan on the 2nd day so no complaints...

I don't rate uncle chan's or billabongs because I don't rate their dm's nor their facilities which are not really catered for divers but rather for tourist.

But yes, you get what you pay for so don't expect much for your buck with either of them.