AOW in Semporna..or Mabul..at a budget DC??

[hasenman]

I am looking into doing an AOW in Sabah somewhere around August. I'm a budget/freshman diver (but definitely love it already) and would like to know the best place for the money to get my AOW.

I was looking at either Scuba Junkies in Semporna or Billabong and Uncle Chang on Mabul. I haven't read anything spectacular about any budget DCs in the area but then you get what you pay for I guess...and the terrible reviews make me hesitate even more.

****If anyone's got a significantly better DC for not much more money (or less) around Semporna/Mabul, please let me know.****

I was considering getting the AOW in Kota Kinabalu and then go to Sipadan but it just seems that east coast is where it's at..and from what I found, not much deep diving (which is why I wanna do AOW) besides Layang--which def isn't budget. If your opinion differs, please tell me why (as I have no reference but the net).

Of course, all of this is in anticipation of diving Sipadan

**Good to know some great budget places or homestays (preferably) around these areas too...

 

[InDaWata]

Which terrible reviews?

****edit****

I can recommend that the best way to satisfy any hesitation you might have about these places is to go there and ask to speak to an instructor. Don't take anyone's word for it- find out for yourself!

Hope this helps!

 

[Dreamdivegirl]

Hi,

Let me first mention that I own a Dive centre in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. You can find out more by looking at my profile.

Generally with diving, you get what you pay for. So the cheapest isn't always the best. I'd recommend you ensure you go with an authorised PADI Operator (you can can see all those in Semporna by going to PADI's web site). You should also check out if there are SSI or SDI authorised Dive Operators too - both should offer the equivalent of the PADI AOW too.

I'd then suggest you email them and ask lots of questions (e.g. what is included / excluded in their price, where will you complete the course, what is the student : Instructor ratio, is there dive gear / cylinders maintained etc. etc.). Then go with the Operator who makes you feel the most comfortable (and assured of their approach to diver safety) and best meets your needs.

You need to be aware that diving at Sipadan is subject to Dive Permits. It used to be 120 permits issued per day (across all Resorts / Dive Operators in that area) - I understand this has just been increased to 300 permits per day. So diving at Sipadan is not guaranteed during your PADI AOW course. I would expect there would be other good dive sites you'd be taken too from Semporna.

You can also consider completing your diving course in Kota Kinabalu. In the local Marine Park there are > 20 dive sites. The deepest at Edgell Patches has coral reefs from 12m - 35m.

Hope this helps. Good luck with your course!

 

[hasenman]

thanks for your prompt responses Oral and Dream...you guys have had some good posts on here..especially you Oral

Oral: I'd love to go down there and check out some operations but since I'll be going in August on a tight schedule (maybe about 10 days for AOW and Sipadan), I'd really need to know where I'm getting my AOW and reserve a spot for Sipadan (can't risk all this fussin' and not dive it when I get to Sabah, right?). My reservation on Sipadan is my main concern..and quality instruction for AOW...plus comparing DCs on vacation kinda isn't a vacation :/

Dream: Thanks for the technical questions I should inquire about. The main thing I'm looking for on the AOW course is that I get that deep dive specialty (preferably around some significant currents to practice with an instructor) and the student: instructor ratio. Besides the Edgell Patches site, are there any other sites that are good for the specialty? How are the currents in August around EP and the deep wrecks (Usukan comes to mind)? My concern is that considering my limited experience and desire to do Sipadan, would i get enough practice with at least moderate currents around KK to feel comfortable with hopin' in at Sipadan (plus I plan to return next year and maybe do some sites on Sulawesi, which I've read are monsters for currents)? I would love to see a quote for how much all this could cost as well..perhaps you can PM me...PS: I've read some great things about some DCs in KK..especially one of them

ANOTHER QUESTION: Does anyone have any opinions on the comparison of Kota Kinabalu diving (TARP/wrecks) as opposed to Semporna (Mantabuan, Sibuan, Mataking..which I've read are quality even with the likes of Sipadan so close)? Notice I've left out Sipadan because I am making the simple assumption that it is KING in Sabah...OK, please let me know your opinions...

 

[InDaWata]

Thanks mate!

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't biased, but the dives around Mabul are worth going to Semporna alone. Then again, Ive never been to KK- only just heard through the grapevine.

If you do the PADI AOW, you will definitely be doing a deep dive- its one of the primary requirements for the course.

Also, if you go to Semporna you'll see that all the dive centers are located within 100m of one another. It would probably take you about two hours tops to check them out. Regarding the permit reservations, you can always reserve your permits with any company of your choice and then roll in to do your AOW ahead of time without reserving that. You will probably have a day to kill when you get there anyway- and theres not much else to do in Semporna!

I dunno, I really feel that you should check the places out before you sign on for anything. Especially for instruction- I wouldnt want to let anyone train me before I could talk to them faace to face! But then again, thats just me!

 

[hasenman]

Yeah, OD, totally agree with you. I guess I'm just VERY excited about the prospects of diving around Sabah!

I've definitely included diving in Mabul and Kapalai in my Sipadan itinerary. I got lots of time and energy right now to try to set things up in a few months to plan for what'll hopefully be a great experience. I'd love to critique the DCs in Semporna personally but that leaves out KK completely. Dreamgirl seems to be running a pretty tight ship over there...DG

Right now it's basically weighing the opinions over whether my AOW should be in KK or Semporna.

I know deep diving is part of the course but I wanna get a few deep dives/specialty to be comfortable (as well as possible wreck, nitrox, PPB, night...maybe etc.)--not just for Sipadan but for everything after as well. I want a place where I can feel free to ask questions and not feel like a burden. (I did my OW in a Koh Tao dive factory and don't want to have the experience again that I was taking up my DM's time asking what seems like mundane questions to him/her)

Just as much as having a great instructor:student ratio/quality instructor, I wanna dive at some quality places. Basically, I WANT IT ALL!! I know that's not possible but since I'm goin in August and have the time to spend on researching, I might as well try to find out what the best options are....

you've definitely helped...much appreciated

 

[Dreamdivegirl]

Hi Hasenman!

Glad my advice was useful. It's also nice you've read good reviews about Borneo Dream too.

I'll try to answer your questions in the forum in an unbiased way i.e. not promoting our business (as this is the role of this Forum). Hopefully this will give you more information to weigh up your options for completing your PADI AOW course in Sabah and work out which option best meets your needs.

In terms of getting experience in currents / drift diving then the PADI Drift Diver speciality dive would be a good choice for a speciality dive as part of your AOW course. The Deep dive is mandatory and teaches you the knowledge and skills for diving deeper, recreationally (between 18 - 30m). The Drift diver courses teaches you the knowledge and skills for diving in currents safely. So the two combined would be beneficial for giving you the confidence for diving in currents along drop offs between 18m - 30m.

The AOW course is 2 days. So your diving skills will be improved over the 2 days, but possible not transformed (that comes with practicing the skills over future dives after the course). Your diving experience before the course will have a big impact on your confidence in diving in currents i.e. if you've diving in currents before then, along with the AOW course, you'll be well prepared for diving in them again.

In terms of Instructor : Student Ratio this is something all dive operators should be able to confirm to you by email. The smaller the ratio, the better for you!

Some of the dive sites accessible from Semporna (excluding Sipadan - which is amazing!) are wonderful. I would expect the Dive Operators based in Semporna to be able to show you some good diving (incl. with currents) as part of your AOW course - but again, ask them via email which dive sites they use for the different speciality dives you are interested in.

In terms of dive sites accessible from KK, there are a range of dive sites suitable for Drift diving (Mayne Rock, Pulau Tiga, Usukan WW2 Wrecks). For some of these you are working with the current rather than drifting for the whole dive. For depth we have EP (as mentioned), Clement Reef and Sulug North Reef we use in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park for AOW deep dives. We also can do the deep dive on the WW2 Rice Bowl Wreck. We personally like to know a divers experience and ability before we take them to Mayne Rock, Pulau Tiga and Usukan Bay (as you can do the AOW straight after your OW with limited diving experience). We'd want to be happy a diver was a confident diver and able to manage his / her buoyancy well before taking them to these sites. During August all these dive sites are typically accessible - it all depends up on the weather on the day!

I think I've answered all you questions ;-). Hope this is useful and helps you make an informed, best choice for you. Good luck!