Diving trip to Sipadan in late November early December

[ScubaDummy]

Hi, I'm new in this forum and a newbie in scuba diving.

I'll be back to Malaysia for vacation in tow with 3 friends from US. We would like to make a trip to dive in Sipadan. After much research online, I think I have narrowed down to staying in Mabul, preferable Arung Hayat and dive with Big John Scuba.

But the problem is none of them have a website that I can get info from, or make any contact with. I wonder if any of you have any info about them or any other recommendation?

Thanks in advance!

 

[xariatay]

Eh, we walked through the village on our non diving day & were pretty glad that we chose Scuba Junkie's Mabul Beach Resort MBR. & it wasn't expensive - MYR80 per pax per night (meals included). Some of the other divers who booked late & couldn't stay at SJ MBR lamented that staying with the locals wasn't much cheaper & not worth the price... Just my 2 cents worth...

 

[ScubaDummy]

Hi xariatay, thanks for your response. Any chance you have the resort contact info? Wonder if I can book the resort independent from the dive center. I read bad thing about SJ, like bad equipment, not friendly to local, not so knowledgeable DM etc..

Thanks!

 

[xariatay]

I found SJ's DMs good! Wish that the dive group size could be kept smaller though, especially on for the macro stuff & wish that they could assign the group according to dive skills BUT I think I got what I paid for... You would have to enquire with SJ whether they accept booking for rooms at MBR only. There are some newer dive shops at Semporna, which looked like they have new dive gear...
I found this on mysabah.com
The contact of Arung Hayat:
Address: Arung Hayat Resort, Jalan Pinggir Bakau, Semporna, Sabah
Tel/Fax: 089-782526

Have asked a friend who stayed with AH but he hasn't got back to me...

 

[ScubaDummy]

Thanks xariatay for your feedback!

 

[WhiteToes]

Highjacking post here:

I too am planning a trip during the same time period...So far all my searches have led me to Scuba Junkies.....xaraitay mentions large group.humm love holding my arms up in block formation while diving HA HA HA...any knowledge whats the DM to diver ratio? Or do I have some freedom to wander? Thnx

 

[xariatay]

Highjacking post here:

I too am planning a trip during the same time period...So far all my searches have led me to Scuba Junkies.....xaraitay mentions large group.humm love holding my arms up in block formation while diving HA HA HA...any knowledge whats the DM to diver ratio? Or do I have some freedom to wander? Thnx

The situation in May 09 was that only 1 DM per boat allowed. Depending on the "season", there might be 8-10 divers per DM. The AOW would be allowed to go to abt 25m, OW to 18m, however, it would be appreciated by the DM that the group remain within sight & they do "monitor" the air. When the divers are low on air, the DM will send the buddy pair to the surface & rejoin the rest of the divers... If you are very experienced, you might like to email your "wishes" to SJ.

 

[davidngsh]

I dive with Scuba Junkies last year and I found the DMs very good. Overall the price for accomodation was reasonable. Another recommended operator is the famous Uncle Chang dive centre,Mabul/Sipadan ( check out website.) Just to remind you that raining season start from November till January/Febuary.

 

[ScubaDummy]

Regarding the raining season.... I read that Sipadan is not effect by the monsoon... no?
Anyone dove there during that time of the year, some input please?

Man, sure hope it's still fine to dive, hate to have to cancel my plan....

 

[andwi]

I think that Seaventure, an old oil rig outside Mabul is a good choise if
you are traveling on a budet.
The accomodation is not the best, but the equipment is good and the
diveguides excellent!

And you don't have to worry about mosquitos

There is unlimited dives on their house reef, beneath the rig.
Have seen pygmee seahorse, a couple of frog fishes, a lot of nudies there!