Extra Sipadan or Manado?

[bogbrush]

Hi all! I'm going on the celebes explorer in Sipadan next month (i read on here that it has a dodgy reputation but i'm not that fussed about creature comforts) and am in a bit of a dilemma. I have a week before the liveaboard free for diving. Would you spend that whole week in sipadan doing shore based diving (given its stellar reputation) or go somewhere else? I am Singapore based for the month. I've read good things on here about Manado. Also Moalboal on Cebu sounds okay.

My only constraints are time and wanting to avoid excessive air travel/transfers as I realistically have 4-5 days of diving time if i go to a second place then fly back to Sipadan via Singapore. Much more interested in good diving than topside fun - hence uninterested in bali/phuket (which i've dived already anyway).

I've always really appreciated getting advice from people who've been there and done that - please let me know what you think i should do!

Thanks all!

 

[Centrals]

1. I know you prefer diving over top side attraction but the trek on Mt. Kinabalu is interesting.
2. The wrecks in Brunei
3. A week at Lyang Lyang

 

[Tippytoes12]

There is enough in Borneo to keep you occupied for two weeks. You would struggle to get to Manado in one day from Tawau. We had 9 nights in Scuba junkies on Mabul, which was wonderful. We then had a night in Sepilok and three on the Kinabatangan River. It was our first non diving part holiday since we were certified..and we love it.

Have a great trip

 

[Zippsy]

If you are doing the Celebes Explorer's short, two-diving days trip, I would stay at Mabul or Kapalia and dive their and Sipadan some more. If the LOB is doing a longer trip, maybe adding in Manado is a good idea. Layang Layang is closer but not really worth it IMHO. Derawan, Sangalaki, Maratua would be a better alternative that may be easier to reach than Manado.