Is Sipadan worth it? Already traveling to R4, Lembeh, and Komodo

[Tippytoes12]

Hi there

Am I correct in understanding that you intend going to Raja A , Komodo and Lembeh all in same trip ?

In that case I would personally spend a little longer in these destinations and save Sipadan for another trip. This is a huge area you are covering and much as I love diving I would imaging that I would not be able to remember one fabulous world class site from another , which would be a pity.

Sipadan is very easy to get to from Kuala Lumpur and getting to KL seems to get easier all the time. So unless you are planning some very major life plan in the next 5 to 10 years , save Sipadan for another trip.

 

[chillyinCanada]

There's lovely and not so lovely creatures on all the dives that aren't at Sipidan island itself but you may well have many shots of different creatures by then. Is this a once in a lifetime trip for you? Do you think you won't be back again? Just wondering why you are finding it necessary to cover so much area.

 

[leafyseadragon]

yes and no...
I've saved up for this trip for years. I quit my job (corporate America is overrated) and am going on a journey through Indonesia and SE Asia. For the first time, I am not limited by vacation time, so I can actually venture farther than the Caribbean, Costa Rica, Hawaii etc. I want to see as many dive sites and creatures as I can before they are gone

The plan thus far:
10 days in Lembeh Strait
2 days in Bunaken
10 day LOB in Raja Ampat
3-4 day safari in Komodo (got any suggestions? Can't afford a luxury liveaboard after the luxury one I'm taking in R4. Looking for something out of Labuanbajo)

That being said, I hope I have the opportunity to come back to the region. I just don't know when that will be

 

[Lorenzoid]

Your itinerary sounds well thought out, given your lack of time constraints. Seems to me that if you can make it over to Sipadan, then why not?

The "problem" with Sipadan is the permits. If you're there for four days, you will get to dive Sipadan once or maybe twice if you're lucky. The one day I got to dive Sipadan was great--on par with your other destinations in quality of experience--but the other two days of diving on Mabul reefs were nowhere near as good and totally skippable in my opinion.

If you decide to skip Sipadan, maybe add a few days to Bunaken. Your decision of 10 days at Lembeh is brilliant--you've obviously done your homework. Nobody returns from Lembeh saying they spent enough time there. Lembeh was the coolest diving I have done yet--like finding alien life forms on the surface of the moon.

Alternatively, if you are already transiting through Bali on your way to Labuanbajo, consider diving in Bali. You could enjoy 3-4 days in Bali. It's also a good place to chill for a few days between your other adventures.

For shorter Komodo liveaboards, check out the White Manta (or was it the Black Manta that visits Komodo--they're sister boats). White Manta Diving - Home. My wife and I had a great time, and we chose it over other boats specifically because there are not many that offer a shorter trip than a week. I believe we did 5 days, 4 nights. Great boat.

 

[Dive-Boarder]

I have visited Borneo Malaysia on two occasions, and dived once at Sipadan. It is a beautiful island and should be on any divers wish list... 800m drop just of the beach is impressive. I did two days diving around Sipadan, a total of eight dives, which I think was sufficient. It is also relatively expensive. Best dive for me was barracuda point .. Fast drift down the gully with white and black tip sharks, a group of giant yellow barracuda and a huge shoal of striped barracuda. Plenty of turtles on all dives, and a large shoal of jack fish just off the point. Also had the privilege of shadowing the shoal of bump head parrot fish for one dive... Maybe 70 to 80. Corals were good at the time, especially the fields of large table corals. Not sure about the opportunities for macro.. Most of the diving offered was in pursuit of the larger animals.

Not sure I would agree that it is hard to get to... Tawau is on the Air Asia network and there are connecting flights from KK to Tawau. The drive from Tawau to Semporna is about an hour and a half by good roads.

I think 10 days in Lembeh may be a day or two too much.. Consider adding a few extra days in Bunaken.. The diving was very good. I would recommend staying with Murex on the mainland.. Boat trips to the island were pleasant and they have free diving on their house reef in the afternoons. The owners son has spent many years on quality liveaboards around Komodo.. His advice to me was not to undertake day trips from the mainland, citing poor safety records from operators who do not really know the dive sites. I had much the same thoughts as you on this, but changed my mind after speaking to him.

 

[Hintermann]

Most of the time you won't be diving at Sipadan because of the permit issue!!

On the Celebes Explorer, we did ALL the day dives at Sipadan and night dives at Mabul. The boat goes to get permits on a daily basis - bit of a pain - but that's how they want it. Actually, I would have liked to do a couple of day muck dives at Mabul.

The liveaboard is certainly worth considering.

 

[Zippsy]

@Zippsy- Would you really recommend adding Maratua channel? I am flying from the US so want to make sure I get as many awesome sites as possible. Time isn't a restriction; money is (to a degree).

I would not add Maratua to your itinerary becaause spending more time in Komodo or other easy to get to spot like Bali would be better for you. Maratua has the barracuda and we happened to have a passing whaleshark. It was also very cool to snorkel in Kakaban's jellyfish lake but it would be a lot more travel time and expense to get there. I'd rather spend time and money in Bali or Komodo if you are already in those places.

 

[ocdiver1]

Sipadan...yes, absolutely worth it. With the time allotted for your trip I don't know why you don't give it 7, rather than 4 days, that way I'd bet you'd get in 3 days at Sipadan. Last two times I've gone I stayed at Seaventures, and even during a busy time like Chinese New Year there was no problem with permits. If you give them an idea when you'd like stay they can give you an idea of how many times as a minimum you'd be likely to dive Sipadan. Reasonablly priced plae, and very cool staying on a converted oil rig. I won't rehash any of the reasons already stated for going to Sipadan, but don't think anyone mentioned the talked-about camera ban going into effect. Don't know if this will ever happen or not, but why not go when you have this chance and ensure you can take photos?

 

[dirtfarmer]

Your itinerary is pretty epic.

Sipadan/Mabul is worth it. Mabul is Muck but pretty good muck diving. Sipadan is all about the permits. But hell go back to Sipadan back later, your trip is
some peoples Indonesia bucket list all rolled into one. And if your haven't checked into the diving around Bali there are some great spots there.

Also ten days in Lembeh isn't to much... if you like muck diving? Your trip is pretty heavy on wide angle and muck/macro can be a great medium to
get better at your photography. I did 10 days in Lembeh and loved it. I'm going back there this November as an add on to a Komodo trip.

After you dive in the Coral Triangle you'll spend every trip you can there. Have a blast, it'll be hard not too.

 

[OnTheSpot]

I would say yes, dropping through the Barracuda ball was on of the most memorable dives I've had and there's plenty of sharks at Sipadan. I can't honestly remember what the corals where like, there's simply so much else that takes your focus away. I have a DX1200, I also thought you couldn't use manual mode with this model but eventually found it, they're not the best designed camera's in my opinion.