Looking for a new dive spot in SE Asia

[hapadiver]

Will be heading to Indonesia in September and traveling Nusa Tenggara for two and a half weeks. I plan to dive Komodo, etc. Afterward, I have planned a two-week layover in Singapore en route back to New York.

I've been diving in the Pherentians, both coasts of Thailand (not that it's season anyway) and even Vietnam. I'm looking for a new place to go diving that isn't terribly far from Singapore. Can't afford to fly right back to Indonesia, otherwise Sulawesi would be it.

Would love some advice on where to go.
Thanks!
Hapadiver

 

[frogfish]

What about Sabah (Sipadan, Layang Layang...) in Malaysia ? Or if your budget is very restricted, you can try Pulau Tioman which can be reached without flying from Singapore - Just avoid the week-end when it is packed with divers from Singapore...

 

[hapadiver]

Thanks Frogfish. I really appreciate your advice. About Sabah, I've heard it's not entirely safe these days. I never know what to think about such travel warnings. Usually I ignore them when they come from overly protective Departments of State, etc. However, this is what the LonelyPlanet.com said about the area:

"WARNING: Visitors are advised to be extra vigilant when travelling in eastern Sabah and to altogether avoid the islands off Sabah's east coast, including Sipadan and Pandanan, there is a risk of kidnapping and terrorist attacks, particularly targeting foreigners."

I would love to see Malaysia beyond the Peninsula. What do you think of the LP warning?

Hapadiver

 

[t-rocks69]

ignore the warning i just spent 1 month in kota kinabalu and traveled around
Sabah with out any problems. but one amaturer pick pocket that i caought and
terriozed. lots of fun to do that..any way go to Sabah beautiful people and country
also places to dive in KK talk to Mark Hazell at Sabah divers..also lots of cheap places to stay
try www.sabahtourism.com good site will tell you about dive companys and hotels..

 

[frogfish]

Thanks Frogfish. I really appreciate your advice. About Sabah, I've heard it's not entirely safe these days. I never know what to think about such travel warnings. Usually I ignore them when they come from overly protective Departments of State, etc. However, this is what the LonelyPlanet.com said about the area:

"WARNING: Visitors are advised to be extra vigilant when travelling in eastern Sabah and to altogether avoid the islands off Sabah's east coast, including Sipadan and Pandanan, there is a risk of kidnapping and terrorist attacks, particularly targeting foreigners."

I would love to see Malaysia beyond the Peninsula. What do you think of the LP warning?

Hapadiver

I visited Sipadan in February this year and it looked quite ok. And I am going back in two weeks - So you see personally I am not too worried...

 

[Mark Goodchild]

My understanding is that Sabah is safe nowadays. Especially Layang Layang as it has a Naval base I think on the island. Diving from what I have researched is very impressive.

The last trouble was a boat of divers kidnapped in 2000 I think. Now there are regular patrols to ensure this does not happen again.

Had a friend who stayed at Mabul and although the diving was good they were not blown away. Well apart from the incredible amounts of turtles. 10 per dive...

That was my understanding of the situation anyway...

 

[ilandeemdst]

Pulah Weh, an island located in the north of Sumatra in the Ache province. Although not the safest place in the world, the diving is unbelievable! It is hard to get to, accommadation and dives are really cheap.. and the location is one of the most amazing places i have been to, and ive been round the world quite a lot...undefined

 

[hapadiver]

Thanks for all the great input. I was hoping to hear that it was safe in Borneo. I'll check out Sabah Divers. If anyone else has recommendation of where to go, eat or dive, I'd be thankful.
Happy diving!
Hapadiver

 

[Bombarie]

Hi

Airasia.com operates from Kuala Lumpur International and is perfect for your purposes. You could fly on a AirAsia flight from Denpasar to KL, and from KL get a flight to Kota Kinabula. If you book now it will be dirt cheap. In KK, just walk into the Borneo Divers office, you will then be eligible for the walk-inn rate. In June 2002, we paid approx ringit 400 per day at Sipadan (acc, food, drinks, unltd diving, transfers all-in) which seemed to be a good deal (that included one way flight to Tawau, from where the bus leaves to Semporna from where you get the boat to Sipadan). Walk-in rate might mean that you will need a bit flexibility but with 2.5 weeks should be doable? Enough to do around KK!

If you're feeling adventurous you could fly from KL to Medan on AirAsia (79 ringit if you book now = USD 18) and on to Banda Aceh on a local flight (overland is forbidden for foreigners, tend to get shot) from where you take the boat to Pulua Weh. I hear raves about it, want to go there myself shortly. A Dutch couple operates a resort there, check www.lumbalumba.de there are really friendly folks.

You could also consider Manado in Sulawesi and Bunaken National Park - aaaah what am I doing jockying desks :06:

Take care!

Arjan

 

[blackie-reg]

Try Mataking. It is near Sipadan without the crowd. If you like to know more, cehck the web.