Trip Report Mabul Trip Report (Scuba Junkie)

[scubaozy]

I also did not revisit for a while, since they introduced quotas. To me, it is not worth traveling that long if I do not get to do 2 dives daily at Sipadan. 2 dives in Sipadan and an afternoon dive around Kapalai/Mabul is just about right combination.

 

[JonnieB]

Not sure who I would use to re-visit Sipadan again, but most likely Borneo Divers unless there is a better operation.

I'm don't know what "better" means to you ...better dive guides, rooms, food, schedules? There are only five major resorts that I know of so not exactly a lot of choice. Scuba Junkies I would call the value option...my all inclusive 5N 15 dive package cost about $525 (w/Nitrox). That's about $35 a tank for diving one of the premier sites in the world. Borneo Divers is much more premium, with better food and a pool (not sure why anyone needs a pool in Mabul but it's there). The same for SMART...at least double the SJ price but you get fancier accomodations and food. I forgot to mention, my accomodation was in a 4 person shared fan dorm. Private air-con rooms are not much more...something like $150-$200.

The other option is the much pricier still resort on Kapalai "island." It's so much the prices aren't even listed in their website...if you have to ask. I was perfectly content, as an older single diver, with my Scuba Junkies stay and will be returning in the near future.

 

[JonnieB]

I also did not revisit for a while, since they introduced quotas. To me, it is not worth traveling that long if I do not get to do 2 dives daily at Sipadan. 2 dives in Sipadan and an afternoon dive around Kapalai/Mabul is just about right combination.

If you are primarily interested in open water big stuff then this may be true. Though the only real big stuff you see at Sipadan that you don't at Mabul/Kapalai are the White Tip Reef Sharks and maybe the Bumpheads if you're lucky. I saw the biggest barracuda tornado and Jacks storm of my life off the Kapalai and SMART house reefs respectively. In addition, an Eagle Ray passed overhead during a dive right off the SJ jetty.

 

[JonnieB]

How is the diving around Sipadan island itself?

I understand that they reduce the number of dive down to 2 dives (from 3 dives), just want to know the diving logistic on the Sipadan day, how they arrange the planning with 2 dives only.

I've done Sipadan in two separate dive trips,

1st trip,
I'm staying on Kapalai resort where they pack breakfast for you and the boat depart 6.30am. You will be the first boat to arrive Sipadan island and the only group diving at 7am, which is very nice since the usual dive site in Sipadan island can be very crowded.

2nd dives and 3rd dives is at 9am and 11am respective with surface interval on Sipadan island.

We return to Kapalai resort after having lunch on Sipadan island and you can opt for another unguided shore dives on the same day without additional charge to Kapalai house reef (evening dive or night dive) which is inclusive in the dive package with Kapalai resort.

2nd trip,
This time I'm staying on Mabul island (Mabul backpacker), boat depart at 8am, dives are at 9am, 11am and 2pm where you only go back to Mabul island 4pm which is tiring and late.

I'm primarily interested in macro so didn't book any days at Sipadan (and still saw plenty of big stuff like the aforementioned jack/barracuda storms, eagle ray, 2m barracudas at Kapalai, as well as Bumpheads. Previous reports on SB and reports from my instructor buddies who have been to Sipadan have been underwhelming, with fish numbers down from earlier years. From talking to a few divers who did go, they too were underwealmed.

At SJ, the boats for Sipadan leave between 6 and 6:30 for two dives there and I believe lunch on Sipadan. They then return and the third dive if the day is a Mabul site in the afternoon.

 

[JonnieB]

A couple quick notes in diving with Scuba Junkies. It's a pretty regimented affair, with set dive departure times and such...so if you are someone who likes to set your own dive schedule it may not be for you. An effort to place like divers with like, but inevitably more advanced divers will be in groups with less advanced ones. Dives are max 60 minutes but if some divers get low in air before, they will pair of divers so that those with air can stay down. There isn't strict "buddy diving" but more a loose group together down there (how I like it). Stragglers and photographers who lag behind face no consequences from the guides. Also, unguided dives are not allowed, even on the jetty/house reef (even for those independent diver certified). The overall atmosphere is very laid back and "chill," and one gets the feeling of being in scuba camp (like back in summer camp when kids). The internet and phone data connections are decent in the main restaurant and lounge building but weak to non-existent in the rooms. If you're a digital nomad who needs a good connection for work this might not be the place for you. There is also a turtle egg hatchery on property and while I was there, they had a baby turtle release on the beach into the sea, which was a lot of fun to watch.

 

[Centrals]

I also did not revisit for a while, since they introduced quotas. To me, it is not worth traveling that long if I do not get to do 2 dives daily at Sipadan. 2 dives in Sipadan and an afternoon dive around Kapalai/Mabul is just about right combination.

Used to be 3 - 4 dives a day. There are enough dive sites around the Island.
There was not a single building on Kapalai previously.
The quota is a stupid idea.

 

[JonnieB]

I guess time for some fish porn!

All photos taken at various sites around Mabul Island and Kapalai sandbar by my dive buddy and PADI Course Director @ Rumblefish Adventures, Kata Beach, Phuket.


Weedy Scorpionfish (Rhinopias frondosa) This specimen is resident on the SJ AWAS dive site just off the resort jetty at about 12m. It's colour and lacy fin texture completely blends into the discarded fishing net where it resides. A diver could intensely scour the net dozens of times and not notice it. However, it does have one weakness..."yawning" once or twice a minute and if someone is passing by at that time it's noticible.


Orang-utan Crab (Achaeus japonicus) This small crab is fairly commonly found on Bubble corals in the area. This shot is unusual as the crab is on the sandy bottom.


Bobtail Squid (Sepiolida sp)


Japanese Flathead (Inegocia japonicus) A smaller species of the eponymous crocodile fish seen on many dives. These are small at about 4-6 cm.

 

[JonnieB]

More fishy sightings...


Clown (Warty) Frogfish (A. maculatus)


Clown Frogfish


Flamboyant Cuttlefish (Metasepia pfefferi)


Painted Frogfish (A. pictus)



Papuan Cuttlefish (Sepia papuensis)

 

[lwang06]

So I was hoping to plan a trip next March etc are you saying no more big schooling fish etc? All fished out? Plan for macro? Quite sad as I’ve heard it used to be amazing

 

[JonnieB]

So I was hoping to plan a trip next March etc are you saying no more big schooling fish etc? All fished out? Plan for macro? Quite sad as I’ve heard it used to be amazing

I guess it depends on your expectations...people who have been in past years have told me (and SB posts seem to also say) SIPIDAN Island is not the wide-angle site it once was. That doesn't mean it's bad. Several of the divers who made the trip while I was there also said it didn't blow them away. I was, however, blown away at the biggest barracuda tornado and jacks storm I've ever seen and these were at the Kapalai Resort and SMART Resort Mabul respectively (and no extra fee to dive these). Also a two meter barracuda at Kapalai was pretty cool too.