Sipadan prices and access

[rcaqua]

Dear all,

I am "coordinating" a small group of friends who would like to dive Sipadan (we've been to Komodo, Nusa Lembongan and Kao Lak in the past) around April of next year. Most have AOW and over 100 dives, a few are less experienced but generally enthusiastic and reliable.

I've dutifully read all the posts on Sipadan but am struck by the high prices for staying anywhere in Mabul. Is there a decent place where we could drop (i.e. dump!) some non-divers in the group and go on the infamous Celebes for three or four nights? Would those staying on shore have something to do (snorkeling, easy diving, but what else) without breaking the bank?

Is access to Sipadan reasonably good these days or should I count on 2 trips there in a six-day period if we do not opt for the liveaboard?

Alternatively, would you consider there are better places to dive in Malaysia rather than going to the trouble of going to Mabul?

Thanks for any help!

Best,

Rene

 

[Manneca]

I'd suggest Layang Layang for diving. It's only open 6 months of the year. It's an hour flight from KK. I thought the diving was easy. If you're AOW you go deep (tho I didn't because I particularly want to). No beach (I think no beach), pool.

On Sipadan we stayed on Sea Ventures, the dive rig. It was interesting. And reasonably cheap. There are some backpackers places on Mabul, too.

An alternative is for the non divers to do one of the rainforest resorts. There are several near Lahad Datu which is a 3 hour or so drive from Semporna.

 

[srt1548]

I blogged about my trip to Borneo last year, including Sipadan, rainforest/lbased tours and climbing Mount Kinabalu. Lahad Datu is a good option for non divers. It's amazing up there. Also kinabatangan river for a greater variety of primates and bird life Crocodile rocks the river – Borneo by boat | Bags of Adventure