I am having an "interesting" time getting a dive centre to say I can get 2 days of permits for Sipidan around Jan 10. I've contacted a few and here is a response from Borneo divers:
"We wish to further elaborate to you on the proposed dive itinerary and how the quota system works as you might have known that our resort is given 14 quotas per day to enter Sipadan island.
Our resort is having 14 quotas at the moment to enter Sipadan island. (should there be any changes of our quota allotment , we shall notify you at once )Our resort maximum capacity is 60 pax house in 30 units of chalet. Under super peak period which is over 50 pax capacity, we are sure with every 5 days 4 nights package we are able to offer our guest 1 day diving experience in Sipadan which is normally 4 tank dives or we term it 4 boat dives with our professional dive master.
If during NON super peak period, you will be able to dive more than 1 day in Sipadan. This is how it works - If we have only 30 pax on location, our permit is 14 per day, with 2 days rotation, 14 x 2 days we actually able to bring all the guests to dive at Sipadan every 2 1/4 days during your 5 days 4 nights stay. Thus you have more than 1 day chance to dive at Sipadan or another word you will probably dive at Sipadan at 1 1/2 day or 2 days, this is all depend if you get the extra sipadan permit on which day of your trip, if you get the extra day in between than you will have 2 full days or 8 boat dives.
If you get the extra permit on the last night and check out the next day, you will do only maximum 2 boat dives with the second permit as you need to fly out the next noon. Unless otherwise you are not flying out instead overnight in Semporna or Tawau.
YOU NEED TO STAY 5 DAYS/4 NIGHTS FOR A GUARANTEED ONE ENTRY TO SIPADAN"
What can a guy do to increase the chances of getting 2 days of diving at Sipidan?? Getting to the place is tough enough, so not getting a second day would be disappointing.
"We wish to further elaborate to you on the proposed dive itinerary and how the quota system works as you might have known that our resort is given 14 quotas per day to enter Sipadan island.
Our resort is having 14 quotas at the moment to enter Sipadan island. (should there be any changes of our quota allotment , we shall notify you at once )Our resort maximum capacity is 60 pax house in 30 units of chalet. Under super peak period which is over 50 pax capacity, we are sure with every 5 days 4 nights package we are able to offer our guest 1 day diving experience in Sipadan which is normally 4 tank dives or we term it 4 boat dives with our professional dive master.
If during NON super peak period, you will be able to dive more than 1 day in Sipadan. This is how it works - If we have only 30 pax on location, our permit is 14 per day, with 2 days rotation, 14 x 2 days we actually able to bring all the guests to dive at Sipadan every 2 1/4 days during your 5 days 4 nights stay. Thus you have more than 1 day chance to dive at Sipadan or another word you will probably dive at Sipadan at 1 1/2 day or 2 days, this is all depend if you get the extra sipadan permit on which day of your trip, if you get the extra day in between than you will have 2 full days or 8 boat dives.
If you get the extra permit on the last night and check out the next day, you will do only maximum 2 boat dives with the second permit as you need to fly out the next noon. Unless otherwise you are not flying out instead overnight in Semporna or Tawau.
YOU NEED TO STAY 5 DAYS/4 NIGHTS FOR A GUARANTEED ONE ENTRY TO SIPADAN"
What can a guy do to increase the chances of getting 2 days of diving at Sipidan?? Getting to the place is tough enough, so not getting a second day would be disappointing.