Sipadan

[MadamGluGlu]

Hello, has anyone been to Pulau Sipadan in Malaysia, was it easy to arrange dives there also when is a good month to go weather is good between Arp and Dec, any particular month, suggestions welcome. MadamGluGlu

 

[Manuel Sam]

Suggest that you repost in the Asia Forum under Malaysia and Singapore. I was there in May and July of 2000 and the weather was fine then, but I wouldn't bet on info that is 15 years old. Besides, the rules for diving there have changed since then. I am sure that if you repost and/or do a search in the Malaysia and Singapore forum, you will get more accurate info.

 

[srt1548]

Hi - I was in Sipadan last year. Stayed at Borneo Divers - the original operators that first set up on Sipadan. Nowadays there are many. My trip report is here: Fish soup for breakfast – sampling Sipadans’ diving feast | Bags of Adventure

 

[adamchooi]

Best time to dive sipadan and its surrounding area is between April - Nov. Most of the accommodation service providers will operate their own dive centre. Diving at mabul, kapalai and si amil island can be arranged thru walk in basis.

Do bare in mind that in order to dive sipadan, you will have to book with the dive operator in advance (3 months) as the government only issue 120 of them daily. The more reputable big resorts will have better quotas. Generally speaking most of the good resorts are located at the east side of mabul. (Smart, SWV, Scubajunkie, Borneo Dive) Seaventure was an oil rig and now is transformed into a dive resort. The rest of the homestay style accommodations are along the western coast of the island.

You may also stay at Semporna (Sipadan jetty town) where you will have access to the northern islands such as Bohey Dulang and Gaya.

Summary : Best months April - Nov. Loads of accommodations to choose from. Book your Sipadan Dive as early as possible.

 

[Manneca]

When I was looking at operators/resorts in Sipadan, there was a big difference in the number of nights/guaranteed Sipidan days offered. So, be sure you check that out. We lucked out on a 5 night stay got 4 diving days at Sipidan with Sea Ventures. Of course, we were there within a month of a kidnapping and the resorts were all calling each other with extra permits. We really, really lucked out.

 

[FairyBasset]

I just wrote this trip report, which should give you more idea: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ma...report-mabul-island-sipadan-scuba-junkie.html