you can go to the pool in farlim, Permata Sports Complex. I think there is a instructor there by the name John Low if not mistaken. Old information though. Few years back when I was in Penang.

yea , the person also offer me to stay at dragon in 1 day before depart from jetty and a day bfore depart from tawau airport

this it the copy of the email :
Dear Danial

Your email is very much appreciated

please consider :

Open Water Course + 3 nights + boat : RM 1340 per person includes:
•PADI advance open water : RM 950 per person includes :
•5 confined water dives

•4 open water dives

•dive equipment

•book and certification

•Log Book : RM 20 per person

•3 nights accommodation in twin sharing room : RM 90 x 3 nights : RM 270

•all meals are included except for carbonated drink and alcohol

•boat transfer based on schedule : RM 100

•Semporna to Mabul : 8 am

•Mabul to Semporna : 4 pm

Payment :

•Total Bill : RM 1340 per person
•Deposit should be made : RM 300 per person
•remaining balance should be paid upon arrival : RM 1040 per person
Whats Not Included :

•Jetty Fee is compulsory due to local government policy : RM 10 per person

•Airport Transfer : Tawau Airport - Semporna :

•RM 80 per car per way at day time

•RM 100 per car per way after 6 pm

•Missing the boat transfer leaves you with 2 options either :

•Stay a night in Semporna at your own costs and leaving to mabul the next day at 8 am

•Go to mabul backpackers directly at any day time : additional RM 50 per person per way
Notes
• Please be informed that we have 2 operators leaving to sipadan. If the permits approved from Mabul, then it is convenient . But if the permits approved from semporna, then you have to wake up at 530 am to catch boat to semporna then to sipadan. Kindly informed that we do not have authorities to book in advance where it leaves, but we may guaranteed sipadan dives for sure
•Sipadan Permit that is already confirmed
is non transferable and non refundable •Minimum Qualification for Diving Package : padi open water diver or equivalent
•Bank surcharge :
• 3 % bank surcharge is applied via credit card for the deposit
•5 % bank surcharge is applied via credit card for settling the remaining balance upon arrival
•No refund for deposit made
•Airport Pick Up, If requested, it would be still charged even if it is unused. Any delay of flight, we wont be responsible unless we are already notified
•Please be aware that we only have one schedule for boat transfer :
•Semporna to Mabul : 8 am
•Mabul to Semporna : 4 pm
•All courses ( e.g : open water course, Advance open water course) will be conducted around mabul and kapalai. Should you wish to go to Sipadan, there will be additional RM 700 for 3 dives around sipadan, dive equipment, boat transfer to sipadan, sipadan marine park permit and packed lunch + water . - please read carefully your package , if it is mentioning sipadan, then it is included. But if not, please inquire for sipadan dives

•Diving and snorkeling equipment is only provided during the diving and snorkeling session . using it out of the session will be charged

Reservation
• Should you proceed to a reservation , please complete the form attached and kindly arrange deposit accordingly


regards

from sipadandivers

The pipe thingy we call it snorkel.. The 'gogle' we call it mask. You should not hold you breath, try breath normally especially in diving.. Keep breathing using the mouthpiece (we call it regulator). Its very important to keep breathing, will help you calm.

Mask clearing you need to focus to what your instructor said. Actually its very simple. Haha.

Leisure time..? Yes i still have a leisure time to explore the island.. You always can stay 1 or 2 days extra after your course. The min is 4d3n for owc. Make it 5d4n or more.

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Added on July 24, 2012, 6:10 amIf they said you will stay @ mabul backpackers.. It was the same dive center i took my OWC.

This post has been edited by zaff1984: Jul 24 2012, 06:10 AM

Each dive cost will differ base on location. Redang cheapest is around RM50 per dive excluding equipments. Other hotels can go up to RM80-100 per dive. From what I heard, Malaysia is one of the cheapest place to dive. Mostly all go by packages, with accommodation and full board meals all that.

Don't worry about going alone, lots of ppl go alone as well and they meet others when they go diving. Then from there you'll know more divers and maybe other single divers that are looking for buddies too.

Agreed, compared to thailand, indo and phillip, malaysia definitely cheaper than those countries except for sipadan dives.

Hi I'll be choosing panorama divers at Pulau Perhentian for OWD. It costs around RM1.2k inclusive of accommodation for four nights, diving & return boat transfer. Any reviews about them and the package provided?

Check in from mabul island, arung hayat, diving with big john

finally i get a better offer from scuba junkie! will be staying on mabul island resort

mabul island resort is an awesome resort... how much they gave you..?

rates based on twin share
2 nights semporna RM60 inc breakfast
4 nights Mabul ensuite fan RM460 inc all meals
3 day Open Water Course RM950
8am transfer Semporna - Mabul FREE as doing course same day
4pm transfer Mabul - Semporna RM50

Total per person: RM1520

nice offer right?

yup nice offer.. slightly extra cost but you get a nice resort.

GUYS...if i want dive at sabah area, mybe sipadan, kapalai or mabul..how much the budget should i prepare..include airlines,boat,meal,dive...anyone know..? for 4d3night..??

refer to my post when r u planning to do?

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Added on July 27, 2012, 6:11 pmis the resort nice? what kind off facility they have?

This post has been edited by zizdnyll: Jul 27 2012, 06:11 PM

scuba junkie resort on mabul pretty nice. good choice - its more hotel than all the shacks / 'homestay'. walked around there earlier this month when i was in mabul

thanks for the info! i spare 1 extra day staying there after the course..now i feel excited

1 extra day - go diving! what else to do there...

If you wanna learn to dive then Koh tao would be the best place, this island is especially famous for diving. In fact there are number of competent diving institutes which train people in this area and give them certification for the same. Last year i went to koh tao for a vacation, and learned diving as well in a very cheaper price. There are many adventure loving people who come across the world for learning and mastering the diving skills. So if you want to enjoy incredible underwater seeing experience via diving make sure you plan for a visit at this place. You have different Koh Tao Rental services which can cater all your holiday needs. So if you are thinking to dive then go for the Koh Tao Diving.

The rooms and atmosphere at Scuba Junkie are almost on par with the those at the more expensive places, say SMV. But be prepared for a mostly 'white' ppl environment.

Negative points for me is their view on seafood.

We do not serve seafood. Fish are our friends, not food.

hahaa , i know about this seafood thing , i went to sipadan in 2003 or 2002 before , they dont serve seafood..lol

So they don't friend with chicken & cow...? lol