mmm... the reason I choose July is because I have time to save some money monthly... if i go redang/tioman it will cost me a lot more...
saving RM300/month for 7 month = RM2100 in total; RM2100-RM850 for OW course = RM1250 left for accommodation (dorm)/meals/transport and diving for another 2 days at Mabul/Sipadan... if go to tioman/redang = "budget lari"

what is the usual cost per dive trip..?

diving in west malaysia is the cheapest.
sipadan is one of the most expensive places to dive in malaysia.
and its not worth it if you don't enjoy it. i would advice that you gain more experience before diving there.

redang per dives cost around RM80-100 without equipment if i'm not mistaken. go budget and stay in cheaper hotels.
there is also dive packages. i'm not sure about the price but its normally around 600-800 for 3d2n or 4d3n. this packages include meals, return ferry to and from island, and about 3 dives per day. it varies for different hotels.
you can check the hotel websites for more information on that. off season periods and season opening/closing periods are much cheaper, but the weather and visibility as well as sea condition might not be as good.

also, you're gonna do your whole OW course there? how long will you be staying there? the theory part might take some time and i still suggest that its better to do the theory part on the mainland (i.e. KL, etc.) then go to the island for certifications dives. this is based on my experience as I did my OW at Perhentian over 4d3n and it was quite stressful for me as we had to watch the video and stay up late to go thru the theory parts and exam.
new experience + studying + not enough sleep = not very fun for me

U already booked ur air ticket to Tawau?
If not, why not save another 2 months, so that u can take OW in West Msia, then enjoy ur trip in Sipadan?

OW at least costs RM1200 (including the accommodation, transportation, food and drinks, etc).
I spent RM1.5k for my Mabul/Sipadan trip (5D4N).
So it would be perfect if u can save RM2.7k

yup already bought air asia from 20-26 july... my early plan is 20th arrive, 21st to 23rd OCW, 24-25 diving, 26th tawau-KL..

But I do not pay yet the OWC... appreciate your advise.

If budget is a problem, then just go ahead with ur plan... But after u get ur OW, try to dive mabul/sibuan/any other easy dive sites before u dive sipadan, just to get more confidence and be more comfortable in the water.

20 KL-Tawau
21-23 OW in Mabul/Sibuan
24 Dive in Mabul/Sibuan
25 Dive in Sipadan
26 Tawau-KL

Sounds ok. Too bad im going during Jan 2011, otherwise can consider to join u

Thanks for your advise, will go dive @ mabul and sibuan 1st... Hope i can get use with all things surround fast enough before to sipadan... Diving locations @ sipadan deep..?

Can someone let me know, what is the difference between discovery scuba diving vs taking open water courses?

Can someone please advice which is the best budget guesthouses among Uncle Chang, Scuba Junkie, Scuba Jeff , etc?
I would prefer to stay on the sea (water chalets). I know Uncle Chang has it. Unsure about other guesthouses.
But I read some reviews that Uncle Chang accommodation isn't so clean and the food is not good.

Thus, I hope those who have been there can advice

Also, I've been reading on a lot regarding how to get from Tawau Airport to Semporna.
If I do not stay with scuba junkie, can I actually get their service to get to Semporna?
Cos I read in their website, they actually have this minivan whereby they fetch tourists to semporna.
So they r charging cheaper than going by taxi. Am I right?

I'm going there in March. So i hope i can gather more info b4 i book the accommodation.
Duwan to regret my decision

Guys, there is diver and non diver package...

If i dun have license, but i wanan do discovery dive every day! hahaha.. What shud i do then? Take the diver package?

Cos it's like Rm400 more exp, last time i take discovery dive, it;s like rm180 for like 2 hours?

Discovery scuba dive is where the instructor will teach you the basic basics and then bring you to dive once. You won't go very deep, and the instructor will bring you around. It's a one-to-one thing, sometimes one-to-two if got many discovery scuba divers. Usually cost around RM180-200 per discovery dive and you won't get any license to dive or anything like that. Everything is included, all the gears and tanks. You just have to go and enjoy, it is a one off thing which will take few hours of your time to introduce you to the underwater world.

Open water course is the PADI course for you to get your Open Water License. It consists of theory and practical lessons where you have to pass the exam to get the license. Usually cost around RM1200-1500 depends where you do it. This one, you'll have to sit thru videos, read the book and do theory questions. Also have to be tested pratically, like floating on water, swimming for certain distance, basic skills like clearing mask, bouyancy control, etc. The instructor will teach you all this and you are expected to learn and remember. It usually takes 4d3n if you do it all on the island.

Once you get your license, you can go for dives with a dive master. A dive master usually brings about 6-8 divers to dive, depends on how many customers they have also. They are like dive guides underwater. Per dive in Malaysia usually cost around RM100 or so. Might not include equipment rental. This one, no instructors will be watching you. The dive master have to jaga more than one so you have to look out for yourself as it is assumed that you have pass the test and know your basics already.

You can do Open Water courses here on the mainland which I would recommend, as you will have more time to complete and understand the theory part before doing the real thing. I personally did my course at Perhentian island and it was very stressful for me. There was no time to just sit and relax. Every free time that I had was to study and watch the video. I didn't learn much as well cause time was limited. However, I did my other courses on mainland first then go to island for pratical test. Those were very relax and I've learnt so much more compared to the first time I dive.

If you don't have a license, you can't take a diver package.
Diver packages are for divers with license. They won't give you discovery scuba every dive every day. They won't be so free to give you full attention and bring you down everytime. That's why discovery scuba is much more expensive than a normal dive for those with license. The whole point of discovery scuba is to introduce you to scuba diving.

I suggest you go take up your license first, then go dive.

Just came back from there, yes you are correct. It was stressful to take OWC there. I would say its not an easy course for girls.
The girls started vomitting during confined water course 2(not so confined as the sea waves quite stong that time) and we decided to take discovery scuba on the third day and complete the course here(peninsular) in calmer water ie swiiming pool.

For first time diver especially girls, i think its better to try the DSD then only decide whether wanna to take the OWC or not.
For guys, i think you can do it without any problem. Its challenging and fun(changing tank underwater, cleaning mask underwater, buoyancy control etc etc)

PS: Do not watch Sanctum 3D if you plan to dive. Watch it after you dive. It is nice movie anyway. Recommended to watch after learning ur diving. LOL

Does anyone here know about the fire razed down one of the chalets in Mabul Island? I read about it in newspaper. Wonder if it will affect my stay to Mabul this week.
I'm staying in the island too.

Thanks.

Hi guy, may i ask if there is any fishing spot at Semporna??

The whole open sea in Semporna is one big gigantic fishing spot liao

@asern : stressful... quite nervous for me as I will go on this July... I already paid the deposit to Sipadan.com for OWC. Asern, which operator you take for OWC? and all the training will be held in Mabul?

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Added on March 26, 2011, 8:54 pmguys, in my trip on this July. after finished my OWC @ Mabul, I will be free for 2 days before going back to KL. Im thinking to fill it with diving activities.

Please recommend me your favorite operator..

I already ask 2 operator : for Sipadan Dive = RM600
for Mabul/other island = RM100 per dive... so 3 dives = RM300

is that standard price..?

This post has been edited by zaff1984: Mar 26 2011, 08:54 PM

Planning a trip to either Sipadan Water Village or Kapalai Resort - difficult to choose; both look beautiful from their websites & both also have pretty good reviews from Tripadvisor. Anyone been to both ? Which is better for a family of non-divers? What about accommodation wise?

Thanks!

I dun stay there but visited both before.. Well, from picture, looks new & superb but from near, the paintwork slightly peeling unless they repainted the whole resort and in Mabul, you will be staying nxt to Bajau/Philipinoes villages. So expecting lotsa rubbish there

any cheap accomodation at sipadan island or nearby?

There is no accomodation on Sipadan. All demolished yearts back.

The nearest to Sipadan is Mabul or kapalai atoll. (only 1). Mabul having lotsa cheap acc esp blended to the stilt kampung..well so wth the kampung expecting rubbish everywhere..haha.

Just google for scuba junkie, Uncle Chang & more budgert acc there

Has anyone stayed at the Holiday Dive Inn at Semporna before? All I know is that they're somehow tied to Sipadan Scuba.