It's a new inn.
i went there to Semporna in May and stayed at Sipadan Inn.
Holiday Dive inn looks nice frm the outside (and reception area).
maybe worth a try..
Sipadan Inn SUCKS!!
DO NOT GO THERE.
the room is OK, but the service is not so much.
receptionist is not friendly at all and makes u feel awkward.

towards the end of my trip i stayed at Dragon Inn for RM77 for double room, with bfast!
Dragon Inn room is spacy and very nice..floating village.
only drawback is you have to walk abit to get to your room. not recommended for old people.

in Mabul i stayed at Arung Hayat and the food there is NICE. I mean REALLY NICE.
i'd definitely recommend arung hayat to anyone.

I stayed @ Sipadan Inn last yr July, it was quite a pleasant stay.
I paid RM72 for a twin room, with free wifi and tv (world cup time).
Staff was quite helpful, they helped me to call the dive operators and told me where to get nice food.
Not too bad? Or maybe they changed new staff already?

Anyway, hope to see some reviews of Holiday Dive Inn also...
Their website is not completed, not sure what kind of facilities they provide...

need some advise... since I will arrive at Tawau airport at 930PM, I want to go to Semporna first... how much the taxi cost..?

---

Added on July 30, 2011, 11:17 pmHi, I just got back from OWC at Mabul Island, Sabah last tuesday. Here is my review on Tripadvisor.com that I can share with you. I took with "sipadan.com" or as known as "Mabul Backpackers". Maybe I can help others that want to go Mabul in future.



http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews...abul_Sabah.html

This post has been edited by zaff1984: Jul 30 2011, 11:17 PM

Short video I made during last week

where is this... Mabul..?

Judging from the low visibilty and bad condition of the coral there, me also think it is Mabul. Sibuan coral much lively & colourful

halo happy new year

i plan going pulau sipadan this year on december.

n

I just want to know which month is best going there?
Need some advice from all of you....

Guys, anyone knows rate of the taxi or minibus from Tawau airport to Semporna for 3-4 pax?

There is no bus direct to Semporna. I'm not sure the taxi rate but should be ~ same rate as KLIA to KL.

For cheaper alternative there are bus to Tawau ( I think ~ RM10) & thereafter from Tawau, another local bus to Semporna provided you hv the time.

You can google for Tawau airport services or something

I shared a taxi with other 2 tourist from China.. instead of RM90 to Semporna, we paid RM30 each.

But I use bus from Semporna bus station to Tawau Airport. Just RM25. Just tell you want to go to airport before you buy the ticket.

goin to sipadan august this year. will be staying in SWV. can't wait

any budget hotel/homestay in Tawau town?
preferable clean and safe
pls recommend

Lotsa choices here: http://www.etawau.com/Hotel/index.html
We stayed at Hotel Tawau in '07, liked the place -- http://travel.nuraina.com/tawau/

===

I'm planning to go to Semporna again via bus from tawau and it led me to this thread.

I went there the first time last year, stayed at Dragon Inn and then Arung Hayat in Mabul. I love Arung Hayat travel lodge, it's a decent place for budget traveller and most importantly they serve nice food. My friend just went there again early this month and agree that their food is good.

I came with another friend that time and took the RM95 minibus/van ride from airport - Semporna town. It's a decent airconditioned van and we had a pleasant ride.

I'm a diver and i have dived in Mabul area and also islands from Semporna IE: Timba-timba, Pandanan, Mataking..etc.
I can say that Mabul - Kapalai has aloooot of fish and bigger fish than peninsular malaysia islands..as for corals..go for islands like Timba2, Mataking there..not much fish but amazing corals..

As for snorkelling, i dont think u can see much there, unless if u're lucky..u can see turtles (most of the time can see when diving), school of cuttlefish, etc..which is not bad, from my experience..but u have to be patient.

I went there after being a diver for 1 year and i enjoyed the dive sites very2 much. In the early days of diving, i dont enjoy so much as i'm still getting used to the skills..so..I really don't think getting a license there would be good as you might not be able to enjoy the dive so much..especially going to Sipadan..if u can wait till you're confident and comfortable underwater..110%!

I haven't been to Sipadan coz of some mess made by my agents on the permits..so if u can get a diveshop with guaranteed permit! I do not regret it so much as it's my first time there..i end up doing more dives than i planned! (planned for 9 dives inc Sipadan, became 16 dives in Semporna/Mabul, which is an unforgettable experience).

As for seafood, i'd highly recommend rabbit fish!! please dont forget to try that fish when u're in Semporna. I have 1 seafood restaurant which serves very nice food not far from Seafest Hotel, but i cant remember the restaurant name!!

If u come from the jetty/Dragon Inn, pass by Seafest..walk further more u can see a row of shop and this nice airconditioned restaurant. Surprisingly their price is not has high as u think it would be!

Thnaks for sharing.. For me Sibuan is the best interm of coral life although I have to agree less fishes there too haha.. That's one very picturique island so far

wanna ask how long for the bus ride from airport to the semporna town?

damned, those beautiful hotels nearby semporna is as expansive as those in maldives!

Stay in mainaland-lah.. cheaper this way.. My hotel <RM100/day

yea, the hotel price is like heaven and hell.

it's either RM100++ per room, or RM1000++ per room. crazy price lol

How do you guys book hotel room in Tawau?
Seems like those hotels don't have any website.
Call and make reservation? How about payment?