wondering how to get obtain cert to sipadan, via accomodation provider?

if i going to stay @ arung hayat then i need 2 ask them apply permit for me?

http://www.scubatim.com/2009/12/mabul.html

Read this blog and it'll give you a good picture and whats the permit situation is.... basically $$$.

Arung Hayat doesnt have their own permits, most likely they'll sub you out to Billabong or Uncle Chang when its time to go to sipadan. That means you'll have to really book in advance (payment up front).

Alternatively, if you can spare the money, spend 4d3n on any of the big boys and you'll 99% chance get your day at Sipadan.

wow thanks for the information

Hi Boys and girl,

Any one know about Mataking island? and expenses there expensive?

Thanks

This post has been edited by bluescott: Oct 22 2012, 05:11 PM

Not mistaken, u have to reach Semporna 1st, then travel by boat.
If flight, land at tawau. Then 1 hour drive to semporna.
If take taxi airport to semporna, is RM95.

From there on, I`m not sure anymore. i just reached semporna only

Yes as earlier forumer said.. Located part of Semporna chain of islands on the same Tun Sakaran Dandai chain of islands the opposite side of Mabul/Sipdana & Kapalai

you probably want to check wth them directly (try google) of try using those hotel booking website to book... BTW, for any island opposite Semporna, nothing is cheap. even a simple shared hoste style also super expensive for wg those in Mabul.

yea...super expansive as in at least RM300 PER PERSON per night for non diver =.='

haizzz....regretted liao me buy air tix to there

You haven't see the amount of rubbish floating in those crystal clear water

that's the thing lo. i really don't want pay RM600++ for a shitty room and then get a suxxors view from room

i think i will really stay at dragon inn hostel liao. cheaper, so if see rubbish won't so tulan

Which hotel lead you till RM1000++/room? Btw this area 10X cheaper than Maldives.

Edit : SWV and Sipadan Kapalai are good to go. No regret!

This post has been edited by Putraskyline: Oct 23 2012, 10:56 AM

but i check agoda, maldives hotel also around RM1k++ per nite only wo.

while SWV last time quote me 1 person RM600++ per nite for non diver . means per room already almost RM1.3k per nite liao

somemore SWV no beach

of coz i am ignoring flight tix la, just compare hotel and hotel. haha.


PS: u went before those 2 a? my trip is march 2013 liao....still hesitating want to burn flight tix or what, haha

Who said SWV no beach? Standard room for non-diver RM1130/pax all inclusive. Maldives hotel are 1k+ per night but only room and breakfast. You have to fork out another US100-150/pax for lunch and dinner unless you take maggi with you. Yes, I have been to SWV, Sipadan Kapalai and MWB. MWB are too expensive and for me not worth but accommodation are luxurious amongst those 3.

Edit : Book direct and force them to give 20% discount.

This post has been edited by Putraskyline: Oct 23 2012, 11:16 AM

oh...lolx. i thought no beach ma coz see their website beach section like doesn't emphasize much

thanks for the tips lol. i will try ask them for discount liao.

i was quote RM690 per room per nite for standard cottages for SWV...very expansive aaaaa. Is the food provided good?

is SWV water and beach good? water should be crystal clear la, but i doubt there will have rubbish floating around like semporna rite?

how about the beach there?

On my price list, 3d2n non diver cost RM1130/pax including 4 meal. Breakfast + Lunch + Tea + Dinner + Transfer + Sonrkeling Trip + Unlimited snorkeling in house reef. SWV water are great. You can snorkel right away from the beach or deck near the dive center. I have been 2 times to SWV, I didnt see any rubbish floating at all If you want more comfortable, request their air cond villa.

This post has been edited by Putraskyline: Oct 23 2012, 11:46 AM

I'm not sure what is SWV stand for and the location but if it's Kapalai - for sure no island as the resort sit on top of atoll and a small area wth sand beach appeared only when low tide. Ths area confirm no floating rubbish because far away from Bajau laut/Sulug waterworld.

However, those resorts in Mabul surrounded wth Bajau Laut/Sulug/Tausug villagers & those islands in Sangkaran dandai chain I'm sure the beaches full of floating rubbish & the 1st part of the beach as facing problem wth dead tree trunks, sunken rubbish/tyres & etc

Well, the water surrounding Semporna is indeed crystal clear and infact the downtown Semporna water also clear and u can see the bottom but the rubbish

Yes Sipadan Kapalai have no beach and no room has aircond. SWV = Sipadan Water Village. Service and diving wise, Sipadan Kapalai wins. In term of food, room and beach, SWV win. Have budget to splurge, go to MWB, Mabul Water Bungalow.

BTW, those on budget actually can stay in mainland Semporna and just charter a boat (Either legal or illegally) from those surrounding boatmen/ agensies in Semporna to either those Mabul/Kapalai/Sipadan area and another day to Sangkaran Dandai islands at ~ RM300 to RM500 per boat.

That's how I spent my days in Semporna. staying in the lousy Dragon Inn & much better hostel the next 2 nites.

At the end of Dragon Inn there is one open sea caged enclosure where you really can see lotsa giant groupers & coral fishes there.. That;s the only main attraction staying in Dragon Inn haha

oh....price really not cheap for me lo

food good a? the buffet spread? i know this doesn't matter u but got free alcoholic drinks? lol


wah, dragon inn so bad meh?

i still thinking want stay there leh coz price is very cheap and it's on the water

Actually if dragon inn still new i will give high rating. Too bad it's old, dull and due to the fact that it's timber building including the stilt toilet...due to the age...abit geli-lor..sumore the aircon also old and not cold and water pressure..haizzzzz + sigh@###

And the water below your unit can be disturbing your sleep too It was a relieve when I switched to Borneo backpacker Inn the following days.. The water near the lobby is not really clear & wth floating rubbish but water at the open air aquarium at the end of the hotel is clear..

There is also an old photo of dragon inn during the 80's...damn.. The water 100% crystal clear that time.. infact surrounding Sempora was clean in the 80's..but not now wth foreign population of Filipines more than locals ..including more staying on the surrounding waterwolrds esp Tun Sankaran Dandai marine park...ehhh more like filipinoes stilts kampungs liao

ahh..dem. read about the lousy water pressure in trip advisor too, and also some complaints of the room.

initially thought if stay at their more expansive room will be better, but then seems not liao

the one u say is Borneo Global Sipadan Backpackers ar?

coz i check Borneo backpacker Inn is at KK eh