Hi,

Thanks for the reply.

I'm intending to do 4 days worth of dives there. I'm hoping to get a deal around 1.7k ~ 1.8k including 2 days at Sipadan, accomodation and boat transfer. I do not mind dorm kinda of lodging, as long as the dive equipments are in working condition and the dive master are experienced.

Is that possible? I'm not too sure whats the rate over there though.

Just drop by to say Mataking offers some of the best diving experience. No rubbish at all.

I have open water diving license. Is it suitable to dive sipadan? Any other dive site recommend for open water?

Are anyone planning to go diving in Nov or Dec?

Hi,
anyone can advise whether is it ok to go to sipadan for snokerling only?
I will be going to Sipadan next year in mid february for 3 days.
I have surveyed some of the diving vs non diving(snokerling only) packages and found out that the price different is quite big.
So i am wondering is it ok to go there for snokerling only?
Any recomendations from you guys about snokerling in Sipadan?
Thanks

i planning to go mabu/mataking island for this dec.so any 1 know or ever been there with the cheaper price?budget around Rm400??if someone know the agent, please leave a contact num here. thx thx.^^.
if no dive...just hope can get a 3 days 2 nights package. can somebody intro good service agents to me?thx

I just bought a ticket to Tawau from KL (Mid July 2011)... 1st time travel alone. I want to take Open Water course @ Mabul...

My concern is how/what should I take from Tawau Aiport to Semporna... my flight arrive @ 9:10pm quite late already... anyone please advise me..

thanks.

I think need to ask operator to pick me up fromTawau Airport to Semporna overnight there.. may be @ dragon inn / scuba junkie backpaker dorm... the operator said it RM80, pay directly to the driver... because I most probably arrive at 910pm or 10pm plus if flight delay...

On the morning, I plan take a first boat to Mabul...

I dont decide which operator for my OWC yet.. my short list will be sipadan.com and scuba-junkie... and still searching for other operator too... if any one have a suggest please do let me know...

Hmm.. from the quotation that i get its almost half price cheaper if go snorkeling only.
Thanks for your feedback fezanim.
Let me put it this way, is snorkeling in sipadan as nice as snokerling at redang/p.perhentian?

Surely Sipadan as been said by my mother .. u may snorkel near the jetty to hold to the buoy but pls wear life jacket as current quite strong . u will not able to see turtle at redang / perhentian as sipadan have plenty of it . hehe .

Thanks nutella and fezanim for your feedbacks.
Upon looking closely on the prices, I decided to go diving instead as the price difference is not so much actually.
Anyone can recommend me what is your best diving package there for 3D2N? Which island is most recomended to go?
And what is the advisable cooling off period to fly after diving to avoid the "decompressed sickness"?

asern u only wanted to go there for 3d2n is it ? there is a few operator there , if u are looking for the affordable one - scuba jeff , billabong scuba , uncle chang , scuba junkies a bit expensive .
island dive site - mabul / sipadan / si amil / kapalai / paradise 1 / paradise 2 .
no fly time to avoide dcs - advisable 18 hours but usually for me 24 hours just chill and rilex before fly back .

For Dives within the No-Decompression Limits
• Single Dives - A minimum preflight surface interval of 12 hours is suggested.
• Repetitive Dives and/or Multiday Dives - A minimum preflight surface interval of
18 hours is suggested.

For Dives Requiring Decompression Stops
A minimum preflight surface interval greater than 18 hours is suggested.

Can you get your OW diving cert in Mabul, Sibuan or other place and proceed to Sipadan right after?

Yes you can, I take OW course on July 2011 and will proceed to sipadan. I will place my deposit of the OW course early Jan to secure my place and I also ask the operator to get me a permit to dive @ sipadan... so I can go to sipadan after pass the OW course...

FYI, I takes the OWC with sipadan.com...

I was planning like 5N or a week on that area.. obsessed with beaches

Nope. Im not a diver. THis is my first time for diving.
I will depart on 16th Feb(morning) and return on 19th Feb 2011(6.45pm).

Which one is recommended? Take diving course RM900(the requiment is quite tough for me - float for 10mins and swiw for 200 m without life jacket) or discovery scuba diving?

Which of these islands has the best diving experience for DSD? Mabul(Kapalai) or Manta Point or Siamil or Sibuan or Boheyan or Mantabuan or Mataking? The diving price is the same for each place mentioned above.

Aigooo..already mentioned earlier...The high density of Bajau Laut stilt houses and also beac hhouses are the main culprit...They ae poor & probably lack of education...You're be suprise to see human faeces , plastics, sytrofoams & etc while you snorkeling around those water...

Stimix your pix make me cant wait for july 2011 to Mabul for open water course..!!!
I have snorkel @ tioman 10 years back it was beautiful... Cant wait to see Mabul/Sipadan.

This is my first time scuba diving...decide straight to Sipadan. After get my OW cert @ Mabul/Sipadan, plan to try diving @ Redang/Tioman...   

Haiyaa... 7 month to wait....

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..?

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.

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.