Diving in Borneo. Sipadan versus Lankayan? Advice would be great.

Oceanswings

Hi, I'd be grateful if anyone has advice about diving Sipadan, or Lankayan, in Borneo. I don't personally know of anyone who has dived either.

I'll be traveling to SE Asia with a non diver and will be spending a couple of weeks in Borneo also (end of April/ early May). I have heard that some of the best diving in the world can be done in Sipadan. I've no idea if this is overrated or not. I've also read that there's a very strong chance of diving with Whale Sharks in April/May (when we'd be there!), in Lankayan. I think trying to get to both sites would be a bit unfair on my fellow traveller (and don't worry, they're getting to do what they love also on this trip also!). I'm trying to decide on which one would be best.

Any advice would be appreciated!. Thanks

seadeuce

Check:


http://www.divernet.com/Travel_Features/far_east/483190/the_sipadan_factor.html


and


http://www.divemagazine.co.uk/travel/diving-destinations/south-east-asia/4978-return-to-sipadan


and


http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=2038247



Seadeuce

lofto

Oceanwings, I worked for a centre in semporna (nearest landbase for sipidan), for about 4 or 5 months. And honestly, I experienced some of the best diving conditions of my diving life, while i was there. Some of the sites are truely breath taking.... I cannot recommend the place highly enough. Enjoy!!

TheBazman

Have dived in Sipadan - absolutely fantastic - although you need a permit for some areas and the number of dives in the best sites can be limited. In fairness most diving in SE Asia is top notch

skippy2

just spoke to someone who was diving in Sipadan and like a previous poster mentioned there is an issue with permits. he said that on some days there can be no permits available as each centre gets an allocated number of permits each day so maybe something to check out in advance to make sure you can get one before you arrive if you can book in advance. He did mention the diving was fantastic.......Enjoy. He managed to dive as he needed so was ok

lofto

if you contact a centre in advance, they will book you in... mind you, when I worked their, there was always way more people diving, than available permits!