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Dive Review of Sipadan Dive Centre in
Malaysia/Sipadan

Sipadan Dive Centre, Aug, 2002,

by Tony, Surrey, England . Report 39.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 1 stars Food 1 stars
Service and Attitude 1 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 1 stars Shore Diving 3 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments Good -

1. marine life was excellent / abundant / extremely varied with unusual critters. Would definitely go back, though not to Sipadan Dive Centre.
2. Turtle central! Turtles everywhere! Love turtles!

Bad -

1. Plenty of evidence of previous dynamite fishing, though reefs in general were healthy.
2. Diving staff couldnt really be bothered (in general) - everything was a hassle. They didnt go out of their way at all to make the experience special.
3. Staff wouldnt not arrange trips to Mabul & Kapalai (nearby islands), even with an extra charge - which is an absolute MUST for ANYONE going to Sipadan (amazing photography)
4. Staff didnt know the dive sites particularly well (compared to Borneo divers staff) and kept using the same dive site repeatedly.
5. Food at SDC was abysmal. Take plenty of chocolate.
6. Recommend Borneo Divers or Palau Sipadan Resort for far superior diving

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience Over 1000 dives
Where else diving Cayman, Red Sea, PNG, Barrier Reef, Turks & Caicos, Fiji, Belize
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm, noCurrents
Water Temp 27-0°C / 81-32°F Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 40-60 Ft/ 12-18 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions 45 mins max dive time. Most divers were forced to dive as a group, though if your demonstrated experienced, the divemaster was flexible.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 2 stars Tropical Fish 3 stars
Small Critters 5 stars Large Fish 2 stars
Large Pelagics 1 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 1 stars Boat Facilities 1 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 5 stars Shore Facilities 3 stars
UW Photo Comments Obviously absolutely shed-loads to take pictures of, but Sipadan Dive Centre is not kitted out at all for the underwater photographer. There is no decent, clean, well lit place to change films and clean kit, although there is a dedicated fresh water tank. There is also nowhere to safely store the camera on the boats - you have to carry the camera on your lap.
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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