When Sipadan?

I am planning a trip to Sipadan (Mabul) in April. Is this the good season to encounter the big schools and Manta's?

Hey! I was thinking of going in April as well (after ADEX).

But it looks like I may end up there last week of Feb, which websites say isn't the best time. But is it worth going in Feb?

I am planning a trip to Sipadan (Mabul) in April. Is this the good season to encounter the big schools and Manta's?

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I was there in the middle of May last year, and they were well into the rainy season. I was a little disapointed. The vis was not very good, probably due to fresh water runoff from the island. In a week we saw one large school of Jacks, no schools of baracuda, no manta. I asked the guide about the baracuda and he told me that they haven't seen a large school in a month. There were more big turtles than I've ever seen, and the muck diving at Mabul was very nice.

Too bad about the disapointment. For what I have read should May be good, the rainy season is between oct-march.

@Eric: what's ADEX?

I read some nice stories about Sangalaki has anyone been there?

Just checked out the website looks pretty good........

I am looking at going to Indonesia around the end of February as i have time off, there seemsto be a lot of places to choose from....

cheers,

"Sangalaki" is just below Sipadan and i am a little surprised to hear of the rainy season in May. Was told by DMs at Derawan that April to June is the best time to visit.

April to June will also increase your chance of Hammerhead sightings in Layang Layang.

ADEX-Asian Dive Expo. Eric, you visiting Singapore then? Saw Alex's and your articles in our local dive mag and i presume you guys are going to be regular contributors?

Duikkees, this is a slide show i did for my Derawan trip in Sep.

They have a jetty with amazing macros and you can dive solo till 8 pm daily, unlimited. But if you like big stuff, you'll be better off staying at Sangalaki (1 resort) or Maratua (2 resorts).

(Derawan, Sangalaki, Maratua and Kakaban are dived togther in one trip usually, pretty much like Sipadan, Mabul and Kapalai).

Eric

http://www.photodex.com/sharing/viewalbum.html?alb=85436

forgot the url.....

Hi,

For Sipadan, from my past trips... I think the best time to go in from June to August... Where is water is clear and the is alot of big stuff... the worst I have been there is November, Feb and March... the vis bad...

Layang-layang - Best time for Hammerhead is mid March - 3rd week of April...

Regards

KL Kwang

Too bad about the disapointment. For what I have read should May be good, the rainy season is between oct-march.

 

@Eric: what's ADEX?

 

I read some nice stories about Sangalaki has anyone been there?

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I went to Sangalaki last year for a couple of weeks, and had a great time. Diving was awesome, with mantas every afternoon, lots of macro sites, some walls with big stuff, and the jellyfish lake...

But I've heard some bad things about the resort there recently. Not sure how true they are, though.

Cheers,

Mat

As mentioned, Sipadan rainy season is Nov - mar, when it can be wet and windy, but can be dived all year round. April - Oct is best, and is not the monsoon season, although it can still rain, which was Herb's misfortune..

You will definitely see green and hawksbill turtles and whitetips.

You will see probably see grey reefs, jack, barracuda and bumphead schools.

You will be lucky if you see mantas.

You will be very lucky if you see hammerheads.

You will be ****ing lucky to see whale sharks.

Yes Eric, still worth it in Feb. I have had great dives there in Jan.