Sipadan resor: Kapalai vs SWV house reefs

Hi there!

I'm planning some dives in Sipadan (first time for my wife and I) in October 2011, and I'm in the process of choosing a resort.

The Mabul resort looks nice, but really too expensive for me.

So I'm considering Kapalai and Sipadan Water Village (SWV).

Both resorts offer 3 boat dives per day, and unlimited shore dives (even night dives included at Kapalai). This shore dive option is really appealing to me, so I would like to know which of these resorts offers the best reef for unlimited shore dives.

Needless to say, we're both enthusiast photographers :-) And I like the idea of having time to visit and re-visit the same reef, be able to locate nice spots, and be back at the right time, etc.

Could you guys help me with your experiences? I've seen several posts discussing those resorts, but not really focussing on how local reefs compare.

thanks in advance for your advice,

have great dives!

Cheers,

Nicolas

Duh...

... I thought that Kapalai, which has the best open-house critter/muck diving reef, was (or used to be) the most expensive?

Tim

Duh...

 

... I thought that Kapalai, which has the best open-house critter/muck diving reef, was (or used to be) the most expensive?

 

Tim

 

Hi Tim,

Indeed I've found that Mabul Water Bungalow was more expensive.

Anyway I've booked Kapalai, will let you know my thoughts in one yeqr time ;-)

SWV has 2 house reefs: Paradise 1 & Paradise 2.

Paradise 2 is directly off of the dive shop and goes perhaps 200-300 meters parallel with the shore. I must have dove Paradise 2 a dozen times. In fact, I preferred Paradise 2 over many of the dive spots that we were taken to (besides, of course, Sipaden Island itself). It is very good for macro imaging as well. Enjoy!