Sipadan Resorts

Hey

Do somebody know the best place to live in Sipadan.

Maybe someone have a map or can make a map of Sipadan with all the resorts located, I would realy like a map like that.

// Johan N

You mean permanently live?

I think Sipadan is out. The resorts on the island of Sipadan have to pack up and leave as far as I know.

That leaves Mabul and Kapalai. I would choose Mabul if you really want to live there. At least you can then actually walk on land once in a while

Cor

Read this, this is a place you might want to skip if you have less than 10 people.

http://www.damnam.org/forums/viewtopic.php?p=3360#3360

I can't agree with the opinion that SWV isn't flexible with schedules and doesn't cater to photographers. It's quite the opposite. A small group that needs to share a boat with others can't expect to dictate dive schedules for everybody. Since Sipadan itself is being cleared of its resorts, no dive operation is spared the 20-40 minute boat rides and weather conditions effect everybody. I don't think there's a resort there that is remotely as good as SWV.

The original poster also claimed that Kapalai is macro heaven. That may be true, but Mabul is equally good and the best sites vary. Some of my trips have had the best action at Kapalai but others have not. While the Kapalai resort has a great house reef, SWV's shore dive is fantastic as well. You just need to learn how to dive it.

I think the poster had either a personal issue with SWV or unreasonable expectations. No one there runs special boats through the crossing before sunrise for just a few divers on demand, and my understanding is that SWV will arrange that sort of dive is discussed in advance and it's been considered by my group. Several SWV divemasters are avid photographers, one even publishing books, and they are, as a group, very senstiive to photographers' needs.

A group of 6-8 will generally secure an entire boat at SWV.

Hi Craig, even though I loved SWV and would go back, I think the truth is in the middle. I also found the schedules limiting. We were just 2 people, and were put into a group with 5 non-photographers. Then the divemaster tried to set an underwater swimming record, so taking your time taking photos was a challenge to say the least. After 2 days we had enough and stopped using the boats. We just dove around the jetty, which was nice enough. I do think it's easier for slightly larger groups to get what you want, and seeing the experiences of others there, I think they actually did get what they wanted. Maybe if you insist hard enough you can have a better time. We're maybe too friendly

Now, even though that part of the trip was a little disappointing for us, everything else was amazing. The underwater life was incredible, the resort is extremely nice, the food wonderful, the people friendly. So I dont mean to discourage anyone, i would go back myself any time. Just take the bad with the good. Id give the whole experience an 8 out of 10.

Btw, which divemaster is publishing books? I only know about one from Kapalai.

Cor

Yoshi published at least one book shot entirely while at SWV. Don't know if he's there currently.

I think such a small group takes away a lot of flexibility. My group tries to bring "whole boat" quantities or book the whole resort/liveaboard if it's small enough. You gain so much that way. Sorry to hear about the divemaster since generally they are good. Perhaps it's what they thought the others on your boat wanted.