#572
Dive buddy needed at Kapalai-Sipadan (Borneo Malaysia) mid December
kc_moses76 - 8/09/2010 11:07 AM
Category: Buddy Wanted
Replies: 8

Hi all,


I’m visiting my family in Sabah in December and will dive at Sipadan, one of the world class dive sites. I stayed at the Seaventure resort last time and this time I would like to stay at Kapalai, which is a world class facility resort. I’m wondering if anyone want to share a room and perhaps be my dive buddy.



This is the dive resort: http://www.sipadan-kapalai.com/diving.html



Don’t forget to click on the Kapalai Dive Resort Image gallery/slideshow: http://www.dive-malaysia.com/index.html





I’m interested at the 5 Days 4 night package, which is about US$1000



Here is the pricing and dive info:

SIPADAN-KAPALAI DIVE RESORT
certified Diver price
4D 3N RM 2,480
5D 4N RM 3,280 recommended min. stay period
6D 5N RM 4,080
7D 6N RM 4,880
Rates based on per person & on twin sharing of room basis. Valid until 31 March 2011
Additional night RM 810 per night
Non-diver resorters less 20% from above rates. No entry to Sipadan for non-divers
Single person occupancy add 50% to above rates
What’s included in the above package
 DIVES. 3 boat dives daily with resort divemaster combination of Mabul & Kapalai except on check-in & check-out days. Stay a minimum 4 nights & resort will arrange 1 day’s diving in Sipadan - 3 to 4 dives per day for you. This is not guaranteed esp. in high season as permit subject to Sabah Parks’ approval based on quota of 120 permits daily for all visitors to Sipadan. 
- Unlimited house reef diveswith a buddy at jetty in front of the resort.
- Use of tanks, weights & weight belt
- Transfer land & boat Tawau town-Tawau airport-Semporna-Resort standard schedule. No discount for joining at Semporna. Flight tickets not
#572
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kc_moses76 - 8/09/2010 11:10 AM
Looks like the post has text length limitation, here is the continue part:




- ACCOMMODATIONtwin-share in airy & comfortable wooden chalet attached bathroom & private balcony at the resort built over the water

- MEALSdaily buffet-style breakfasts, lunches, afternoon snacks after 3rd dive & dinners. Tea & coffee, water & cordial on self-service throughout the day
 
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
- Rental of diving equipment BC Reg MFS Booties RM95 per set per day
- Rental of wetsuits, torch & dive computer is extra.
- Also not included are bar bills for alcohol & cigarettes etc
 
BOAT SCHEDULE
Semporna - Kapalai 0930 1200 1530 hrs
Kapalai - Semporna 0630 1030 1330 hrs


As you can see, Single occupancy is 50% higher. I’m in Kansas, US, so if you want to call me to discuss about it, I’m up for it.
I have the Diveshop/Travel company info so you will have to book your dive trip through them instead of through me. But if you just tell them you will pair up with me, that should work.
Any question, just ask, my family is in Kota Kinabalu so they can check out pricing etc for me easily. 
Thanks!


From,
Moses
#1920
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ArchimedesPrinciple - 8/09/2010 12:45 PM
You will love the area. I have dove Sipadan, Mabul and Kapalai and it is by far the best that I have ever experienced
#572
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kc_moses76 - 8/12/2010 11:17 AM
CraigSmith,


I have to cancel my Kapalai resort stay because they want to charge me 1.5X the price of regular diver due to the fact that I must have my own room. I would still dive at Sipadan, but I will be staying at Seaventure instead. Seaventure is a budget diving resort that’s converted from an oil rig. I went there in 2008 and you can see my journal and experience around the area:



http://www.mosesong.com/travel/sipadan_trip08a.htm



The only different between Seaventure and Kapalai is Kapalai is a world class resort the the dining area, the bed furniture etc is nicer. I just can’t justify spending US$1500 for 5 days at Kapalai while I can spend about US$1000 in Seaventure for the same amount of dive and stay. They both serve buffet meals. The boat go out to the same area, Kapalai, Mabul and Sipadan. So the diving itself is not much different, they just hike be price because of the resort facility/view.



I plan to be at Sipadan from Dec 15 - 19.



The journey should be international flight to Sabah, Kota Kinabalu. Then from Kota Kinabalu, you would fly to Tawau/Semporna (East coast of Sabah), then the resort crew will pick you up from the airport and transport you to the boat, from boat they will take you to the resort. You can look up my journal from the boat to the resort and diving part.



From,

Moses
#572
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kc_moses76 - 8/12/2010 11:21 AM
BTW, any of you who are interested to go to the area, just contact me so I can give you the travel agent I use to book the dive packages.
#1920
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ArchimedesPrinciple - 8/13/2010 4:01 PM


 


We were on the Celebes Explorer liveaboard.


As with all liveaboards, it’s nice to wake up in the morning on top of your dive site and then move to another while you are eating, napping etc.
#160
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Cashmere_Mist - 10/23/2010 2:08 PM


Aww...not the right timing. I’m looking for a buddy for Sipadan, too...but for next year.


I probably would have to get in touch with you on the info :)


Have fun and make me envious...hah!
#572
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kc_moses76 - 10/23/2010 8:20 PM
Ahh.... that’s too bad. I try to go back to Sabah every other year. May be in 2012 we can dive Lembeh Indonesia?

Feel free to add me as buddy. This time I will be staying at Mabul Island, it will be less boring than Seaventure because there is beach and plant to enjoy! I will dive there Dec 10th to 14th.