Dive Operators at Semporna
During my recent trip to Semporna, Sabah for diving, I found quite a few dive operators located all baby each other, just off the coast where all the good diving Islands area. My personal recommendation, being the only dive operator there which I've had experience with, is Borneo Global Sipadan, which has accommodation options of a nice backpacker's place which I talked about in this post, and a swankier hotel called Seafest Hotel.
The management of the dives by Borneo Global Sipadan was also pretty good. Good things about how they operate:
1) They clean your stuff for you
If you're diving several days, they will wash and store all your equipment for you daily until your last dive day, including your personal equipment (not rented from them). You don't need to wash and you don't need to lug all your stuff back and forth daily, which is good coz the backpackers place does not have any place to store and dry diving equipment (though I really think they should)
2) They will do the dive trip even with one person.
I know this for sure coz on my 2nd dive day, I was supposed to join 2 other divers from China who never turned up, leaving me being the sole diver. We went ahead without them and I had my guide's full attention, which was awesome
3) The local dive guide was awesome
I had positive experience with two guides, the first being a lady UK traveler and dive master who had just been there as a dive guide for a week, and the second (who was with me at Sipadan) whose a local man named Jefrey who has been there for years. While the lady was nice, it goes without saying that diving with a local guide is much more preferable, as they know the area much better and can easily point out the interesting parts of the dive. Jefrey was also great in that he helped me take lots of photos with the sea wildlife. The sharks and sea turtles here are so used to humans, you can go super close to them while they are resting, and if you don't alarm them, they won't swim away (Goes without saying that divers should NOT harass or manhandle the wildlife!)
Some things that maybe could have been improved is the backpackers place should have a place for washing and drying equipment for those of us who have finished our dives and need a place to clean and dry them. I did mine at the dorm and took up quite a bit of clothes-hanging space to dry my suit and gear. Fortunately the dorm was half occupied, else I would not have had any space, especially if there were other divers doing the same thing.
They also did not check my diving card or ask me to fill in any emergency forms, even though I told them I hadn't filled in the form yet. A good dive centre would check this, even though to some people it's a hassle, but in case of emergencies, they need your emergency contact numbers and if they don't have evidence that you have the diving experience you claim to have, they can get into trouble. In any case, it's always the primary responsibility of the diver to give truthful info as it's for your own safety.
So that's my experience with Borneo Global Backpackers diving. As I said before, there are a number of other dive operators located at the same area. I'm listing below the ones I saw while I was while walking around, but you, my lovely diving readers, will have to contact them on your own to get quotes and experience them for yourself. This list is just so you know what are the options of dive operators in the area. Click on the name of the operator to go to their website.
1) Seaventures Dive Rig
I have a friend who has experienced this operator. The accommodation is on a rig in the ocean itself. Security is good as anyone going on or out needs to be hauled up or down the rig on pulleys. Given the recent spates of kidnapping by Philippino pirates who tend to target travelers at water side resorts, this is a good option for anyone who wants to stay at the sea without worrying about pirates.
2) Scuba Junkie
3) Billabong Scuba
4) Borneo Speedy Dive & Tour Sdn. Bhd.
5) Semporna Blue Reef
6) Sipadan Scuba
7) Perfect Diver
Happy diving at Semporna!
The management of the dives by Borneo Global Sipadan was also pretty good. Good things about how they operate:
1) They clean your stuff for you
If you're diving several days, they will wash and store all your equipment for you daily until your last dive day, including your personal equipment (not rented from them). You don't need to wash and you don't need to lug all your stuff back and forth daily, which is good coz the backpackers place does not have any place to store and dry diving equipment (though I really think they should)
2) They will do the dive trip even with one person.
I know this for sure coz on my 2nd dive day, I was supposed to join 2 other divers from China who never turned up, leaving me being the sole diver. We went ahead without them and I had my guide's full attention, which was awesome
3) The local dive guide was awesome
I had positive experience with two guides, the first being a lady UK traveler and dive master who had just been there as a dive guide for a week, and the second (who was with me at Sipadan) whose a local man named Jefrey who has been there for years. While the lady was nice, it goes without saying that diving with a local guide is much more preferable, as they know the area much better and can easily point out the interesting parts of the dive. Jefrey was also great in that he helped me take lots of photos with the sea wildlife. The sharks and sea turtles here are so used to humans, you can go super close to them while they are resting, and if you don't alarm them, they won't swim away (Goes without saying that divers should NOT harass or manhandle the wildlife!)
Some things that maybe could have been improved is the backpackers place should have a place for washing and drying equipment for those of us who have finished our dives and need a place to clean and dry them. I did mine at the dorm and took up quite a bit of clothes-hanging space to dry my suit and gear. Fortunately the dorm was half occupied, else I would not have had any space, especially if there were other divers doing the same thing.
They also did not check my diving card or ask me to fill in any emergency forms, even though I told them I hadn't filled in the form yet. A good dive centre would check this, even though to some people it's a hassle, but in case of emergencies, they need your emergency contact numbers and if they don't have evidence that you have the diving experience you claim to have, they can get into trouble. In any case, it's always the primary responsibility of the diver to give truthful info as it's for your own safety.
So that's my experience with Borneo Global Backpackers diving. As I said before, there are a number of other dive operators located at the same area. I'm listing below the ones I saw while I was while walking around, but you, my lovely diving readers, will have to contact them on your own to get quotes and experience them for yourself. This list is just so you know what are the options of dive operators in the area. Click on the name of the operator to go to their website.
1) Seaventures Dive Rig
I have a friend who has experienced this operator. The accommodation is on a rig in the ocean itself. Security is good as anyone going on or out needs to be hauled up or down the rig on pulleys. Given the recent spates of kidnapping by Philippino pirates who tend to target travelers at water side resorts, this is a good option for anyone who wants to stay at the sea without worrying about pirates.
2) Scuba Junkie
3) Billabong Scuba
4) Borneo Speedy Dive & Tour Sdn. Bhd.
5) Semporna Blue Reef
6) Sipadan Scuba
7) Perfect Diver
Happy diving at Semporna!
