Koh Tao Diving

chilly wrote:
>
> "Steve Kramer" <steve@seatraveler.com> wrote in message
> news:3FCE9284.6729C971@seatraveler.com...
> >
> >
> >
> > I've posted reports of Sipadan several times, and of Sangalaki 200k
> > south of Sipadan which can be even more fascinating (see
> > http://www.seatraveler.com/Tripsang.htm for that report,) another on
> > diving in the Philippines ( http://seatraveler.com/coron.htm ) and
> > certainly about my years (not weeks,) spent diving all over this region.
> > A net search will bring them all up, and those wanting more detailed
> > info have always e-mailed me for more. No need to re-write it all again
> > here and start another debate.

> Debate?? (confused look, if I only knew the . . . :^( nah, that's not it .

*grin*

> OK, I'm just trying to figure out where I should be diving ithis spring . .
> . oh yeah . . and where to avoid you while I'm at it. heee hee

It's easy. If you're going to be in the S'pore area, dive Layang Layang,
Sipadan, or Sangalaki. Layang Layang will give you the best vacation
plus the best diving. Sipadan will give you fantastic diving and rough
vacation unless you stay on Mabul while you dive Sipadan. Sangalaki will
give you dozens of Giant Mantas on every dive, (without a DM forcing you
to sit in the sand and watch) a jelly fish lake, and a deep cavern dive
and only 9 bungalows so no crowds possible.

If you want wreck diving and are Nitrox certified (I believe you
are...) dive Coron Bay in the Philippines. Do NOT go to Cebu or Bohol.
You are too experienced a diver for those places.

If you don't want to travel that far from S'pore, dive Palau Tioman but
on the south end only! Dive Redang or the Perhentians. You can get to
any of these in less than an hour's flight from S'pore. The Perhentians
offer the best diving with the least development.

Do NOT go to Koh Tao. You need a more subtle Zen-like appreciation of
it's beauty to dive there... :o)

> (if I'd stayed in Koh Tao two more days, I'd have met you last time . . .)
> :^) :^)

Be still, my heart! If I had only known... :o)

Steve Kramer
Chiang Mai, Thailand
http://www.photoenvisions.com

--
"The voyage of discovery lies not in seeking new horizons,
but in seeing with new eyes." - Marcel Proust

On Fri, 05 Dec 2003 09:52:11 +0700, Steve Kramer <steve@seatraveler.com> wrote:
>plus the best diving. Sipadan will give you fantastic diving and rough
>vacation unless you stay on Mabul while you dive Sipadan.

What's rough about Sipadan?

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"Steve Kramer" <steve@seatraveler.com> wrote in message
news:3FCFF2DB.F69E4D23@seatraveler.com...
>
>
> > . oh yeah . . and where to avoid you while I'm at it. heee hee
>
> It's easy. If you're going to be in the S'pore area, dive Layang Layang,
> Sipadan, or Sangalaki. Layang Layang will give you the best vacation
> plus the best diving.

I've had friends tell me that I would be bored there.

>Sipadan will give you fantastic diving and rough
> vacation unless you stay on Mabul while you dive Sipadan. Sangalaki will
> give you dozens of Giant Mantas on every dive, (without a DM forcing you
> to sit in the sand and watch) a jelly fish lake, and a deep cavern dive
> and only 9 bungalows so no crowds possible.

As I understand it, if I'd be bored (diving aside that is) at Layang,
Layang, I'd also be bored at Sipadan.

>
> If you want wreck diving and are Nitrox certified (I believe you
> are...) dive Coron Bay in the Philippines. Do NOT go to Cebu or Bohol.
> You are too experienced a diver for those places.

I thought of that too, but it's too far off my route.

>
> If you don't want to travel that far from S'pore, dive Palau Tioman but
> on the south end only! Dive Redang or the Perhentians. You can get to
> any of these in less than an hour's flight from S'pore. The Perhentians
> offer the best diving with the least development.

Thanks for that Steve. Have you been to Manado? I've had friends tell me
that the diving is amazing.
I'm also leaning that way because I can get a direct flight and upon
landing, it's not too much of a hassle to get to the dive op/resort area.
>
> Do NOT go to Koh Tao. You need a more subtle Zen-like appreciation of
> it's beauty to dive there... :o)

I found Koh Tao a beautiful place and have always understood why you like to
go there to vacation. I did have one or two zennish dives, but it was not
enough to make me recommend that people travel halfway across the world to
dive there. However, if one is already in the vicinity, um, say on Koh
Samui, I'd recommend it. :^)

>
> > (if I'd stayed in Koh Tao two more days, I'd have met you last time . .
..)
> > :^) :^)
>
> Be still, my heart! If I had only known... :o)

LOL

Eric Edwards wrote:
>
> On Fri, 05 Dec 2003 09:52:11 +0700, Steve Kramer <steve@seatraveler.com> wrote:
> >plus the best diving. Sipadan will give you fantastic diving and rough
> >vacation unless you stay on Mabul while you dive Sipadan.
>
> What's rough about Sipadan?

The accommodations... but only when compared with those on Mabul or
Kappalai. This is NOT to imply that the accommodations on Sipadan itself
are bad. They aren't. They just are more 'rustic' and more packed
together when compared with those found on Mabul. You certainly can get
more beach dives done in one day when you stay on Sip itself, but you
can relax in the jacuzzi drinking a margarita at the end of the day's
diving when you stay on Mabul. Just a different sort of accommodations.
Same waters for diving.

Steve Kramer
Chiang Mai, Thailand
http://www.photoenvisions.com


--
"The voyage of discovery lies not in seeking new horizons,
but in seeing with new eyes." - Marcel Proust

"Dan Bracuk, CTHD" wrote:
>
> ese002@news9.exile.org (Eric Edwards) pounded away at his keyboard
> resulting in:
> :What's rough about Sipadan?
>
> Pirates that kidnap tourists.

Don't you just hate it when that happens!

We were there exactly 6 days before the hostages were taken off the
island that year... There, but for fortune...


Steve Kramer
Chiang Mai, Thailand
http://www.photoenvisions.com

--
"The voyage of discovery lies not in seeking new horizons,
but in seeing with new eyes." - Marcel Proust

On Fri, 05 Dec 2003 15:06:25 +0700, Steve Kramer <steve@seatraveler.com> wrote:
>
>
>Eric Edwards wrote:
>>
>> On Fri, 05 Dec 2003 09:52:11 +0700, Steve Kramer <steve@seatraveler.com> wrote:
>> >plus the best diving. Sipadan will give you fantastic diving and rough
>> >vacation unless you stay on Mabul while you dive Sipadan.
>>
>> What's rough about Sipadan?
>
>The accommodations... but only when compared with those on Mabul or
>Kappalai. This is NOT to imply that the accommodations on Sipadan itself
>are bad. They aren't. They just are more 'rustic' and more packed
>together when compared with those found on Mabul. You certainly can get
>more beach dives done in one day when you stay on Sip itself, but you
>can relax in the jacuzzi drinking a margarita at the end of the day's
>diving when you stay on Mabul. Just a different sort of accommodations.

I suppose that's true. When I came through, my concern was more about
trying to fit the experience into a backpackers budget. I stayed at
Borneo Divers. Accommodation was significantly more posh than my usual
fare and priced accordingly. However, I still wouldn't call it luxury.
My impression is that the other resorts are more upscale.

--
Use the From: header. Sending mail to ese002@news8.exile.org
or ese002@news7.exile.org will only result in frustration.

Eric Edwards wrote:
>
> On Fri, 05 Dec 2003 15:06:25 +0700, Steve Kramer <steve@seatraveler.com> wrote:
> >
> >
> >Eric Edwards wrote:
> >>
> >> On Fri, 05 Dec 2003 09:52:11 +0700, Steve Kramer <steve@seatraveler.com> wrote:
> >> >plus the best diving. Sipadan will give you fantastic diving and rough
> >> >vacation unless you stay on Mabul while you dive Sipadan.
> >>
> >> What's rough about Sipadan?
> >
> >The accommodations... but only when compared with those on Mabul or
> >Kappalai. This is NOT to imply that the accommodations on Sipadan itself
> >are bad. They aren't. They just are more 'rustic' and more packed
> >together when compared with those found on Mabul. You certainly can get
> >more beach dives done in one day when you stay on Sip itself, but you
> >can relax in the jacuzzi drinking a margarita at the end of the day's
> >diving when you stay on Mabul. Just a different sort of accommodations.
>
> I suppose that's true. When I came through, my concern was more about
> trying to fit the experience into a backpackers budget. I stayed at
> Borneo Divers. Accommodation was significantly more posh than my usual
> fare and priced accordingly. However, I still wouldn't call it luxury.
> My impression is that the other resorts are more upscale.

For the average maniac diver who will be more than happy to sleep under
a tarp on the beach if the diving is good, all the accommodations on
Sipadan are more than comfortable enough. Even for those wishing a bit
of comfort, it can be found there too.

But for a family with a couple of kids, or some of us 'chronologically
challenged' divers, we prefer a firmer bed, hot water showers, and
someone to carry our tanks for us (not that we 'can't, it's that we
don't 'want' to...) The 'SMART' (Sipadan-Mabul Resort) resort on Mabul
http://www.seatraveler.com/photos3.htm provides beach umbrellas, waiters
bringing cool drinks out to you, a jacuzzi and swimming pool for the
kids, lots of palm trees and yet is only an 8 minute boat ride from
Barracuda Point. Here is a view of Sipadan taken from Mabul
http://www.seatraveler.com/pages/sipadan.htm And remember, Sip is only
150 meters long... It's close!

The Sipadan Water Village Resort on the opposite side of Mabul island is
just as lovely, but built on stilts and lacks the palm trees. Everything
is linked via boardwalks, has a great restaurant, but the prices are
significantly higher so if budget is more of a concern, you are better
off staying on Sipadan. And, as I said, you can make 6-8 dives a day if
you stay on the island... and if you don't bend easily. *grin*


Steve Kramer
Chiang Mai, Thailand
http://www.photoenvisions.com


--
"The voyage of discovery lies not in seeking new horizons,
but in seeing with new eyes." - Marcel Proust

On Fri, 05 Dec 2003 17:40:17 +0700, Steve Kramer <steve@seatraveler.com> wrote:
>But for a family with a couple of kids, or some of us 'chronologically
>challenged' divers, we prefer a firmer bed, hot water showers, and

As I recall, the beds at Borneo Divers were quite nice. Not just better
than average for a backpacker but actually nice. Hot showers too. No
jacuzzi, beach waiters, or swimming pool, of course.

[snip]
>significantly higher so if budget is more of a concern, you are better
>off staying on Sipadan. And, as I said, you can make 6-8 dives a day if
>you stay on the island... and if you don't bend easily. *grin*

IMHO, trying to do 6-8 dives a day is just plain nuts. Most people only
do the 3 boat dives and maybe a night dive. As a backpacker, this is a
drawback to Sipadan. I would prefer to dive 2-3 times per day for maybe
2 days, take a day off, and repeat. But staying at Sipadan costs too
much if you are not diving.

--
Use the From: header. Sending mail to ese002@news8.exile.org
or ese002@news7.exile.org will only result in frustration.

"chilly" <slarson@shaw.canada> wrote in message news:<E5Pvb.461479$6C4.276885@pd7tw1no>...

> Not if I ask you straight out, it doesn't. And by the way, I am asking you
> straight out because I'll be in SE Asia in April and May. I will be
> visiting sister in Singapore and father in Jakarta and am currently
> searching for a dive component for my vacation. Something idyllic, with
> great diving and a bit of nightlife. Know any place like that, relatively
> easy to access from Singapore or Jakarta?

chilly bean, my sources have this to say :

There are some really fabulous places that have both but that is their
monsoon season so that nixs them. If she really wants night life I
guess I'd have to say Bali or Caines, Australia would be the only
places I can think of.

Kuta Beach is Bali's hot spot, but that's where the bombing was too.
Bali's diving gets mixed reviews. From friends of ours dove there,
some loved it, some said it wasn't worth it. We do have a friend who
used to teach there if she ends up wanted recommended dive sites.

As for Caines, that would be late fall I think. When we were there in
July, on land was nice (like Florida in the winter) but the water is
freezing and we wore full wetsuits. Liveaboards from there will
obviously get her out seeing more of the Great Barrier Reef but there
were tons of day trips being run all over town. We really liked
Cairs, it was like a step back into the 70's in many ways. However,
there were no direct flights there from S'pore when we went and it
ended up taking us 10 hrs. to get there.

On the other hand, great diving who's night life would depend on who
else is around when you get there is all around here in May. Our
favorites for bang for the buck at that time of year were Manado and
Sipidan.

Sipidan of course everyone has heard of and I think you heard us rave
about the marine life we saw there (the reefs though are phaa). We
never felt unsafe, there was alot of military presence.

Manado's diving reminded us of Bloody Bay Wall in Little Cayman.
Since we were there last there is now a liveaboard which friends of
ours are loving 'cause it pulls in muck diving sites too.

There are also alot of places closer to S'pore at that time of year
that can be pretty great too, but some of their accommodations can get
(to American standards) rustic. Tioman for one has some great sites
and is cheap. We went several times but ultimately decided we
preferred to travel elsewhere (personal preference, we know many
people in S'pore who go every weekend). I can give you more if you
want.
-----------
Lemme know if you want more info. :)

Steve Kramer <steve@seatraveler.com> wrote in message news:<3FD04165.A030F447@seatraveler.com>...
<snip>

> If you are going for the diving, no. Period. If you are going for the
> partying, probably. Unless you've dived in Palau or the Red Sea, you've
> never had diving like you'll find off the coast of Borneo. But for night
> life, you can watch the turtles lay eggs, watch other turtles lay eggs,
> or perhaps watch some more turtles lay eggs. Personally, when I'm on
> tropical paradise sort of islands, I prefer to watch turtles lay eggs
> rather than listening to loud music and watching people getting drunk.

Dang Steve. If that's all it takes to please ya, then you should
vacation on the southern NC beaches. They have a strict policy for
protecting the turtles there and every year, we see plenty of nests.
But the absolute finest is seeing a nest hatch. We all go out on the
beach watching the babies, who are each about 2 or 3 in long, make
their way across the sand into the ocean. That's pretty cool. It ranks
up there with watching the cuttlefish lay her eggs. Hmm. And maybe
seeing the Flashlight Fish. Ohh... the time we snorkeled with those
whales off the Baja. And wait...the time that........ <grin>