We asked, “Can you guarantee that we will get Sipadan permits to dive Sipadan every day?” to:

Borneo Divers
Explore Asia Tours (owners of Sipadan Mabul Resort (SMART) and Mabul Water Bungalows)
Seaventures Platform (the oil rig platform resort off Mabul Island)
Sipadan Water Village
Sipadan Kapalai Resort
Mabul Backpackers Lodge (Uncle Chang’s)
Scuba Junkies (based in Semporna)
Sipadan Diving Vacation and Dive Borneo (two agents)

Borneo Divers replied: “We cannot guarantee Sipadan Permits everyday but we normally do our best to assist”. That didn’t exactly fill us with confidence.

Explore Asia Tours (SMART and MWB) gave a more thorough reply. They said, “We cannot guarantee that you will get the permits to dive at Sipadan every day  during your stay with us as all daily entry to dive or visitation to Sipadan Island is subject to an approval from Sabah Parks Management, which is in control of issuing the entry permit. The total number of divers or visitors allowed to visit Sipadan Island is restricted now to 120 pax per day. However, should the entry permit to Sipadan Island is not been approved, you may opt to dive at nearby islands such as Si Amil, Roach Reef, Kapalai or Mabul for your alternative diving destinations as these islands are no restriction at all.”

Seaventures gave us a similar answer. They said, “Sipadan Permit is subject to availability. All daily entry to dive or visit Sipadan Island will be subject to approval by Sabah Park Management, which is in control of issuing the entry permit. Should the entry permit to Sipadan Island is not approved, we can offer alternative diving at nearby island such as Mabul, Kapalai Island...etc."

So far we’re not keen to hand over our money. We actually feel sorry for the resorts who seem as exasperated by this situation as the visiting divers.

Sipadan Water Village said that, “Entering Sipadan Island, require permit and may not be approved on certain days if the quota exceed. Approval is issued by Sabah Park early one day before entering therefore would not be able to tell in advance.  Sipadan at this present moment only allowed 120 persons per day. SWV hold no responsibility for not being able to dive everyday in Sipadan due to conservation done by our Government. We can only try our best to arrange every of our guests to dive at Sipadan”.

This is interesting because it suggests that there is no advantage to booking early (except to get availability). This seems like a crazy situation. Why not allow the resorts to apply for the permits well in advance so that early bookers can be assured a permit?

Continued >>

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