weather and diving
Latest update: 23 May 2008
Weather After a nice high season, some unusual rains in April though, the wind has shifted. After this wind direction change we always have some unsettled weather, and that is happening at the moment. It is partly sunny and cloudy today; there is a slight breezewind, the seas are calm.
The diving is very nice at the moment, with quite lots of ghost pipe fish, frogfish and seahorses at Shark Point, Bida Islands and Koh Doc Mai.
Temperatures of appx. 33 degrees Celsius (90 Fahrenheit), sea temperatures of 29 degrees Celsius (84 Fahrenheit).At this blog we have started giving daily updates of the weather here in the area, along with news about our diving center. Check out this website for a lot of our photos, all made by our guests and guides.
Visibility The visibility is ok at the moment. On average: Similans 20 meters, Racha Noi 20 meters, Racha Yai 15-20 meters, Phi Phi 10-15 meters, Shark Point area 10-15 meters, Hin Daeng/Muang 15-20 meters, no diving at Kata Beach. Visibility in the area varies a lot day by day.Sightings Besides the usual things to see, there are lots of leopard sharks at the moment, and also the number of white tip and black tip reef sharks has risen dramatically since last year. And there are of course the usual things to see. At Similans, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock there are apart from the pretty standard nursesharks, leopard sharks and reefsharks also humphead parrot fish, Napoleons and quite a few turtles. At these sites we also see nice small life like harlequin shrimp, nudibranches, etc.
At Shark Point: seahorse, nursesharks and of course leopard sharks; at Anemone Reef turtles, nursesharks and quite often a leopard shark in the 5 meter range; at Koh Doc Mai 2 seahorses and a frogfish; 3 different shark species, plenty of scorpion and lion fish and also a turtle at King Cruiser.Turtles, see needles, a frogfish and frequently manta rays at Racha Islands; turtles, leopard sharks, seahorses and different types of reefshark at Phi Phi.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Converted Oil Rig Diving in Sipadan
Dear fellow niche divers
You're invited to join me and my wife on a 5 DAY 4 NIGHT fun trip exploring the underworld beauty of Sipadan from July 24-28 this year. This will be one of your perfect diving adventures.
Since we are staying on a converted oil rig (the only one in the world if I'm not mistaken) that sits in the middle of the sea, we could make daily trips easily to Mabul (1 kilometer away) and Sipadan (20 minutes away), INSTEAD of making repeated long trips from Semporna (if we were to stay on the mainland) to dive.
ON TOP of that, we can make unlimited house-reef dives from the rig.
We get all these at the following price for Malaysians (subject to changes soon) based on Twin Share Basis:
4 Days 3 Nights Seaventures Diving Package: RM1560.00 Per Diver*
Every Extension Night (Stay more than 4 nights): RM415.00 Per Diver Per Night*
Sipadan Permit: RM40.00 Per Diver Per Day/Night/Entry*
Excluding flight, equipment, and additional 1 night stay in Tawau.
For your information, I'm arranging the following itinerary to optimize dive time and travel comvenience.
Day 1 – July 24 Arrival at dive resort (Lunch/Dinner)
Take flight to Tawau Airport. Land transfer to Semporna (about 1 hour journey). Boat transfer from Jetty to Seaventures Dive Resort (about 45 minutes journey).1 orientation dive + 1 boat dive at Mabul Island (Subject to change without prior notice) + unlimited housereef dive with own buddy + night dive (with own buddy)
Day 2 – July 25 (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
3 daily boat dive (Sipadan / Mabul / Kapalai) + Unlimited house reef dive with own buddy + Night Dive at house reef with own buddy
Day 3 – July 26 (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
3 daily boat dive (Sipadan / Mabul / Kapalai) + Unlimited house reef dive with own buddy + Night Dive at house reef with own buddy
Day 4 – July 27 Departure (Breakfast/Lunch)
After early lunch check-out & transfer you to the Tawau Airport by flight to Kota Kinabalu then connect flight back to home OR
(THIS IS OUR OPTION!) So that we can make another 2 dives since we're not flying on the same day.After lunch at resort, around 1400hrs, check-out & transfer you to Semporna/Tawau Town. Note: No. of dive depend on flight time on next day.(Please bear in mind of requirement for the surface interval before flight on next time.)
Day 5 – July 28 Home Sweet Home
Relax after a night's rest and take either morning flight or afternoon flight according to your schedule and personal flight arrangements.
TOTAL NUMBER OF PROJECTED DIVES: 10 day dives + 3 night dives (or more depending on YOU and DIVE CONDITIONS)
If you prefer a 3 days 2 nights package, please let me know so I can work out the details.
Note:
Sipadan Permit is subject to availability. Once permit is booked, subject to 100% cancellation charges. 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 will make alternative diving at nearby island such as Mabul, Kapalai Island...etc.
Diving is subject to coincide with our scheduled transfer or subject to charge accordingly.
- 15% discount for the non diver from the diver rate
- 50% discount for the children below 12 years old (non diver)
- Dive scheduling and grouping arrangement of divers shall be determined by the resort staff
- All the diving schedules are subject to change without prior notice & subject to sea and weather condition
Package Rates includes:
1. EX-TAWAU Package: Return land & boat transfer between Tawau Airport/Tawau Town - Seaventures Dive Resort
2. Fullboard Meals & Beverage (Excluding alcoholic & carbonated drinks)
3. Twin share accommodation in fully air-conditioning cabin attached bathroom with hot shower.
4. 3 Daily boat dive ( 2 boat dive at Sipadan Island + 1 boat dive at Mabul/Kapalai Island) + night dive at house reef with buddy system.
5. Tanks, weights and weight belt.
6. Unlimited housereef dive with buddy system.
7. Free use of internet broadband services.
Equipment Rental Rates (Per Day)
1. BCD RM25.00
2. Regulator W/Gauge RM25.00
3. Mask & Snorkel RM15.00
4. Fins RM10.00
5. Wetsuit RM25.00
* Full set Equipment Rental Rate (Per Day): RM100.00
For Unscheduled Return Transfer:
• Land Transfer: An additional of RM120.00 Per Person
• Boat Transfer: An additional of RM300.00 Per Person
Facilities:
* Accommodation with fully air-conditioned & attached bathroom with hot shower
* Karaoke Lounge with VCD movies
* Sundeck Lounge (also serves as open-air area)
* Maindeck Lounge (also serves as open-air dining area)
* Restaurant
* Game Room - Pool table
* Fully equipped Conference Room (accommodated 60 persons)
* PADI Diving course (up to Assistant Instructor Lavel)
* Internet Access
You are require to provide full name according to passport, passport number, gender, nationality & flight details of the guests. All guests are required to sign a liability release (waiver) and express assumption of risk upon arrival and abide by all diving and safety rules. Unused portions of tour packages are not refundable once tour commences.
You're invited to join me and my wife on a 5 DAY 4 NIGHT fun trip exploring the underworld beauty of Sipadan from July 24-28 this year. This will be one of your perfect diving adventures.
Since we are staying on a converted oil rig (the only one in the world if I'm not mistaken) that sits in the middle of the sea, we could make daily trips easily to Mabul (1 kilometer away) and Sipadan (20 minutes away), INSTEAD of making repeated long trips from Semporna (if we were to stay on the mainland) to dive.
ON TOP of that, we can make unlimited house-reef dives from the rig.
We get all these at the following price for Malaysians (subject to changes soon) based on Twin Share Basis:
4 Days 3 Nights Seaventures Diving Package: RM1560.00 Per Diver*
Every Extension Night (Stay more than 4 nights): RM415.00 Per Diver Per Night*
Sipadan Permit: RM40.00 Per Diver Per Day/Night/Entry*
Excluding flight, equipment, and additional 1 night stay in Tawau.
For your information, I'm arranging the following itinerary to optimize dive time and travel comvenience.
Day 1 – July 24 Arrival at dive resort (Lunch/Dinner)
Take flight to Tawau Airport. Land transfer to Semporna (about 1 hour journey). Boat transfer from Jetty to Seaventures Dive Resort (about 45 minutes journey).1 orientation dive + 1 boat dive at Mabul Island (Subject to change without prior notice) + unlimited housereef dive with own buddy + night dive (with own buddy)
Day 2 – July 25 (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
3 daily boat dive (Sipadan / Mabul / Kapalai) + Unlimited house reef dive with own buddy + Night Dive at house reef with own buddy
Day 3 – July 26 (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
3 daily boat dive (Sipadan / Mabul / Kapalai) + Unlimited house reef dive with own buddy + Night Dive at house reef with own buddy
Day 4 – July 27 Departure (Breakfast/Lunch)
After early lunch check-out & transfer you to the Tawau Airport by flight to Kota Kinabalu then connect flight back to home OR
(THIS IS OUR OPTION!) So that we can make another 2 dives since we're not flying on the same day.After lunch at resort, around 1400hrs, check-out & transfer you to Semporna/Tawau Town. Note: No. of dive depend on flight time on next day.(Please bear in mind of requirement for the surface interval before flight on next time.)
Day 5 – July 28 Home Sweet Home
Relax after a night's rest and take either morning flight or afternoon flight according to your schedule and personal flight arrangements.
TOTAL NUMBER OF PROJECTED DIVES: 10 day dives + 3 night dives (or more depending on YOU and DIVE CONDITIONS)
If you prefer a 3 days 2 nights package, please let me know so I can work out the details.
Note:
Sipadan Permit is subject to availability. Once permit is booked, subject to 100% cancellation charges. 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 will make alternative diving at nearby island such as Mabul, Kapalai Island...etc.
Diving is subject to coincide with our scheduled transfer or subject to charge accordingly.
- 15% discount for the non diver from the diver rate
- 50% discount for the children below 12 years old (non diver)
- Dive scheduling and grouping arrangement of divers shall be determined by the resort staff
- All the diving schedules are subject to change without prior notice & subject to sea and weather condition
Package Rates includes:
1. EX-TAWAU Package: Return land & boat transfer between Tawau Airport/Tawau Town - Seaventures Dive Resort
2. Fullboard Meals & Beverage (Excluding alcoholic & carbonated drinks)
3. Twin share accommodation in fully air-conditioning cabin attached bathroom with hot shower.
4. 3 Daily boat dive ( 2 boat dive at Sipadan Island + 1 boat dive at Mabul/Kapalai Island) + night dive at house reef with buddy system.
5. Tanks, weights and weight belt.
6. Unlimited housereef dive with buddy system.
7. Free use of internet broadband services.
Equipment Rental Rates (Per Day)
1. BCD RM25.00
2. Regulator W/Gauge RM25.00
3. Mask & Snorkel RM15.00
4. Fins RM10.00
5. Wetsuit RM25.00
* Full set Equipment Rental Rate (Per Day): RM100.00
For Unscheduled Return Transfer:
• Land Transfer: An additional of RM120.00 Per Person
• Boat Transfer: An additional of RM300.00 Per Person
Facilities:
* Accommodation with fully air-conditioned & attached bathroom with hot shower
* Karaoke Lounge with VCD movies
* Sundeck Lounge (also serves as open-air area)
* Maindeck Lounge (also serves as open-air dining area)
* Restaurant
* Game Room - Pool table
* Fully equipped Conference Room (accommodated 60 persons)
* PADI Diving course (up to Assistant Instructor Lavel)
* Internet Access
You are require to provide full name according to passport, passport number, gender, nationality & flight details of the guests. All guests are required to sign a liability release (waiver) and express assumption of risk upon arrival and abide by all diving and safety rules. Unused portions of tour packages are not refundable once tour commences.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Going on your first dive vacation WOW!?
OWD Training starts in March!
Have you been to Phuket? Are you keen to be a certified diver? You can do both!
Nothing like doing your open water certification and straightaway exploring the exciting depths of the Andaman! And instead of stressing out in an intensive 4-day 3-night program on a local island, enjoy the sights and pleasures underwater and on land in a 5-day 4-night trip to one of Asia's preferred vacation destination.
Kill two birds with one stone.
I'm planning another dive to Phuket at the end of April, May, and June (Dates subject to confirmation)
So sign up this month and start preparing for dives.
Here's some helpful information for those of you who are keen.
How do you begin?
Sign up for a customised training and get your personal set of PADI dive materials. Read at your own pace and watch the DVD that goes with it. Master your dive theories and practical dive techniques in the comfort and safety of a cozy swimming pool first. Give your friendly diving coach A.K.A John Beh :D more time to help you be a better diver.
What's your investment to be a qualified diver?
Only RM650 (Training fees and open water certification)
Which includes:
Five dive theory modules, quizzes, and a final exam.
Five confined water practical dive skils with pool rental, dive equipment and personal gear, tanks, belts and weights thrown in.
Personal coaching until you are confident to make the dive!
How much does your first dive holiday cost?
When you're ready to dive and go on your holiday, you may choose from a low RM700 to a RM1200 package ((depending on luxury level) for a complete 5day4night trip.
Which includes:
Four required assessment/training dives and additional FUN dive or more (subject to weather and time constraints)
Accommodation including breakfasts/lunches
Transit to/from jetty and/or dive sites
Rental of tanks, belts, weights, dive equipment, and boats
PADI fees and your PADI Diver Card
What next?
You'll be receive your certification in a customized graduation party! And invited to the next dive trip at special rates!!! and pick your personal dive equipment also at special rates!!! (personal guarantee from your friendly instructor :D)
BUT FIRST... SIGN UP AND MAKE YOUR DIVE!
FOR those of you who are certified divers and want to join me for some fun dives, it's as low as RM700-1500 depending how many dives and what type of dives you'd like to make!!!
From the choppy currents of Koh Doc Mai that will swirl ou past a wall of aquatic splendor, to exploring the 83meter-long sunken Kingcruiser wreck 33meters plus deep that is home to variety of sea life, and other exotic dive sites.
Have you been to Phuket? Are you keen to be a certified diver? You can do both!
Nothing like doing your open water certification and straightaway exploring the exciting depths of the Andaman! And instead of stressing out in an intensive 4-day 3-night program on a local island, enjoy the sights and pleasures underwater and on land in a 5-day 4-night trip to one of Asia's preferred vacation destination.
Kill two birds with one stone.
I'm planning another dive to Phuket at the end of April, May, and June (Dates subject to confirmation)
So sign up this month and start preparing for dives.
Here's some helpful information for those of you who are keen.
How do you begin?
Sign up for a customised training and get your personal set of PADI dive materials. Read at your own pace and watch the DVD that goes with it. Master your dive theories and practical dive techniques in the comfort and safety of a cozy swimming pool first. Give your friendly diving coach A.K.A John Beh :D more time to help you be a better diver.
What's your investment to be a qualified diver?
Only RM650 (Training fees and open water certification)
Which includes:
Five dive theory modules, quizzes, and a final exam.
Five confined water practical dive skils with pool rental, dive equipment and personal gear, tanks, belts and weights thrown in.
Personal coaching until you are confident to make the dive!
How much does your first dive holiday cost?
When you're ready to dive and go on your holiday, you may choose from a low RM700 to a RM1200 package ((depending on luxury level) for a complete 5day4night trip.
Which includes:
Four required assessment/training dives and additional FUN dive or more (subject to weather and time constraints)
Accommodation including breakfasts/lunches
Transit to/from jetty and/or dive sites
Rental of tanks, belts, weights, dive equipment, and boats
PADI fees and your PADI Diver Card
What next?
You'll be receive your certification in a customized graduation party! And invited to the next dive trip at special rates!!! and pick your personal dive equipment also at special rates!!! (personal guarantee from your friendly instructor :D)
BUT FIRST... SIGN UP AND MAKE YOUR DIVE!
FOR those of you who are certified divers and want to join me for some fun dives, it's as low as RM700-1500 depending how many dives and what type of dives you'd like to make!!!
From the choppy currents of Koh Doc Mai that will swirl ou past a wall of aquatic splendor, to exploring the 83meter-long sunken Kingcruiser wreck 33meters plus deep that is home to variety of sea life, and other exotic dive sites.
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