Malaysia – Tailor-made Diving Holidays

Kuala Lumpur

Fondly referred to as KL, Kuala Lumpur is one of Asia’s most dynamic capitals. Home to the world’s tallest twin towers and other skyscrapers, KL is not only the commercial hub of the country, with great shopping but also the cultural centre with a vibrant arts and music scene. With parks, museums, galleries and great restaurants there is something for everyone.

The Millennium Kuala Lumpur is located in today’s most exciting location in Kuala Lumpur – Bintang Walk, you will have a wide selection of dining and entertainment as well as shopping within easy walking distance.

A contemporary and award-winning gem in the very centre of bustling Bukit Bintang makes the Capitol Hotel a firm favourite. Right in the heart of the city’s major business and shopping districts, amidst the amazing shopper’s and dining paradise. Eight of the city’s most popular shopping malls are in the vicinity.

Sabah

Sabah is known the world over for its natural wonders, which include Kinabalu National Park, where rare species of flora and fauna are found, including the Rafflesia, the largest flower in the world. Then there is the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary, Pulau Sipadan with its turtles and marine fauna, the vast rainforest with all that it has to offer and of course there are the people, consisting of 31 different indigenous groups.

• Named after the highest peak in Southeast Asia, Kota Kinabalu, generally referred to as KK, is the capital of Sabah. The Hyatt Regency Kinabalu is in the heart of Kota Kinabalu’s shopping, banking and entertainment district overlooking the coral islands of the Tunku Abdhul Rahman National Park. Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort is an award winning 25-acre seaside resort boasting newly refurbished rooms and modern 5-star facilities.
• Gomantong Caves – These massive, cathedral-like, caverns lie concealed amongst the rainforest and are home to literally millions of swiftlets and bats. Stay in the Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge and take a leisurely late afternoon cruise up the Kinabatangan River, to Menanggul River, to search for wildlife, including notably Proboscis Monkeys relaxing in waterside trees. Kinabatangan River – The floodplain of this waterway is a low-lying wilderness of dense forest and oxbow lakes. Explore the area by boat and on foot , when you may encounter rare bird-life and even the wild Asian Elephants.
• Sepilok Orang-Utan Sanctuary – Spend two nights at Sepilok Nature Resort, and experience in full the world famous Sepilok Orang-utan Centre. Here visitors will witness first hand an exciting conservation programme in action and come into close contact with the remarkable ‘man of the forest:’ the Orang-utan. Established in 1964 , to help once captive or displaced Orang-utans to learn to fend for themselves in the wild, the sanctuary is located at the edge of the Kabili Sepilok Forest Reserve, which is 43 square kilometres of old, beautiful and fascinating rainforest. Sepilok is an excellent opportunity to walk the Borneo rainforest without the need to organize a major expedition. Discover the diversity of plants, ferns, climbing plants, insects, wildlife – including 277 different species of birds – and at least 300 varieties of trees.
• Rungus Longhouse – Fly to Kota Kinabalu before continuing to meet some of the Rungus tribe and spend a night in one of their longhouses (basic accommodation), allowing you to experience and participate in the local customs. The longhouse itself is made of trees that bring good luck, the roof from leaves, the walls from tree bark, the floor from small, split tree trunks tightened and held together by rattan bark strips and the whole construction is on stilts. Poring Hot Spring – Here you can experience the remarkable canopy walkway, allowing you the opportunity to see the tree-top fauna of this lowland rainforest by day or night. The area is also the best region in which to find the rare and gigantic Rafflesia – the world’s largest flower. There will also be time to take a dip or soak in the open air Japanese hot baths.
• Climbing Mount Kinabalu – Kinabalu National Park is one of amazing biodiversity and towering out of the mist above the jungle is the mighty Mount Kinabalu, 4,101 metres at its summit. Ascending the mountain you will experience the magic of this tropical wilderness; walking between huge trees and under a canopy festooned with creepers, ferns and orchids., until you reach the summit surrounded by butterflies, endemic birds and unsurpassed views.

Sipadan

Visiting this small rainforest-covered tropical island, rising from a 650 metre abyss in the Celebes Sea, is a must for the committed diver, with unmatched underwater attractions – more fish, more turtles, more coral and more diversity. With the variety of pelagics such as Manta, and Eagle Rays, Scalloped Hammerhead, and Whale Sharks, and the abundance of species on offer, seeing 10 turtles in one dive is not uncommon, nor is seeing a school of 300 barracuda. Each dive at Sipadan is a highly anticipated event.

Sipadan’s varied marine topography makes it an astonishing place to dive, with caves, walls, canyons, plateaux and overhangs. Green, Hawksbill and Leatherback Turtles are regular inhabitants of Sipadan Island, coming ashore in season to lay their eggs on the island’s pristine beaches. Diving is good all year round but the best is mid-February to mid-December, with visibility from 20 to over 60 metres. In order to preserve the island’s fragile eco-system, guests are no long able to stay on the island itself but can stay on Kapalai and Mabul, both of which are a mere 15 minute boat ride away.

Diving at Sipadan is by permit only. Currently the Saba Parks government department allows only 120 divers per day. This quota is shared between local dive operators, on a first come basis. Applications for permits are subject to government approval and we apply on your behalf at time of booking. Therefore early booking is recommended. Permits cost $12 per day, which may be added to your invoice or collected locally; we will advise at time of booking. Note: Celebes Explorer dives Sipadan four times per week, and the permit fee of $48 will be added to your invoice.

• Please note: although correct at the time of writing, this information is subject to change.

Kapalai

Once an island, Kapalai has suffered dramatically from erosion and now all that remains is a sand bar, perched on the Ligitan Reefs. Just 15 minutes from Sipadan, Kapalai is a total contrast, being one of the best ‘muck diving’ areas in the world. It is well known for diverse macro life, featuring rare subjects from Fire, Partner, and Sleeper Gobies, Dragonets, Wasp or Leaf Fish, gurnards, sea moths, tame Crocodile Fish, Giant Frogfish of different colours, eels, rays and more – the area is a mecca for macro connoisseurs and photographers with an eye for cleverly camouflaged oddities.

Kapalai Dive Resort is actually a secluded water village built above the reef on stilts. Comprising 20 bungalows, comfortably furnished and en-suite, each boasting spectacular views from a roomy, private balcony. The open wooden walkways that connect the entire resort allow excellent views of the reef and its inhabitants. A large communal western sun deck, ideal for that sundowner, leads to the practically non-existent beach – a sand bar that only emerges during low tide. For non-divers, Kapalai’s underwater-life can also be enjoyed by snorkelling. There are three guided boat dives a day and unlimited shore and night diving in front of the resort.

Mabul

Mabul Island is only a 15 minute boat ride from Sipadan and, like Kapalai, is famous for its macro diving and has gained a reputation as one of the best ‘muck diving’ sites in the world. Mabul is a small, oval shaped island surrounded by sandy beaches and perched on the north-west corner of a larger 200-hectare reef. The reef is on the edge of the continental shelf and the surrounding seabed slopes out to depths of 25-30 metres.

Flamboyant Cuttlefish, Blue-ringed Octopus, Mimic Octopus and Bobtail Squid are just a few of the numerous types of Cephalopoda to be found on Mabul’s reef. Many types of gobies can be found including the Spike fin, Black Sail-fin, and Metallic Shrimp Goby. Frogfish are everywhere and Giant, Painted, and Clown Frogfish are all regularly seen. Moray Eels and Snake Eels of many types can be found, along with almost the whole scorpion fish family. It would be quicker to list the species not found at Mabul; crazy critters are in abundance at this magical macro site!

Sipadan Water Village, on the island of Mabul, offers you the excitement of superb diving along with comfort and relaxation. The village, fringed by beautiful corals, pearl white sands and amazing marine beauty, is the perfect place to relax and unwind, with 39 cottages built on wooden stilts over the Celebes Sea. Each cottage has a private sundeck and deckchairs and include ceiling fan, hairdryer, tea and coffee making facilities, and private shower with hot and cold water.

The Sipadan Mabul Resort sits idyllically in four hectares on the southern shore of Mabul. Accommodation is in 46 chalets amongst palm trees, dotted along a white, sandy beach; comprising 22 deluxe chalets and 24 standard rooms. Although the detached chalets are larger than the standard rooms, and closer to the beach, all feature air-conditioning, and fans – to keep you cool in this tropical climate, sea facing verandah, and private shower – with hot and cold water. Mabul diving is excellent and Sipadan Mabul resort offers both recreational and technical diving with free beach dives, Nitrox is also available. The resort also offers a range of non-diving activities, with swimming pool, sea-kayaking and visits to the nearby fishing village, where you can get to know the local culture and people.

Just 15-minutes by speed boat from Sipadan Island are the Mabul Water Bungalows. The Resort offers 14 bungalows, each built entirely over water on stilts. Equipped with remote control air-conditioner, ceiling fan, private bathroom-hot/cold shower and toilet, colour TV with satellite channels, mini bar and in-room safety box. The wood-built bungalows are finished in a contemporary style and afford outstanding vistas over the surrounding water – both from the large windows and from each bungalow’s private balcony. The restaurant serves excellent local and international cuisine and ensures evenings are social when guests finally drag themselves out of the water! There is also a small spa.

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