Diving Tioman

[vistula]

Good, excellent, or so, so.  What to expect?
Planning a ashort trip with a group of friends from Europe, USA and Asia. Interesting enough for a diverse group?

[SAE]

Your diving experience in Tioman will depend on where you have dived before and what you expect from a dive.  I found Tioman boring, the corals were nice in some dive sites but that was it.   It is easy diving though.   

[vistula]

Thank you SAE. Looks like not for us... we have done dives in Europe, South and Central America, some parts of Africa and the US, but not much in Asia so far. About 15-20 years of diving experience each and the majority are at dive master level.

I would appreciate any feedback on places that are rather easy to get to from Singapore yet interesting. ( We have done Bali and the Gili islands.)  Thank you for your input on Burma diving.. before it was erased by BM.

[SAE]

I have dived quite a bit throughout Asia (incl. Gili islands and Bali) and the best so far has to be Sipadan.  We stayed at Kapalai and it was amazing!  Baras, white tips, grey reef sharks, giant schools of jacks, turtles every where etc etc.  The only problem is that the authorities have reduced the amount of divers per day onto the island to approx.120 so if you go for a 6 day trip you might only get 2 days (3 boat dives) at Sipadan itself and the rest will be around the area in places such as Mabul which is more muck diving - its still good though.  I have heard that Manado is really good and thats on my to do list.  Layang Layang and the Similans are pretty good too. 

[what do you want]

What do you want to see and how much luxury.

Manado is good but is nearly all wall diving, very nice coral but not much big stuff (there are actually off one of the islands but most operators never go there and largely stick near Bunaken).  Highly likely to see dolphins from the dive boat as well.  Nicer resorts are on mainland, ones on Bunaken are basic but there is a nice place in the marine park at Siladen.  You can also split the week and dive Lembeh if you like small weird things.  Also livea*** around which cover Sangihe, Gangga.

Other places in Sulawesi as well but not direct flight, e.g. Wakatobi is reckoned to be world class but involves Bali then private flight.

Best diving I have done is PNG and it is a direct flight (though depending where abouts you go may need an internal flight as well).

Similans, season is Nov to Feb/Mar and boats don't go outside that so may not be an option.  In same area (i.e. out of Phuket but opposite direction) Hin Muang/Hin Daeng also good.

Several places in Phillippines where you fly direct to either Manila or Cebu, e.g. Malapascua to see thresher sharks, Sogod for whale sharks.

Bali is also the base for livea*** to Komodo and Flores.

As with other poster Sipadan is great but you may not dive there much.  Also since no operators on Sipadan now the early morning dives to see hammerheads are pretty much out.  Other places in Borneo include Lankayan which is good and same ownership as Kapalai where SAE recommended.  On the Indonesian side of Borneo could look at Sangalaki (turtles and mantas).

In gulf of Thailand (opposite season to Phuket) Koh Tao is the main place.  Fly to Samui then transfer.

As far as Tioman is concerned I personally think it is under-rated, people seem to be a bit blase about it because it is effectively the local spot.  There has been a fair bit of coral bleaching recently though.  In any case, for a weekend then fine but I likely wouldn't go for much longer.  If you are going to do this then there are a couple of livea*** out of Singapore which are the easiest option.

[if you are willing....]

If you are willing to change planes in Australia, Japan, or possibly Hong Kong then there are tons of places. The airfare over will be a bit more but the diving will be OUT OF THIS WORLD.

Polynesia sounds like its right up your alley. If you can get over to Tonga you can do dives with Giant Whales...the only place on the planet where its legal.

Across Polynesia there are hundreds, if not thousands of places that will be amazing for even the most seasoned diver.

Close...well its not 'close' depending on your perspective. If you are from Europe then its really close relatively speaking to Singapore. If you are just wanting a long weekend thats something else.

[PalauFan]

Can recommend Palau! Not close enough for a weekend trip (fly to Manila and then to Koror), but diving is world-class! 

[phoenixrises]

If you're willing to travel, try the Andaman Islands (India). Need a few days though - certainly not a weekend outing.

[well since]

Recent posters are ignoring OP and the easy to get to for a few days bit, how about Galapagos?

Sheesh.

[vistula]

Hey, why stop at Galapagos?  Fernando de Noronha is good as well

So we have not decided yet.  WE have about 5 weeks to make up our minds. ... So many interesting places...

So, what would it be for you #1 and #2 place in Asia w/in short(er) flying distance.  Remember Singapore is a meeting point for us...

[within asia]

#1 - Sipadan but remember they only allow limited numbers so won't get to go every day.  Can fly direct these days (but may be from JB).

#2 - depending on season, Similans.  LOB from Phuket.  Phuket day trips are generally pretty good anyway but season is quite short.

#3 - god knows, load of places.  Maldives, Malapascua, other bits of 'Pines like Tubattaha.  Bali is very good as well (you already know this), not many places you are pretty likely to see Mola Mola.  Manado, Lembeh.

[SAE]

My number one spot is definatly Sipidan.  We have now been a couple of times and love it.  Check out Kapalai resort - absolutely gorgeous. 

[vistula]

Thanks SEA. We are seriously considering your suggestion. The accomodations look good. And we hope to get lots of good diving....

Some in our group would like to do a side trip to the Orangutan Sanctuary. Any idea how easy is it to fit it in into the trip to Kapalai or do we have to stay on the Lankayan Island?

Any thoughts on diving there as well?

[SAE]

If you do decide to stay at Kapalai ask them to help you arrange the stay and transfer to Sendakan which is where the Orangutans are.  Its best to only stay there one night though as there is nothing much to do apart from seeing the Orangutans.  I personally haven't dived Lankayan island but would love to as I have heard it can be really good.  As a PP has said though Sipadan does only allow a certain amount of divers per day so you might only get a couple of full days diving there out of your 1 week stay. The rest of the diving in the nearby islands is nice though esp. Mabul and in my opinion way better than anything Tioman has to offer.   Be prepared to get up early as the boats to Sipadan can leave as early as 5am - the views of the sun coming up and early morning diving are well worth the early rise though (and I am definatly not a morning person!)

[Err yeah but]

Sandakan is the nearby place for lankayan, it is nowhere near sipadan. If you are there though then the sepilok reserve sis worth seeing

Yes j
Kapai and maul beat tioman but that isn't what you go, sipadan is.