Dive Review of
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| Reporter | |||
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Dive Experience
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Over 1000 dives | ||
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Where else diving
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Cayman, Red Sea, PNG, Barrier Reef, Turks & Caicos, Fiji, Belize |
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Dive Conditions |
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Weather
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sunny |
Seas
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calm, noCurrents |
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Water Temp
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27 to 0 ° Celsius |
Wetsuit Thickness
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3 |
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Water Visibility
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40 to 60 Feet |
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| Dive Policy | |||
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Dive own profile?
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yes | ||
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Enforced diving
restrictions
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45 mins max dive time. Most divers were forced to dive as a group, though if your demonstrated experienced, the divemaster was flexible. |
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Liveaboard?
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no |
Nitrox Available?
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N/A |
| What I saw | |||
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Sharks
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Lots |
Mantas
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None |
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Dolphins
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None |
Whale Sharks
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None |
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Turtles
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> 2 |
Whales
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None |
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Ratings 1
(worst)- 5 (best):
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Corals
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Tropical Fish
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Small Critters
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Large Fish
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Large Pelagics
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| Underwater Photography 1 (worst)- 5 (best): | |||
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Subject Matter
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Boat Facilities
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Overall rating for UWP's
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Shore Facilities
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Comments
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Obviously absolutely shed-loads to take pictures of, but Sipadan Dive Centre is not kitted out at all for the underwater photographer. There is no decent, clean, well lit place to change films and clean kit, although there is a dedicated fresh water tank. There is also nowhere to safely store the camera on the boats - you have to carry the camera on your lap. |
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| Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst)- 5 (best): | |||
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Accommodations
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Food
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Service and Attitude
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Environmental Sensitivity
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N/A |
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Dive Operation
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Shore Diving
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Snorkeling
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N/A |
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Overall Rating |
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Value for $$
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N/A | ||
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Beginners
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Advanced
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Comments
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Good - 1. marine life was excellent / abundant / extremely varied with unusual critters. Would definitely go back, though not to Sipadan Dive Centre. 2. Turtle central! Turtles everywhere! Love turtles! Bad - 1. Plenty of evidence of previous dynamite fishing, though reefs in general were healthy. 2. Diving staff couldnt really be bothered (in general) - everything was a hassle. They didnt go out of their way at all to make the experience special. 3. Staff wouldnt not arrange trips to Mabul & Kapalai (nearby islands), even with an extra charge - which is an absolute MUST for ANYONE going to Sipadan (amazing photography) 4. Staff didnt know the dive sites particularly well (compared to Borneo divers staff) and kept using the same dive site repeatedly. 5. Food at SDC was abysmal. Take plenty of chocolate. 6. Recommend Borneo Divers or Palau Sipadan Resort for far superior diving |
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