One week Malaysia in January - where to dive?

A week is more than enough time to spend in Sipadan and the advantage is that you can dive there pretty much any time of the year. Just get a cheap Air Asia flight to Tawau. On the peninsular, the best diving is on the east coast but this is only good between May and September. Take a look at Perhentian and Redang. Agan, a week is more than enough.
On the west coast, the only half decent diving is at Pulau Payer marine park - best between October and April.

You can forget about the Perhentians and Redang as it is in the middle of the monsoon and both islands more or less close down as far as diving and tourism goes.

I have dived in Sabah in February but not January so cannot say what it is like then.
I think they dive all year round there but not certain of it.

Ask on the Asia. South East & Islands branch as many people who live in Sabah read the postings there and will be able to give you a better answer.

Definatly recomend heading to Sipadan, looks a bit of a trek but Air Asia flights to Tawau, then 1 hour transfer (lots of taxis waiting at airport - try and share if poss if you're there for the diving then so are most other non locals at the airport)

You can't stay on Sipadan, nearest land base is Semporna (about 30mins boat away) which we found to be a dive (pun sorry) but just about put upable due to fantastic diving.

Stayed at Dragon Inn, lovely place on stilts but rubbish food and expensive internet.
Good food at resturants( one fantastic fish bbq) opposite, looks like they are in a big hotel complex (?Semporna Inn) but just outside and cheap.
Scuba Junkies did Pizza when there wasnt a power cut and nice place bit further down with dvds and internet, good juice & food

We dived with North Borneo divers and cant recomend them enough, owned by Gerry a guy of Eupopean origin and run by a bunch of fun but professional locals, good boats and gear. Arranged everything with them down to accomodation. Chok is a fantastic charachter who is so knowledgable and enthused about diving it's infectious.

Heard mixed reports about scubba junkies - mostly of the unprofessional verging on reckless.

There is an island you can stay on if your budget allows think it's Mabau or Sibau or something similar -sorry

Met some guys at the airport who'd stayed on the oil rig - said it was awful

Hope it helps.

X
May the winds be with you

Yes, you can definitely spend a week diving during your weeklong layover in KL. You have three good options: 1) go to Sipadan 2) come to Thailand 3) go to Bali All of them involve flying. I wouldn't waste my time on Pulau Payar if I were you. Even when it's in season the diving is mediocre at best. And with so many better options, the only reason I can think of to even consider Payar is to avoid flying anywhere.

So of the three: Sipadan diving is year round. The viz may be affected somewhat in January as that is the rainy season.
Thailand's Andaman coast will be in the midst of the dry season and it's a great time to hop on a liveaboard to the wonderful Similan Islands. Bali will also be in its rainy season, but you can dive year round there, as well. I'd recommend Tulamben area for a fantastic variety of dive environments.

thanks a lot for your tips!
Think I will go to Sipidan / Mabul and stay with Borneo Divers.
I hear some good reports about them, and also a friend of mine stayed there and she really like it.

Sounds like a plan!
Thanks again.