Sipadan, Bunaken or liveaboard?

Hey all, I'm planning a trip to SE Asia from April to July and I'd like to get in some diving while I'm there. I got certified in Ko Tao several years ago and some of my favorite places to dive are Utila and Dahab partly because of the fun things to do on dry land. I got my advanced diver cert in Utila and I've logged about 50 dives.

I'm trying to figure out what's a relatively cheap place to dive in SE Asia during May and June. I looked online and Bunaken seems amazing but a little expensive at about $100/day with food/lodging/2 dives. Whats the place with the best price/dive ratio? I'm open to remote locations, but maybe something with a fun vibe like Utila or Dahab would be cool.

I thought of Bali but it seems like the diving there isn't as pristine as some of the other places. Any advice on Komodo? Other places I'm missing out on? What about cheap liveaboards?

Thanks!

Dahab & Utila have some nice diving but IMHO, I think you will be impressed with any of the places you mentioned when compared to either of those options.

I certainly wouldn't rule out Bali, both the east coast and western part have great diving that is not too expensive - although $100 for accommodation, food and 2 great dives hardly seems outrageous. For a fun vibe, the Gili Islands , just off Lombok (the next island to the west from Bali) are another good option. For great cheap but remote diving, Pulau Weh and the Togian Islands are good options and plenty of good dive spots in the Philippines are also fantastic value for money.

One of the keys to cheap diving is the distance to the dive sites, so somewhere like Komodo, while it has incredible diving, is difficult to do on a very small budget. If you do want to go, the cheapest way to visit the area is from one of the dive centres in Labuanbajo on Flores.

Liveaboards are great as they visit places you could not otherwise reach and, if you plan to do 3 or more dives per day, can work out great value for money, but you may struggle to find one for less than $100 per day.

Thanks for the helpful response! I just checked out your website as well and the budget diving page on there is awesome. I'm now looking at the Togian Islands, Perhentian Islands and Gili Islands. Any particular pros and cons? How long are the liveaboard trips? I could make spare $200 for a 2 day trip somewhere. Whats the best place to get on one?

What about cheap places to stay in Sipadan or Bunaken? I dont mind shelling out $60 for 2 dives but I'd rather stay in cheap accomodation (<$15/day). Is there any of that available?

You are most welcome. The downside of the Togian Islands is that they take quite an effort to get to. Its also what makes them so great and the diving can be pretty special. Perhentians & Gili Islands are much easier to reach and have a little bit more going on. Bohol or Boracay in the Philippines might also appeal to you.

As for specific resorts on Bunaken & Sipadan that are cheap and good, I'm not sure - but maybe someone else who has visited there recently can give you up to date recommendations? I would say the best option for both may be to book a package including everything (diving, accommodation, food).

With Sipadan, it would be worth checking with any resort you speak to how many dives at Sipadan are included as there are daily limits and permits which need to be arranged in advance. Go back to our website and contact a few resorts through the directory to see if you can get a good deal.

Liveaboards usually last for at least 4 days, sometimes as long as 2 weeks, so may not be ideal for you on this trip.

good advice from 'underwaterasia'. I was diving in Sipidan last August. The Borneo authorities are getting more and more restricitve in the number of visitors who will be able to dive at Sipidan now. You will be limited on the number of dives allowed around Sipidan and most of your dives will be in areas around that general vicinity but not as good as the island itself. Most operators won't tell you this until you get there of course!