Description
Boat
Celebes Explorer 9 is a 29 metres long, 7.2 meters wide steel dive liveaboard, renewd in 2019, with cruising speed at 8 - 10 knots. It is the only liveaboard can provide dive trips inside of the Sipadan Marine Park.
Celebes Explorer 9 will take you on an adventurous journey across the ocean to some of Borneo’s most astonishing diving spots that you can dream of. This liveaboard is the best way to experience diving at Sipadan Island, Mabul Island, and other nearby spots as it allows you to reach areas that you normally cannot get from a land-based dive resort.
Daily dives to Sipadan Island are available through Celebes Explorer 9 so you can explore the world-famous dive site and get sightings of unique marine life, including the green turtles, bump parrotfish, and barracudas. For those who enjoy muck diving, Mabul Island is one of the world’s top destinations for it, offering sightings of exceptionally unique and diverse sea creatures.
Celebes Explorer 9 features an indoor air conditioned lounge with TV, camera charging stations, sitting area, dining area, as well as a self service mini bar that provides 24 hours free water, coffee, tea, milo, biscuit & bread, snacks.
The spacious uppper sundeck is partially covered with canvas. There are chairs & beach mattress for relaxation.
Celebes Explorer 9 has a large dive deck with equipment storage, air fill station, rinse tanks, freshwater shower.
Celebes Explorer 9 will bring divers to Sipadan (guaranteed) along with Mabul and Kapalai islands.
Cabin
Celebes Explorer 9 has 8 guest cabins, it can welcome 18 guests :
All cabins are equipped with air-conditioning and ensuite bathrooms, wardrobe, lifejacket etc.
2 Double Cabins:
Located on the main deck, each cabin comes with a double bed, seaview windows.
6 Twin Cabins:
Located on the lower deck, each cabin comes with two single bed side by side, port windows.
Diving
3 - 4 dives per day (including 2 dives in Sipadan daily)
No dive on the embarkation and disembarkation day.
Only 2 dives will be provided on the last diving day.
All diving will provide experienced guide to lead the dive.
Divers must be at least AOW to dive in Sipadan Island
Other Informations
- Nitrox：Not available at the moment
- 15L Tanks：Not available at the moment
- REBREATHER Dive：Not available at the moment
- Technical Dive：Not available at the moment yet
- Dive Equipment：Complimentary for certified divers
- Dive insurance：Divers must have valid dive insurance
- Wi-Fi Internet ：Available with additional cost
- Laundry Service：Not available at the moment
- Massage Service：Not available at the moment
- Payment on board：By cash only (USD/EUR/MYR)
- Crew Number：12, including 2 dive guides
Itineraries
Things to Know Before Bookings
Trip Dates :
The Celebes Explorer 9 offer Dive Package in Sipadan everyday except for the embarkation and disembarkation day. The embarkation & Disembarkation date : Fixed on Tuesday & Friday only.
Confirmed Cruise with less than 4 persons :
Celebes Explorer 9 will cruise to Sipadan with only 2 persons on board if these 2 persons would agree to take our Single Occupancy package rate. If eventually we would have 4 persons in the same cruise period, the 2 persons would have the choice to change their package rate to twin share package rate and we will revise the invoice to Twin Share package rate accordingly.
Add-ons (2023 Price):
1.) SIPADAN Diving on Embarkation day for Diver” : RM 900 per person
2.) “SIPADAN Snorkelling on Embarkation day for NON Diver” : RM 700 per person.
**Minimum of 2 guests who can arrive at our Semporna office by 745AM and had purchased the above “add on” will be able to do 2 dives in Sipadan and 1 dive in Mabul ( total 3 dives ) on embarkation day.
Meeting Point :
The meeting point / office is in front of the only Starbucks in Semporna town at Seafest Square Complex.
Tawau Airport - Semporna - Tawau Airport Transfer :
The transfer is NOT included, guests need to arrange their own transfers. However, for charter bookings, we provide One time Return transfer from Tawau Airport / Semporna / Tawau Airport.
About Diving :
The local authority allows divers to do only 2 dives in Sipadan per day. ONLY Advanced Open Water diver and above level diver can do diving in Sipadan.
ID Needed :
Please bring along your IC Card ( if you are local Malaysian ) or a copy of your passport ( if you are overseas traveller ) for verification purpose when you register in Sipadan island.
Regular Trips
4D3N (Tue-Fri), 5D4N (Fri-Tue) & 8D7N (Tue-Tue)
Tue or Fri : Meet at our office in Semporna at about 3PM. Our transfer boat will depart to CE9 from Semporna at 1530hrs. Check into CE9 / briefing / free time / dinner / overnight = NO DIVING on DAY1
Wed or Sat-Sun or Wed-Sun : 2 dives in Sipadan + 2 dives in Mabul. 4th Mabul dive is subject to sufficient time in accordance to local Curfew ruling. (breakfast / lunch / dinner / overnight)
Thu or Mon : 2 dives in Sipadan + 1 dive in Mabul ( breakfast / lunch / dinner / overnight ).The number of dive depends on flight departure time on the following day - Please bear in mind the requirement for 24 hours surface interval before flight departure time on the following day.
Fri or Tue : Check out at 0700hrs if CE9 is in Mabul, or check out at 0830hrs if CE9 is in Semporna. Boat transfer to Semporna and own car arrangement to next destination.
Trips with "Add-on" Diving on Embarkation
Tue or Fri : Meet at our office in Semporna before 745AM. Our Speedboat will depart to Sipadan from Semporna. 2 dives in Sipadan & 1 dive in Mabul ( box lunch ). After diving, our speedboat will depart to CE9. Check into CE9 / briefing / free time / dinner / overnight.
Wed or Sat-Sun or Wed-Sun : 2 dives in Sipadan + 2 dives in Mabul. 4th Mabul dive is subject to sufficient time in accordance to local Curfew ruling. (breakfast / lunch / dinner / overnight)
Thu or Mon : 2 dives in Sipadan + 1 dive in Mabul ( breakfast / lunch / dinner / overnight ).The number of dive depends on flight departure time on the following day - Please bear in mind the requirement for 24 hours surface interval before flight departure time on the following day.
Fri or Tue : Check out at 0700hrs if CE9 is in Mabul, or check out at 0830hrs if CE9 is in Semporna. Boat transfer to Semporna and own car arrangement to next destination.
More
| Destinations | Malaysia |
|---|---|
| Facilities | Camera Station, Wi-Fi |
| Languages spoken | Chinese, English |
Schedules & routes
Prices & conditions
Included
- Marine park fees & Port fees
- VAT and local taxes
- Fuel surcharge
- Full-board meal plan (including snacks)
- Complimentary beverages (water, tea, coffee)
- Diving activity (incl. tanks, weights, weight belts)
- Dive guide service
- Dive equipment rentals
- Land excursions and activities throughout the trip
- Boat accident insurance
- Cabin towels and complimentary toiletries
- Cabin cleaning service
Not included
- Domestic flights in destination country
- Transfers from airport and/or hotel to the yacht
- Alcoholic beverage
- Soft drinks
- Dive insurance (mandatory requirement)
- Travel insurance (trip cancellation insurance)
- Wi-Fi
- Crew gratuity
Useful information
Malaysia
Best time for diving
March - July is usually consider as the best time for diving in Sipadan, as visibility is at its peak between 20 and 40 meters, there is plenty of sunshine and the sea is calm. Nesting for hawksbill and green turtles usually happens from April through to September.
Some divers include September through to early December amongst the best time to dive too, visibility during these months are between 15 and 30 meters. The seas are usually calm, at times even glass-calm. The days are usually sunny and hot and the temperatures of the water are reliably bath-warm.
The winds from the north in January or February and those from the south in August or early September may reduce visibility to between 10 and 20 meters. These winds may cause the surface conditions to get a little choppy which can make the boat ride out to the site uncomfortable.
December to February is rainy season on the island which may cause the visibility to decrease. While the rains have become uncertain of late, showers are most frequent in January and February. During the rainy season, Mabul, Sipadan and Pulau Kapalai do not generally see much rain, but rather scattered rain in the evening.
About temperatures
Air: hot and sunny all year round, range 28°C - 32°C most of the time.
Sea: Water temps usually above 27°C , with some cooler waters of 24°C in the rainy season.
Wetsuit Recommendation
We recommend a 3 mm wetsuit year-round.
Diver requirement
ONLY Advanced Open Water diver and above level diver can do diving in Sipadan. You can find out more information about diving in Sipadan here : Malaysia
Embarkation / Disembarkation
The embarkation and disembarkation are from Semporna town. Guests need to fly in/out Tawau airport (TWU). There are frequent flights from Kuala Lumpur to Tawau (2.45 hrs). Once arrived in Tawau airport, guests can get a taxi to Semporna town (1.5hrs).
Visa Requirements
In normal circumstances, nationals of most countries in Europe, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and many other countries can visit Malaysia without a visa for a stay of up to 90 days. This applies to entries by air, land and sea.
Citizens of Russia and many neighboring countries are granted a stay of one month on arrival, and similar rules apply to nationals of many countries in Africa and Central and South America. For longer stays, you’ll need to apply for a visa.
Tourist E-Visas lasting up to 30 days are issued to citizens of Serbia & Montenegro, China, India, and many other nations in South Asia and Africa.
Sipadan Permits
Since 2006, a permit quota system by was introduced whereby a visitor requires a permit for diving or snorkeling at Sipadan. The right to issue permits is vested with Sabah Parks. They issue 176 permits per day which is divided among the dive resorts, dive centers and liveaboard operator.
Guests who join liveaboard trips will be guaranteed with dive permit. If you staying at the resort, then you will not automatically get a permit. If your stay is long enough, most resort will guarantee one Sipadan permit.
Money Matters
The local currency is the Malaysian Ringgit (MYR). Foreign currencies and travelers' cheques and can be changed for Malaysian Ringgit at local bank. The liveaboard also accept USD, Euro cash payment.
Drones
Tourists can bring their drones into Malaysia. However, a permit may be needed. For more information, please refer to Drone Laws in Malaysia.
Extending your holiday
We offer a range of hotels/resorts, land-based diving packages, and excursions that can be arranged before or after your liveaboard holiday. Just ask us if you need such service.
Diver's reviews (4)
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