Malaysia Liveaboard Diving
Price upon request
Dive Sipadan & the Semporna Marine Park with Celebes Explorer
Overview | Schedule
The M/V Celebes Explorer is the only liveaboard dive boat operating in the Semporna Marine Park, an area off the east coast of Sabah, East Malaysia, that includes Sipadan Island with its world famous drop off and super-rich marine life.
In addition to Sipadan, the Celebes Explorer operates around Mabul and Si Amil islands, and the Kapalai sandbar. However, thanks to a generous allotment of permits for Sipadan, you can be sure that you will get you fill of one of the world's top dive sites, featured in full, stand-alone programmes by both Jacques Cousteau and David Attenborough.
The Celebes Explorer offers a weekly six day programme departing each Sunday and returning to Semporna on the following Saturday. 4 dives are possible each day except for Saturday when only 3 are permitted.
Schedule
The M/V Celebes Explorer departs Semporna, on the east coast of the Malaysian state of Sabah, every Sunday, returning the following Saturday.
Guests may dive up to 4 dives per day, Monday to Friday and, depending on arrival time, may be able to squeeze 2 or 3 in on the first Sunday too. There will be time for 3 dives on Saturday before returning to port in Semporna. No diving less than 24 hours before flying.
For people with less time available, it is possible to join the Celebes Explorer for 3, 4 or 5 nights, rather than the full week.
Please ask about special rates for groups of 8 divers or more.
RATES in USD per person, Valid 02 Mar 2014 to 28 Feb 2015
| PACKAGE EX-TAWAU |
DIVER |
NON DIVER |
Twin/Dbl
|
Single |
Twin/Dbl
|
single |
3 DAYS/3 NIGHTS
Sun (am) to Wed (am) |
1,090 |
1,540 |
1,000 |
1,405 |
4 DAYS/4 NIGHTS
Wed (am) to Sun (am) |
1,390 |
1,990 |
1,270 |
1,810 |
6 DAYS/7 NIGHTS
Sun (pm) to Sun (am) |
1,955 |
2,865 |
1,773 |
2,592 |
7 DAYS/7 NIGHTS
Sun (am) to Sun (am) |
2,095 |
3,075 |
1,899 |
2,781 |
CHARTER RATES (USD), 02 March 2014 to 28 Feb 2015
| PACKAGE EX-TAWAU |
WHOLE BOAT CHARTER (MAX 16 PAX) |
3 DAYS/3 NIGHTS
Sun (am) to Wed (am) |
13,480 |
4 DAYS/4 NIGHTS
Wed (am) to Sun (am) |
17,687 |
6 DAYS/7 NIGHTS
Sun (pm) to Sun (am) |
26,360 |
7 DAYS/7 NIGHTS
Sun (am) to Sun (am) |
28,320 |
M/V Celebes Explorer rates include:
Round Trip Tawau airport / Semporna jetty transfer- Twin/Double Share Accommodation in a private en suite and air-conditioned cabin
- 4 to 5 dives per day, inclusive of evening dive for qualified divers (except for arrival & departure days). For 7D7N Sunday to Sunday cruise, Celebes Explore will cruise back to Semporna for replenishment around 1400hrs on Saturday with 3dives to be conducted before cruising back.
- All meals and beverages (excluding alcoholic and canned/bottled drinks, which can be purchased on board)
- Use of tanks, weight & weight belt.
Sipadan Entry Permits
Entry Permit Fee for diving in Sipadan Island is NOT INCLUDED on the above rates. At the moment, Permit Fee is at USD13 per diver per day. However, the permit fee is subject to Government approval and may be subject to changes without prior notice. MV Celebes Explorer now conducts diving in Sipadan from Monday to Friday (3-4 dives) and Saturday (3 dives) for 6 days (Sunday to Sunday cruise) except for confirmed bookings received earlier on (dive schedules may be subject to changes without prior notice). There will be no diving conducted at Si-Amil. Normally, Celebes Explorer will cruise back to Semporna on Saturday around 1400 for replenishment.
Semporna Jetty Fee
Above rates do NOT include the Semporna Jetty Fee which will be charge on board. Rates are:
- Non Malaysian @ USD 3 per person per tour booking
- Malaysian @ RM 2 per person per tour booking
Notes
Rental equipment and Nitrox fills must be booked and paid for in advance.
Additional costs: Semporna Jetty Fee: USD3 per person per trip; Sipadan Entry permit" USD13 per person per day, subject to approval by Sabah Parks and liable to change.
The Celebes Explorer
The MV Celebes Explorer is a luxury, wooden hulled motor yacht that was launched in 2001. She is a well configured vessel capable of carrying 16 divers in comfort, and sports an excellent dive deck at the stern.
The Celebes Explorer has a total of 8 cabins: 2 with queen sized beds on the main deck, and 6 twins on the lower deck. Each has individual 
air-conditioning and en suite bathroom with hot water shower, and are furnished with a wardrobe, desk, lifejacket, fire detector, hair dryer, soap and bath towels.
Electricity is 240v with British style square pin sockets.
The public areas include a large, air-conditioned saloon/restaurant with mini bar, plasma TV, DVD player and music system, a sun deck with sun beds, and a shaded area where you can read a book or have a massage. Complimentary coffee, tea, milo and snacks are available all day in the saloon.
The saloon also features a library of marine books to help you identify those colourful animals you have seen during your dives.
* NOTE. Prices indicated on this website are shown as a guideline only and may be subject to currency fluctuations, banking fees and other changes outside our control. Pricing information is available in
other currencies.
