I headed to Scuba Junkies in August 2011, initially intending to stay only 5days before moving on to other places in Borneo. I ended up staying nearly 3 weeks in both resorts in Semporna and Mabul.

Why? A combination of the amazing diving, the friendly staff, and the environmental responsibility that the IDC carries at the core of its operations. Groups learning to dive at the centre were never bigger than 3, instructors and DMs were always on hand to help out or clarify points for beginners. Guides, either Instructors or DMs, were full of enthusiasm and knowledge about the sites around all the islands and the marine wildlife we would see and expect to find. Dive briefings were full of advice and safety calls, as well as giving ‘signs’ for all the wildlife we expected to find. A complete contrast to another resort I dived with, where they shrugged off with ‘lots of fish’. And a biggie for me – I’m deaf, and lipread only – but individuals took the time to speak to me individually to make sure that I missed nothing of the briefings or the information that was given out. Instructors Ella and Melly were especially awesome in going through details with me, making sure nothing was missed out while still having a laugh with me.

I dived Mabul, Sipidan, Kaplai, Similan and Semporna (night dive). Any hassly last minute change of plans were accommodated without fuss. Highlights were undoubtedly Sipidan, as one of the top 10 diving sites in the world, this was to be expected. But I found myself loving the ‘house reef’ dives at Awas, where the DMs would take the time to point out the tiniest but coolest of creatures – God knows how they spotted them.

The resort on Mabul was idyllic, the bar at night was the perfect place to chill out going over dive books. Beds were clean and basic showering facilities were provided. Food there was variable – sometimes European based, but always enough after a dive, with cakes and biscuits provided at 4pm for when the boats get back. In Semporna, I stayed in the backpackers hostel – clean, affordable, with a breakfast provided in the morning.

Make sure you go to the Shark Education Awareness Survival course while you’re there – talks on sharks, how important they are to the ecosystem, why they get a bad press – really fascinating. In fact Scuba Junkies have a pretty thorough environmental programme ranging from reef/beach clean ups through to turtle egg and hatchling protection schemes.

I’ve been recommending this resort to anyone I come across who is looking for somewhere to dive in Asia. I noticed that the DM courses being run by SJ were intense and the people who ran it demanded high standards from their students, while still making everything fun. They – like all the staff – were always available for queries and questions. I’m sure that any DM taught there would be of pretty high standards.

Anyhow – enjoyed this so much I’m planning to head back up there this year to do my Divemaster. 4 month divemaster course?! I wish….!!

We stayed on the Mabul accomidation in the dorm room - which was very nice, with its own bathroom, deck and hammock. Buffet food is great. $95 includes food and dorm accomidation.

I did my Advanced Open Water dive course for two days, and then Sipidan on the third day. I found the dive instructors very relaxed and accomidating, but also professional. Equipment is very good, although you have to pay extra for the use of a dive computer.

Definetly book ahead, especially if you plan to dive Sipidan, as Scuba Junkie only has 7 spots per day.

Overall, a fantastic end to our Sabah holiday. Scuba Junkie had a great atmosphere for snorklers or divers of all levels.

We first went to Scuba Junkie 7 years ago and have been back at least 10 times since!!!
We have always found the staff very knowledgeable, friendly and accomodating, despite finding both new and old staff each time we are there the level of customer service and the high standards never change.
Scuba Junkie is a very well organised dive resort, the managers on mabul are amazing and nothing is too much trouble even though they are very busy they always find time to help you if you have a question. its reallly nice both Rohan & Carys take the time to walk round the dinner tables ask how the days diving was, and if everything is ok or if there is anything they can do.

Scuba junkie is very much into conservation of the ocean and its amazing creatures, there is a regular weekly talk about shark education awareness and survival which is very informative and well presented. They also do turtle conservation and there is a hatchery just outside the resort which is maintained by scuba junkie, which is wonderful to see.

The rooms are a very good standard, clean and great value for the price
The diving is out of this world

Highly recommended if you want a great experience, an excellent dive resort and amazing diving.

I went to Mabul and stayed with Scuba Junkies and it was fantastic! My boyfriend went there to dive and I just wanted to snorkel which was so amazing, I saw so many fish and turtles turned up everyday to feed on the coral!! The sea was so beautiful and warm, I was in heaven!! The people who run scuba junkies are all very concerned for the health and conservation of the reef which is great so you know that while you're down there, you aren't disrupting anything. It is a dive holiday resort for sure but I didn't feel out of place not diving. Everyone was lovely to us and all the equipment was extremely well cared for. The two people who run the actual resort- Rohan and Carys were so helpful and really nice to us whenever we needed anything. The food is a buffet style and its so so good, there are lots of things to choose from for veggies also. Any people who wrote bad reviews on here must have gone to a different Scuba Junkies to me or just mixed up the name because I almost cried when I had to leave after having such wonderful moments here! I still can't get over seeing those turtles turning up everyday, what a great place!!