Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about travelling with Sekawan. Can’t find your answer? Just reach out.
📋 Booking & Payments
How do I book a trip with Sekawan?
Simply get in touch via our Contact page, WhatsApp, or email. Tell us your travel dates, destination preferences, and group size, and we’ll put together a personalised itinerary and quotation for you.
Do I need to pay a deposit?
Yes. Our standard terms are a 50% deposit to confirm the booking, with the balance due 14 days before departure. Some suppliers require more: Sipadan permit fees are payable in advance at the time of booking, and liveaboard berths and group blocks often carry their own deposit schedules. Whatever applies to your trip is set out in writing in your quotation before you pay anything.
What is your cancellation policy?
Our standard terms are a full refund minus administration fees for cancellations 30 or more days before departure, with higher charges inside 14 days. Two things to be aware of. Resort and liveaboard suppliers set their own terms and some are stricter than ours, particularly for peak dates. And Sipadan permit fees are generally not refundable once allocated, because the resort has committed your place against its daily quota. The terms that apply to your specific trip are stated in your quotation. This is also why we recommend travel insurance and flexible flights for weather-exposed windows.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept bank transfers, online payment, and major credit cards. Payment details and instructions are included in your booking confirmation.
🗺️ Travel Planning
How far in advance should I book?
It depends on the destination, and some are much tighter than the general rule. Sipadan is the strictest: permits are allocated to resorts in limited daily numbers, so allow four to six months, and the same applies to Maldives liveaboard berths and to group blocks of eight to ten people. For Redang, Perhentian and Tenggol, six to eight weeks is usually enough outside school holidays. For Komodo and Malapascua, eight to twelve weeks. If your dates are tied to a Malaysian public holiday, assume every other diver has spotted the same long weekend and book earlier.
What group sizes do you cater to?
We handle everything from solo travellers and couples to large corporate groups of 50+. Each itinerary is tailored to your group’s size and needs.
Can you create a fully custom itinerary?
Absolutely. Custom itineraries are one of our specialities. Tell us your interests, budget, and travel style, and we’ll design something unique for you from scratch.
Do you arrange travel insurance?
We strongly recommend travel insurance for all trips and can advise you on suitable coverage options. We can connect you with our insurance partners or you’re welcome to arrange your own.
When is the best time to dive in Malaysia?
It depends which coast. The east coast islands, Tioman, Redang and Perhentian and Tenggol, run from March to October and close from November to February for the northeast monsoon. Sabah runs on the opposite cycle, so Sipadan, Mabul and Kapalai and Lankayan dive well through those same months. June to August is the strongest window on the east coast. See our east coast season guide for the detail.
Which destinations does Sekawan cover?
In Malaysia we arrange trips to Sipadan, Mabul and Kapalai, Lankayan, Redang and Perhentian and Tenggol, plus Sabah wildlife and rainforest itineraries. Internationally we cover Raja Ampat, Komodo, Palawan and the Maldives. All departures are arranged from Kuala Lumpur.
🌿 Sustainability
What makes your tours sustainable?
We prioritise low-impact transport, eco-certified accommodation, locally owned businesses, and community-based experiences. Every itinerary is designed to minimise environmental impact while maximising positive social outcomes for the communities we visit.
What is MyHijau and how does it relate to your services?
MyHijau is Malaysia’s official government green certification programme. To be straight about where we stand: we are aligning our operations and supplier network with MyHijau standards, and we are not yet certified. What we do today is choose eco-certified accommodation where it exists, work with locally owned operators, and design itineraries around lower-impact transport. We would rather tell you what is in progress than claim a certification we do not hold.
Do you offer carbon offset options?
We’re currently developing carbon offset partnerships. In the meantime, we design itineraries that minimise carbon impact through smart routing, ground transport preferences, and eco-certified partners.
🏢 About Us
Are you a licensed travel agency?
Yes. Sekawan Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd holds MOTAC licence number KPK/LN 8805, covering inbound tours, outbound tours and ticketing. Our company registration number is 201701032997 (1247168-A). You can quote the licence number when checking our status with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia.
How long have you been in business?
Sekawan Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd was incorporated in 2017 and has been operating for nine years, serving Malaysian and international travellers with inbound tours, outbound tours and corporate travel.
Where are you based?
Our office is at 2nd Floor, 33 Jalan Mivo 1, Taman Desa Aman, Kepong, 52200 Kuala Lumpur. All our trips are arranged as departures from Kuala Lumpur, which is the part most resorts and overseas operators cannot help you with. We run inbound tours across Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia, and outbound trips to Indonesia, the Philippines and the Maldives.
How can I contact you?
You can reach us via email at info@sekawantravel.com, WhatsApp at +60 12-551 0365, or through our Contact page. Our business hours are Monday to Friday 10 AM to 6 PM and Saturday 10 AM to 1 PM (MYT). We are closed on Sundays.
Still Have Questions?
We’re happy to help. Reach out and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
