For a truly memorable Sipadan Diving Vacation. Experience the wonders of the underwater realm at the bio-diversity hotspot of Southeast Asia – Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. With sandy beaches, turquoise blue waters and coral reefs, Sabah has several dive sites rated to be amongst the top ten in the world.
Sipadan Island is a small rainforest covered tropical island rising from a depth of more than 600 meters from the bottom of the Celebes Sea. It is the only oceanic island in the region. The island is the top of a long-lost lava chimney from a prehistoric volcano. The very famous late French underwater explorer and filmmaker, Jacques-Yves Cousteau once remarked about Sipadan Island “I have seen other places like Sipadan… 45 years ago. Now we have found again an untouched piece of art.” Although that was many years ago, it is still true today. The island is arguably the top dive destination in the world.
The island is about 45 minutes from Semporna town by speedboat in calm seas. Other nearby islands include Mabul Island and Kapalai Island. All within just a short hop by speed boat ride from each other.
The list of attractions is quite staggering and all the more exceptional as it involves plenty of big fish encounters – at Barracuda Point you can find yourself surrounded by a spiralling vortex of barracudas, so large that the sunlight is often clouded out. At South Point there are scores of reef sharks, large schools of passing trevally and herds of massive marauding bumphead parrotfish. This is one of the big fish capitals of the world.
HOW TO DIVE SIPADAN
For environmental reasons this tiny island has now closed its resorts. This means the best way to dive here is by staying in on one of the resorts on the nearby islands of Mabul or Kapalai.
The resorts also boast some excellent macro-diving which is a great complement to the breathtaking big fish action of Sipadan Island.
DIVING SEASON
You can dive here all year round. Overall, the best conditions at Sipadan Island exist from April to December, especially July and August. January to March can see some unsettled weather and a decrease in visibility but the resorts still see plenty of guests at this time as the diving can still be fine.
REEF BASICS
Great for: Large animals, wall diving, drift dives and advanced divers
Not so great for: Wrecks, beginner divers and non-diving activities
Depth: 5 – >40m
Visibility: 10 – 30m
Currents: Can be strong
Surface Conditions: Can be choppy
Water Temperature: 26 – 30°C
Experience Level: Intermediate – advanced
Number of dive sites: 12
Distance: 12 km (25 minutes) south from Mabul and 10 km (18 minutes) southwest from Kapalai
Access: Diving from Mabul and Kapalai resorts
Recommended length of stay: 5 – 14 days, including the nearby islands
Some of the popular dive spots around the island include:
- Barracuda Point
- Coral Gardens
- Drop Off
- Hanging Garden
- Lobster Lair
- Midreef
- South Point
- Staghorn Crest
- Turtle Patch
- Turtle Tomb
- West Ridge
- White-tip Avenue
GETTING THERE:
From your location, fly to Kota Kinabalu, then fly for 40 minutes to Tawau. From Tawau, go to Semporna by bus or taxi which will take about 1 hour. From Semporna, you will take the resort speed boat to Mabul Island where your resort is located. The boat ride will take another 45 minutes. Mabul Island will be your gateway to diving around the 3 islands.
If you prefer a leisurely pace, you can spend a night either in Tawau or Semporna. Tawau is the bigger town compared to Semporna. But both offer unique experiences and excellent fresh seafood.
GET YOU SCUBA DIVING CERTIFICATION:
Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) – 5days course.
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