Diving in Sipadan Island

Sipadan Island, located off the town of Semporna on the East Coast of Sabah, is considered to be one of the best diving areas in this part of the world. What makes this island special is that it is the only oceanic island (not connected to the continental shelf) in Malaysia rising 2,000 feet (600 meters) on a limestone pinnacle that 'mushrooms' out near the surface.

Not only are there fascinating coral structures but also marine caves. Pulau Sipadan is reported to have the largest variety of soft corals in the world. Turtles swim and frolic freely in the waters around Sipadan and divers will find lobster, barracudas, beautiful coral fishes and sharks swimming by.

Sipadan has 12 marked dive sites. All dives are wall dives. Just 20 feet from the shore, the wall plunges a staggering 2,800ft down and is rated as one of the top 5 Beach Dives in the world.

Water temp: 26°C (79°F) to 30°C (86°F)

Suit: 3mm or 5mm shortie

Visibility: 20 to 60 metres (66 - 200 feet)

Rating: *****

Type of diving: There are 12 wall dive sites to plan your dives at. From dives at Turtle Cavern' for the green and hawksbill turtle to 'South Point' for the sharks, jacks, and barracudas, to the shallow dives at 'Lobster Lair' and to the beautiful lush corals at 'Coral Garden'.

Marine life: Hawksbill and green turtle, white tip reef and grey sharks, hammerheads, jacks, barracudas, clown trigger fish, bump-head parrotfish, leaf fish, nudi branch, and mantis scrimp.
When to go: Open all year round.

How to get there: Fly via Kuala Lumpur with Malaysia Airlines, then onward to Kota Kinabalu, and then fly to Tawau. Tawau Borneo drivers will drive you to Semporna town, where the ferry departs for Sipadan every morning.

Sipadan is also a bird sanctuary and bird-watchers will be able to observe the many frigates, sea eagles, terns, sea gulls, and Nicobar pigeons that glide across the clear skies. The wall is encrusted with different varieties of coral, turtles abound and a multitude of lionfish & smaller reef dwelling fish live on this wall. The entrance to Turtle Cavern is also found about 70ft down along this wall.

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