The diving is always good at Sipadan in Malaysia and, sometimes, it can be superb. Good-sized pelagics and large schools of fish generally represent Sipadan’s main attraction to divers. While nothing is guaranteed, it’s not unusual for dives around Sipadan to be highlighted by one or more of the following: hammerhead and leopard shark sightings, barracudas in shoals of several hundred, a rumbling herd of many bumphead parrotfish, a manta or two, countless turtles and perhaps half a dozen of whitetip sharks.


sipadan marine life from a sipadan dive shop

The Marine Life of Sipadan

Reef fish are present in fair numbers and perhaps most impressive are the quantities of medium-sized fish—between 25 and 40 cm (10 and 15 inches)—in relatively shallow waters. This is especially the case for groups of up to a dozen harlequin sweetlips, but also snappers, emperors, triggerfishes, longfin batfish and a couple of species of unicorn fish.

In addition to a rainbow of fish life, this part of Borneo is also home to impressive macro species. Underwater photographers and those with acute powers of observation could spot an unusual crinoid shrimp and fish duo, all matching the host’s coloration, or a golden-spotted shrimp on a very flattened carpet anemone. Some divers have found a patch of relatively tame spotted garden eels, elsewhere requiring extreme patience to photograph outside of their burrow. Sharp eyes can also reveal a pink sailfin leaf-fish, bearded scorpionfish, and numerous species of nudibranchs.

When diving in Sipadan, the dive spots usually live up to their names: White Tip Avenue, Turtle Patch, Staghorn Crest, Lobster Lair and Hanging Gardens (for soft corals), all deliver!This is largely due to Sabah National Parks making huge efforts since 2005 to protect the area. Fish numbers have remained relatively stable and large numbers of fish are seen on most dives around Sipadan.


sipadan island malaysia

How to Find a Sipadan Dive Shop

There are no longer resorts based on the island – divers looking for a Sipadan dive shop must either stay at neighboring Mabul or Kapalai Islands in Borneo, which are home to most of the dive shops that offer trips to the park. For those on more of a budget, accommodation is available in the cheaper area of Semporna and day boats also leave from there for day dive trips to Sipadan.

Diving in the Sipadan area is strictly regulated and operated on a permit basis. Only 120 divers per day are allowed, and all dives must be conducted between 6am and 4pm – no night diving is allowed. Due to the limited number of permits available per day, booking with your chosen Sipadan dive shop in advance is essential. Permits are sold to operators who then in turn allocate them to guests. It is not recommended to arrive in the area without a prior booking. It may be that if you can wait around for a few days, an operator may be able to free up a pass for you, but it could take longer or, in peak season, it may not be possible at all for the Sipadan dive shops to arrange a permit for you.


sipadan clown fish

The Best Sipadan Dive Sites

Here are a few of our favourite dive sites:

South Point: Possible highlights here include hammerhead shark sightings, a solid wall of barracudas stretching over 10 meters high, and a passing herd of bumphead parrotfish. As with all ‘highlights’, a touch of luck is required! On most dives here, though, you can expect to see green turtles, white tip reef sharks, and a good variety of reef fishes.

Barracuda Point: There is one good reason to dive this spot—barracuda. Time after time they turn up in the hundreds, a shoal that turns the water into a glinting wall of fish. There are also sharks to accompany almost every dive along with a school of bumphead parrotfish.

Hanging Gardens: Coral lovers will be in awe of this beautiful dive spot. The soft corals hang like dripping wax from candles in a profusion of colours that can hardly be matched elsewhere. The visibility here is often reduced but the beauty of the site more than compensates.


Turtle Spotting in Sipadan

While seasoned divers may tend to become blasé about green turtles, they are the one nearly guaranteed highlight on Sipadan. Turtle encounters are often close up and swimming alongside one in Sipadan is magical. Whether you are lucky enough to see one chewing a chunk of soft coral or a mating pair, the observational opportunities are endless.


diving in sipadan malaysia

Sipadan Basics

Sipadan Island lies not far, but in splendid isolation, from the continental shelf. While it’s only 12 km (7.5 miles) to Mabul Island on the edge of the shallow Sigitan reefs, the ocean plunges to almost 1,000 meters before rising abruptly. The 15-hectare island, with its lush vegetation and white sand beaches, is but the tip of a marine outcrop.

On the northeast coast, where the reef top extends less than 10 meters from the shore, the turquoise waters abruptly turn dark blue at the edge of a vertical wall. Elsewhere the shallow reef extends as an irregular fringe, over 500 meters (1600 feet) off South Point. Several dive spots dot the edge of the reef, all above vertical walls.

Diving Conditions: When diving in Sipadan, currents are often present and shift during the course of a dive. At Barracuda Point, in particular, there can be 2 knots of current, heading away from the reef and occasionally downward. There are also numerous relatively easy dive spots, but the old adage of ‘more current, more fish’ usually applies.

When to Dive Sipadan: It’s possible to dive Sipadan all year round, but for the best conditions, aim to dive between April and December.


So are you ready to embark on your Sipadan diving adventure? Check out some of the best Sipadan dive shops here!

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