Sipadan is a great place to dive in Malaysia. Sometimes it can even be spectacular. Sipadan’s primary attraction for divers is its good-sized pelagics, large schools of fish and excellent visibility. It is not impossible to see hammerheads or leopard sharks on Sipadan’s dives. There are also many turtles and a number of whitetip sharks in the vicinity.
The Marine Life of Sipadan
The reef fish are abundant and plentiful. Perhaps the most impressive is the large number of medium-sized fish (between 25-40 cm (10-15 inches) in shallow waters. This is true especially for groups of up 12 harlequin sweetlips. However, snappers, emperors and triggerfishes can also be found in shallow waters.
The area of Borneo also has impressive macro species. Underwater photographers or those who have a keen eye for detail could spot a crinoid shrimp or fish duo that matches the host’s coloring, or a gold-spotted shrimp on a very flattened rug anemone. Some divers have discovered a small group of spotted garden eggs, which are quite easy to photograph. Sharp eyes may also be able to reveal pink sailfin fish, bearded scorpionfish, or other species of nudists.
Sipadan’s dive spots live up to their name: White Tip Avenue and Turtle Patch, Staghorn Crest, Lobster Lair, Lobster Lair, Lobster Lair and Hanging Gardens for soft corals all deliver. This is partly due to Sabah National Parks’ huge efforts to preserve the area since 2005. Sipadan has seen large numbers of fish, with the fish numbers remaining relatively stable.
How to Locate a Sipadan Diving Shop
There are no resorts anymore on the island. Sipadan divers must look elsewhere for a Sipadan dive shop. Semporna is the most affordable area for accommodation. Day boats leave from Semporna on day trips to Sipadan.
Sipadan is strictly regulated, and permits are required for diving. Permitting 120 divers is the limit. Diving must be done between 6am and 4pm. No night diving is permitted. You must book in advance with the Sipadan dive shop to ensure you have enough permits. Permits are sold by operators to the operators, who then assign them to guests. It is strongly advised not to arrive in the area unless you have made a reservation. If you are able to wait for a while, an operator might be able to release a pass for your. In peak season, however, it may take longer or not be possible for Sipadan diving shops to arrange a permit.
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Sipadan Dive Sites:
Here are some of our top picks for diving:
South Point: Some highlights include sightings of hammerhead sharks, a solid wall containing barracudas over 10 m high, and passing herds of bumphead pararotfish. You need a little luck to make it a highlight. Green turtles, white tip reef Sharks, and a wide variety of fishes can be seen on many dives.
Barracuda Point is worth diving for the barracuda. Every time they appear, it is a shoal which turns the water into an impressive wall of fish. Along with a school bumphead parrotfish, sharks can be found almost everywhere.
Hanging Gardens is for those who love corals. The soft corals look like candles dripping wax and are adorned with a rainbow of colours. The site is difficult to see from the road, but it is worth the effort.
Turtle Spotting in Sipadan
Even though experienced divers may be less enthusiastic about green turtles than they should, they are a guaranteed highlight of Sipadan. The chance to swim with a turtle is amazing in Sipadan. The observation possibilities are endless, regardless of whether you happen to be able to observe a turtle chewing soft coral or a pair mating.
Sipadan Basics
Sipadan Island is located not far but in stunning isolation from the continental shelf. The ocean plunges almost 1,000m to Mabul Island at the Sigitan reef’s edge, but it is only 12 km (12 miles) away. The island of 15 hectares, with its lush vegetation, white sand beaches and greenery, is only the tip.
The northeast coast has turquoise waters that abruptly change to dark blue when the reef top is less than 10 m from the shore. A few hundred meters (or 1600 feet) further south, the shallow reef forms an irregular fringe. There are several dive spots at the reef’s edge. All of them are above the vertical walls.
Conditions diving in Sipadan Currents often shift during a dive. Barracuda Point in particular can see 2 knots or more of current. They move away from the reef sometimes and sometimes down. Many dive spots are easy, and there are many others.
Sipadan Dive Season: Sipadan is open all year. However, for best conditions, Sipadan should be diven between December-April.