Sipadan Island

Sipadan Island
Semporna

“I have seen other places like Sipadan 45 years ago. Now we have found again an untouched piece of art”. - Jacques-Yves Cousteau

The internationally famous island of Sipadan lies five degrees north of the equator in the Sulawesi Sea (Celebes Sea). Lying 35km south of Semporna, on Sabah’s mainland, like many tropical islands it is thickly forested and surrounded by sandy beaches. Sipadan is an oceanic island and was formed by living corals growing on top of an extinct undersea volcano, which rises 600m from the seabed.

The geographic position of Sipadan puts it in the centre of the richest marine habitat in the world, the heart of the Indo-Pacific basin. More than 3000 species of fish and hundreds of coral species have been classified in this richest of ecosystems. Sipadan is well known for its unusually large numbers of green and hawksbill turtles which gather there to mate and nest and it is not unusual for a diver to see more than 20 turtles on each dive. Another unique feature to divers visiting Sipadan is the turtle tomb, an underwater limestone cave with a labyrinth of tunnels and chambers that contain many skeletal remains of turtles that became disoriented and then drowned.

The residential schooling barracuda and big-eye trevally, which often gather in thousands forming spectacular tornado-like formations, are one of the highlights of every diver’s wish-list. With the possibility of seeing pelagic species such as mantas, eagle rays, scalloped hammerhead sharks and whale sharks, each dive at Sipadan is a highly anticipated event.

It is not only the big fish that amaze divers coming to Sipadan, the macro life is equally mesmerizing. Garden eels, leaf scorpion fish, mantis shrimps, fire gobies, and various pipefish are guaranteed at various dive sites. The diversity and abundance of marine found at Sipadan gives it its reputation of being one of the ten best dive locations in the world.

Conservation efforts in Sipadan
Sipadan Island was established as a bird sanctuary in 1933 and in 2004, the Government of Malaysia has decided that all onsite dive resort operators are to move their operations out of Sipadan Island by 31st December 2004. The island is open for divers from 6am to 4pm - no night dives are allowed. The number of divers allowed to dive in Sipadan daily has also been limited to 120 pax in an effort to preserve the island’s pristine state.
Sipadan is a treasure which we want to save for the generations to come, before Sipadan can be saved, it must first be truly appreciated - hence the conservation efforts. Nevertheless, a treasure amounts to nothing if it cannot be enjoyed. Therefore, Sabah welcomes everyone to enjoy and appreciate Sipadan, and this appreciation will hopefully incite a bigger desire to save.

Sipadan Dive Sites
There a total of 12 dive sites in Sipadan Island namely the West Ridge, North Point, The Drop Off, Turtle Cavern, Barracuda Point, Coral Gardens, Whitetip Avenue, Mid Reef, Turtle Patch, South Point, Staghorn Crest, Lobster Lair, and the Hanging Gardens. The most popularly recommended dive sites are the Turtle Cavern, Barracuda Point, South Point and Hanging Gardens.

Barracuda Point
The Barracuda Point is located at the north Coast of Sipadan Island. Famous for its astounding vortex of barracudas (hence the name Barracuda Point), divers have also reported sightings of white tip sharks, grey reef sharks, eagle rays, turtles, as well as the bumphead parrotfish. A caveat: currents can get too strong, so don't go too deep!
Turtle Cavern
This site is famous for its population of green turtles and smaller hawksbill turtles. This cavern which lies 20 meters underwater is believed to be the final resting place of turtles. Divers are reminded to be extremely careful when exploring the caves as visibility can be drastically reduced to zero should the silt be disturbed.
South Point
South Point is one of the most likely sites for the rarer sharks such as the hammerheads and thresher sharks which are normally only seen around the 40-meter point. Divers are advised to be wary of the strong currents at this site.
Hanging Gardens
Named after the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the topography of the Hanging Gardens consists of a 2-meter-deep reef that slopes down to a terrace at about 70 meters which subsequently plunges into an abyss. This is an excellent spot to view soft corals with dendronephthya alcyonarians in multifarious pastel colours encrusting the slope. Do keep an eye also for the diverse macro life.

Where to Stay

The Malaysian government has decided that all existing onsite dive resort operators were to move their operations out of the Sipadan Island by 31st December 2004. The move is aimed at conserving and maintaining a balanced marine and land ecosystem on Sipadan’s environments. However, Sipadan will remain as a dive site and divers are to be ferried by operators operating from the mainland or nearby islands other than Sipadan and Ligitan.

On an overnight trip to Sipadan, choose to stay in any one of these excellent resorts:

1. Borneo Divers & Sea Sports (Sabah) Sdn Bhd
2. Explore Asia Tours Sdn Bhd (Sipadan-Mabul Resort)
3. Seaventures Tours & Travel Sdn Bhd
4. Sipadan Water Village Resort Sdn Bhd
   * Resort rates may vary

Getting There

From Kota Kinabalu, take a 55-minute flight to Tawau and enjoy an hour’s drive to Semporna. From Semporna, Sipadan is another 40 minutes by speedboat. Be sure to pre-arrange transportation with your respective resort/dive operato

Sipadan Island (Pulau Sipadan)

Sipadan, located 30 km off Semporna on the East Coast of Sabah is rated as the world's top dive sites. For the true diving enthusiast, the island needs no introduction. Praised by the internationally renowned oceanographer and filmmaker Jacques Cousteau as one of the best diving spots in the world, it is unique as the only oceanic island in Malaysia. Its geographic position puts Sipadan in the centre of the richest marine habitat in the world, the heart of the Indo-Pacific basin. Sipadan rises 600m from the seabed to provide spectacular wall dives and underwater garden. More than 3,000 species of fish and hundreds of coral species have been classified in this richest of ecosystem.

Sipadan is also renowned for its unusually large numbers of green and hawksbill turtles, which gather there to mate and nest. It is not unusual to see more 20 turtles on each dive. Another unique feature to divers is the turtle tomb that contains many skeletal remains of turtles. The residential schooling barracuda and big-eye trevally are one of the highlights on every diver's Wish-list, which often gather in thousands forming spectacular tornado-like formations. Mantas, eagle-rays, scalloped hammerhead sharks and whale sharks may also be seen, as well as an abundance of macro life. For sustainable-conservation purpose, Sipadan is presently, open to only 80 guests at any one time. There are six resorts on Sipadan

The best vacation ideas

There is a lot of place you can go for a vacation anywhere in the world. For me one of the best location spot for vacation is Malaysia. If you looking for relaxing on the beach and not too crowded with people Malaysia is the place you looking for. Malaysia has been known for a variety of beautiful island in the world. Here I will list down and tell a bit information about several of the most visited island by tourist in Malaysia.

Sipadan Island
SIpadan Island is located in Sabah, Malaysia. This island is known as one of the best diving and unique spot in South East Asia. It has a beautiful white sandy beach and one of the world most beautiful coral reef site. Sipadan Island was also had been awarded as the best beach dive in the world in 1993.

Tioman Island
Tioman Island is located at Pahang, Malaysia. It has been known as the biggest island in East Coast. This island also known for it beautiful Palm Beach. It also have a tropical forest and habitat for many kind of floral and fauna. For those who like spend time on the beach and love to walk in the forest this is suitable place for you. In 70’s time magazine selected Tioman Island as one of the most beautiful island.

Perhentian Island
Pehentian Island is located in Terengganu, Malaysia. This island has two main island (Perhentian Kecil Island and Perhentian Besar Island). Perhentian in english is mean one stop.
-Perhentian Besar Island : This island is covered by virgin tropical jungle an it also very suitable for tracking and hiking. It also has a several luxury resort for those who like luxury vacation. The are several activities you can do here beside relaxing on the beach and go hiking in the jungle. You can choose activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, boating, canoeing and wind surfing.
-Perhentian Kecil Island: This island is just beside Perhentian Besar Island. Tourist who came here rate this island to be the best gateway beach in the world. This island also have a long an beautiful beach, crystal clear water and the most special thing about this island is it has a calm water and you can swim just like you were swimming in the swimming pool.

Redang Island
This island is also located in Terengganu, Malaysia. Redang Island is a very special island because besaide the main island there also have 8 more island surrounding it. The name of these island is Pinang island, Kerengga Kecil Island, Kerengga Besar Island, Lima Island, Paku Kecil Island, Paku Besar Island, Ling Island and the last one is Ekor Tebu Island. Like other island in Malaysia, Redang also have a beautiful beach, crystal clear water and beautiful coral reef. It also known as a marvelous marine fishes and turtle. You also can scuba diving and snorkeling activities here.

These are a few attraction and tourist spot in Malaysia. Malaysian is known as one of the most popular place for tourist. Hope this information can guide you. For my last word I would like to say Visit Malaysia 2009.

Malaysia Scuba Diving - Pulau Sipadan Island

Sabah is fast becoming the stuff of legend. It has innumerable tourist attractions including the sacred Mount Kinabalu, Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary, jungle expeditions, white water rafting, fascinating tribal culture and of course dive sites of world repute such as Sipadan. Add to this widely spoken English, comprehensive international flight connections and welcoming local people and you begin to see why it should be your next dive holiday destination.

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Malaysia - Top 7 Beaches To Die For

Perhentian Islands: You could argue that when Leonardo Di Caprio chose to shoot his movie “The Beach” in Thailand, he was not familiar with the stunning Perhentian Islands! Just off the east coast of Malaysia in North East Terengganu are two islands which are known as Perhentian Islands. They are a massive hit with tourists now due to their silver sandy beaches and their crystal clear blue waters. Perhentian Islands is arguably one of the most beautiful places on this earth.

Redang Island: Not far from Perhentian Islands is that of Redang. In total it comprises nine smaller islands. Among the east coast islands this is the largest and arguably the most developed too. Designated as a marine park it’s a fantastic place for divers and snorkelers to enjoy the collection of coral reefs and various marine life.

Langkawi Island: If you have heard about Malaysia as a tourist then you will also have heard about Langkawi. Langkawi Island is actually made up of ninety nine smaller islands and is host to some of the most luxurious hotels in all Malaysia. UNESCO recently awarded Langkawi Island with “geopark” status. For the tourist to Kuala Lumpur its only around forty minutes traveling distance so there is no excuse not to visit!

Pangkor Laut Island : Off the coast of Perak State, north of Selangor , lies a cluster of fabulous islands with unquestionably some of the best coves and beaches on the western coast of peninsular Malaysia. Among them, two islands predominate in terms of accessibility, infrastructure and development - the largest island, Pangkor and her sister Pangkor Laut. Upon the island of Pangkor Laut is the Pangkor Laut Resort which is renowned as one of the best hotels in Malaysia, if not the world. It has won a number of awards over the past decade and for this alone the islands are well worth a visit!

Tioman Island: This place is popular for its beautiful soft and sandy beaches, where a great collection of underwater creatures and coral reefs can be found. It is a magnificent location to go snorkeling and even hiking, and while you are there you can stay at the Japamala Resort.

Rawa Island: Only a few miles from Tioman Island and offering similar luxuries is that of Rawa Island. This is privately owned and there is only one hotel on the island which may seem very limiting. However, its very exclusive and somewhat untouched.

Sipadan Island: Rated as one of the top five diving spots in the world, Sipadan Island is situated just off the coast of Sabah, Borneo - Malaysia’s eastern island, and previously known as North Borneo. The island did have a reputation as being a hunting ground for pirates but now its known not for its piracy but for its wonderful and luxurious beauty.

Pulau Sipadan ( Sipadan Island ) - Sabah

Pulau Sipadan ( Sipadan Island ) - Sabah

The name of Sipadan is simply legendary in diving circles, conjuring images of twirling tornados of barracudas and jacks, patrolling hammerhead sharks, millions of technicolored reef fish and, above all, dozens of sea turtles swimming peacefully everywhere.
"Sipidan, Borneo: The waters of Indonesia meet the waters of Malaysia at the 'Ring of Fire'. Within this underwater circus lies one of the world's freshest dive sites - Borneo's Sipidan Island. Seeing 10 green and hawksbill turtles in one dive is not uncommon, nor is seeing a school of 300 barracuda and hammerheads The proximity of dives to shore allows you to gear up, swim out a few yards, and get some of the best diving of your life."

As I discovered, most people go to Mabul to dive Sipadan, that great pelagic sea mount made famous by Jacques Cousteau, home to the turtle tomb, thousands of live turtles and millions of schooling pelagics. The reason they choose Mabul over Sipadan is mainly because the accommodation at Smart Diver Resort on Mabul is slightly more upmarket than that found on Sipadan, offering private en-suites, fresh (not brackish) showers and loads of hot water.
If you're diving Sipadan from Mabul (only 15 minutes away by boat), then you're out for the whole day. This isn't a problem because the boats are huge with lots of room, full awnings and even shelves overhead for dry gear. Between dives, have your surface interval sitting on the famous Sipadan wharf, or perhaps,walking along the beach. Lunch is a picnic affair on the back side of Sipadan Island. After three dives, you'reback on Mabul in timefor a hot shower and a late-afternoon cup of tea or coffee, which is always accompanied by a scrumptious Asian pastry of some sort.

10 Top Scuba Diving Destinations – All In Malaysia

The abundance of marine life in the waters of Malaysia has made it one of the prime diving destinations in the world.

Take the Island of Borneo for instance, this popular scuba diving destination, alone, has more than ninety-three diving spots that most experienced divers long to explore. Terengganu is another notable scuba diving destination since Palau Kapas, Palau Redang, Lang Tehgah Island and Tenggol Island is located within this place.

The Island of Borneo alone has more than 90 diving spots that are fantastic for anyone with an interest in scuba diving.

Ten of the best diving areas of Malaysia are

Sabah – otherwise known as North Borneo, Sabah offers the diver many wonderful experiences. Witness hammerhead sharks and whale sharks just as an example.

Redang Kalong Resort – Redang Resort on Redang Island is a wonderful place for diving beginners and snorkeling too.

Tioman Island – the world renowned Tioman Island is a superb place to spend time scuba diving and snorkeling. The shores host a beautiful array of colorful marine life that just has to be seen

Sabah is another very magnificent destination where divers can have the privilege of witnessing the likes of hammerhead and whale sharks.

Palau Kapas – located just off the coast from the town of Marang. Great for scuba diving learners and more experienced alike. Palau Kapas is famed for crystal clear waters and silver sand beaches.

Tioman Island, on the other hand, is a very tranquil place where very colorful marine creatures can be seen. The collection of very unusual marine creatures, are quite vast and because of this it has become one of the very notable scuba destinations in the world.

Redang Kalong Resort is a marine park that is consisting of nine different islands located at the north eastern coast of Peninsular Malaysia. This resort is an ideal location for experienced divers, as well as for those who want to learn, because the resort offers scuba lessons.

Lankayan Island, harboring a total of forty dive spots, is located in the Sulu Sea, in the north eastern portion of Sabah. It is a tropical paradise untouched by human occupation until recently. A Macroworld paradise of hard and soft corals and colorful species of marine creatures, it has become on of the most important dive spots in Malaysia.

Mabul – just off the coastline of Sipadan Island is Mabul Island. This island offers its own coral reefs and marine life that it should not be missed if you are to visit Sipadan.

Lankayan Island – situated off the north east coast of Sabah, towards the Philippines and in the Sulu Sea is Lankayan Island. This island offers 40 different diving sites alone so it’s a great spot for any keen diver.

sipadan island

Pulau Sipadan - The jewel in the crown of diving in Malaysia and with good reason. Sipadan is a tiny oceanic island less than an hour from the mainland where rich currents bring food which brings fish, which brings bigger fish, which brings more and more fish, sharks and turtles. The dive sites are peppered around the island and none is more than a short speedboat ride away from the nearby dive resorts. And although they are all different they all offer one thing: lots to see!

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.

It is easy to understand how Jacques Cousteau got so excited about diving at Sipadan when he visited and declared it an "untouched piece of art". Tourism has made it less than untouched but it remains a fabulous experience to find yourself diving here. It is often hard to believe that you are not diving in an enclosed environment such is the array of species and overwhelming biomass of the marine creatures that choose to live here.

Sipadan Island

Just mention the word Sipadan in a room full of divers and watch what happens: Those that have been there will immediately start sharing stories of hammerhead sharks, massive barracuda and parrotfish schools, turtles, undersea caves and a  reef wall reaching down to 600 metres. Those that haven’t experienced it yet, will get a dreamy expression on their faces.
Sipadan is judged by many to be among the top 5 diving locations in the world. Find out about diving in Sipadan.
This divers’ Mecca has lured underwater enthusiasts for years. It is Malaysia’s only oceanic island, formed by living corals growing on top of a volcanic cone. It lies in the Celebes Sea just off the east coast of Malaysian Borneo, close to the borders of Indonesia and the Philippines.
Above water, the island is a covered in lush jungle and home to tropical birds such as kingfishers, sea-eagles, sunbirds, starlings and wood pigeons. There are also fruit bats and monitor lizards and at nightfall a turtle may come to lay her eggs on the beach while coconut crabs scurry into the water at the slightest sound. It was declared a bird sanctuary as early as 1933 and in 2004, all accommodation facilities on Sipadan were closed to further protect this pristine natural treasure.
Divers are still easily able to enjoy the magic of underwater Sipadan. It is within minutes of the islands of Mabul and Kapalai half an hour from Semporna on Malaysian Borneo and just over an hour from the islands of Mataking and Pompong. Resorts and dive operators in these locations bring divers to Sipadan’s dive sites by boat on a daily basis.

photo at sipadan island

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  sunset at sipadan island
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  sipadan water village
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  Blackfin Tuna
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  barracudas
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  grey reef shark
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  fish on the rock
  Tezic (16927) *

HOTEL in Mabul Sipadan Island

Well...there's only ONE HOTEL in Mabul Island and the rest are Guesthouses. I think GH is a better choice although the amenities are very basic. I support eco-friendly travels. 3 meals a day (feel free to buy fresh seafood from locals cheaply and ask the kitchen staff to prepare dishes from it). The diving instructor is an Australian and the rest of the diving crew are very helpful. Since I can only float by latching myself at the boat, the diving crew drived shoals of colourful fishes to the surface and tame sharks as well as turtles so that I can viewed them!!!!! At night....as you sleep...the whole Island swayed gently lulling you to deep slumber!!!

Sipadan Island Diving

Another discovery we have Cousteau to thank for, Palau Sipadan is a treasure trove of potential sites and sights and one of the best places in the world to swim with turtles (green and hawksbills are the most common.). They graze on sponges here, cruising calmly though the waters and pecking away at the corals and rocks the sponges sprout from and lay their eggs on the island annually. You can arrange to be part of the experience, though it is sensibly heavily regulated. Barracudas seem equally relaxed and gather in hoards at Barracuda Point, like a sand storm of fish. Trevelly, snapper and reef shark are well represented and the bumphead parrotfish are pretty funny (their name gives away their appeal.).

Sipadan from the air is a circle of green forest surrounded by an apron of reef that is about five or six times the size of the island itself. Anemones grow thick on the sunny sides of the reef so there is colour and small fish a plenty

Top 10 Scuba Diving Destinations

If you are keen on scuba diving then you need look no further than the shores of Malaysia.
Take the Island of Borneo for instance, this popular scuba diving destination, alone, has more than ninety-three diving spots that most experienced divers long to explore. Terengganu is another notable scuba diving destination since  Kapas Island,  Redang Island, Lang Tehgah Island and Tenggol Island is located within this place.
Imagine being able to see all the colorful underwater creatures and being able to witness the magnificence of the unspoiled treasures of the sea. How great it must be to get the chance to swim amongst creatures you thought you can only find in television and colorful reference books. Malaysia has a very impressive collection of large schools of hammerhead sharks, barracudas, sea turtles, frogfish, pipefish and all the other different species of animals.
Tioman Island, located in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia has become a very popular dive site because of the existence of the very fascinating and colorful marine creatures.
It is open for both expert divers who have travelled to Malaysia to experience the richness of its aquatic population and also for those who wish to learn how to dive. Offering more than twenty dive spots for you to explore, Tioman Island is the destination for water sports enthusiasts.
Redang Kalong Resort that is located in Redang Island, Malaysia is ideal for both experienced divers and beginners who would wish to acquire some scuba diving lessons. It is popular for the very beautiful beaches that line the shore and is visited by most vacationers who long to have some peace and quiet, away from the busy city streets.
Tioman Island - the world renowned Tioman Island is a superb place to spend time scuba diving and snorkeling. The shores host a beautiful array of colorful marine life that just has to be seen
Sabah is another very magnificent destination where divers can have the privilege of witnessing the likes of hammerhead and whale sharks.
Palau Kapas - located just off the coast from the town of Marang. Great for scuba diving learners and more experienced alike. Palau Kapas is famed for crystal clear waters and silver sand beaches.
Pulau Lang Tengah - great for scuba diving with its varying marine parks. The coral reefs here are vibrant with marine life.
Palau Tengol - another of the best diving sites in the world, Palau Tengol is a group of islands off the east coast of Malaysia, near Dungun. The waters are ideal to dive from April to June when the waters are crystal and teeming with marine life.
Sipadan - on the north east coast of Borneo is the island of Sipadan, known not only for its tales of pirates but also for its wonderful offerings to the avid scuba diver. Crystal clear blue waters for most of the year make it one of the best diving areas in the world too!
Mabul - just off the coastline of Sipadan Island is Mabul Island. This island offers its own coral reefs and marine life that it should not be missed if you are to visit Sipadan.
Mabul, located at the north of Sipadan, it exhibits a very vast collection of marine life. It has become one of the world's most famous macro diving sites where you can find rare macro-world sea creatures you cannot find anywhere else. - 2452

Sipadan Island (Pulau Sipadan)

 

The best thing about Malaysia is its unique climate, sunny but not dry; giving out tanning glows to all visitors the whole year. Rainy seasons may be expected around November, but this is an adventure not to be missed by divers alike; for Malaysia has the immaculate, sunny Sipadan Island to offer as a memorable vacation. Located off the coast of East Malaysia, right at the heart of the Indo-Pacific Ocean, Sipadan Island is promised to offer an unforgettable underwater experience to avid divers. The extensive species of marine life boasts of 3000 different types of creatures with hundreds of multihued corals within its ecosystem.
Sipadan Island possesses nine divine spots for diving. The names are in particular given by divers who experiences extraordinary sightings here. Among the perfect locations are Hanging Garden, Barracuda Point, White-tip Avenue, Coral Garden and Turtle Patch. Barracuda Point, as the name suggests, pledges the picture of a huge school of barracudas to come across the divers’ path.
Due to the ethereal beauty of this island, Malaysian government has taken some actions to help preserve its nature. A maximum of 120 divers are allowed each day, and these numbers are divided evenly among 12 resorts in Mabul and Kapalai. Thee resorts offer a bungalow and a duplex to choose from, with international class facilities; air conditioning, ceiling fans, water heaters, superb view from a private balcony, satellite tv, fly screens and a mini bar. Not to worry because in these resorts the electricity will be supplied 24 hours to visitors who would like to stay indoors. On the other hand, the divers who came to enjoy the undersea experience will be transported via ferry to the diving locations.
All trades will be issued in Malaysian currency (RM) to ease transactions. However, money changers are available in airports and Semporna town. Therefore, the travelers who planned to pay a visit are advised to change their money beforehand, since these resorts do not provide ATM machines. Nonetheless, credit cards such as VISA and MasterCard are acceptable in these resorts. Think that is all? Amongst other attractions is the Sukau Rainforest Lodge, built especially for tree huggers. If the sight of the blue sea and the hot weather is tiring your eyes out, take a refreshing breath of air and enjoy the green here. Visitors will have the chance to watch primates up close by hopping on the Kinabatangan River cruise. The journey to Sukau Rainforest Lodge is 4 hours from Semporna.

“Heaven on Earth” Sipadan-Kapalai Island Resort

What a place. When we arrived at the centre, we could not believe how beautiful it was. We stayed for 2 nights during our honeymoon and were so impressed in so many ways. For two nights, £800 seemed like an awful lot, but when we broke it down - transfers, accomodation. food, dive equipment hire, six dives each (including 4 dives in Sipidan - the highlight of our diving exploits so far) - it was more than reasonable; especially considering there can't be many places as beautiful as this in the whole world. Sipidan was a 30 minute boat journey away, and although they make no guarantees about visiting it (government restriction) most people we met there did get to dive it. A longer stay would make it more likely.
The bungalows on stilts in the middle of the ocean were breathtaking and having a bath next to a window overlooking the ocean as dolphins and turtles swim past was one of the most memorable experiences ever.
If you are not going as a diver, I would imagine that this place might seem a little bit isolated, but for us it was perfect. It is cheaper to stay as a non-diver, but the snorkelling was unbelievable too. The only thing that I would say could be improved would be the food, which was better than adequate but quite repetetive.
We hope that one day we are lucky enough to go back there. If you are in these parts, save your pennies in other areas and splash out on this. You won't regret it.

Dive Sites at Sipadan Island

Reputably one of the best diving spots in the world, the uniqueness of Sipadan Island lies in its geographic makeup. Lying on top of a volcanic seamount, Sipadan Island is the only oceanic island in Malaysia. As this volcano rises steeply over 1600 feet from the seabed, many of the dive sites here consist of steep walls or drop-offs. In addition, the entire reef area of 513 acres functions as the habitat for soft and hard corals, as well as home to over 3000 species of fish. Hawksbill and green turtles are common in Sipadan. In fact, it is not surprising for divers meet to 70 turtles on each dive!

Due to the size of the island, dive sites around Sipadan are close to one another. Altogether, there are 11 marked dive sites around Sipadan:

The Drop-Off is the most popular dive site here and has won the island the Best Beach Dive Award in the world. Located just 20 feet from the beach, the sea water turns indigo blue as the depth of the sea drops steeply to a staggering 2800 feet. The circling tornado of barracuda or jacks typically found in brochures, books or magazines are easily visible overhead when a diver enters the water. Corals and sponges growing at the side of the wall attract small reef fishes. White tip sharks and green turtles are also amongst the creatures living along the cliff. This is also a popular location for night dives, as shrimps and crabs can be seen peering out from the crevices along the wall at night.

Next up is the Turtle Cavern, with the entrance located about 65 feet below the surface. Within these chambers lie the remains of hawksbill and green turtles that have lost their way in the caves and subsequently drowned. Visibility is low in the far reaches of the caves, which is why only advanced divers should enter the cavern. Accompaniment of a local diving master is necessary when venturing into this maze of interconnecting tunnels.

As one of Sipadan’s most treasured sites, Barracuda Point is where schools of barracudas and jacks swirl around as the strong currents here bring food to their midst. Of course, the large volume of fish also attracts the presence of Grey Reef Sharks and the Hammerheads. Here, it is common for divers to drop down lower along the wall. However, the northern point of this site should be avoided as strong currents here may bring divers further away from the island.

The highlight of the Sipadan Midreef Dive would probably be the strong currents that drift divers north or south from their start points. As they scale along the wall, throngs of marine life such as triggerfish, unicorn fish, hawk fish and gobies are visible here. At times, divers may even be pushed upwards by the current, only to be stopped by hard flat corals at the top of the reef.

Other dive sites in Sipadan include the Coral Garden, the Hanging Gardens and the Staghorn Crest, perfect locations for underwater photography due the unique topography and the abundance of colorful marine life. On the other hand, the South Point and Whitetip Avenue dive sites are great locations to observe the rarer shark species such as the Whitetip Reef Sharks and the Hammerheads.