Sipadan is one the most stunning scuba diving spots around the globe. Sipadan is Malaysia’s only oceanic island. The huge pillar that makes up the atoll serves as shelter for many fish and sea animals. There are very few other places on the planet that can boast such high concentrations of sea turtles. Sipadan is difficult to reach; visitors can only stay on the nearby islands Mabul or Kapalai. It is difficult to dive Sipadan these days due to the limited number of permits available. Regulations allow for 120 dives per day. It is essential to obtain your Sipadan diving permit well in advance. You will need to book a Sipadan Island non-diving or diving package. The longer you stay, the better your chances of getting a permit. You should know that Kapalai and Mabul accommodation are not very affordable. If you are on a budget and find Mabul or Kapalai to be too costly (or the facilities are full), then Semporna is a good option. This village is primarily used as a gateway for Sipadan, Kapalai, and Mataking, which are all great spots to scuba dive. Although Semporna has many great fish restaurants, the village is sometimes described as somewhat dull.
Permit-based scuba diving
Sabah National Parks introduced permits in 2005 to reduce tourism’s impact on this pristine scuba diving destination. This was the second step in ensuring that travelers can continue to enjoy this amazing scuba diving spot for many more years. First, the small island was closed to all resorts. There were once a few small resorts on Sipadan, but they were shut down to preserve the environment. Today, tourists can’t just travel to Sipadan to get a permit. You must reserve your accommodation in advance and there is no guarantee that you will be able dive at Sipadan. Permits cannot be purchased up-front. They are distributed to the nearby resorts (dive school) and given out a few days before you dive. There have been people who didn’t make reservations and ended up not diving at Sipadan. Some travelers have also been able to obtain permits after they just went. Sipadan is usually the main goal of any trip to the area. However, diving around Mabul Island and Kapalai Island, or even Mataking Island are (almost) as good (especially if your passion is muck diving; smaller marine species like nudibranches).
Sipadan is the best place to scuba dive
Sipadan’s underwater world is full of fish and other marine creatures. It is nearly impossible to list them all. There are many species to be found under water, including large schools of big-eye trevallies and turtles. Also, there are many schools of humphead pararotfishes. Schools of giant mantas. Schools of tunas. Many species of sharks can be encountered, including schools of hammerhead sharks. Sometimes, you might even see whale sharks. The diving rates in Malaysia are quite high, usually exceeding RM120 per dive. Avoid diving with schools that do not have proper permits. Sipadan Island can be dived daily between 6am and 4pm. Night dives are not allowed.
Sipadan’s best times to visit
Sipadan Island is open all year round, as there’s no low season. Divers can expect stronger currents in the winter months of January through March. Visibility can reach 50m between April and June. Sipadan beaches are a popular spot for turtle eggs.
International disputes and other dark chapters in history
Sipadan was once the center of a territorial dispute among Malaysia and Indonesia. The International Court of Justice declared Sipadan part of Malaysia in 2002.
21 tourists were kidnapped by members of the Filipino Islamist terrorist organization Abu Sayyaf in 2000. Armed terrorists arrived on boat to bring the victims to Jolo, a nearby island. After paying a ransom, all victims were released. Despite tourists visiting Sipadan for many years, some countries still consider the area to be unsafe.
Accommodation in Sipadan, Mabul, and Semporna
There is no accommodation available on Sipadan Island so you will need to search for accommodation on one of the nearby islands. These exclusive resorts can cost hundreds of dollars per person and per night. However, many people find that the cost is worth it because you are closer to the best diving spots. Semporna is a popular choice for budget travelers as it offers more affordable accommodation. Borneo Global Sipadan Backpackers has a dorm for RM22 and a standard room at RM90 per day. You can also find affordable accommodation on Mabul Island (nearby Sipadan): you can stay at My Scuba Diver’s Mabul Homestay from RM120 per Night (standard room with aircon, and no additional charges for solo travellers). You should make reservations in advance as most guesthouses only offer a few rooms.
How to get from Sipadan
You can travel from Kuala Lumpur or Sipadan by direct (daily flight) to Tawau. From there, it’s a one-hour drive in taxi or minivan to Semporna. Here you will find the jetty that leads to Sipadan’s islands. With the fast boat, it takes approximately 1 hour to get on the boat. If you have made reservations at one the Sipadan’s luxurious resorts, transport from Tawau will usually be included in your package. You can also fly direct from Kota Kinabalu or Tawau, which in some cases may be the best route. If you’re on an organized tour, the arrival time at Tawau for transport to Semporna is earlier than the transit time to Tawau.