Sipadan Island, which is considered as one of the best diving centers in the world and is included in the tourism promotions of Malaysia, attracts the attention of snorkelers who are curious about underwater as much as divers' dreams. The dream of divers, which is a tiny island despite being famous around the world. Sipadan Island All the information you will need about the location, transportation, accommodation options, diving in Sipadan are waiting for you in this article, have a pleasant reading!
To get login information about Malaysia and Sabah State 12 Reasons to Visit Malaysia's Sabah State ve 2-Week Itinerary for North Borneo (Morning) I recommend that you take a look at my articles.
What You Will Find In This Article
About Sipadan Island
First of all, let me start by saying: Sipadan Island is one of the top 10 diving spots in the world. Sipadan Island, which Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau called "an untouched work of art", is currently under protection and there is no settlement or accommodation on it, only an office where the records of visitors to the island are taken.
Sipadan Island is a unique island formed by the chimney-shaped mouth of a volcano rising 600 meters from the ocean floor. Home to more than 3000 fish species, the island is very important for its marine habitat with its rich ecosystem. When the reef around the island, which is in the form of a chimney, ends, a 600-meter-deep wall begins on the sea floor and hosts marine life. Be aware that the sea creatures you will see here will be unlike those you see anywhere else in terms of number and size!
As of 2023 in Sipadan, only 176 divers and snorkelers are allowed to dive every day at 12 dive sites around the island. This means that if you are planning a trip to Sipadan, you need to book diving/snorkeling in advance.
When you dive at the advice points around Sipadan Island, you will see at least 3-5 and more of the following:
- Barracudas in a flock: We saw not only barracudas, but also leer herds.
- White tipped and black tipped sharks: We saw them in droves.
- Hawksbill turtle: You will see so many turtles that at some point you will stop looking.
- Big head parrot fish: We've seen them in herds, huge animals, people are a little scared.
- hammerhead shark: We didn't see it, I hope you will.
- Manta: My favorite animal to watch underwater, but unfortunately we couldn't see it, it's all luck.
I have dived or snorkeled in many parts of the world, but I have never seen such colorful and gigantic sea creatures together as in Sipadan.
Diving Permit on Sipadan Island
In order to dive in Sipadan, you must have at least Padi Advanced Open Water or Cmas 2 Star certificates. Otherwise you can just snorkel.
On Sipadan Island, only 176 people are allowed to dive and/or snorkel a day. You cannot apply for a permit individually, you have to apply through a diving center. Most of the permits are reserved for resorts located on the islands around Sipadan. The number of permits and diving hours of each hotel has been determined, you can see the list below;
| Resort Name | Minimum Length of stay | Number of Dives | Dive Start | Dive End |
| Sipadan Mabul Resort | 5 nights | 3 dives per day | 08:00 | 15:00 |
| Mabul Water Bungalows | 5 nights | 3 dives per day | 08:00 | 15:00 |
| Mataking Island Resort | 4 nights | 2 dives per day | 07:30 | 15:00 |
| Kapalai Dive Resort | 5 nights | 3 or more dives per day | 05.30 | 13:00 -15.00:XNUMX |
| Borneo Divers Mabul Resort | 3 nights | 3 or more dives per day | 05:30 - 06:00 | 15:30 - 16:00 |
| Seaventures Dive Rig | 3 nights | 3 or more dives per day | 06:00 | 11:00 - 12:00 |
| Sipadan Water Village | 4-5 nights | 3 or more dives per day | 06:00 | 13:00 |
If you can't afford to stay in these resorts, there are also more affordable accommodation options.
Where is Sipadan Island?
Semporna is a small city in the southeast of Sabah Province, close to the Indonesian border, at the confluence of the Sulu Sea and the Celebes Sea, stretching from land to the sea like a promontory. Thanks to Sipadan Island National Park and Tun Sakaran Marine Park, it is a very visited place especially in terms of sea and diving tourism. Sipadan Island National Park is located in the Celebes Sea off Semporna.
How to Get to Sipadan Island?
In order to go to Sipadan Island, you first need to reach the city of Semporna. You will find the details of transportation to Semporna below.
WE Our Sabah State itinerary We went to Semporna from where we were staying in Kinabatangan. Reaching Semporna from Kinabatangan River (close to Sukau city) by private vehicle it takes about 4 hours, another option is to return from Kinabatangan to Sandakan (where you stay may offer a shuttle service) From Sandakan to Semporna by bus. It takes 5-6 hours by bus from Sandakan to Semporna. Unfortunately, it is not possible to find out the bus departure times from the internet, you can get information from the bus terminal in the city when you go.
Sepilok, Sandakan and Kinabatangan River itinerariesm may be of interest to you.
Getting to Semporna from Kota Kinabalu If you want, there are two options;
- From Kota Kinabalu you can take the bus to Semporna, the bus journey takes about 10 hours.
- From Kota Kinabalu to Tawau, you can take a plane from Tawau Airport to Semporna. The journey takes about 1.5 hours. Dive centers and/or hotels usually offer airport shuttle services for a fee. There are 8 daily flights from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau.
If you want to reach Sipadan from Turkey, the nearest airport is Tawau Airport. First of all, you need to come to Tawau by air, from Tawau to Semporna. Air Malaysia, Air Asia has direct flights from Kota Kinabalu and Malaysia's capital city Kuala Lumpur to Tawau Airport.
If you came to Semporna to stay on the islands within the Sipadan Island National Park; Be sure to contact the places you will stay and find out the shuttle times departing from the Semporna Pier to the island you will be staying. There are usually two services, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. We stayed in Mabul Island, it takes about 45 minutes from Semporna to Mabul Island by fast boat, and it takes about 20 minutes from Mabul Island to Sipadan Island by normal boats.
If you are going on a tour to the surrounding islands from Semporna; In this case, it would be better to clarify the departure and arrival times with your tour agency and plan your arrival in Semporna accordingly.
There is a long pier where you can book an island stay or diving trip from tour operators next to the Dragon Inn of Semporna or Seafest hotel. Some of the hotels on the islands do not accept unreserved tourists, so it's a good idea to book permits and boat transfers in advance.
If you have dived in Semporna and your return flight is via Tawau, You have to board the plane after 24 hours since your last dive. Diving centers are very sensitive in this regard, and if you pay attention to this and make your travel plan, you will not have any problems.
Where to Stay on Sipadan Island
Sipadan Island has been under protection since 2005, and accommodation is not allowed in this context. To go to Sipadan Island, you can stay in one of the nearby Mabul, Kapalai or Mataking Islands, liveboard or stay in Semporna. Below you can see the hotels on the islands;
- Sipadan Mabul Resort
- Mabul Water Bungalows
- Mataking Resort
- Kapalai Dive Resort
- Borneo Divers Mabul Resort
- Seaventures Dive Rig
- Sipadan Water Village
- Billabong Scuba
- Scuba Junkie
- Scuba from Sipa
- Uncle Chang's Mabul Lodge
At these hotels, you have the opportunity to get discounts for your stays of more than 10 people.
WE Borneo Divers Mabul ResorWe stayed in the hotel part of t. The resort has hotel and bungalow accommodation options. Accommodation includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and continuous tea and coffee service. It is possible to get hotel accommodation with the diving package or only. Our stay was 4 nights and 5 days. During this period, we made a total of 10 dives at the dive points in Mabul, Kapalai and Sipadan Islands.
Best Time to Go to Sipadan Island
The best time to dive in Sipadan and the surrounding Mabul and Kapalai Islands is from April to May, with the clearest water from February to November in order to see the marine life more clearly. You can dive on the island every month of the year except November.
The island is closed to visitors for a month every year in November so that the ecosystem can renew itself.
Sipadan Island Visit Fees
- from January 2023 Sipa entrance fee; MYR 50 per day for Malaysians and MYR 100 for international visitors.
- from January 2023 Sipadan diving fee: MYR 250 per day for Malaysians and MYR 350 for non-Malaysians
- Protection fee/Scaffolding fee; MYR 3 for Malaysians and MYR 10 per adult for international visitors.
I hope you have found answers to all your questions about Sipadan Island.
Semporna & Sea Gypsies Bajau Indians
Semporna, which is a transit point to go to Sipadan Island and the surrounding islands, is also known as sea gypsies. Bajau Indians'the region they live in. On the way to the islands, you will see makeshift houses built on the sea, the habitats of the Bajau Indians, who are said to swim better than walk. They live by fishing in their homes that are not connected to the land. Bajau are also known for being able to stay underwater for long periods without equipment.
Every year, a festival called Regatta Lepa, where Bajau traditions are celebrated, is held in Semporna. Since the dates change every year, you can find out the dates of that year by searching for “Regatta Lepa dates” before making the program, and if your trip coincides with these dates, you can watch the celebrations with their colorful boats.
While in Semporna; Tun Sakaran Marine Park ve Bohey Dulang Island You can also consider adding routes to your plan.