If you want to explore the beauty and mystery lurking below the water, one of the best places in the world to visit is Sipadan Island. Located off the coast of Malaysian Borneo, Sipadan Island is part of the Sabah Islands of Malaysia. The island is nestled in the waters of the Celebes Sea which is home to a dazzling array of creatures.
The Best Diving Site in the World
Sipadan Island claims to be home to the best scuba diving in the world, and many who have explored the depths of its surrounding waters would be inclined to agree. Under the water, you can get up close to both hard and soft coral reefs, as well as the myriad amount of sea life that calls these reefs their home.
In addition to the reefs, you’ll be swimming with endangered green turtles and white tip reef sharks, as well as more than 3,000 other types of marine life. Some lucky divers can even encounter hammerhead sharks in the sea. For more experienced divers, the limestone caves found below the surface provide a new and thrilling challenge for them to explore.
Famous Barracuda Point
Several dive spots are available just off Sipadan Island, but one of the most famous is Barracuda Point and is aptly named because divers here frequently see large numbers of barracuda swimming together. Manta rays and whale sharks are also common sites from this and other dive points in the area.
Diving on Sipadan Island is very popular but only 120 dives per day can be conducted at the nine dive points around the island. That means if you want to explore those depths you need to get an early start.
The Protected Island
Although the pristine beaches of Sipadan Island may seem very attractive and even the 1 meter long monitor lizards who sometimes stroll along wouldn’t deter you from spending hours relaxing by the waters, the island is not for tourists. In 2004, the government closed down all of the resorts out of a desire to protect the wildlife and ecology of the island. Recognizing the areas appeal to scuba divers (and to snorkelers), the government did allow diving to continue. That means you won’t be able to enjoy as much as you may like, but it does mean the island will be preserved so divers can continue returning and enjoying its beauty for years to come.
Getting to Sipadan Island
If you are going diving or snorkeling off Sipadan Island, you’ll find boats available from resorts available on several nearby islands: Kapalai Island (a 15 minute boat ride), Mabul Island (a 20 minute boat ride), or Mataking Island (a 60 minute boat ride).
You can also take a boat from Semporna, a port town on Borneo, to Sipadan or any of the other Sabah Islands. The best way to reach Semporna is to fly into the Tawau International Airport, usually from Kuala Lumpur or Kota Kinabalu, then take a taxi into the port town. The drive usually takes about one to two hours.
