Sipadan is a beautiful spot for scuba diving. Sipadan, Malaysia’s only island with oceanic access, is home to many marine animals and fish. It is one of only a handful of places worldwide that has such a high concentration. Sipadan can be difficult to access; Sipadan cannot be reached from the mainland. Sipadan is now even more difficult to dive as permits are only allowed for a limited number of people (reglements allow 120 dives per days). You should apply for your Sipadan diving license in advance. Book a Sipadan Island diving or non-diving trip to get your permit. The longer your stay, your chances of getting one. Accommodation at Mabul and Kapalai aren’t cheap. Semporna could be a great option for budget travelers who find Mabul and Kapalai too pricey (or are unable to use the facilities). This village serves as a gateway into Sipadan and other excellent scuba diving spots like Mabul, Kapalai or Mataking. Semporna’s many fish restaurants offer delicious food, but the village is often described as dull.
Permit-based scubadiving
Sabah National Parks in 2005 introduced the permits to decrease tourism footprint on the beautiful scuba diving spot. It was the second step to ensure that tourists could continue to enjoy this wonderful scuba diving spot in the future. The resorts were closed on the island’s small island. Sipadan had small resorts, but these were closed to protect the environment. Tourists cannot travel to Sipadan without a permit. They must book their stay in advance. Even then, there is no guarantee that they will be able to dive at Sipadan. Permits can’t be bought up front. They are distributed in the vicinity of resorts (dive schools), and are usually given out days or a day before your dive. People have regretted not making reservations and decided to not dive at Sipadan. Many stories are about travelers who went to Sipadan without reservations and got a permit. Sipadan diving is the most popular and important part of any trip to the area. But, diving at nearby dive spots such as Mabul Island, Kapalai Island, Mataking Island or even Mataking Island can be just as exciting, especially if you are interested in muck diving, smaller marine life, like nudibranches.
Sipadan: Scuba diving
Sipadan is home to many sea creatures and fish. It’s almost impossible to list all of them. You will find many species, such as schools of big eye trevallies, turtles, schools and tornadoes of barracudas. There are also schools of humphead Parrotfishes, schools and tunas. There are many shark species, including schools of Hammerhead Sharks. Dive rates are usually higher than other destinations in Malaysia, and can reach as high as RM120 per day. Don’t dive with any diving school that doesn’t have the proper permits. Sipadan Island offers diving from 6am until 4pm every day. Night diving is not permitted.
Sipadan: Best time to visit
Sipadan Island diving can be done all year, since there is no low season. The weather in January and March can be unpredictable so divers should expect higher currents. Visibility up to 50m can be expected between April and May. Sipadan is a popular beach for turtles.
International disputes and other dark sides of history
Sipadan was once at the heart of a territorial conflict between Malaysia and Indonesia. In 2002, the International Court of Justice declared the islands to be part of Malaysia.
In 2000, 21 tourists were taken hostage by Abu Sayyaf, a terrorist group of Filipino Islamists. Armed terrorists arrived via boat and took the victims to Jolo. All the victims were released after a ransom was paid. Although Sipadan is still considered unsafe by some countries, tourists have been visiting the area for many years without any issues.
Accommodation near Semporna and Mabul
Sipadan Island does not have accommodation so you’ll need to look for accommodations on nearby islands. Although these resorts are expensive per night and can often be hundreds of dollars, it is well worth the expense as you will get closer to the best dive spots. Semporna is popular for budget-minded travelers. There are more affordable accommodations. Borneo Global Sipadan Backpackers offers a dorm and a standard rooms for RM22 each night. Mabul Island, near Sipadan, also offers affordable accommodation. You can stay at My Scuba Diver’s Mabul Homestay for RM120 per evening (standard room equipped with aircon). Solo travelers are not charged additional. Most guesthouses have only one room, so make sure to make reservations early!
How to get to Sipadan
It is best to travel from Kuala Lumpur and Sipadan via a direct (daily), scheduled flight to Tawau. Once there, it is an hour-long drive by taxi or van to Semporna, where you will find the jetty leading to Sipadan’s nearby islands. The boat ride takes around 1 hour with the fast boat. If you make reservations at one of Sipadan’s luxury resorts, transportation from Tawau is often included in the package. Direct flights are available from Kota Kinabalu and Tawau. This route may be more convenient in certain cases. However, if you are taking an organized tour, Tawau’s arrival time is quicker for the transportation to Semporna.