Scuba Diving in Malaysia > Dive Sites > Sipadan island

In the northeast of Borneo, in the borderland between Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines there are three world-class dive destinations located within sight of each other. Sipadan is the legendary island of the turtles, Kapalai with a resort built on stilts in the middle of the sea, and Mabul - an enchanting island where every coconut tree has its own number.

The geographic position of Sipadan puts it in the centre of the richest marine habitat in the world, the hearth 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 then 20 turtles on each dive. Another unique feature to dives visiting Sipadan in 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 are one of the highlights on every diver's wish-list which often gather in thousands forming spectacular tornado-like formations. With the possibility of seeing pelagic such as mantas, eagle rays, scalloped hammerhead sharks and whale sharks, each dive at Sipadan is a highly anticipated event.

It's 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 life found at Sipadan gives it its reputation of being one the ten best dive locations in the world.

Favorite Dives

ALL & Every dive sites especially Barracuda Point: The maximum depth at Barracuda Point is something you just don't need to explore, but for experienced divers it's worth dropping to 40m to see which big animals might be there. Reef sharks explore out in the blue and, occasionally, hammerheads are seen. Meanwhile back on the wall, the fans, corals and sponges are equally spectacular. The real appeal is actually further up at shallow depths. Here divers encounter huge schools of jacks, as turtle flit around; and as the point approaches you see the reason diving at Barracuda Point earns it tags: Schooling Barracudas....dancing in tune with the current.

Drop Off - is considered to be the best beach dive site in the world. Just 5-6 meters from the shore, the wall plunges a staggering 800 meters down and is rated as one of the top 5 Beach Dives in the world. The wall is encrusted with different varieties of coral, turtles abound and a multitude of lion fish & smaller reef dwelling fish live on this wall. The entrance to TURTLE CAVERN is also found about 22 meters down along this wall.

This are just few of Sipadan's site, but rest assured, the others, Coral Gardens, White Tip Avenue, Turtle Patch, South Point, Staghorn Crest, Hanging Gardens, Lobster Lair, North Point and West Ridge are equally stunning!

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contact Ravi for more information at ravi@godiving-malaysia.com or call/sms +6019 3823172