Sipadan Island
Pulau Sipadan
Malaysia’s only oceanic island, rising from the seafloor 600 meters below. Barracuda storms, parrotfish schools and turtles are everywhere. Jacques Cousteau called it “untouched art.”
Sipadan is Malaysia’s only oceanic island, built from coral reef piled on an extinct volcanic cone. The island covers just 12 hectares, but its reef walls drop 600 meters from the surface, and currents bring dense concentrations of large marine life. At Barracuda Point, thousands of barracudas swirl in a “storm.” Schools of bumphead parrotfish make their rounds early in the morning. Whitetip and grey reef sharks are common, and in a single dive you may spot a dozen or more green turtles and hawksbill turtles. There is also the famous Turtle Tomb cave, which requires cavern diving certification. The island has 12 dive sites, and Drop Off, South Point and Hanging Gardens are the classics. All resorts on the island were moved off in 2004. Since 2005, a daily permit system has been in place. Permits are currently capped at 178 and are issued by Sabah Parks to nearby resorts and dive shops, costing about RM 140 per person. Divers must hold an AOW or OW certification and have logged at least 20 dives. Beginner trial dives are not accepted. Night diving is not allowed, and overnight stays on the island are prohibited, so divers usually return to Mabul or Kapalai after three dives a day. Planning tips: stay at least 3–4 nights in Mabul or Kapalai, since resorts allocate Sipadan permits according to the length of your stay (most are 4 nights, 1 day). Confirm that your permit has been secured before departure. The first dive at 6–7 a.m. is the best time to see the barracuda storm. Note: there is a military and police checkpoint on the island, so bring your original passport or a copy, along with your dive certification. Sipadan has strong currents and deep dives, so strictly control your depth and stay within no-decompression limits.
Opening hours
06:00–16:00 (landing limited to licensed divers)
Nearby sights
- Kapalai Resort
- Mabul Island
- Bukit Tengkorak Archaeological Site
- Semporna Town & Waterfront
- Kulapuan Island
- Tun Sakaran Marine Park
- Maiga Island
- Bajau Laut Village