Location Info
Address: Sipadan Island, Sabah, Malaysia
District » Semporna
Location
The exclusive Sipadan Island is located in the Celebes Sea. The island was formed thousands of years ago on top of and extinct volcanic cone. From there, corals started to grow there and that was the precursor of the island. Slowly and gradually, it grew and grew to 600 meters from the seabed. The marine life here is the reason why the Sipadan Island is so famous. It has the most diverse marine life in the world and is also known as a top diving site among diving enthusiasts.
Overview
Back in 1933, the Sipadan Island was only recognized as a bird sanctuary. It was in 2004 that all facilities on the island were shutdown to preserve its prized wealth of lush greenery and diverse creatures living on the island as well as underwater. The Sipadan Island is located at the center of the Indo-Pacific basin where it is known to be the richest underwater habitat in the entire world. Other than being rich in marine life, Sipadan Island is also renowned for the large number of turtles that live there. It is a common sight to see such magnificent creatures swim underwater.
The Sipadan Island is also the sacred place which safeguards more than 3000 species of fish and hundreds of species of corals. The jungle on the island is the home to many species of exotic birds like the Grey Imperial-pigeon. Tourists who have gotten to the island will be amazed with what they are about to see. For a small island like Sipadan, its beauty is by far better than many islands in the world. It is rated by many to be one of the top five diving destinations in the world. The best time to dive here is between January and August when the water is so clear that visibility underwater is over 30 meters. But do bear in mind that the currents here may be quite tough for beginners. That is why guides usually bring tourists to easier routes to avoid having that complication.
Fishing is not allowed on the island to preserve the ecosystem here. Corals, sand or dead shells are prohibited from being collected. This island is so exclusive that everyone who wishes to visit the island will be required to get a special permit. The island is a place everyone should visit at least once in their life. The best time to visit Sipadan is between April and June but the best time to watch turtles lay their eggs would be between May and August. There are plenty of other places to visit and see in Sabah. Do not miss the chance to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of Sabah. Accommodations in Sabah are plentiful and ranges from a wide price range that will suit your budget.
Transport
You can take a flight to Tawau and then get on a bus to reach to Semporna where the island is at. And from Semporna, the speedboat ride to Sipadan Island will take about an hour plus. If you do not want to wait for the bus from Tawau to Semporna, you can also take a taxi there from the Tawau Airport to Semporna.
Link source;http://sabah.attractionsinmalaysia.com/Sipadan-Island.php
Pulau Mabul
Mabul Island is reputed to be one of the best places for underwater macro photography in the world. Located in the clear waters of the Celebes Sea off the mainland of Sabah, it is surrounded by gentle sloping reefs two to 40m deep. Covering some 21 ha., it is considerably larger than the nearby Sipadan Island and is home to the Bajau Laut tribe, one of many ethnic groups in Sabah. Diving is the main activity on this island, and it can be done all year round. Marine life that can be seen here includes sea horses, exotic starfish, fire gobies, crocodile fish, pipefish and snake eels. There are over eight popular dive spots, each with its own specialty. Three resorts cater to scuba divers - two are on the island itself while one is on a converted oil rig platform about 500m offshore. The offshore resort is called Sipadan Water Village Resort. Sipadan Water Village is a resort beautifully constructed with Bajau architectural design. The entire resort is built over water on stilts made of Belian Wood commonly called ironwood, laid in certain points so as to minimise damage to the existing reef. In its design, Sipadan Water Village has achieved near utopia in its over-the-water layout, splendid water cottage accommodations with flowered sidewalks, wonderfully prepared Asian and Continental cuisine, and impeccable and personable service. All of the resorts provide day trips for their guests to the nearby Pulau Sipadan and Kapalai Island. To reach Mabul Island, it is a 30-minute boat ride from Semporna and 20 minutes from Sipadan Island.
Pulau Mataking
Mataking is an island not far from Sipadan. Located to the north of Mabul, Mataking is three times the size of Sipadan and is only a 40 minute boat ride away from Semporna on the mainland. The size of the island is about 40 acres. Indeed, it is the promised island with majestic treasures for divers, holiday makers and honeymooners alike. Back on land, the night life can be exciting watching fire flies. Green and Hawksbill turtles come up to lay their eggs in the sands of Mataking Island. During the day, bask on the snow white sandy beach and enjoy the sight of the island’s coconut crab scurrying up a tree. You can also take a walk while listening to the bird’s singing in exotic garden. If you prefer a bird’s eye view of Mataking, climb up the King’s Watchtower and enjoy the breathtaking sight. If you are more adventurous, grab a few friends and explore the lushness of the tropical island vegetation or have some fun playing beach volleyball & beach soccer. You can also stroll down the 1km sandbar that connects Mataking and Mataking Kecil at low tide. When the crystal turquoise waters of Mataking beckons, it is an offer that cannot be refused. Suit up and explore the 30 or so dive sites in and around Mataking and the surrounding islands of Pandanan, Bohayan and Buhai Dulang.
Pulau Kapalai
Between Sipadan and Mabul Island lays a sandbar that sits on the reef known as the Ligitan Reefs. The reef, a very extensive stretch bordering the deep and vast Celebes Sea, is the foundation of a best-kept secret dive destination called the Kapalai Island. With all the wonderful muck diving opportunities available in the South Pacific region, Kapalai is not just another place to do it. It is where discerning divers come face to face with amazing marine creatures and skills at spotting minute and cleverly camouflaged oddities are well rewarded. Rare subjects such as cuttlefish, blue-ringed octopus, sea moths and mating mandarinfish are seen on a regular basis. Other frequently sighted creatures are the crocodilefish, lionfish and scorpionfish. Giant frogfish, ribbon eels, harlequin ghost pipefish and crab-eye gobies are seen on many of the dive sites. The jetty dive itself has plenty to offer including leaf scorpionfish, pink-eye gobies, ambonian shrimps and the comical antics of the mantis shrimp.
The sole resort occupying the island is the Sipadan-Kapalai Resort. Protruding above the water, it is elegantly built in a traditional water village style. At one end of the resort boasts a rather long sandbar of blindingly white sand where one can sunbathe in total recluse during low-tides. The resort serves great food at the open terrace and offers twin-sharing wooden chalets with en-suite baths. Guests are also able to observe the antics of squids and needlefish swimming below from the roomy balconies.
Although Kapalai is just a few minutes away by boat from Sipadan, one can expect a completely contrastable dive. Diving in Kapalai can be considered ideal for the beginners, yet diversely exciting to satisfy the most experienced diver.
Getting to the islands
Malaysia Airlines and Air Asia provide flights departing from Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru to Kota Kinabalu. From Kota Kinabalu you fly with Malaysia Airlines in 50 minutes to Tawau.
At the new Tawau airport you are picked up by minivan and transferred in 1,5 hours to the fishing village Semporna. If you arrive there in the afternoon it is better to stay there one night and travel to the islands on the next day.
From Semporna all operators bring their guests by speedboat to the islands.
Semporna - Mabul 30 Min.
Semporna - Kapalai 45 Min.
Semporna - Sipadan 60 Min
Pulau Mabul
Mabul Island is reputed to be one of the best places for underwater macro photography in the world. Located in the clear waters of the Celebes Sea off the mainland of Sabah, it is surrounded by gentle sloping reefs two to 40m deep. Covering some 21 ha., it is considerably larger than the nearby Sipadan Island and is home to the Bajau Laut tribe, one of many ethnic groups in Sabah. Diving is the main activity on this island, and it can be done all year round. Marine life that can be seen here includes sea horses, exotic starfish, fire gobies, crocodile fish, pipefish and snake eels. There are over eight popular dive spots, each with its own specialty. Three resorts cater to scuba divers - two are on the island itself while one is on a converted oil rig platform about 500m offshore. The offshore resort is called Sipadan Water Village Resort. Sipadan Water Village is a resort beautifully constructed with Bajau architectural design. The entire resort is built over water on stilts made of Belian Wood commonly called ironwood, laid in certain points so as to minimise damage to the existing reef. In its design, Sipadan Water Village has achieved near utopia in its over-the-water layout, splendid water cottage accommodations with flowered sidewalks, wonderfully prepared Asian and Continental cuisine, and impeccable and personable service. All of the resorts provide day trips for their guests to the nearby Pulau Sipadan and Kapalai Island. To reach Mabul Island, it is a 30-minute boat ride from Semporna and 20 minutes from Sipadan Island.
Pulau Mataking
Mataking is an island not far from Sipadan. Located to the north of Mabul, Mataking is three times the size of Sipadan and is only a 40 minute boat ride away from Semporna on the mainland. The size of the island is about 40 acres. Indeed, it is the promised island with majestic treasures for divers, holiday makers and honeymooners alike. Back on land, the night life can be exciting watching fire flies. Green and Hawksbill turtles come up to lay their eggs in the sands of Mataking Island. During the day, bask on the snow white sandy beach and enjoy the sight of the island’s coconut crab scurrying up a tree. You can also take a walk while listening to the bird’s singing in exotic garden. If you prefer a bird’s eye view of Mataking, climb up the King’s Watchtower and enjoy the breathtaking sight. If you are more adventurous, grab a few friends and explore the lushness of the tropical island vegetation or have some fun playing beach volleyball & beach soccer. You can also stroll down the 1km sandbar that connects Mataking and Mataking Kecil at low tide. When the crystal turquoise waters of Mataking beckons, it is an offer that cannot be refused. Suit up and explore the 30 or so dive sites in and around Mataking and the surrounding islands of Pandanan, Bohayan and Buhai Dulang.
Pulau Kapalai
Between Sipadan and Mabul Island lays a sandbar that sits on the reef known as the Ligitan Reefs. The reef, a very extensive stretch bordering the deep and vast Celebes Sea, is the foundation of a best-kept secret dive destination called the Kapalai Island. With all the wonderful muck diving opportunities available in the South Pacific region, Kapalai is not just another place to do it. It is where discerning divers come face to face with amazing marine creatures and skills at spotting minute and cleverly camouflaged oddities are well rewarded. Rare subjects such as cuttlefish, blue-ringed octopus, sea moths and mating mandarinfish are seen on a regular basis. Other frequently sighted creatures are the crocodilefish, lionfish and scorpionfish. Giant frogfish, ribbon eels, harlequin ghost pipefish and crab-eye gobies are seen on many of the dive sites. The jetty dive itself has plenty to offer including leaf scorpionfish, pink-eye gobies, ambonian shrimps and the comical antics of the mantis shrimp.
The sole resort occupying the island is the Sipadan-Kapalai Resort. Protruding above the water, it is elegantly built in a traditional water village style. At one end of the resort boasts a rather long sandbar of blindingly white sand where one can sunbathe in total recluse during low-tides. The resort serves great food at the open terrace and offers twin-sharing wooden chalets with en-suite baths. Guests are also able to observe the antics of squids and needlefish swimming below from the roomy balconies.
Although Kapalai is just a few minutes away by boat from Sipadan, one can expect a completely contrastable dive. Diving in Kapalai can be considered ideal for the beginners, yet diversely exciting to satisfy the most experienced diver.
Getting to the islands
Malaysia Airlines and Air Asia provide flights departing from Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru to Kota Kinabalu. From Kota Kinabalu you fly with Malaysia Airlines in 50 minutes to Tawau.
At the new Tawau airport you are picked up by minivan and transferred in 1,5 hours to the fishing village Semporna. If you arrive there in the afternoon it is better to stay there one night and travel to the islands on the next day.
From Semporna all operators bring their guests by speedboat to the islands.
Semporna - Mabul 30 Min.
Semporna - Kapalai 45 Min.
Semporna - Sipadan 60 Min
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