The island of Sipadan (Pulau Sipadan), located in northeastern Borneo, belongs to Malaysia and is globally recognized as one of the best diving destinations on the planet. It is no surprise that Jacques Cousteau described it as an untouched masterpiece.
In the late 1980s, after exploring the seven seas aboard the Calypso, Captain Jacques Cousteau’s ship, he discovered Sipadan almost accidentally and said: “I have seen other places like Sipadan 45 years ago, but now no longer. Now we have found an untouched piece of art.” And the fact that National Geographic included it in the book “100 Dives of a Lifetime” speaks volumes.
4 Reasons Why You Must Experience Diving in Sipadan
What makes this island so special are mainly four factors:
- Its remote location: Being far from urban centers and tourist infrastructure helps preserve the natural beauty and marine biodiversity of Sipadan by limiting human impact and tourism activities in the area.
- Its vertical walls: Rising from depths of 600 meters to the surface, Sipadan formed as a result of successive volcanic eruptions, gradually emerging from the ocean to create a stunning coral reef that will leave any diver speechless.
- The marine reserve: In 2004, the Malaysian government declared Sipadan and its surroundings a protected marine reserve. Operators based on the island had to relocate to nearby islands like Mabul and Kapalai. Regulations were implemented to preserve marine life, including the most restrictive one: only 176 diving permits are issued per day.
- Exceptional water visibility: Visibility in Sipadan is world-renowned, often reaching up to 60 meters, allowing divers to clearly observe marine life and coral reefs even at significant depths.
Additionally, Sipadan boasts privileged climatic conditions since monsoons and typhoons that hit other parts of Southeast Asia do not reach the island. This means that diving in Sipadan is possible year-round.
Above water, the island is covered in lush jungle and is home to tropical birds such as kingfishers, sea eagles, starlings, and pigeons. In fact, it was declared a bird sanctuary in 1933. But for us, the real charm lies in its underwater treasures.
More than 300 species of fish and hundreds of corals have been classified in Sipadan. Underwater, you’ll encounter massive schools of barracudas and jacks, giant parrotfish, numerous turtles, countless nudibranchs… the list goes on!
The Best Diving Spots in Sipadan
The most notable dive sites include:
- Barracuda Point: Home to a massive school of barracudas (thousands), often seen swirling in a tornado formation. You will also see dozens of turtles, whitetip reef sharks, batfish, and jacks.
- South Point: Known for its fantastic wall diving and stunning coral formations. Currents can be strong and unpredictable.
- Whitetip Avenue: This dive site features a large school of jacks and a congregation of giant bumphead parrotfish (Bumphead Parrotfish)
Diving Trips to Sipadan
In summary, Sipadan is a must-visit destination for any passionate diver. At Te Moana Expeditions, we collaborate with the only liveaboard operator (Celebes Explorer 9) that allows daily diving in Sipadan.
Feel free to contact us for more information on upcoming expeditions we have scheduled in Sipadan!
