One of the BEST DIVE SPOTS in the world!
|
Sipadan island has been continuously rated as one of the top dive destinations globally. It is renowned for its exceptional marine biodiversity and stunning coral reefs that offer a kaleidoscope of ocean life amongst breath taking coral formations. Whether you're a seasoned diver or a novice eager to explore the depths, the Island's beauty and abundant marine variety make a diving Sipadan a bucket-list dream for divers and nature enthusiasts alike from all over the world.
Sipadan is a volcanic Island, a unique geological formation made through volcanic activity millions of years ago. It is situated on top of an extinct undersea volcano that rises steeply from the ocean floor, which is now slowly subsiding into the ocean. Sipadan island is on the edge of an oceanic shelf which reaches an outer depth of over 2,000 meters! The underwater topography at Sipadan is characterized by its steep limestone walls, which plunge dramatically into the depths of the surrounding Celebes Sea. These walls provide excellent diving opportunities, with dive sites featuring vertical drop-offs and underwater caves. Sipadan Island is at the heart of the coral triangle, a geographical area that is recognized as a global center for marine biodiversity. Pristine coral reefs surround the island that have formed on the submerged slopes of the volcanic crater. While Sipadan itself is no longer volcanically active, the region is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area of high tectonic activity. Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions in the vicinity have influenced the island's geology over millions of years. The crystal-clear waters of Sipadan and its vibrant ecosystem promise an unforgettable experience beneath the waves. Dive Sipadan and encounter the wonders that await beneath the surface of this enchanting paradise! 
|
HISTORY OF SIPADAN ISLAND Sipadan Island has long been known to local fishermen in the area. However, it gained international recognition as a diving destination in the 1980s when renowned oceanographer Jacques Cousteau and his team documented its exceptional marine biodiversity. Cousteau's exploration and subsequent praise of Sipadan helped put the island on the map as a top dive destinations. It was designated a protected marine park in 2004 and the number of daily visitors is restricted to minimize environmental impact, diving permits are now required to access the island's dive sites. Sabah marine park brought in tight restrictions to control the number of divers that dive Sipadan and protect the marine park. It is now only permitted for each diver to dive Sipadan a maximum of 2x per day. Divers must be minimum ADVANCED LEVEL CERTIFIED. Course training dives are strictly not permitted at Sipadan. The Sipadan permit fee is already included in all our published prices. 
|
|
SIPADAN DIVE SITES
Sipadan is famous for its rich marine biodiversity, boasting over 3,000 species of fish and hundreds of coral species in its ecosystem. Sipadan dive sites such as Barracuda Point, Turtle Tomb, and South Point are consistently ranked among the best dive spots in the world. The underwater landscapes feature steep walls, coral gardens, and fascinating underwater formations. 
BARRACUDA POINT, SIPADAN Barracuda point is a must see site when diving Sipadan, it is a thrilling site that you will remember for life! At barracuda point, divers can encounter a huge tornado of thousands of schooling barracuda. If divers are lucky enough, they can even swim inside the barracuda tornado, enclosed by a wall of seemingly menacing (but actually harmless) ginormous pick handle barracuda! The resident school of Jackfish is now possibly even larger, and you can watch hunting sharks chasing through the thousands of silver shimmering fish. 
DROP OFF & TURTLE TOMB, SIPADAN At drop off, the dive site closest to the island, the sheer vertical wall plunges to 600 meters straight off the Sipadan Island park jetty. To the right of the jetty is where the famous Turtle Tomb can be found, the dark and eerie entrance to a limestone cave system that stretches right across to the other side of the island. Turtle tomb is so called as it contains the skeletal relics of many turtles that have been lost and drowned deep inside the cave. Diving deep inside the cave is not permitted, however you can swim into the huge entrance to view some of the remains of the deceased turtles inside and gaze out at the spectacular shafts of light entering the cave amongst swirling shoals of big eyed soldierfish and midnight snapper. 
|
SOUTH POINT, SIPADAN
South point is where the shark action is at, as sharks commonly congregate here at the tip of the island where the current splits. You can see white tip sharks and leopard sharks resting on the sandy bottom, and grey reef sharks patrolling the reef and darting into the blue. Swim off the wall and into the blue for a chance to see the now critically endangered scalloped hammerhead shark. Diving Sipadan is famous for Hammerhead sharks, and it is now one of the few remaining places in the world where scuba diving with hammerhead sharks is possible for recreational divers. Hammerhead sharks are usually found off the reef where they school in deeper waters in greater numbers, up the the hundreds! 
MID REEF & TURTLE PATCH, SIPADAN On the east side of the island is a huge area of seagrass habit, ideal for grazing sea turtles! Sipadan Island hosts a turtle hatchery, and there are thousands of turtles that frequent this island travelling far and wide across the globe to reach this ideal mating and nesting habitat. Over on the shallow top reef, trains of big blue bump head parrotfish patrol the island, crunching on hard coral and leaving a cloud of fish poop behind for trailing silver batfish. After eating their fill, green and hawksbill turtles snooze on the ledges of the wall. Spotted eagle, devil and even oceanic manta rays may glide past overhead. 
HANGING GARDENS & LOBSTER LAIR Hanging garden has the most magical wall dive, with huge gorgonian sea fans and rocky shelves dripping with colourful soft coral. A variety of shark species can be seen hunting on the reef and emerging from the deep dark blue depths. White tip and grey reef sharks are common, whilst leopard sharks, hammerhead sharks and gigantic whale sharks can also be encountered when lucky. If you can bare to draw your eyes away from all the big action then tiny colourful nudibranchs, shrimp and rare pygmy seahorse can also be discovered on the wall, as well as giant moray and lobster hiding in the overhangs. The shallow reef is especially stunning, with breathtakingly beautiful and vibrant coral gardens teeming with life. 
|
