Tun Sakaran Marine Park
At Bigfin divers we offer snorkelling trips and scuba diving in Semporna to the islands and surrounding coral reefs that comprise the Tun Sakaran marine park. Day trips to Tun Sakaran marine park include visiting two different islands in one day. Dive Sibuan, Mantabuan, Selakan and hike Bohey Dulang to a stunning view point of the archipelago.
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The marine park is visible from Bigfin water bungalow, which faces the famous Bohey Dulang Island, know locally as the sleeping old man (look at the island and you will see why). This 340 sq km marine park is a short 15 KM, a 20 minute speed boat ride from Bigfin water bungalow & PADI dive center. The marine park is renowned for its stunning clear turquoise waters fringed by powder white beaches. The landscape is comparable to the Maldives.
The 8 islands in the park are Sibuan, Mantabuan, Selakan, Bohey Dulang, Tetagan, Bodgaya, Maiga and Sebangkat, the first four islands being the most famed for excellent scuba diving. All these islands are managed and patrolled by Sabah parks to help preserve this pristine natural environment both above and below the water. Visitors must pay a permit fee to enter the marine park, the price of this permit is already included in all of our published prices. |
Sibuan IslandThe interior of this tiny idyllic island is filled with a dense grove of coconut trees. On the islands perimeter, Sibuan has a picture perfect elongated white sandbar stretching into the ocean. When you dive Sibuan, swim off the beach on the western side and you will encounter a gradual sandy slope which is an excellent site to hunt for critters. Seamoths and blue ringed octopus can be seen in the sand, whilst eagle rays glide past skim the bottom for tiny crustations to eat.
To the north of Sibuan Island there is a sheer wall dive where divers can encounter green and hawksbill turtles munching on coral, and giant sea snakes foraging. Depth: 5 -30 meters 
Mantabuan IslandThis small flat circular island has a stunning surrounding reef. Here you can see some of the most beautiful, pristine hard coral that Malaysia has to offer. Mantabuan is perfect for snorkeling trips as the reef is very shallow. Here the diversities of the ' Coral Triangle' are truly demonstrated as you can see so many different varieties of coral species on one dive site. Down at deeper depths you can even see a dense garden of black coral bushes. These corals which are actually green yellow and white in colour appear like plate ghostly trees swaying with the current in the depths. Look carefully inside the branches and you can discover minute sawblade shrimp taking refuge in the foliage.
Depth: 14 - 30 meters 
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Selakan IslandPhotographers dream! This island is very popular for muck diving, with a array of critters to discover. Searching for macro in the 'Muck' is what made diving in Semporna famous! The 'Ghost nudibranch' (Melibe colomani) can be found here, a translucent nudibranch that is as you may incur is incredibly difficult to spot and considered a holy grail for macro dive photographers. For the very keen eye, you can also find tiny pygmy pipe horse, the elusive Lembeh sea dragon and the delicate weedy scorpionfish.
Depth: 5 - 25 meters 
Bohey Dulang IslandBohey Dulang island is know locally as the old sleeping man, as you can clearly see from Bigfin jetty, it literally looks like an old sleeping man! Local legend tells that the island was the hiding place of Princess Salamia, who was saved from an arranged marriage to a Sultan from the Southern Philippines. Princess Salamia's family hid her in Bohey Dulang to avoid the marriage where spirits turned her into a fairy.
The island is at the heart of the protected Tun Sakaran marine park. It is a geological wonder formed by the remnants of an ancient volcano, which has evolved into a brilliant blue lagoon surrounded by pristine coral reef. There is a pathway to climb 350 meters uphill to the highest point of the island for a stunning view. This is indeed a trending Instagram shot! If you would like to hike Bohey Dulang then you can swap your 3rd dive/ snorkel for the trek instead. From this vantage point you can appreciate the stunning visa of the park in its glory. Depth: 5 - 25 meters |
Diving in Semporna
(other sites outside of Tun Sakaran Marine park)
Semporna StraightsYes this is the real deal, dirty muck diving. Not for the novice diver, you can not be fazed by the rubbish. But those who dare to delve under will be rewarded, this is the BEST macro dive in Malaysia, and it is especially brilliant at dusk or night when the weird and wonderful specimens awaken. We have counted up to 30 seahorse on just one dive. Expect to always see something new, no matter how many thousand of dives you have under your belt. There are so many critters to be found, and some incredibly creative species that have made trash their home and even repurposed it to dress themselves! You will be surprised and astonished when an old boot jumps up and scutters away!
Depth: 8 - 18 meters 
Bumbum IslandBigfin divers is based on Bum bum Island, Semporna. We are situated just opposite the Tun Sakaran marine park. The deep water that divides Bum bum from the marine park is home to many interesting species! We have a House reef on the drop off directly in front of the resort with a beautiful sheltered reef which is great for snorkelling trips and beginner divers. There are large green turtles that eat the seagrass in the shallow water and plenty for experienced divers to search for when muck diving on the sandy bottom.
At high tide, Bum Bum is also a fantastic location for Night dive! Under the cover of darkness, the reef comes alive with cool critters and even the most experienced divers can surely see something new. Giant T-bar nudibranchs, well-dressed decorator crabs, blue ringed octopus, seahorse, pygmy and bobtail squid, Spanish dancers, cockatoo wasp fish and hairy frogfish.. the list of possibilities is endless! Bring an extra weight as this is a shallow dive, and you will want to stay under until you are at 50 bar or shivering cold! Depth: 4 - 18 meters 
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Mataking IslandMataking island is located outside of the marine park, the closest island to the neighboring Philippines. The two islands of Mataking are connected by a long brilliant white sandbar, and the island is home to a turtle hatchery. Dive sites include the gorgeous 'Garden of Eden' with its lush and vibrant corals, Timba timba with its sandy slopes home to resident rays, Pandanan for elusive frogfish and nudibranchs, and the sunken Ship wreck with giant groupers and menacing great barracuda lurking inside. At shipwreck you can even send a postcard home via the underwater postbox!
Depth: 7 - 22 meters 
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