Sipadan
Sipadan is located in the Sulawesi Sea 35km off the east coast of Borneo. Sipadan lies right in the middle of the richest marine habitat in the world and is ranked in the top 10 dive sites in the world! Known to have more than 3000 species of marine life including large numbers of hawksbill and green turles, Sipadan was actually formed by corals growing on top of an extinct underwater volcano rising up 600m from the seabed. One of the highlights of diving in Sipadan is the all famous spectacular tornado-like formations of the schooling barracudas and big-eye trevallys, and also the possiblity of spotting huge pelagics like manta rays and whale sharks!
At present, Sipadan is under the protection of the Wildlife Department which has put a stop on overnight facilities on the island itself. This is in aid of protecting the unique wildlife both on the island and in the sea. Divers intending to visit Sipadan would have to make day trips to Sipadan while spending the nights at the nearby islands of Kapalai and Mabul. Although this poses as a minor obstacle, it would only mean that the beauty of the marine life at Sipadan would be better maintained for generations to come!
Getting There
- 2 hours from Singapore to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, by plane
- 50 min from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau, by plane
- 1 hour 30 min from Tawau to Semporna, by minibus
- 60 min from Semporna to Sipadan Island, by speedboat
Resorts and Beaches
There are plenty of resorts to choose from on Kapalai and Mabul Island, and the resorts of choice for Gill Divers are:
Seaventures Dive Resort
A whole new experience, Seaventures Dive Resort is housed on what used to be an oil rig just 1km off from Mabul Island. With a capacity to house 45 guests, Seaventures is an ideal getaway with non stop dives right at their doorstep.
Borneo Divers Mabul Island Resort
Borneo Divers is also located on Mabul, with a housing capacity of 30 twin rooms. Filled with coconut trees, the resort gives a very naturalist atmosphere. The island resort has a wide range of facilities, including a swimming pool, a beach gazebo massage service and free wireless broadband internet!
Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort
A few minutes by boat from Sipadan but a full world away it lies the exhilarating Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort , sitting on its sturdy stilts on the shallow sandbanks of the Ligitan Reefs. Planned and built in full style as an airy, comfortable, sunny water village with no land in sight, it boats a mile-long sandbank of powdery blindingly white sand where one can suntan at complete leisure. The resort offers great food, surprisingly roomy and elegant twin-sharing wooden chalets with huge private balconies and attached bathrooms and a couple of miles of walkways for those who like to take their morning jog while looking at thousands of fish just a few inches beneath their feet. Meals are served in the terraced, open central structure, while a big western sundeck allows divers to have an evening drink or an after-dive chat with a background of fabulous tropical sunsets.
Sipadan Water Village
Sipadan Water village is located on Mabul Island and the entire resort is built over water on stilts. This is to prevent damage to the reefs below and still ensuring that guests get a beautiful view of the scenary the moment they wake up. Providing great service and catering to both the asian and continental visitors to Sipadan, SWV also has a range of facilities including a bar lounge and mini mart.
Mabul Water Bungalows
Mabul Water Bungalows is also another water village located right beside Sipadan Water Village on Mabul Island. Also built over the water on stilts, it overlooks Sipadan which is just a 15 min speedboat ride away. Each of their 14 bungalows are exquisitely furnished with contemporary decor, equipped with remote control air-conditioner, ceiling fan, private bathroom-hot/cold shower and toilet, spacious private balcony offer panoramic vistas of blue sea, colour TV with satellite channels, mini bar and in-room safety box. Other facilities include a business center with internet service, a souvenir shop and a large and airy restaurant for dining.
Diving
More info on scuba diving in Sipadan
How much does it cost?
-
SGD748
5D4N Seaventures Dive Resort Package (8D7N - SGD1014)
Excludes equipment rental, air ticket, taxes, Sipadan levy -
SGD949
5D4N Borneo Divers Mabul Dive Package (additional day - SGD250)
Excludes equipment rental, air ticket, taxes, Sipadan levy -
SGD999
5D4N Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort Package (additional day - SGD250)
Excludes equipment rental, air ticket, taxes, Sipadan levy -
SGD1473
5D4N Sipadan Water Village Package (8D7N - SGD2359)
Excludes equipment rental, air ticket, taxes, Sipadan levy -
SGD1612
5D4N Mabul Water Bungalows Package (additional day - SGD290)
Excludes equipment rental, air ticket, taxes, Sipadan levy - Two (2) passport sized photos (if you are taking a course)
- Deposit of $150.00 to confirm your placement (Cancellation policy)
How to register?
Before you visit Gill Divers personally to complete the registration (ideally 1 week before the intended trip), please complete the following forms.
And also bring along