Surrounded by the waters of the Celebes sea and located at the border Malaysia-Indonesia, Sipadan island offered the best diving in Malaysia. Although not as cheap as Thailand nor as spectacular as Indonesia, good view, reasonable prices, good variety and easy access to Sipadan island make it a good choice for divers, whether a beginner or expert divers. It is worthy to spend holiday in Sipadan resort, you may extend your holiday after enjoy diving in this island.
Sipadan island have some great sites right off the beach, you may do sunbathing, or just enjoy the weather. There are some life-aboards that could serve the divers to inaccessible spots. Mostly the divers love the spots, so this site variety may increase as new spot explored on each trip. Most spots are fairly shallow reef, but there are couples of spots with deep drop off and very amazing.
The standards of diving facilities in Malaysia are generally quite high and equipment rental is widely available, especially in Sipadan Island. You may take diving certificate from Professional Association of Diving Instructors and this certificate is almost universally recognized. You have to arrange those things in advance, this is to avoid waiting, especially in peak season.
Dive seasons in Sipadan island.
Before you plan your trip to Sipadan island, better to take a look at weather and season in Malaysia. Since monsoon always brings strong winds and rain, you to check it to the local forecast. If you insist to go in bad weather, you may find rain and you will just stay in the hotel.
Usually the north-east monsoon brings rain and strong winds to Sipadan island from early November to late February, during this time most dive centers simply closed. Visibility improves after the monsoon, usually peak in August and September. But sometimes uncertain weather is difficult to expect, you may find rain during this season.
However don’t worry, you may plan to go to Sipadan in early May till late November. If you plan to dive in some spots, arrange in advance and check the weather regularly. Usually rain has a pattern, and you may find a good weather for your diving experience.
Other places near Sipadan island.
You may find Sipadan island will be full of tourist during peak season, but other places near to Sipadan have lesser tourist. You may like to visit Mabul island, it’s about 30 minutes by speedboat. There is a resort with excellent view on that island. Furthermore you can continue for 20 minutes to another island, as known Pandanan island. You may see coral, turtle around island. If you plan to extend, you can stay at that island. There is an accommodation at Pasir resort.
Once a proper island, Kapalai island is now eroded sandbar about 15 minutes from Sipadan by speedboat. You may find the macro life on surrounding Ligatan reefs is quite different from that found around Sipadan, Seamoths, fire gobies, dragonets and giant frogfish are among the species encountered.
Most of the islands have at least one resort, but life-aboards are an increasingly alternative to stay. Life-aboards operators come and go, some dive outfits running trips in the area. You may choose one of them for your better experience in Sipadan island.
