Southeast Asia · Malaysia
Malaysia
Sipadan — one of the world's top dive sites.
Destination snapshot
Best time
Apr–Oct
Water temp
82–86°F
Visibility
60–130 ft
Skill level
All levels
Flight time (US)
Long-haul
Great for
Icons · Macro
Why visit
Turtle tornadoes and bumphead parrotfish walls at Sipadan; muck at Mabul; Perhentians on the west coast.
Best dive sites
- Barracuda Point
- Turtle Cavern
- South Point
- Mabul House Reef
Best snorkeling spots
- Perhentian Islands
- Mabul
What you may see underwater
Interesting fact
Sipadan is the only oceanic island in Malaysia — a coral pinnacle rising 2,000 ft from the seafloor, with a barracuda tornado and green turtles on every dive.
Who this destination is best for
- All divers
- Photographers
Frequently asked questions
- How do I dive Sipadan?
- Permits are limited to 176 divers per day, allocated through Kapalai/Mabul-based resorts.
- Sipadan vs. Layang Layang?
- Sipadan for turtles and biodiversity; Layang Layang for hammerheads in April–May.
- When to go?
- April–December for calm seas; peak visibility June–August.
Ready to dive Malaysia?
Tell us your dates and experience level — a Salty Reef Travel Concierge will match you with the right resort, operator, or liveaboard in Malaysia and handle the details. Always free to you.
Available 24/7 · 727-240-2242 · Our travel concierge service is always free to you.
At a glance
- Region
- Southeast Asia
- Country
- Malaysia
- Best season
- Apr–Oct
- Water temp
- 82–86°F
- Visibility
- 60–130 ft
- Skill level
- All levels
- Flight from US
- Long-haul
Newsletter
One dispatch a month, straight from the water.