Southeast Asia · Malaysia

Malaysia

Sipadan — one of the world's top dive sites.

5.0Salty Reef rating

Malaysia — Sipadan, a world-top dive site.

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.

Sipadan Island off Borneo is one of the world's most iconic dive sites. Nearby Mabul and Kapalai offer world-class macro. The west coast Perhentian islands round out the country.

Best dive sites

Barracuda Point
Turtle Cavern
South Point
Mabul House Reef

Best snorkeling spots

Perhentian Islands
Mabul

What you may see underwater

Sea TurtlesSchools of FishBarracudaBumphead ParrotfishReef SharksFrogfishNudibranchsMacroCoral Reefs

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.

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