Borneo Diving

Over the past 25 years, Palau Sipadan, close to Mabul, has developed into one of South East Asia's premier dive destinations and one of the most important marine habitats in the world. The sometimes challenging dives offered around Sipadan means more experienced divers will gain the best from what this destination has to offer. Sipadan Island is a short fast boat ride from both Mabul and Kapalai.

Diving Sipadan Island (Palau Sipadan)

The island marks the pinnacle of a maritime mountain, which drops vertically 600m into the Celebes Sea. This stunning drop off is home to a myriad of marine life, which has few equals anywhere. Sipadan is primarily recognised for its resident population of Green turtles, which accompany divers on most dives and nest on the island from July to October. Although not as numerous, Hawksbill turtles are also seen on many dives.

Schools of jacks and barracuda circle the island feeding on the numerous species of reef fish that inhabit the drop off. Out in the blue, a variety of sharks are commonly seen. White Reef and Grey sharks may be encountered in large numbers and provide an exhilarating spectacle as they come into feed at the end of the day. Scalloped Hammerheads are occasionally encountered in deeper water, whilst above them, Whale sharks, Eagle and Manta rays are all periodically seen near the surface.

Sipadan is a tiny oceanic island, bordered by a steeply sloping coral shelf that leads out to the drop off. Once you are over the lip of the cliff the soft and hard corals create a colourful backdrop to the small endemic species for which South East Asia is renowned. Minute shrimps and rare Nudibranchs hide amongst the sea fans and gorgonians. Large sponges grow in the gullies that cut into the top of the cliff, which in turn provide cover for a concentration of marine life.

Since December 2004, it is no longer possible to stay on Sipadan Island. Efforts are still underway to gain the island the marine protection status that the island deserves.

Diving Mabul (Palau Mabul) & Kapalai (Palau Kapalai)

The islands of Mabul and Kapalai lie within easy reach of Sipadan, but offer an entirely different type of diving.

The islands sit on the edge of the continental shelf, with the seabed gently shelving away from the beach and sandbanks. The silt rich waters surrounding the islands are an incredibly rich habitat for unique macro life, with many small coral head and pinnacles to explore. Here you can revel in the world of 'Muck diving' which involves observing at close quarters the strange rare creatures of the macro world. Multi-coloured cuttle fish, outsize frog fish, ghost pipe fish, mandarin fish, pegasus fish, snake eels, shrimp and coral crabs all live in this outstanding reef system.

Water visibility can range from superb to terrible, according to water movement in these rich, silt laden waters! Mabul and Sipidan Island are part of the Malaysian province of Sabah, on the island of Borneo. The island of Borneo is the third largest island in the world, and the only island divided into three countries - Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.