Borneo Information
The island of Borneo is split between three nations. The northern reaches are part of Malaysia, where the states of Sarawak and Sabah are split only by the tiny nation of Brunei. The remainder of this vast island is part of Indonesia.
While Malaysian Borneo’s best dive sites remain off limits to British nationals for the time being, Indonesian Borneo offers much for more experienced divers looking to head off the beaten track.
Indonesian Borneo
Much of Borneo lies in Indonesian territory, with eastern Kalimantan representing the main interest for avid scuba divers. The area is a great alternative to Sipadan, offering a more remote location, some exciting dive sites and plenty of fascinating smaller marine life for keen photographers.
Maratua Atoll
Indonesian Borneo’s most famous diving location, Maratua features specular outer and inner reefs, fast channels and calming drifts. Barracuda abound at the famous Big Fish Country dive site and thresher and grey reef sharks are occasionally spotted, if you can take your eyes off the turtles and eagle rays. Within the atoll’s large lagoon, gentle dive sites with excellent macro photography opportunities can be found.
Kakaban Island
Kakaban Island hides a rare natural wonder; one of only two non-stinging jellyfish lakes on the planet. Within the island’s lush interior, this enclosed marine ecosystem offers an otherworldly encounter with four distinct jellyfish species in calm, brackish water. Isloated from the sea for millions of years, these jellyfish have lost their sting, allowing divers and snorkellers the surreal sensation of floating among these gentle, pulsating creatures. Access is via a fifteen-minute walk from the shoreline.
Around Kakaban Island are some excellent, if more traditional dive sites to enjoy too.
Sangalaki Island
Over a hundred resident manta rays are believed to frequent the nutrient-rich waters of Sangalaki, offering divers a superb opportunity to observe these graceful giants up close. Unusually, Sangalaki features moving cleaning stations that shift in line with the local currents, creating dynamic, ever shifting manta ray action.
It's also possible to arrange a visit the island’s turtle sanctuary, a conservation success story managed by local authorities. Here, visitors can learn about turtle protection efforts and, with luck, witness hatchlings making their first journey to the sea.
Resort & liveaboard diving
Dive resorts are the most common way to dive this remote region, with a handful of excellent dive resorts in and around the Maratua Atoll in East Kalimantan. These dive resorts occupy a remote location and suit the more intrepid diver already familiar with travelling in South-east Asia.
Seasonally, select liveaboard departures focus on this region, offering the same dive sites but from the convenience of a liveaboard. Typically, such departures are offered between July and September annually.
Which location should I visit?
While the diving in Sabah (Malaysia) remains off limits to British divers, the best location for divers wishing to visit this region is East Kalimantan in Indonesia, with excellent diving around the Maratua Atoll.
Tailormade holidays & twin-centres
It is possible to split your time in Kalimantan between two dive resorts. While in the same area, they offer different charms and local dive sites to enjoy.
Extending your diving holiday to visit Samboja Lodge is another popular option. Surrounded by 2,000 hectares of rainforest, the lodge cares of orphaned orangutans and offers great opportunities to witness this iconic great ape first hand.
Malaysian Borneo
PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO UK GOVERNMENT TRAVEL ADVICE WE ARE CURRENTLY UNABLE TO OFFER TRIPS TO SIPADAN, MABUL AND KAPALAI
Sabah, the heart of Malaysian Borneo, offers a superb diversity of diving from the pristine coral atoll of Layang Layang in the South China Sea, to the world renowned Sipadan Island, and macro rich islands of Mabul and Kapalai off the eastern coast of Borneo in the Celebes Sea.
Diving Sipadan Island (Palau Sipadan)
PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO FCO ADVICE WE ARE CURRENTLY UNABLE TO OFFER TRIPS TO SIPADAN, MABUL AND KAPALAI
Over the past 30 years, Palau Sipadan has become a diving hotspot and one of the most important marine habitats in the world. 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 may lie within easy reach of Sipadan, but they 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 heads 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!
Diving Layang Layang
PLEASE NOTE: THERE IS CURRENTLY NO DIVE RESORT IN LAYANG LAYANG
The small oceanic atoll of Layang Layang lies 300km north west of Kota Kinabalu in the South China Sea. Offering complete isolation, pristine reefs and steep walls plunging 2000m into the blue, Layang Layang, also known as ‘Swallows Reef’, has gained a well-deserved reputation for the quality and quantity of its pelagic life. Layang Layang is simply shark central.
Schools of Scalloped Hammerhead sharks, Grey Reef sharks, Leopard sharks and even Threshers and Silvertips can all be seen here. Some 13 coral reefs offer spectacular underwater scenery and abundant marine life. Stingrays and Mantas glide gracefully alongside breathtaking walls adorned with life and colour. Stunning gorgonian sea fans cluster together to form veritable forests, whilst sponges of fantastic proportions grow along the walls and sea whips spear the blue. Barracudas, giant groupers, tuna, schools of surgeons and jacks are all found here. Truly excellent visibility makes spotting turtles a breeze.
Photographers should not forget their macro lenses as there is plenty of smaller life to discover. Arrow crabs, nudibranch, clams and tiny formations of 'stem coral' make beautiful subjects as they nestle for space on the densely packed walls. Plentiful overhangs and crevices will provide you with plenty to explore whilst you look out for large sun fish and the rare golden anemone.
