This area is one of the most bio-diverse regions in the world and boasts of over 3000 fish species and several hundred reef species. Located in Celebes Sea and just an hour’s ride from mainland, Sipadan Island is Malaysia’s only oceanic island.
The nutrient rich currents entering this area attract almost every member of marine food chain including small fish, large fish, sharks and turtles. There are numerous dive sites in the close proximity of diver resorts and all can be accessed fairly easily through boats. Turtles are the most common specie in Sipadan and can be seen in every dive site. Sipadan is the best place to see larger species.
Lucky divers can expect to run into hammerheads or thresher sharks occasionally.
The area is dive-able all round the year but the best time is between April to December.
Most visitors fly to Tawau airport or come by bus, minivan or taxi from Sabah's northern towns of Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Sukau and Lahad Datu.
There are frequent flights (relatively inexpensive) from Kuala Lumpur to Tawau (2.45 hrs) and from Kota Kinabalu Airport (50 minutes).
You can get to these three spectacular diving hotspots by boat from Semporna on Borneo’s east coast.