Sipadan is a small island rising from deep water in the Celebes Sea, about 45 minutes by speedboat from Semporna on Sabah’s east coast. A few metres off its beach the reef drops away as a wall hundreds of metres deep, and that is why divers rank Sipadan among the best sites in the world. Green and hawksbill turtles are almost guaranteed, schools of barracuda and bigeye trevally circle off the points, and reef sharks patrol the drop-offs.
All accommodation on the island was closed in the mid-2000s to protect it, and Sabah Parks now manages it as a marine park with strict daily limits on visitors.
How Sipadan permits work
You cannot simply turn up. Sabah Parks issues a fixed number of permits each day (fewer than 200, shared out among licensed dive operators) and every visitor needs one. In practice, your dive resort or Semporna dive centre applies for permits and allocates them among guests, so the length of your stay matters: most operators need you to book a minimum number of diving days, and stays of three to five nights give the best chance of at least one Sipadan day.
Sabah Parks’ published fees for international visitors are a RM100 conservation fee and a RM350 scuba diving fee at the time of writing, usually bundled into your operator’s Sipadan day price. Operators generally require Advanced Open Water certification or equivalent, because of depth and currents. Snorkelling trips are offered by some operators, though permits for divers take priority. Check current rules on the Sabah Parks Sipadan page.
Diving at Sipadan
The best-known dive sites ring the island:
- Barracuda Point: the signature dive, for barracuda vortexes, jacks and grey reef sharks in the current.
- South Point: deeper and more exposed, with a chance of hammerheads early in the morning.
- The Drop Off: a wall starting right by the jetty, and the entrance to Turtle Cavern, an underwater cave system with turtle skeletons (entered only with qualified guides and the right training).
- Coral Gardens and Mid Reef: gentler drifts with turtles resting on the reef.
Where to stay and how to get there
Fly to Tawau, then drive about an hour to Semporna. From there, divers either stay in town and take day boats, or base themselves at resorts on Mabul or Kapalai, which are much closer to Sipadan. Mabul’s own muck diving is excellent, so non-Sipadan days are far from wasted. Read our Semporna guide for the options.
Best time to visit
Sipadan is diveable all year. Many operators consider March to October the best window, with April and May often bringing the clearest water. Book months ahead for this period.
How it fits your trip
Sipadan makes a natural finale to a Borneo trip after Mount Kinabalu and the wildlife of Sandakan. Our Sabah 7-day itinerary and 2 weeks in Malaysia route show how to add a few days in Semporna, and the Sabah guide covers the rest of the state.
Tips for visiting Sipadan Island
- Book three to five nights with one operator to improve your odds of a Sipadan permit.
- Confirm in writing how many Sipadan days your package guarantees.
- Get Advanced Open Water certification before you go; most operators require it.
- Ask about early departures for South Point, the best chance of hammerheads.
- Bring cash for Sabah Parks and marine park fees if they are not included.
- Check your government’s travel advice for Sabah’s east coast before booking.
Sipadan Island: frequently asked questions
How do you get a permit to dive Sipadan?
Permits are issued by Sabah Parks in a fixed daily quota and allocated to licensed dive operators, not to individuals. Book your diving with a Semporna, Mabul or Kapalai operator and they apply for permits on your behalf. Longer stays improve your chances of a Sipadan day.
Can you stay overnight on Sipadan Island?
No. All accommodation on Sipadan was closed in the mid-2000s to protect the island. Divers stay in Semporna or at resorts on Mabul and Kapalai and travel to Sipadan by boat for the day.
How much does it cost to dive Sipadan?
Sabah Parks charges international visitors a RM100 conservation fee and a RM350 scuba diving fee at the time of writing. Operators bundle these with boat, guide and equipment costs, so check what is included in each Sipadan day price.
What certification do you need to dive Sipadan?
Most operators require Advanced Open Water certification or equivalent, as many sites are deep walls with currents. Open Water divers can usually dive Mabul and Kapalai and should ask their operator about Sipadan options.
When is the best time to dive Sipadan?
Sipadan can be dived all year. Many operators rate March to October as the best period, with April and May often bringing the best visibility. These months are popular, so book well ahead.
