Sipadan Island
Long before anyone donned scuba diving equipment and jumped into the water, Pulau Sipadan was already recognised as something special. Above the waterline the island is only 30 acres (12 hectares) in area and is covered by untouched rainforest. In 1933, this tiny island was declared a bird sanctuary.
Tourist information applicable to Malaysia and Sabah applies equally here. As the island is a protected area and a site of outstanding natural beauty, we urge you to behave responsibly when you visit, and make sure to control your buoyancy when diving. There is a National Park levy of US$ 11 per person entrance fee.
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Climate
The island enjoys an equatorial climate, so temperature generally varies between 28 - 34°C during the day and drops to about 22°C during the nights. It is generally unaffected by the monsoon seasons which affects this part of South East Asia, although sporadic heavy rains come down upon it around December and January.
Being an island, Sipadan has cooling sea breezes that make even the high humidity level of 85 - 95% quite pleasant.
Sightseeing and Things to do
As it only takes half an hour to walk around Sipadan Island, the best sightseeing option is to enjoy the other attractions that nearby Borneo has to offer.
Combine your scuba diving holiday with one (or more) of the following activities and make the most of your time in this exotic location.
Stay in the heart of the Danum Valley Conservation Area to explore this lowland rainforest and discover its complex natural beauty.
Take a trip on the Kinabatangan River and try spot the endemic proboscis monkey and many more rare birds and animals.
Trek up Mount Kinabalu, South East Asia's highest point, from Kota Kinabalu, for a taste of mountaineering in Asia.
Watch the gentle orang-utans in their natural habitat at the Sepilok Orang-utan Sanctuary.
Entertainment & Nightlife
Most visitors don't come to Pulau Sipadan for the nightlife. Discuss the day's new dive log book entries with your dive buddies at the resort bar, or put your feet up on your waterside balcony and watch the sunset with a suitable sundowner.
History
Due to its rich ecological heritage, for years the ownership of the the island was regularly disputed between Indonesia and Malaysia. In 1998, the two countries went to the International Court of Justice at The Hague to resolve the matter. A decision was made in 2002 where the Court found in favour of Malaysia.
The People of Sipadan
To preserve its fragile environment, the Malaysian government allows only 80 tourists to stay on the island per night. Historically, the island was too small to be inhabited by anyone and it is only in recent years that people have made it their home. These would be dive masters, resort operators and other dive resort personnel, who are mostly comprised of Malaysians.
Gateways
For international visitors, the usual route here begins with a two and a half hour flight from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Kota Kinabalu International Airport. From Kota Kinabalu, it takes another 45 minute flight to Tawau International Airport. From Tawau, it takes another 90 minutes by air-conditioned coach or minibus to the coastal town of Semporna. From Semporna, the last leg of the journey is a 45 minute speedboat ride (35 km) from Semporna Jetty.
Alternatively, as both Kota Kinabalu and Tawau have international airports, visitors from abroad will also be able to get themselves on direct flights to these cities from Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok, Thailand.
Interested?
Are you interested? If you're keen to discover the world famous waters of Sipadan Island, then click below to check your options now for:
Be sure to book up in plenty of time to avoid a restricted choice! The best diving opportunities are booked by repeat customers who book well in advance to ensure their reservation!
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