Explore Sipadan Island with This Handy Travel Guide to One of Your Most Memorable Escapades Ever!
What makes it even more remarkable is its protected status, which keeps the reefs thriving and the crowds controlled through a strict permit system. Every dive feels like stepping into a living aquarium, where the colours are brighter and the encounters more thrilling than you’d expect.
If you’re planning to visit Sipadan Island and you don’t know where to start yet, this guide is your bible for a seamless travel experience. Here’s a handy travel guide to help you explore Sipadan Island and make it one of your most memorable escapades ever!
Where is Sipadan Island?
Sipadan Island lies in the Celebes Sea off the east coast of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. It’s Malaysia’s only oceanic island, formed by an extinct volcanic cone rising 600 metres from the seabed.
How to Get to Sipadan Island
Closest town: To reach Sipadan, most travelers head to Semporna on the east coast of Sabah. From there, boats depart daily to nearby islands where accommodations are based.
For those already in Sabah, you can take a bus or shared van from Tawau to Semporna, which usually takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.
Alternatively, fly into Tawau Airport from Kota Kinabalu or Kuala Lumpur, then continue by road to Sempora before transferring to a boat bound for Sipadan.
Best Time to Go to Sipadan Island
The best time to visit Sipadan Island is from April to December, when the weather is calm and underwater visibility is at its best. This season is ideal for diving and spotting diverse marine life.
Another advisable period is July and August, known for large gatherings of barracudas and jackfish. These months offer some of the most spectacular diving experiences in the region.
Securing Your Permit to Sipadan Island
Strict quota: Sabah Parks issues only 178 to 252 permits per day to protect Sipadan’s fragile ecosystem. These are distributed to licensed dive resorts on a rotation system.
For those staying nearby, most resorts require at least a 3-night package before allocating a Sipadan permit. This guarantees fairness and helps manage visitor numbers.
Alternatively, book well in advance and consider flexible dates to improve your chances. Reserving through established dive operators gives you the best shot at securing a permit.
What to Do and See in Sipadan Island
Scuba dive in the famous Barracuda Point and other spots
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Address: Sipadan
Contact details: +60178853933
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – Schedule upon reservation
Cost:
- RM2,700 – Basic backpacker package
Barracuda Point is the dive site everyone talks about, and once you’re there, you’ll understand why. You’ll drift into massive schools of barracuda that spiral around you like a vortex, which is both surreal and unforgettable.
Alongside the barracuda, you’ll often find green turtles gliding by and reef sharks patrolling the ocean. The strong currents make the dive exciting, but they also bring in nutrient-rich waters that attract big pelagics.
If you’re planning multiple dives, you can also add South Point for shark encounters, Coral Gardens for colourful reefs, and Hanging Gardens for dramatic walls covered in sea fans. Each of these offers something different, so you’ll get a mix of both thrill and beauty during your dives.
Explore the Turtle Cavern or Turtle Tomb
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Address: Sipadan
Contact details: +60178853933
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – Schedule upon reservation
Cost:
- RM2,700 – Basic backpacker package
Brace yourself—this dive is nothing like a typical reef. You head down roughly 18 to 20 metres and enter a bell-shaped cavern, then follow a tunnel leading deep inside to Turtle Tomb, where the floor is littered with haunting turtle skeletons and even a dolphin!
It’s less about bright colours and more about mood; gliding through shafts of lamplight in pitch-black and silence, and feeling that mix of eerie and awe that only cave diving can give. Every dive here feels like you’re part of a rare discovery.
This is one of the most intense dives you can do at Sipadan, and it’s only for certified cave specialists with a trusted local guide. If you manage it, you’ve earned a spot among divers who’ve touched something truly extraordinary!
Encounter the bumhead parade
– Media credit: divingtipsstories
Address: Sipadan
Contact details: +60178853933
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – Schedule upon reservation
Cost:
- RM2,700 – Basic backpacker package
If you’re into seeing unique marine life, this one’s for you! At Sipadan, schools of bumphead parrotfish glide around the reef—massive fish with bulbous foreheads and beak-like teeth, almost prehistoric in appearance.
These gentle giants cruise in groups, chewing through coral to feed and helping create the powdery sand that beaches are famous for. Yes, part of that beach under your feet might’ve once been reef.
This dive feels rare because these fish are vulnerable and uncommon elsewhere. Seeing them here is a reminder of how well-protected and healthy Sipadan’s reefs truly are.
Experience the Drop Off
– Media credit: norealplan
Address: Sipadan
Contact details: +60178853933
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – Schedule upon reservation
Cost:
- RM2,700 – Basic backpacker package
Imagine diving just a few strokes off the beach and gliding past a reef that plunges a jaw-dropping 600 metres into the deep sea—that’s what you get at Sipadan’s famed Drop Off. It’s rated among the world’s top beach dives because of its famous sheer vertical wall.
What keeps divers coming back is the life that flocks to the wall. You’re likely to spot turtles, whitetip and grey reef sharks, huge schools of trevally, and even rows of barracuda swirling overhead—it’s all action set against vibrant corals.
This is the dive that defines Sipadan. Its combination of dramatic geography, gritty drift dive, and chance encounters with pelagic giants makes it one of your best-ever dive stories.
Where to Eat and Drink in Sipadan Island
Borneo Rock Cafe
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Address: Part of Shop 2 Lot 10 Seafront Resort Town Ship, Semporna
Contact details: +60126389009
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – Open 24 hours
Cost: $$
If you’re planning an early dive or snorkel, this cafe is a handy stop to grab something filling before heading out. Their sandwiches and bagels are easy to take with you, and the portions feel just right when you’ve got a long day ahead.
The menu leans into simple European-style choices, like waffles, cream cheese bagels, and toasted ham and cheese sandwiches. You’ll also find a few surprising options, like roast chicken salad, if you want something different from the usual breakfast fare.
It’s not a big cafe, but the staff keep things moving quickly and always greet you warmly. With its location close to several dive shops, you’ll appreciate how convenient it is to stop here before or after your time in the water.
Summer Breeze Cafe
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Address: Lot No. A26 Bandar Utama, Jalan Bubul, Pekan Semporna
Contact details: +6089781754
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 11 AM to 8 PM
Cost: $$
Tucked in Semporna, this cafe gives you a cosy space to relax after a long day on the water. The mix of local favourites and western comfort food means you can always find something that suits your craving.
Dishes like laksa, spicy tomato, and seafood soup stand out for their flavour and portion size. If you’re in the mood for something lighter, their mushroom soup with garlic bread hits the spot perfectly.
Service is efficient, with little touches like table call buttons that make dining smooth even when it’s busy. With its convenient location and consistent quality, you’ll likely find yourself coming back more than once during your stay.
Fat Mom’s Restaurant
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Address: Taman Bandar Semporna
Contact details:
Operating hours:
- Monday to Tuesday, Thursday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM
Cost: $
If you’re in Semporna and craving a seafood feast, this spot is one you’ll want to try. The variety is impressive, and the flavours hit the balance of homely and bold.
Signature dishes like salted egg yolk crab and mantis prawns showcase the freshness of the catch. Even the tofu, simple as it sounds, comes out with a smoky skin and silky centre that you’ll keep thinking about.
The portions here are generous, making it a good choice if you’re dining with friends after a dive trip. Just keep in mind it gets busy fast, so coming a little earlier saves you from long waits.
JETTY Seafood BBQ Restaurant
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Address: LOT 33, BLOCK F SEAFRONT RESORT NEW TOWNSHIP
Contact details: +60178171643
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 2 to 11:30 PM
Cost: $
A meal here is all about fresh seafood grilled right in front of you. The smoky aroma from the barbecue alone makes you want to order more than you planned.
You’ll find classics like shrimp, squid, and lamb on the grill, all served with just the right seasoning. Even the simple seafood rice pairs perfectly with the spread, especially after a long day by the water.
What makes this spot stand out is the welcoming service—staff are quick to check in, and the owner greets diners. With fair prices and cold beer to match the barbecue, it’s the kind of place you’ll be glad to return to.
Where to Stay In and Near Sipadan Island
Sipadan-Mabul Resort
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Address: Sabah
Contact details: +6088486389
Operating hours:
- Check-in: 2 PM
- Check-out: 12 PM
Cost: $$$
Waking up here means stepping straight onto soft sand with the Celebes Sea only steps away. The bungalows are simple but comfortable, giving you the essentials after a long day out diving.
Meals are included, and dining often turns into a special experience where you can easily chat with fellow travellers or even share a dish from the local fishermen’s catch. It feels relaxed and communal, which adds to the charm of staying here.
For divers, this resort is hard to beat—you get multiple boat trips a day plus unlimited shore dives. Between the experienced guides and the variety of sites nearby, your days will always feel full and rewarding.
Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort
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Address: Sabah
Contact details: +6089765200
Operating hours:
- Check-in: 2 PM
- Check-out: 12 PM
Cost: $$$$
The Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort is floating in the middle of nowhere, with bungalows perched on stilts above turquoise waters. Waking up to the horizon stretching endlessly around you is an experience in itself.
Meals are served in a communal style, and between dives you can walk along the long sandbank or watch turtles glide past the pier. The atmosphere is laid-back, making it easy to disconnect from busy routines.
Diving is, of course, the real highlight—you’re minutes from Sipadan and Mabul, while Kapalai itself offers excellent macro life right off the pier. For non-divers, the clear water and serene setting still make it a memorable stay.
Sipadan Water Village
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Address: Mabul Island
Contact details: +6089751777
Operating hours:
- Check-in: 2 PM
- Check-out: 12 PM
Cost: $$
Life slows down the moment you step onto the wooden walkways of Sipadan Water Village. The chalets stretch over clear waters, and you can spot clownfish and starfish just beneath your feet at low tide.
It’s the kind of place where mornings begin with sea breezes and evenings end with a view of the horizon from your balcony. For divers, staying here is convenient because Sipadan permits can be arranged through the resort’s dive centre.
Meals are served buffet-style, blending local dishes with familiar continental options, and fresh seafood is often a highlight. After a long day in the water, sitting down to lunch or dinner with the sea as your backdrop is just the right way to wrap up the day!