🐠 Sipadan & Mabul Diving
A 4-day world-class diving expedition in Sabah’s Celebes Sea — home to massive turtle populations, barracuda tornados, and some of the richest marine biodiversity on Earth.
Package Overview
Sipadan Island is Malaysia’s only oceanic island, rising 600m from the seabed. Rated as one of the world’s top 5 dive sites, it offers encounters with green and hawksbill turtles, white-tip reef sharks, bumphead parrotfish, and enormous schools of barracuda and jackfish. Mabul Island complements with world-renowned muck diving — macro critters, frogfish, and blue-ringed octopus.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Arrival & Mabul Check-in
Arrive at Tawau Airport (TWU) and transfer to Semporna jetty (1 hour). Speed boat to Mabul Island and check in to your water village resort or dive lodge. Afternoon orientation dive on Mabul’s house reef — keep your eyes peeled for flamboyant cuttlefish and harlequin shrimp. Evening briefing for Sipadan permit logistics.
Sipadan Island — 3 Dives
Full day at Sipadan with 3 guided dives. Morning dive at Barracuda Point — witness the famous barracuda tornado swirling in the current. Second dive at South Point for white-tip reef sharks and green turtles resting on the reef. Afternoon dive at Turtle Cavern (exterior only) or Drop Off Wall, a sheer vertical wall dropping into the abyss. Lunch on the island between dives.
Mabul & Kapalai — Macro Paradise
Morning dives at Mabul’s famous muck diving sites — Paradise 1 and Froggy Lair. Spot pygmy seahorses, blue-ringed octopus, mantis shrimp, and nudibranchs. Afternoon dive at Kapalai’s sandy slopes for ghost pipefish and ornate ghost pipefish. Optional sunset snorkel on the house reef. Free evening to stargaze from the water village deck.
Final Dive & Departure
Optional sunrise dive on Mabul house reef (subject to conditions). Pack up, breakfast, and speed boat transfer back to Semporna. Ground transfer to Tawau Airport for your onward flight. Alternatively, extend your stay with an add-on to Kinabalu Park or Danum Valley.
What’s Included
Included
- 3 nights accommodation (Mabul water village / dive lodge)
- Full board meals (3 meals daily)
- Sipadan diving permit (1 day)
- 8-9 guided dives with dive master
- Tanks, weights, and boat transfers
- Airport transfer (Tawau – Semporna – Mabul)
- Marine park conservation fee
- Dive insurance coverage
Not Included
- Flights to/from Tawau (TWU)
- Personal dive equipment rental (BCD, reg, wetsuit)
- Underwater camera rental
- Additional Sipadan permits (subject to availability)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities for dive crew
🌿 Our Sustainability Commitment
Sipadan is a protected marine park with strict daily diver limits (120 permits/day). We work exclusively with PADI-certified operators who follow no-touch diving protocols, reef-safe sunscreen policies, and participate in regular reef clean-up programmes. A portion of your package fee goes directly to the Semporna marine conservation fund.
Ready to Dive Sipadan?
Sipadan permits are limited and book out months in advance. Secure your spot early.
