Sipadan Island is "Malaysian's Top Diving destination"

Malaysia's top diving destination and located on the east side of Sabah Borneo is Sipadan Islands. Sipadan Island is one of the must-dive places for most scuba divers and rated one of the most beautiful dive spots in the world. Up till a few years ago, the government has stopped any form of accommodation on the main island due to environment reasons.

 

Sipadan Island is located off the east coast of East Malaysia (Borneo) in the Celebes Sea. It is close to the town of Tawau and Semporna. Sipadan Island has been declared part of the surrounding marine park so building resorts there has been banned. There are a number of islands close by including Kapalai and Mabul Island which has accommodation that can arrange trips to Sipadan Island.

Nowadays, divers stay at nearby Mabul or Kapalai Island while 120 daily dive permits are issued out to divers for diving at Sipadan Islands. Not a place where you would bring your family but if everyone dives, why not. Accommodations range from budget lodge style right till 5-Star Resorts at Mabul Island and Kapalai Island. A marine police station is the only structure that is on Sipadan Island. Check for the rainy season.

This island is perfect for scuba diving and snorkeling trips with excellent coral reefs and a huge variety of marine life. The marine life includes Barracuda, Big Eye Travallie, Hawksbill Turtles, Green Turtle, White tip reef sharks and the rare Hammerhead shark.

Sipadan Island has all the water sports- Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Water Skiing and Wind Surfing. Moreover, deep sea divers and professionals’ photographers come to Sipadan, drawn by the numerous dive sites that lie a short distance from the main island - Hanging Gardens, Barracuda Point, Turtle Cavern or Skeleton Cave with its pitiful remains of dead turtles. The last is one amongst a labyrinth of underwater limestone caves. Many diving schools operate on Sipadan offering novices the necessary training for dives. These schools also offer the services of professional guides, boats and scuba gear.

Above water, the island is a covered in lush jungle and home to tropical birds such as kingfishers, sea-eagles, sunbirds, starlings and wood pigeons. There are also fruit bats and monitor lizards and at nightfall a turtle may come to lay her eggs on the beach while coconut crabs scurry into the water at the slightest sound. It was declared a bird sanctuary as early as 1933 and in 2004; all accommodation facilities on Sipadan were closed to further protect this pristine natural treasure.  

 

Sipadan Water Village is a resort beautifully constructed with Bajau architectural design. Part of the Mabul Island is also home to groups of Bajau fishermen who have built their traditional palm thatched houses.

 

The accessibilities go to Sipadan Island Malaysia by flight, ferry and bus. The closes town in Sabah East Malaysia to Sipadan and Mabul Islands is Tawau which is serviced by a small airport. There are regular flights from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau airport. Air Asia has direct flights to Tawau from Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur as well as from Singapore. Malaysian Airlines have regular flights from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau.  Besides that, by ferry is one accessibility go there.   Ferries leave from the town of Semporna, not far from Tawau. And also by bus is available. Buses from Kota Kinabalu take over 8 hours to travel to Semporna via Tawau.

 I have dream go tho Sipadan Island because of this island is beautiful island and best place for diving. I hope my dream come true!