CityUsable guide

Sipadan

Oceanic island in Malaysia

Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Overview

Sipadan Island (Pulau Sipadan in Malay) lies off the east coast of Malaysian Borneo. The island is known above all for some of the best scuba diving anywhere in the world. You can visit the island on a day trip, but it is no longer possible to stay on Sipadan.

Sights and activities

From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.

Big John Scuba
Do
Nice dive shop affiliated with Lai's Homestay.
Details
Billabong Scuba
Do
Details
Scuba Junkie
Do
Details
Sipadan Scuba
Do
PADI 5* IDC Centre in Semporna.
Details
Sipadan-Mabul Resort
Do
Details
Sipadan Water Village
Do
Details
Singamata Adventures Semporna S /B Dive lodge
Do
The office is next to Seafest hotel in Semporna.
Details
Summer Friends
Do
Details

Getting there and around

Getting there

Getting in requires some effort.

Read in the guide

Getting around

Walking along the beautiful sandy beaches, snorkeling sites on all sides of the island can be reached. Scuba divers usually will take a boat a few minutes from the beach to their dive site.

Read in the guide

Airports and nearby hotels

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Tawau Airport

Tawau · Regional · TWU

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Read before you go to Sipadan

Articles and travel topics about Sipadan and Malaysia.

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Full travel guide

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UnderstandTogether with the nearby island of Ligitan, Sipadan was long the subject of a territorial dispute between Malaysia and Indonesia. In 2002, the International Court of Justice awarded both islands to Malaysia.

Get inGetting in requires some effort.

Get aroundWalking along the beautiful sandy beaches, snorkeling sites on all sides of the island can be reached. Scuba divers usually will take a boat a few minutes from the beach to their dive site.

DoSipadan claims to be the world's best dive site. While this is a big claim, the diving here is certainly world-class. Sipadan used to have resorts but to protect the environment these were closed in 2002.

BuyWith all resorts closed down, there is nothing to buy on the island.

EatThere are no restaurants, and dive tours bring their own lunch and snacks with them.

DrinkDive tours bring their own water and drinks with them.

SleepAll resorts on Sipadan have been closed in order to preserve the island in a pristine state. Diving is still permitted and possible by day-trips from the nearby town of Semporna.

Stay safeThe islands used to be disputed between Malaysia and Indonesia, leading to instability and a highly publicized case of 20 tourists being kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf rebels in 2000.

Go next

Mabul Island

Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Sipadan" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the Wikipedia article "Sipadan", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia
Photo: Sipadan island.jpg, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

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