Staghorn Crest - Mabul & Kapalai
Staghorn Crest, off Mabul, offers a good example of the namesake coral, with extensive formations blanketing the reef. We often spot turtles here, slowly cruising between the coral heads, alongside barracuda and reef sharks patrolling the deeper edges. It’s generally a gentle drift, making it a nice spot for newer divers or those looking for a relaxed exploration. The shallower sections are great for photography when the light hits just right.
- Location
- Mabul & Kapalai, Malaysia, Southeast Asia
- Coordinates
- 4.104767, 118.635550
- Type
- reef
Marine Protected Area: Sipadan Island Park
Nearby Dive Sites in Mabul & Kapalai
- AL MALYN - 45m (wreck)
- AWAS
- BANOWATI - 10m (wreck)
- Barracuda Point
- BUNGA INDAH - 5m (wreck)
- CAHAYA MACCOLILOLOS - 9m (wreck)
- Chanel
- Check Point
- Cleaning Station - 10-25m (reef)
- Coral gardens (reef)
- Coral Slope - 5-20m (reef)
- Corner Reef (reef)
- Creepy garden - 5-18m (reef)
- Crocodile Avenue
- Danawan reef (reef)
Nearest Dive Centres to Staghorn Crest
- Bigfin Divers Semporna - ["PADI"]
- Divers Armada Borneo Sdn Bhd - ["PADI"]
- Go Aquatic Semporna - ["PADI"]
- Mussah Poteh Holiday SDN BHD - ["PADI"]
- Nemo and Friends
- Seabunny Scubacations Sdn Bhd
Marine Life in Mabul & Kapalai
Home to 127 recorded species including 77 reef fish, 28 hard corals, 8 seagrass & algae, 3 sharks & rays, 3 clams & mussels, 2 other.
Notable Species
- seagrass (Halophila ovalis) - Seagrass & Algae
- Thin birdsnest coral (Seriatopora hystrix) - Hard Corals
- halodule (Halodule uninervis) - Seagrass & Algae
- Staghorn coral (Acropora aculeus) - Hard Corals
- Staghorn coral (Acropora caroliniana) - Hard Corals
- cymodocea (Cymodocea rotundata) - Seagrass & Algae
- thalassia (Thalassia hemprichii) - Seagrass & Algae
- Staghorn coral (Acropora longicyathus) - Hard Corals
- Staghorn coral (Acropora humilis) - Hard Corals
- Fluorescence grass coral (Galaxea fascicularis) - Hard Corals
- Redtail Scad (Decapterus kurroides) - Reef Fish
- Salmon (Elagatis bipinnulata) - Reef Fish
- Ghost Cardinalfish (Nectamia fusca) - Reef Fish
- Species code: Ea (Enhalus acoroides) - Seagrass & Algae
- Pectinia coral (Pectinia alcicornis) - Hard Corals
- Staghorn coral (Acropora selago) - Hard Corals
- Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
- Species code: Hp (Halodule pinifolia) - Seagrass & Algae
- Stony coral (Porites nigrescens) - Hard Corals
- royal red prawn (Haliporoides sibogae) - Crabs & Lobsters