Diving in Sipadan
Why dive here
Sipadan offers some of Malaysia's richest diving, with 142+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, blue-spotted stingrays, eagle rays, sea turtles and sperm whales. Water ranges 28-31°C, warmest August, September, October.
Sipadan. The name itself brings a smile to our faces, usually followed by a wistful sigh. This isn't just another dive trip, it's a pilgrimage for many. We've been lucky enough to dunk here a few times, and every single one has been memorable. The sheer drop-offs are what make it, plunging hundreds of metres into the Celebes Sea. You'll spend most of your dives peering into the blue, waiting for the magic. And it always comes. The barracuda tornadoes are no myth; we’ve been completely enveloped, a swirling wall of silver. Turtles are everywhere, often so many you have to gently fin around them. We’ve seen them sleeping in crevices, cruising the wall, even having a good scratch on the coral. Our favourite is the resident population of bigfin reef squid; their colour changes are mesmerising. Currents here can be ripping, so stay close to your guide. It’s a drift diver’s dream, but keep an eye on your no-decompression limits. Early morning dives often offer the best chances for pelagics, before the crowds arrive. Try to get on the first boat out, it makes a real difference. We always find the later dives get a bit more crowded, especially around Barracuda Point. Expect to be spoiled. This place is special, and we genuinely love it.
Sipadan Dive Site Map
Dive sites and dive centres in Sipadan
Sipadan Dive Sites
99 dive sites in Sipadan
AH KONG TONGUE
Ah Kong Tongue is a beginner-friendly spot on Sipadan, shallow at 19 metres. It's a nice easy drift along a gentle slope, often with turtles just hanging out. You'll likely see a few reef sharks patrolling and schools of bumphead parrotfish cruising past. It's a relaxed dive, good for getting your bearings or enjoying a final, mellow dip.
Ah Long Rock
Ah Long Rock sits just off Sipadan's main reef, a shallow, rocky outcrop that’s surprisingly busy. We often find turtles resting on the ledges here, and the resident schools of snapper and fusiliers are usually thick. It’s a gentle dive, good for new divers looking to get comfortable in Sipadan’s currents, or for photographers wanting a calm spot for wide-angle shots.
Alternative Reef
Alternative Reef is a good alternative to some of Sipadan's busier spots. It's a slope, mostly soft coral, with lots of smaller reef fish darting around. We usually see green turtles here, sometimes resting, sometimes just cruising past. If you’re looking for a slightly quieter dive in Sipadan, this is a solid choice.
American Wreck
The American Wreck on Sipadan isn’t about big schools or shark action, it’s a quiet counterpoint to the usual whirlwind. We love it for that change of pace. Dropping down, you’re greeted by the ghostly outline of an old landing craft, thought to be a Japanese vessel from WWII, not American at all, despite the name. It sits upright, mostly intact, though time and the ocean have started to peel back its layers. Swim through the cargo holds, where sunlight dapples the interior and resident sweepers dart into the shadows. Look closely at the hull for nudibranchs and flatworms, camouflaged against the rust. Our favourite part is the bow, often home to a large moray eel peeking from a crevice. It’s a slow dive, perfect for photographers or anyone wanting a break from the current-swept reefs. The wreck isn't deep, usually around 20-25 metres, so you get plenty of bottom time to explore every nook. It’s a gentle reminder of history beneath the waves.
Arthur Reef, Sapi Island
Arthur Reef, just off Sapi Island, is one of Sipadan's calmer spots, ideal for newer divers or those looking for an easy second dive. The reef here is pretty gentle, a gradual slope where we often spot smaller reef fish darting amongst the coral bommies. It's a nice change of pace from the faster currents elsewhere, offering a relaxed environment to practice buoyancy and enjoy the quieter moments.
Asmarqa Point
Asmarqa Point, a lesser-known spot in Sipadan, often gets overshadowed by its famous neighbours, but it’s a solid dive in its own right. We find it’s a good place to drift along the wall, keeping an eye out for patrolling reef sharks and the occasional eagle ray gliding past. It’s a site for divers who appreciate the quiet flow of a reef without the usual Sipadan crowds.
Australian Wreck
The Australian Wreck isn't about massive, intact structures you can penetrate for ages. Instead, it’s a relatively small, old fishing boat that sank in the 1980s. But don't let its size fool you; this site offers a completely different vibe from Sipadan's famous wall dives. We love it because it’s a living testament to how quickly the ocean reclaims its own. Dropping down, the wreck appears as a dark shape against the blue, usually resting upright. Visibility can be epic here, sometimes pushing 30 metres, which makes the approach quite dramatic. We often find schooling batfish circling the mast, thick silver walls that part as you swim through. There are plenty of nooks and crannies for macro life too; look closely for decorator crabs and pygmy seahorses clinging to the growth. It’s an easy, relaxed dive, perfect for a second or third dip of the day when you’re not chasing pelagics.
Bakkungan Kecil
Bakkungan Kecil on Sipadan offers a relaxed drift over a sloping reef. We often spot green sea turtles here, sometimes resting, sometimes just cruising past. It's a good spot for newer divers to get comfortable with Sipadan's currents, or for anyone wanting a calmer dive after some of the more intense spots. Keep an eye out for reef sharks moving through the deeper sections.
Barracuda Point
Canal da Ilha Menina is one of Arraial do Cabo's drift dives, and we think it's one of the best ways to explore the area when the conditions are right. You'll drop in and let the current carry you through a gap in the rocks, sometimes with a real push. It's a shallow dive, barely hitting 14 metres, so you get plenty of bottom time to take everything in. What we love most here is the sheer volume of schooling fish. Sometimes the herring and silverfish are so thick they form shimmering walls that part as you pass through. Keep an eye on the sandy patches at the base of the rocks; we've seen plenty of burrowing octopuses peeking out, and the occasional spotted whiff trying to blend in. It's an easy dive for anyone comfortable with a bit of current, making it a great option for knocking out a couple of relaxed dives in a day. Just remember to check the tide chart; a slack tide here is a missed opportunity for a proper drift.
Barracuda Point
Barracuda Point. Everyone talks about it, and for good reason. From the minute you drop, you're right on a wall that plunges into the deep, and the current usually makes its presence known. Most divers are here for the schooling barracuda, and when they show up in that famous tornado formation, it’s a genuine spectacle. We’ve also seen plenty of grey reef sharks patrolling the drop-off and green turtles just cruising by. Be ready for a drift, and keep an eye out into the blue. It’s a site that rewards experienced divers comfortable with moving water.
Barracuda Point Udar Besar
Barracuda Point Udar Besar is a good spot to get your feet wet in Sipadan. It’s a shallow dive, maxing out at 18 meters, making it ideal for newer divers or anyone wanting to extend their bottom time. While it doesn't always deliver the famous barracuda tornadoes the main Barracuda Point is known for, we’ve still seen plenty of reef sharks cruising through and schools of bumphead parrotfish munching on the coral. It’s a gentle introduction to Sipadan’s overall feel, a nice warm-up dive before some of the deeper, more current-swept sites.
Blue Water Wreck
Sipadan isn't just about the pelagics, though we'll never say no to a hammerhead. The Blue Water Wreck offers a different flavour, a chance to explore a small, steel-hulled vessel that's settled upright on the seafloor. It’s a good spot for some relaxed penetration, if you're qualified, poking around the holds where schooling fusiliers often gather, creating shimmering curtains of silver. Keep an eye out for resident batfish and the occasional reef shark patrolling the perimeter. It’s a solid dive for those who appreciate history and the way the ocean reclaims human structures.
Sipadan Dive Centres
21 dive shops and operators in Sipadan
95 Dive Adventures Sdn.Bhd.
Baby Shark Dive Center 宝贝鲨潜水中心
Bigfin Divers
BLUE BLUE DIVE & PHOTOGRAPHY
Borneo Climb & Dive Sdn Bhd
Borneo Dive Network
BORNEO NATURE EXPLORER TOURS & TRAVEL SB
Darvel Lagoon Hampilan
Ocean Wildlife in Sipadan
142 species recorded in Sipadan
Sipadan Daylight & Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise and sunset times for Sipadan, calculated from coordinates
Today - Monday 24 August
Sunrise
06:09
Sunset
18:26
Daylight
12h 17m
Golden Hour
17:58
First light (dawn) at 05:48 · Last light (dusk) at 18:47
Monthly Averages
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 06:30 | 18:18 | 11h 48m |
| Feb | 06:31 | 18:27 | 11h 56m |
| Mar | 06:22 | 18:26 | 12h 5m |
| Apr | 06:07 | 18:22 | 12h 15m |
| May | 05:59 | 18:23 | 12h 24m |
| JunLongest | 06:01 | 18:30 | 12h 29m |
| Jul | 06:07 | 18:34 | 12h 27m |
| AugNow | 06:10 | 18:29 | 12h 19m |
| Sep | 06:06 | 18:15 | 12h 9m |
| Oct | 06:01 | 18:00 | 12h 0m |
| Nov | 06:04 | 17:55 | 11h 51m |
| DecShortest | 06:17 | 18:03 | 11h 46m |
Times are approximate local times based on longitude. Actual times may vary slightly depending on the exact timezone observed in Sipadan.
Where to Stay near Sipadan
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Marine Protected Areas near Sipadan
8 protected areas near Sipadan - please respect local regulations when diving
Tun Mustapha Park
Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area
Pulau Tiga Park
Tunku Abdul Rahman Park
Pulau Kuraman Marine Park
Turtle Islands Park
Pulau Rusukan Besar Marine Park
Pulau Rusukan Kecil Marine Park
Getting to Sipadan
Kota Kinabalu
Bandar Seri Begawan
Puerto Princesa
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