Diving in Sipadan

Explore 100 dive sites in Sipadan, Malaysia. Ocean conditions, marine species, and dive centres.

Best Time to Dive in Sipadan

The warmest water temperatures in Sipadan occur in August, averaging 30.6°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 28.3°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 28.5°C
  • February: 28.3°C
  • March: 28.9°C
  • April: 29.7°C
  • May: 30.3°C
  • June: 30.3°C
  • July: 30.2°C
  • August: 30.6°C
  • September: 30.5°C
  • October: 30.4°C
  • November: 30.0°C
  • December: 29.3°C

Marine Life in Sipadan

Home to 147 recorded species including 111 reef fish, 11 sea snails & nudibranchs, 9 sharks & rays, 5 seagrass & algae, 4 other, 4 hard corals.

Dive Site Difficulty in Sipadan

Sipadan has 17 beginner, 6 intermediate dive sites - suitable for divers of all levels.

Recommended Packing List for Sipadan

Based on average water temperature of 29.7°C, currents 12 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 30°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories

Marine Protected Areas in Sipadan

  • Pulau Tiga Park - State Park (IUCN Category II)
  • Tunku Abdul Rahman Park - State Park (IUCN Category II)
  • Turtle Islands Park - State Park (IUCN Category IV)
  • Pulau Kuraman Marine Park - Marine Park (IUCN Category II)
  • Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category II)
  • Tun Mustapha Park - State Park (IUCN Category II)
  • Pulau Rusukan Kecil Marine Park - Marine Park (IUCN Category II)
  • Pulau Rusukan Besar Marine Park - Marine Park (IUCN Category II)

Getting to Sipadan - Nearest Airports

  • Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI), Kota Kinabalu - 53 km away, approx 73 min travel time
  • Brunei International Airport (BWN), Bandar Seri Begawan - 218 km away, approx 253 min travel time
  • Puerto Princesa International Airport / PAF Antonio Bautista Air Base (PPS), Puerto Princesa - 469 km away, approx 527 min travel time

Dive Sites

Dive Centres