Alternative Reef
Why dive here
With 142+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, blue-spotted stingrays, eagle rays, sea turtles and sperm whales - Alternative Reef offers some of Sipadan's richest reef diving. Water ranges 29-31°C, warmest May, October, November.
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.
Typical Alternative Reef Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
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Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Alternative Reef
Alternative Reef Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Alternative Reef, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (4.12, 118.63) (0km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
30°C
87°F · Range: 29.4–31.5°C
Current Speed
4.12 cm/s
Direction: E (104°)
Chlorophyll-a
0.055 mg/m³
Very clear (oligotrophic)
Salinity
31.68 PSU
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU)
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