What Makes Sipadan Island one of the Top Dive Sites in the World?

Sipadan Island

sipadan island is the only oceanic island in Malaysia, rising 2,000 feet or 600m from the seabed. It is located in the Celebes Sea east of the major town of Tawau and off the coast of East Malaysia on the Island of Borneo. It was formed by living corals growing on top of an extinct volcanic cone that took thousands of years to develop. Sipadan is located at the heart of the Indo-Pacific basin, the centre of one of the richest marine habitats in the world. More than 3,000 species of fish and hundreds of coral species have been classified in this ecosystem.
Normally rare diving scenes are frequently seen in the waters around Sipadan: schools of greenback turtles and hawksbill turtles nesting and mating, schools of barracuda & big-eye trevally in tornado-like formations, pelagic species such as manta rays, eagle rays, scalloped hammerhead sharks and whale sharks.

A mysterious turtle tomb lies underneath the column of the island, formed by an underwater limestone cave with a labyrinth of tunnels and chambers that contain many skeletal remains of turtles that have become lost and drown before finding the surface

sipadan island
.........Jacques-Yves Cousteau has remarked, “I have seen other places like Sipadan… 45 years ago. Now we have found again an untouched piece of art.” sipadan island has also been listed in the Rodale's Scuba Diving Magazine Gold List of The Top Dive Destinations in the World. What makes this tiny island of just 30 acres such an outstanding beauty? What lies beneath the waters of Sipadan Island that has so mesmerized divers from all over the world?


Perhaps it is the allure of the diversity of marine life found at the reef. Or maybe it is the crystal clear blue water with high visibility of between 50 and 100 feet. Or perhaps it is the geographic uniqueness of this oceanic island that forms a 2000 feet drop just barely 25 feet from the beach.
The 11 dive sites surrounding Sipadan Island offer unique diving experiences that are specific to each location. The steep Drop-off enables divers to observe the myriad of sea creatures living amongst the crevices of the cliff wall. Soft and hard coral attract reef fishes that feed amongst the corals, while larger predators such as sharks and octopuses hunt for smaller fish.

Sipadan is also famous for the abundance of Green and Hawksbill turtles. In fact, there is also a Turtle Cavern dive site that offers cave divers a chance to explore the interconnecting tunnels within the cavern. This is where the remains of turtles that have lost their way in the tunnels and subsequently drowned can be view sipadan island.


Barracuda tornados circling around your head are a common sight. At Barracuda Point, you will see barracudas in the dozens. What’s more, strong currents at the Sipadan Midreef Dive allow divers to drift along with the current. Also, dive sites such as the Coral Garden and the Hanging Gardens are renowned locations for underwater photography, due to the multitude of colors from the abundance of marine fishes.


Apart from being an underwater haven, Sipadan Island had been designated as a Bird Sanctuary in 1933, and now is under protection of the Sabah Wildlife Department. Essentially, this island is home to over 300 species of birds, including sea eagles and the Nicobar pigeon.
Finally, Sipadan Island offers more than just a dive spot and pretty fauna. The beauty, diversity and diving experience found on this island is probably unlike any other diving location. Indeed, divers come here to pursue the diver’s dream – unforgettable diving experiences from the unique and vivid dive sites of sipadan island.

Looking for a dive resort in Sipadan? Jacob Mojiwat recommends http://www.sipadandivingvacation.com/, a booking service website for resorts on Mabul Island, the gateway to diving at Sipadan, Mabul and Kapalai Islands. He is passionate about diving and has managed to convince many of his friends to take up diving. He lives in Kota Kinabalu, just a short plane ride away from Sipadan Island.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jacob_Mojiwat

History sipadan island
In the past, the island was at the centre of a territorial dispute between Malaysia and Indonesia. The matter was brought for adjudication before the International Court of Justice and, at the end of 2002, the Court awarded the island along with the island of Ligitan to Malaysia, on the basis of the "effective occupation" displayed by the latter's predecessor (Malaysia's former colonial power, Great Britain) and the absence of any other superior title. The Philippines had applied to intervene in the proceedings on the basis of its claim to Northern Borneo, but its request was turned down by the Court early in 2001.
In April 2000, 21 people were kidnapped by the Philippine terrorist group Abu Sayyaf. The armed terrorists arrived by boat and forced 10 tourists and 11 resort workers at gun point to board the vessels and brought the victims to Mindanao. All victims were eventually released.
In year 2004, the Government of Malaysia ordered all on-site dive and resort operators of Sipadan to move their structures out of the island by 31 December 2004. This move is mainly to conserve a balanced eco-system for Sipadan and its surrounding. Diving will continue to be allowed in Sipadan for divers who are ferried in and out by dive and resort operators from the mainland and surrounding islands.
On May 15, 2006, a barge carrying thousands of tonnes of building material beached on the island, destroying a significant portion of reef between the old pier and Barracuda Point, said to be about 372sq metres
The purpose of the building supplies (mainly concrete and gravel) was apparently for a USD1.3 million tourist facility including resthouse, toilets and scuba shop, said the State Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat but denied by the Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman. Later, it was reported that it was a Federal Government funded project.

sipadan island