Sipadan diving guide: permits, fees and getting there

Permits are limited

Sabah Parks issues a fixed number of Sipadan permits each day. Sabah Tourism puts the quota at about 250 divers a day. Permits go to licensed resorts and dive operators, not to individual travellers.

Your resort applies for you. A permit is often confirmed only a day or so before the dive, so staying a few nights in the area improves your chance of a Sipadan day.

Park fees

Sabah Parks lists two charges per person for each day on Sipadan: a conservation fee of RM100 (RM50 for Malaysians) and a diving fee of RM350 (RM250 for Malaysians). That is RM450 a day for foreign visitors and RM300 for Malaysians.

Most resorts add these fees to their Sipadan day price. Ask whether your package includes them.

Who can dive

You need an Advanced Open Water certificate or equivalent. An Open Water certificate alone is not enough, and training dives are not allowed at Sipadan.

Snorkelling rules and places change, so ask your resort before you plan a snorkel trip to Sipadan.

No overnight stays

All accommodation on Sipadan closed in 2004. Visitors come for the day by boat and stay on Mabul, Kapalai or in Semporna town.

Leave at least 18 hours between your last dive and your flight home, as standard dive safety guidance recommends.

Getting there

Fly to Tawau airport (TWU). The drive to Semporna takes about 1 to 1.5 hours.

From Semporna the speedboat to Sipadan takes about 45 to 60 minutes in calm seas. From Mabul or Kapalai the ride is shorter.

When to go

Divers visit most of the year. Many prefer March to October, when the sea is often calmer. The water is usually 27 to 30°C.

Dive operators report that Sipadan closes to diving and snorkelling every November and reopens on 1 December. Sabah Tourism's page still mentions December, so check the dates with your resort.

What you may see

Turtles, schools of barracuda and jacks, and reef sharks are seen on most dives. At Drop Off the reef wall falls to about 600 metres.

Well-known sites include Barracuda Point, Drop Off, Turtle Cavern, Midreef, Staghorn Crest, Turtle Patch, Coral Garden, Hanging Gardens, South Point and Whitetip Avenue. Turtle Cavern needs cave training and a local guide.

Safety and travel advice

Some governments warn against travel to the islands off eastern Sabah. For example, the UK advises against all but essential travel to islands and dive sites off the east coast of Sabah. The Malaysian government says there have been no kidnap-for-ransom cases in the area since January 2020.

Boat movement at night is restricted in eastern Sabah coastal waters under a security order, so island transfers run in daylight. Check your own government's current advice and your travel insurance before you book.

Common questions