Discover Malaysia's Treasure Trove for Divers

For this week's blog I find myself focusing again on a destination in the Coral Triangle. So, you ask me, exactly what and where is the Coral Triangle I keep talking about?  Well, the Coral Triangle is an area in the western Pacific that includes the tropical marine waters of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Timor Leste.  Home to the richest reefs on Earth, it is sometimes referred to as the Amazon of the ocean.  Within the Coral Triangle you'll experience the epicenter of global marine biodiversity, not only for fish and corals, but many other marine organisms as well.  The Triangle's 2.2 million square miles is also a global priority for conservation efforts.

So where do we travel to today then?

Let's dive into the amazing waters that encircle a seamount carpeted in verdant rainforest and white sand beaches, surrounded by a coral reef that grew atop an ancient volcanic cone.  Found along the western border of the Coral Triangle, east of Malaysian Borneo, is the small wonder called Sipadan.
  

Diving the waters of Sipadan are what legends are made of. Most dive sites being walls, divers can gaze into infinity at the deep blue waters below.  Here calm waters reign, allowing for divers of all skill levels to experience the breath-taking beauty. Kick back and relax as easy currents transport you along the walls where you will see turtles noshing on corals, gray and white-tip reef sharks cruising by you occasionally shooting you a curious glance, and an endless kaleidoscope of reef fish and corals.  You may even find yourself engulfed in whirling schools of trevally, or enjoying the parade as a school of bumphead parrotfish march on by.  Take a moment to venture away from the wall and you could spy a scalloped hammerhead shark or observe the enthralling acrobatics of an eagle ray. Safety stops are even exciting view points as the top of most walls conveniently exist at safety-stop depths.

When should you visit Sipadan?

Since Sipadan is not in a monsoonal belt, diving is a year-round activity at the island.  However, if you prefer the "dry season", then you should visit between March and October when rains will not lessen the spectacular visibility.  Sipadan is a popular destination with divers, and there are a few "peak seasons" you may wish to avoid.  The months of July & August are considered peak season, as well as the holiday week between Christmas & New Year, and the week of Easter. The Eastern holidays of Chinese New Year in February, and the Golden Week which falls the first week of May and the first week of October are also considered peak times. The rest of the year is yours to choose from.

Book Early - Permits are limited to Dive Sipadan

Traveling during less popular times is important due to dive permit issues.  At one time Sipadan had at least half a dozen resorts on the island and was heavily visited.  This eventually took a visible toll on the reef's ecosystem, so in 2005 the resorts were forced to relocate to other nearby islands and Sipadan became a marine park.  A permit system began in 2006 which limited the amount of visitors per day and the number of resorts which could provide permits to divers.  Due to the limited amount of permits available, during peak seasons you may not be able to obtain a permit to dive Sipadan.  To ensure your best chances to dive this island, you should book during the low seasons, plan to stay for at least 7 days to increase your chances that one of those days you will be able to go to the island, and make sure to book early.  This give the resort more opportunity to obtain that precious permit for you.

The late Jacques Cousteau once described Sipadan Island as an untouched piece of art, while divers around the world have voted it as one of the top five dive sites in the world. This crown jewel of Malaysia is a treasure trove of some of the most wonderous species to be seen and should definitely be on the top of your bucket list.

Want to learn more about Sipadan and the dive resorts nearby that have access to this amazing island?  Just contact me.

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