| Reputably one of the best diving spots in the world, | | | | caves and subsequently drowned. Visibility is low in |
| the uniqueness of Sipadan Island lies in its geographic | | | | the far reaches of the caves, which is why only |
| makeup. Lying on top of a volcanic seamount, | | | | advanced divers should enter the cavern. |
| Sipadan Island is the only oceanic island in Malaysia. As | | | | Accompaniment of a local diving master is necessary |
| this volcano rises steeply over 1600 feet from the | | | | when venturing into this maze of interconnecting |
| seabed, many of the dive sites here consist of steep | | | | tunnels. |
| walls or drop-offs. In addition, the entire reef area of | | | | As one of Sipadan's most treasured sites, Barracuda |
| 513 acres functions as the habitat for soft and hard | | | | Point is where schools of barracudas and jacks swirl |
| corals, as well as home to over 3000 species of fish. | | | | around as the strong currents here bring food to |
| Hawksbill and green turtles are common in Sipadan. In | | | | their midst. Of course, the large volume of fish also |
| fact, it is not surprising for divers meet to 70 turtles | | | | attracts the presence of Grey Reef Sharks and the |
| on each dive! | | | | Hammerheads. Here, it is common for divers to drop |
| Due to the size of the island, dive sites around | | | | down lower along the wall. However, the northern |
| Sipadan are close to one another. Altogether, there | | | | point of this site should be avoided as strong |
| are 11 marked dive sites around Sipadan: | | | | currents here may bring divers further away from |
| The Drop-Off is the most popular dive site here and | | | | the island. |
| has won the island the Best Beach Dive Award in the | | | | The highlight of the Sipadan Midreef Dive would |
| world. Located just 20 feet from the beach, the sea | | | | probably be the strong currents that drift divers |
| water turns indigo blue as the depth of the sea | | | | north or south from their start points. As they scale |
| drops steeply to a staggering 2800 feet. The circling | | | | along the wall, throngs of marine life such as |
| tornado of barracuda or jacks typically found in | | | | triggerfish, unicorn fish, hawk fish and gobies are |
| brochures, books or magazines are easily visible | | | | visible here. At times, divers may even be pushed |
| overhead when a diver enters the water. Corals and | | | | upwards by the current, only to be stopped by hard |
| sponges growing at the side of the wall attract small | | | | flat corals at the top of the reef. |
| reef fishes. White tip sharks and green turtles are | | | | Other dive sites in Sipadan include the Coral Garden, |
| also amongst the creatures living along the cliff. This | | | | the Hanging Gardens and the Staghorn Crest, perfect |
| is also a popular location for night dives, as shrimps | | | | locations for underwater photography due the unique |
| and crabs can be seen peering out from the crevices | | | | topography and the abundance of colorful marine life. |
| along the wall at night. | | | | On the other hand, the South Point and Whitetip |
| Next up is the Turtle Cavern, with the entrance | | | | Avenue dive sites are great locations to observe the |
| located about 65 feet below the surface. | | | | rarer shark species such as the Whitetip Reef Sharks |
| Within these chambers lie the remains of hawksbill | | | | and the Hammerheads. |
| and green turtles that have lost their way in the | | | | |