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