A diver's dream - Sipadan, Malaysia

  • Departure Date: September 30th, 2012 (Sun)
  • Return Date: October 7th, 2012 (Sun)

Already legendary as one of the world's best dive sites - always featuring within the top ten of any list - is the tiny island of Sipadan, this dive mecca has been indisputably the most famous scuba destination in Malaysia.

It is located off the east coast of Sabah, Malaysia's eastern most state, and lies on the north-eastern corner of Borneo, the world's third largest island.

The Sipadan diving legend has passed through the world's dive community to the extent that all divers with an interest in visiting the best sites in the world, have this small island near the top of their wish list.

Dive Site Introduction

Sipadan

Sipadan Island has 11 Marked Dive Sites. All dives are Wall Dives. The following are brief descriptions of some of the sites and marine life you can expect to see.

DROP OFF

Just 20 feet from the shore, the wall plunges a staggering 2,000 feet down and is rated as one of the top 5 Beach Dives in the world. The wall is encrusted with different varieties of coral, turtles abound and a multitude of lionfish & smaller reef dwelling fish live on this wall. The entrance to TURTLE CAVERN is also found about 70ft down along this wall.

STAGHORN CREST / SOUTH POINT

There is usually a very strong current present at this site. Dives here can take you through up to three marked sites. Very large shoals of pelagic feed here (Barracuda, Jacks, Sharks and Turtles). On the upper reef, a multitude of smaller reef fish abound. Coral is bursting with color, many huge Anemone and Clown Fish at this site.

HANGING GARDEN

This wall is covered in a multitude of soft coral. Hawksbill & Green Turtles live on the ledges at this site and the current is usually quite calm. A great spot for photography as colorful corals hang from the interesting cracks and crevices along the wall.

TURTLE PATCH

This site is home to a huge number of Hawksbill & Green Turtles. Many reef sharks also frequent this site. It is rather barren in comparison to some of the other sites, but triggerfish and other reef fish dwell on the upper coral reef, making it a well-rounded site.

BARRACUDA POINT

As the name suggests, Barracuda Point is where a large concentration of Pelagic's converge. Except to see large shoals of Barracuda, Jacks, Grey and White Tip Reef Sharks. The schools number in the high hundreds. Current is strong. It is a fast moving, high voltage dive site.

WHITE TIP AVENUE

As with all the sites on Sipadan Island, the name says it all. Expect to see huge Black & White Tip Reef Sharks, Grey Sharks, massive Green & Hawksbill Turtles as well as large shoals of Jack & Barracuda.

 

MABUL ISLAND

Situated only about 15 minutes by speedboat from Sipadan, and 30 minutes from mainland Semporna, Mabul is recognized as one of the world's best "muck-diving" sites, has a shallow reef profile with sandy bottom and patches of sea grass and also one of the richest single destinations for exotic small marine life in the world.

The coral reefs at first glance do not look very picturesque and inviting, however it is the diversity of macro animals inhabiting the coral rubble and sea grass sites that put Mabul on the diving map. Flamboyant cuttlefish, blue-ringed octopus, mimic octopus, gobies and frogfishes are everywhere, as are moray, snake eels and practically the whole scorpion fish family. There's no doubt about it, Mabul is a magical macro site!

The beauty of Mabul will also appeal greatly to non divers as well.

Eel Garden

Located towards the southern end of Pulau Mabul. Eel Garden is one of the deeper dives around the area. Divers descend to a sandy flat between 20 to 25 metres sloping towards the open sea.Fining carefully and avoiding stirring up the silty bottom, divers can observe gobies seeking refuge in the tiny crevices and moray eels occupying larger holes. Looking towards the sandy patch, you will see what appear to be blades of long grass swaying with the current. These are the elusive garden eels (Heteroconger Hassi) living in colonies that quickly dart back into their burrows on approaching shadows or excessive movement in the water.

Ray Point

Also located on the southern tip of Pulau Mabul, this site slopes to about 30 metres at the sandy bottom. Currents sweeping through this point bring clear water and good visibility. Sea fans and soft corals that thrive in current areas are home to gobies, blennies, moray eels, butterfly fish, damselfish, parrotfish and stonefish (Synanceia Verrucosa).

Crocodile Avenue

Flat sandy area from 5m to 20m. It is a sandy area, so there are empty stretches of sand with oases of life. Our dive guide found some seahorses there every time. The absolute record was 8 seahorses. Then there are sand eels, double-ended pipefish, crocodile fish, special tube anemones, ghost pipefish (Harlequin- and Sea grass-), cowfish etc. I even saw some turtles, humpback parrotfish, barracudas, mackerels and a small eagle ray there. Night dives are also very good here. We found lots of sepias, cuttlefish and special nudibranchs (for example the Spanish Dancer, Asteronotus c.) and lots of crabs. One of the highlights was a small boxer crab, found on some rubble.

Seaventure Platform

Mabul, Seaventures Platform: Flat sandy area on about 17m. This is an old oil platform that has been converted into a hotel owned by Seaventures Dive Resort. It stands on huge pillars. You dive underneath in 17m of water. An amazing dive site! There are several piles of metal rods, look close, and there are always several frogfish (yellow to red, black and gray) sitting on them. Inside the largest pile there is a huge moray eel. His head must have a diameter of about 15cm! Then we also found: ghost pipefish (Harlequin and sea grass), wasp fish, nudibranchs (Halgerda, Cromodoris etc.), stonefish, flying gurnard and close to the pillars always lots of batfish and flute fish.

Lobster Wall

Wall, some small caverns. There are many nudibranchs, anemones, shrimps and in a small cave I even found a baby cowfish. Great night dives.

 

KAPALAI ISLAND

* Mandarin Valley

Slope to about 20m. Hard corals, then sand. Small underwater mound. This dive site has its name from a dragonet that can be found there and that has a beautiful color like the clothes of the Chinese mandarins. It lives during the day under the spines of sea urchins. Go out to the small underwater mound - there were several leaf fish there last time. Leaf fish can shed their skin and in such a way adjust to the surrounding reef. I saw one, where some yellow ascidians were growing on his skin right over the eye. There is also a mushroom coral (Heliofungia a.) on the sand with some white anemone pipefish (Siokunichthys n.) living inside.

* Ray Channel

This is a sandy channel with the reef on one side. The special fish, you find here and nowhere else in Mabul is the dragon fish (Pegasus). This small animal lives in pairs on sand and feeds on invertebrates. There are some leaf fish; a spiny devilfish lives close by, and there is a small baby-angelfish.

Schedule and Program

  • Day 1 ( September 30th ) Departure
    Fly to Kuala Lumpur from Shanghai and transfer to Tawau, car transfer to Semporna,
    stay over night in Semporna.
  • Day 2 ( October 1st ) Arrival
    Boat transfer to Mabul and check in Borneo Divers Mabul Resort,
    2 dives in the afternoon ( Check diving ),
    stay over night in Borneo Diver Mabul Resort.
  • Day 3 - 6 ( October 2nd - 5th ) Diving
    3 boat dives a day between Mabul, Kapalai and Sipadan Island,
    Unlimited Jetty House Reef Dive in Mabul Island,
    stay over night in Borneo Diver Mabul Resort.
  • Day 7 ( October 6th ) Check out and departure
    Check out at 11 in the morning, take the flight back to Shanghai with 1 transfers in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Day 8 ( October 7th ) Back
    Get in Shanghai around 7:00 in the morning.

Daily Schedule

  • 6:00 - Breakfast
  • 7:30 - Meet at Dive Center
  • 8:00 - Departure for Diving
  • 8:30 - First Dive
  • 9:30 - Tea Break
  • 11:00 - Second Dive
  • 12:00 - Back to Hotel for Lunch
  • 15:00 - Third Dive
  • 16:00 - Tea Break
  • 17:00 - Fourth Dive ( Sunset Dive )
  • 19:00 - Dinner at hotel and stay overnight

* Daily schedule might be changed due to different situation

** Sipadan dives subject to quota and weather permitting. Diving at Sipadan may be anytime of the day.

*** AOW students will finish the course in the trip.

Hotel Information

Borneo Divers Mabul Resort boost of 30 units of semi-detached room, each with twin-share / double beds and private verandah overlooking at the Celebes Sea. Air-conditioned and with private hot / cold shower and bathrooms, ceiling fan, dressing table and ample spaces. Deluxe rooms are available with coffee/ tea making facilities, hair dryer and local sarong.

Borneo Diver also has the facility as Restaurant, Event Hall (100 paxs Theatre Setting), Three (3) Bars, Recreational & Sport Facilities, ,Professional Underwater Video and Filming Center, Full Service Dive Center, Library & TV room, FREE Wireless Internet Broadband Access, Swimming Pool, GAZEBO Beach Side Massage / Manicure & Pedicure

Cost

Dive trip for Sipadan

  • Diver: 9,480 RMB / Per Person
  • Non-diver: 6,930 RMB / Per Person

Optional Extras:

  • Shanghai - Tawau flight ticket: 5,000 RMB / Per Person (this is our estimated price)
  • Advanced Open Water Course: 2,000 RMB / Per Person
  • PADI Nitrox Diver Course: 1,480 RMB / Per Person
  • Full set equipment rental: 95 MYR / Per Day
  • Nitrox Fills: 12 USD / Per tank
  • Night dive: 50 MYR / Per Person ( minimum 3 person requested )
  • DAN Insurance - 1YR membership 195AUD (CC) or 850RMB (cash)
  • Full set equipment rental: 95 MYR / Per Day
  • Regulator: 25 MYR / Day
  • BCD：25 MYR / Day
  • Shortie suit: 20 MYR / Day
  • Boots: 5 MYR / Day
  • Fins: 5 MYR / Day
  • Mask: 10 MYR / Day
  • Snorkel: 5 MYR / Day
  • Under Water Light: 25 MYR / Day

Cost Included

  • Travel Insurance
  • Transfer between the airport, hotel and dive site
  • Twin shared room in Seafest hotel and Borneo Dive Mabul Resort
  • 3 meals a day
  • Light snacks serve all day and beverages while at the Dive Resort (Excluding alcoholic and/or carbonated soft drinks)
  • 3 boat dives a day between Mabul, Kapalai and Sipadan Island
  • Unlimited Jetty House Reef Dive in Mabul Island (without divemaster)
  • Tanks, Weight and divemaster services
  • Sipadan National Park Fee

Cost Excluded

  • Flight Ticket
  • Dive Equipment
  • Night Dive
  • Nitrox Fills
  • Soft drink and beer
  • Anything not listed in the costs included

Requirements

  • Non-divers
  • Proof of certification

Seat Limitation

We have 18 seats for this trip, but due to the trip during October holiday, the flight tickets are short we advise not to wait, sign up today!

Remarks & General information

  • LIST OF COUNTRIES ALLOWED VISA-FREE ENTRY
  • We can help to apply for a Malaysia Visa (if needed - please inform us at booking).
  • The passport must be valid for more than 6 months.
  • You'll need your Passport and Dive certification
  • The water temperature is around 28c, 3mm shorty or full wet suit, thin Wetsuit or rash vest is suggested.
  • Dive sites could change due to weather conditions.
  • NO SPEAR FISHING.
  • You will be responsible to follow Safe Diving Practices and diving within your limits.
  • Indicate that you should wait a minimum of 18 hours and sometimes up to 24 hours after diving before you fly.
  • Ringgit, USD and RMB is acceptable in Malaysia,
    - the exchange rate of RMB is 1 Ringgit for 2.2 RMB,
    - the rate for USD is 1 USD for 3.32 - 3.6 Ringgit.
  • The power supply in Malaysia is 240volt, the power adapter is Rectangular blade plug.
    ( )
  • Please note we need a Minimum 12 guests for departure.

Reservation & cancellation

Please email or call before to check availability.

50% deposit is necessary to secure your seat, the remaining balance must be paid 30 days before departure.

For cancellations less than 30 days before the trip we are not able to give refunds.

If you need a reservation or have any question, please contact us by sending email to or
call 86-21-6291 2110.

Big Blue is looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you very much.

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