Sipadan Island Diving Package

Scuba Diving Package Sipadan Island

Most Sipadan Island Diving Packages range from anywhere between RM1900 to RM2300 and depending on where you stay at Mabul Island. You can actually book them from any tour agent or any of the resorts in Sabah Borneo.

While you should note that the authorities only allow 120 permits per day means that there is a first come first serve basis here. Some places offer packages where if you stay a minimum of three nights, you get a free Sipadan Dive Trip.

But most importantly, you should take a proper diving package if you want to visit here to do some of the world's best scuba diving. There is no lodging available on Sipadan Island too.

Sipadan Island Diving Package Information

Photo of Sipadan Island
Sipadan Island on a beautiful and clear day
All Sipadan dive packages usually start early in the mornings and end just after lunch. Some packages offer you four dives while the common one is a three dive inclusive of morning tea and lunch on the island itself.

If you do not know, there is no lodging on Sipadan Island. Divers stay at either Mabul Island, Kapalai Island or on the mainland of Semporna.

The journey to Sipadan from Mabul is about 30 minutes while from Semporna town, it takes about an hour to get there.

Drop off at Sipadan Island
Dive boats parked at the Sipadan Drop Off
Once you reach Sipadan Island, you will notice there is only one jetty there. It is here where everyone must disembark and register at the Sabah Parks office.

After you have done it, you get back on board and head out for your first dive. All rests are done back on the island as there is an area where your food and drinks are prepared by the respective dive companies.

Corals at Sipadan Island
Some of the beautiful corals seen at Sipadan
While diving at Sipadan, you will experience one of the best diving in the world here. Some of the popular diving spots include the famous Barracuda Point (Top five dive spots in the world) where you get to see thousands of Barracudas in a school swim by.

If you are lucky enough, you can see the vortex formation and be in it! Unfortunately, in the picture below, I totally missed my opportunity to get into the vortex. The following pictures are from one of my Sipadan Dives.

Photos of Scuba Diving in Sipadan Island 

Barracuda Vortex at Sipadan Island
An attempt to get into the Barracuda Vortex in Sipadan
Sipadan Bumphead Parrot Fish
School of Bumphead Parrotfish at about 7 meters deep at Barracuda Point
Diving photos of Sipadan Island
Green Turtles are a common sight at Sipadan
Pictures of Sipadan diving
Diving at Sipadan Island with the rich marine life
Sipadan Island Barracuda School
A barracuda school
Lunch At Sipadan Island

Lunch is pretty simple and done on the island itself. But don't expect a full spread buffet as it is quite basic with three dishes, white rice, fruit dessert, coffee, tea, and cold water.

However, if you have any special requests, you should inform your tour operator about it before your dive. Proper toilets are available in the next building as well.

Beach at Sipadan Island
A diver takes a break on the beach at Sipadan Island
After your second dive, you will most probably be so content that all you want to do is take a nap. The beautiful scenery will almost complete your fantasy until it's time for your third dive.

And it's off to the jetty again, but you can be assured of some spectacular diving. Trust me, every dive, I have a better experience after lunch. Still cannot figure out why though.

Sipadan Barracuda School
A large school of Barracudas
Sipadan clown triggerfish
Oh, the dangerous one, stay far away from the clown triggerfish
Sipadan White Tip Shark
A fairly large White Tip Shark seen while diving here
Left - A diver surfacing, Right - Sunrise on the way to Sipadan Island 

Over the years, I have visited Sipadan Island around five to six times to dive here. I have never had a bad experience to date and my last dive here was back in 2014.

There are many companies that sell Sipadan Island diving packages, but my recommendation is to take the full package, meaning an all-in stay and dive, as these packages tend to include one free day to dive in Sipadan. 
 Dive Sites of Sipadan Island
 Sipadan Dive Sites

For divers who are planning to visit this part of the world, you would not want to miss out on visiting this amazing island.

Just to add on, Sipadan Island is voted as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world by many leading international magazines and publications.

How Much Does It Cost To Dive At Sipadan?

A common 4 Days and 3 Nights Dive Package for Sipadan will cost around RM1900 or a little more which includes 6 dives around Mabul/Kapalai and 3 dives at Sipadan Island.

Again, these prices vary from the low season and peak season, and every year, the prices increase.

Different category resorts will also offer cheaper or more expensive packages. It is also advised to book your dive at least two weeks in advance.

The price usually includes full board meals, rooms, equipment rentals, and airport/boat transfers. The flight ticket is not included.

Conclusion

For most budget divers, you can get more information about Mabul Island, as this is the closest island where you can stay if you plan to dive at Sipadan.

For those who enjoy some drinking, you should also bring some extra money for this. Note that there are no ATM machines on any of the islands here.

If you have and questions in regards to the Sipadan Island diving packages, leave them in the comment form below and I will get back to you on this. 

Malaysia Asia

Blogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. Since 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards). After 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.

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