Plongée à Sipadan Island — Malaysia

Jacques Cousteau declared Sipadan 'an untouched piece of art,' and the island's vertical walls dropping 2,000 feet remain among diving's most iconic experiences. The daily 120-diver permit limit preserves extraordinary encounters with tornado-like barracuda schools and the haunting Turtle Tomb cave. Every dive here is a masterclass in pelagic action against pristine wall backdrops.

Score
81.3
Visibilité
18–40m
Température
26–30°C
Meilleurs mois
April, May, June
Back to directory
World Class
Advanced
Sipadan Island
MalaysiaAsia-Pacific
81.3

SCORE

4.1150°N

118.6288°E

Jacques Cousteau declared Sipadan 'an untouched piece of art,' and the island's vertical walls dropping 2,000 feet remain among diving's most iconic experiences. The daily 120-diver permit limit preserves extraordinary encounters with tornado-like barracuda schools and the haunting Turtle Tomb cave. Every dive here is a masterclass in pelagic action against pristine wall backdrops.

Cousteau's Untouched Piece of Art

Visibility18–40 m
Temperature26–30°C
Max Depth610 m
Currentmoderate
2-Tank Dive$120
Best MonthsApril, May, June, July
CertificationAdvanced Open WaterAdvanced

Score Breakdown

Click any score to see a detailed breakdown

ML96.0CH90.0VIS88.0SV65.0TMP88.0DA85.0OP88.0TS55.0GT50.0VAL75.0CRD78.0SP97.0

Marine Life

96.0

Species diversity, megafauna encounters, reef fish abundance, macro life, and endemic species.

Species Diversity
92
Megafauna Encounters
98
Reef Fish Abundance
97
Macro Life
85
Endemic Species
80
Marine Life Diversity
96.0
Coral & Reef Health
90.0
Visibility & Conditions
88.0
Dive Site Variety
65.0
Water Temperature
88.0
Depth & Access
85.0
Operator Quality
88.0
Topside Experience
55.0
Getting There
50.0
Value & Cost
75.0
Crowding
78.0
Social Proof
97.0

Traveling with Non-Divers?

Your non-diving travel companions will find plenty to enjoy topside while you're underwater. Here are some activities to consider.

Activities for Non-Divers

snorkelingbirdwatching on Sipadanwildlife spotting at Mabul

Non-Diver Score

3/10

Dedicated dive destination — not ideal for non-divers.

Family FriendlyNot recommended
Restaurants & Nightlifebasic

Safety & Emergency

Dive Insurance

DAN recommends dive insurance for all divers.

Learn more at DAN.org
Hyperbaric Chamber60 km — Semporna Hyperbaric Chamber
Nearest Hospital60 km

Chamber at Semporna; helicopter evacuation to Kota Kinabalu available

Skill LevelAdvanced
Current Strengthmoderate

Top Operators

Seaventures Dive Rig

PADI

4.6
520 reviewsNITROX

Scuba Junkie

PADI

4.7
680 reviewsNITROX

Sipadan Scuba

SSI

4.5
340 reviewsNITROX