All the dives I did before coming here to Borneo were always a bit disappointing. So when I heard that diving at Sipadan was supposed to be absolutely fantastic, I had to try it! Many top 10 lists rank Sipadan island as number 1, or at least Barracuda Point often appears at number 1 or 2. CNN Travel’s top 50 list even has Barracuda Point at number 1!
When I was in the area… well, I obviously had to go!
My Stay on Mabul
At Seahorse, I had wonderful company, and together we walked around the small island. We had a fun photoshoot at the neighbors’ jetty. Yes! They really knew how to take a great photo!
In the evenings, we enjoyed the beautiful sunset on Mabul. And what an amazing sunset it was!
I visited Sipadan during my trip on Borneo: read more
Why is Sipadan Protected?
The area around Sipadan is strictly protected to preserve its unique nature. For this reason, you need a permit to dive here.
The Sipadan Permit
A permit? Yes, you do indeed need a permit to dive around Sipadan island. Access is limited, and only a certain number of people are allowed to dive per day. If you want to be sure of a dive, you need to arrange this in advance.
But I had just arrived here during my 5-month trip and naturally wanted to try to make a dive. I visited the various hotels and resorts on Mabul to inquire.
Hopeful news: I heard a man talking who was already going diving at Sipadan for the third day. He hadn’t booked anything in advance either but was now buying permits for the third day in a row. This made me happy and gave me the feeling that I would succeed too!
Diving at Mabul: A Surprising Warm-Up
In the meantime, I did several dives around Mabul island. I must honestly admit that I was already pleasantly surprised by what I saw there. The dives in Thailand and the Philippines are obviously incomparable (everywhere is different), but it was more colorful here!
I don’t want to say those other dives weren’t great, but they were less colorful. In the Philippines, I did see the Thresher Shark… and that is absolutely amazing! Or what about diving in a school of sardines?
Special Discoveries at Mabul
Frogfish: For the first time, I saw the black and yellow frogfish. They were ‘standing’ on a shipwreck. I found them absolutely amazing, so cool how they stood there! They look so strange… and ugly too, actually… but that’s exactly what makes them so beautiful! What incredible creatures!
Have you ever seen such a fish? They can hide beautifully on the coral. They stand on their little feet and sometimes walk a bit… Isn’t that strange? I saw two: a yellow one and a black one.
Nudibranchs: And what about all those colorful nudibranchs! Also absolutely wonderful. I get so happy when I spot one myself. Beautiful bright purple or orange nudibranchs!
Other special species:
- Hairy Orangutan crab in Bubble Coral
- Crocodile fish
- And much more!
Photo Credits
Most of the photos I’m showing here, I received from Norasyikin and her boyfriend Ain. Thank you so much for that! I don’t have an underwater camera, and the thing I did have… well, that didn’t give me nice photos. I tried to photograph many things, but because I’m not very stable, I missed a lot. And the colors are terrible…
So I’m very grateful for these wonderful photos!
Finally: Diving at Sipadan!
Ben from Seahorse Sipadan Scuba Dive came to me at one point with good news: he had found a permit for me! I was obviously thrilled about this. It would happen on my last day after all. By then, I had heard so many stories and REALLY wanted to dive at Sipadan!
The Price and Negotiating
It would cost me around 200 euros, and I naturally tried to get the price down a bit. I’m Dutch for a reason! But then I booked.
Included in the price:
- 3 dives at Sipadan
- Breakfast and lunch
- Boat trip (1-hour journey)
- All diving equipment
The Day of the Dive
It was very early when they picked me up, still dark. It’s an hour’s boat ride to Sipadan. The first dive would be around sunrise.
It rained for the first time that morning… even some lightning. I started worrying it might not happen. But I was so happy when I saw the boat coming to pick me up! The equipment I’d been diving with for days from Seahorse was loaded onto the boat, and off we went. Into the black night, heading to Sipadan!
Underwater at Sipadan: Spectacular!
This was the first time I saw so many turtles, sharks, and all kinds of schools of fish in every color imaginable, all in a single glance! I was completely impressed.
I looked around and felt like I was swimming in an aquarium! This is also nature, and it made me so happy. The ocean at its most beautiful!
What I Saw at Sipadan
- Bumphead Parrotfish: A school of bumphead parrotfish came by. They’re quite large! Looking to the side and seeing a whole school of these enormous fish just swimming past… Absolutely amazing, right?
- Whitetip Reef Sharks: These are the most common sharks that divers see. I’ve seen them often… I’ve even snorkeled with blacktip reef sharks!
- Barracuda Point: And then a school of tuna comes swimming by at Barracuda Point. I found it absolutely fantastic to swim around like that and suddenly disappear into a school. So strange how a school moves around you and not a single fish will touch you…
- Colorful nudibranchs: Those wonderfully colored nudibranchs continued to amaze me with every dive!
After 3 dives at Sipadan, I was one happy diver. This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Practical Information: Costs & Accommodation
Seahorse Sipadan Scuba Lodge @ Mabul
I went to Mabul without knowing if I would succeed in diving at Sipadan. That was obviously the reason I went there. I didn’t book anything for diving in advance and just hoped someone wouldn’t use their permit.
My accommodation:
- Hotel: Seahorse Sipadan Scuba Lodge
- Price 2025: €45-55 per night (prices have increased since my visit)
- Included: Breakfast, lunch AND dinner
- Extra: Afternoon snack, unlimited water and coffee
- Number of nights: 4 nights
I loved it! It’s not large, so it’s very personal and cozy. I booked 4 nights and enjoyed every minute.
Diving at Sipadan: Costs 2025
What I paid (back then): €180 for 3 dives
Current prices 2025:
- Sipadan permit: RM450 (~€90) per day
- Conservation fee: RM100 (~€20) per day
- Total permit costs: RM550 (~€110) per Sipadan day
- Plus: Dive package with boat, lunch, equipment: RM300-500 (~€60-100)
- Total costs per Sipadan day: €170-210
Important: Prices have increased since my visit! The permit alone is now more expensive than what I paid for the complete package back then.
What’s included:
- Maximum 2 dives at Sipadan (new from 2023!)
- 1 extra dive at Mabul or Kapalai
- Breakfast and lunch
- Boat trip (1-hour one way)
- All diving equipment
Important: You now need at least an Advanced Open Water certificate to dive at Sipadan (changed in 2023).
I was lucky to book it through Seaventuresdive.com. This company is at a unique location!
Complete Packages 2025
For those who want to plan from scratch, here are the current package prices:
Budget Option (3D/2N with 1 Sipadan day):
- Resorts: Mabul Backpackers, Uncle Chang, Scuba Junkie
- Price: RM2,200-2,700 (~€420-510)
- Included: Accommodation (dorm/basic), all meals, diving Mabul + 1 day Sipadan
- Ideal for: Backpackers and budget travelers
Mid-range (3D/2N with 1 Sipadan day):
- Resorts: Seahorse, Sipadan-Mabul Resort
- Price: RM2,500-3,000 (~€475-570)
- Included: Air-conditioned room, all meals, diving Mabul + 1 day Sipadan
- Ideal for: Comfortable but affordable
Luxury (3D/2N with 1 Sipadan day):
- Resorts: Mabul Water Bungalows, premium resorts
- Price: RM3,500+ (~€665+)
- Included: Luxury accommodation, all meals, diving + 1 day Sipadan
- Ideal for: Those who value comfort and service
Minimum stay: Most resorts require a minimum of 2-3 nights to guarantee a Sipadan permit.
Seaventures Dive Rig: Unique Location
It was certainly fun to have lunch at Seaventuresdive after this wonderful day of diving. I must honestly say I wouldn’t want to stay there, but it looked amazing!
What is it? An old oil platform that hasn’t been used since 1985. They brought it here and turned it into a hotel! It stands quite a distance from the island in the sea. So it’s not accessible from the mainland, which means you can’t just walk around on a real island.
Why stay on Mabul? My lodge had a lovely wooden terrace from where I could enjoy the ocean view. I could lie on the sun loungers to sunbathe or just read a book. After which my eyes would often quickly become heavy, and I’d doze off wonderfully with the ocean breeze on my face…
But such a large terrace also offers space to do some yoga!
Best Time for Sipadan
Best months: April – December (dry season) High season: July – August (book far in advance!) Low season: November – February (higher chance of rain but also less crowded)
Diving Experience Required (2025 Rules)
Sipadan Requirements:
- Minimum: Advanced Open Water certificate (mandatory since 2023!)
- Recommended: 20+ logged dives
- Note: Strong currents possible
- Maximum dives: 2 dives per day at Sipadan
- Important: You cannot go to Sipadan on your first dive day (safety rule)
Check your options for diving or snorkeling near Mabul
For Mabul/Kapalai:
- Open Water certificate sufficient
- Suitable for all levels
- Ideal for macro photography
Only have Open Water? Many resorts offer Advanced Open Water courses that you can combine with your Sipadan dives.
Why Sipadan is the #1 Dive Spot
CNN Travel doesn’t call Barracuda Point the best dive site in the world for nothing. Here’s why:
✅ Biodiversity: Incredible variety of marine life
✅ Large marine life: Turtles, sharks, barracudas, tuna
✅ Colorful corals: Healthy reefs with brilliant colors
✅ Drop-offs: Spectacular underwater walls
✅ Visibility: Often 20-40 meters visibility
✅ Protected area: Nature in optimal condition
Or can I inspire you to
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- Snorkling with the Blacktip Reefshark at Pulau Payar