Plan a diving holiday in Sipadan
Sipadan is Malaysia's only oceanic island, a coral reef on a volcanic cone in the Celebes Sea off Borneo. Since 2004, it has been a marine park managed by Sabah Parks, and there is no longer any accommodation on the island itself. You therefore stay on Mabul or Kapalai and dive Sipadan with a permit that Sabah Parks limits each day and issues only through registered operators. At Barracuda Point in the north of the island, schools of barracudas circle, while the entrance to Turtle Cavern lies in the wall at the drop-off. Off Mabul, you search for macro life such as ornate sepia, blue-ringed octopuses, anglerfish and moray eels. On Kapalai, the resort stands on stilts over a sandbank.
With this booklet, you plan the week. The base's weekly schedule shows how boat trips and dives at the house reef are spread across the days, with a plan B if the boat cannot sail due to the weather. The last day before your return flight is dive-free. The section on the time of year lists water and air temperatures, wind, visibility, crowds and special features, so you can set the date before booking your flight and accommodation.
You will receive an A5-format PDF that you can read on your phone or tablet while on the go and print as a booklet at home.