Slack Water
Malaysia · Sabah, Borneo

Sipadan

A wall that drops into the deep, with turtles and barracuda everywhere you look.

At a glance

Best months
March to October
Water
27–30°C3 mm wetsuit
Visibility
15–30 m
Current
ModerateMild to strong depending on the site and tide
Certification
AdvancedSome sites possible for Open Water
How you dive
Land-based

When to go

March to October; December to March is wetter.

Overview

Sipadan is a tiny oceanic island off the east coast of Sabah in Malaysian Borneo. Its reef drops almost straight into the deep, and the walls and points around it are famous for turtles, a barracuda school that forms a spiralling tornado, jacks and reef sharks.

Access is controlled. Sabah Parks issues a limited number of permits each day, and divers stay on nearby islands such as Mabul or Kapalai and visit Sipadan by boat. Resorts usually arrange permits for guests who stay several nights, but in busy months they run out, so book early.

Diving is possible all year. March to October generally brings calmer seas and the best visibility. December to March is wetter, and late in the year strong winds can close some sites. Water stays between about 27 and 30°C.

Who it suits

Open Water divers can join many dives with a guide. Advanced certification helps on the current-swept points such as Barracuda Point.

What you'll see

Green and hawksbill turtlesBarracuda tornadoJack schoolsReef sharks

Know the risks

  • Current on the points
  • Daily permit limit; book well ahead
  • Wind can close some sites late in the year

Sources

Last reviewed 2026-10. Where sources disagree we use the more conservative range.