Sabah, Borneo, is famed for its clear blue seas and diverse marine biodiversity, making it an ideal diving destination.
Here are 10 of the greatest spots to go diving in Sabah, as well as what you can expect to find when diving in each of the islands.
1.Sipadan Island
Sipadan Island, located in the Celebes Sea off the east coast of Sabah, is one of the world's top dive locations. The island is well-known for its beautiful coral cliffs that drop about 600 meters, making it a favorite wall diving location.
There will be a plethora of marine life to see, including large schools of fish such as barracudas, jacks, and trevallies, as well as reef sharks, turtles, and, on rare occasions, whales and hammerhead sharks. Only a licenced diving operator in Semporna, which is around 35 kilometers (22 miles) from the island, can provide access to Sipadan. Visitors often fly into Kota Kinabalu International Airport and subsequently to Tawau Airport. Tawau to Semporna is about 90 minutes by road.
2.Mabul Island
Mabul Island, off the east coast of Sabah in the Celebes Sea, is famed for its spectacular macro life and is a popular destination for underwater photographers. Flamboyant cuttlefish, seahorses, frogfish, shrimp, and a variety of octopuses and colorful nudibranchs are common.
3.Layang-Layang Island
This remote island is located in the open ocean, more than 300 kilometers northwest of Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah. It is noted for its powerful currents and sheer walls, making it a tough but rewarding diving location. It's a famous place for observing hammerhead shark schools, as well as reef sharks, barracudas, and manta rays.
Visitors can reach Layang-Layang Island via chartered aircraft from Kota Kinabalu International Airport. Layang-Layang Island Resort operates the one-hour flight.
4.Mataking Island
Mataking Island is an amazing wreck diving location. Located in the Celebes Sea, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) east of Semporna on the east coast of Sabah. This island is home to two spectacular wrecks, a World War II Japanese ship and a cargo vessel, that are rich with marine life such as schools of snappers, barracudas, and jacks. It's also an excellent site to see macrolife like nudibranchs and seahorses.
Mataking Island is accessible by boat from Semporna.
5.Kapalai Island
Kapalai Island is a muck diving paradise, with a plethora of macrolife to be discovered, including ghost pipefish, frogfish, and seahorses. You may also come across schools of bumphead parrotfish, blue-ringed octopuses, mandarin fish, and mantis shrimp.
It is roughly 15 kilometers (9 miles) from Semporna and is located in the Celebes Sea, off the east coast of Sabah.
6. Tonku Abdul Rahman Marine Park
This marine park is ideal for novice divers, with shallow coral reefs teaming with colorful fish such as clownfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish. You may also encounter turtles, rays, and even whale sharks on occasion.
It is only a short boat ride from Kota Kinabalu to the South China Sea, off the west coast of Sabah. Boats depart from the Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal in Kota Kinabalu's city center.
7. Pom Pom Island
Green and hawksbill turtles, as well as schools of bumphead parrotfish and barracudas, can all be found on Pom Pom Island. You may also come across macrolife such as nudibranchs and seahorses.
Pom Pom Island is located 38 kilometers (24 miles) east of Semporna in the Celebes Sea.
A licenced dive operator can organize a boat transfer from Semporna to Pom Pom Island.
8.Sibuan Island
Sibuan Island is a small, isolated island that is ideal for snorkelling and diving. It is famous for its beautiful coral formations and crystal-clear water. You can explore its shallow coral gardens and view a variety of colorful reef fish such as angelfish, butterflyfish, and triggerfish. Turtles and jackrabbits are also possible sightings.
The island is located off the east coast of Sabah in the Celebes Sea, roughly 37 kilometers (23 miles) from Semporna.
9. Usukan Bay Wreck
The Usukan Bay Wreck site is home to several wrecked ships, the most notable of which is the Usukan Wreck, which has been transformed into a fascinating artificial reef. Divers who prefer wreck diving will enjoy visiting this dive site. Schools of batfish, snappers, and giant turtles can be seen, as well as whale sharks and manta rays on occasion.
Usukan Bay is located off the shore of Kota Belud, about 70 kilometers (43 miles) northeast of Kota Kinabalu.
The Usukan Bay Wreck can be reached by chartering a dive boat from Kota Kinabalu. The dive site is located around 30 kilometers (19 miles) off the coast of Kota Belud.
10.Tun Sakaran Marine Park
This marine park is located on Sabah's east coast, approximately 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Semporna. The island is famous for its brilliant coral reefs, which include both hard and soft corals, as well as colorful reef fish such as angelfish, butterflyfish, and groupers. You may also see turtles, rays, and even sharks and whales on rare occasions.
You can reach the island by boat from Semporna. The boat excursion takes about 1-2 hours, depending on the weather and the location inside the marine park.
Overall, Sabah is a diving paradise, with each island offering something unique. The warm water and good visibility make it a perfect location for divers of all abilities.
Comments