Malaysia (Dive Sites)

...the East Coast of East Malaysia and it is argued that it lies amongst the top five diving sites in the world. The thing is a lot more than five dive sites claim that they fall in that category, you name it: French Polynesia, The Azores, other islands in Malaysia, Australia and Vanuatu to name just a few. All the brochures promise superb diving and everyone who comes back from there raves about it, I think though Sipadan rises above these and does ...
...the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia and in my opinion compared to Sipadan it wasn't much. I've heard people rave about Redang though, what makes Sipadan so much better is the sheer untouchedness of it. In Redang you can see where the coral has died, the variety of fish is pitiful when compared, I saw a load of tiny sharks once and did I mention Turtles.
Turtles indeed where Sipadan ranks very highly. On my first dive I saw one and was fascinated, ... more

I was introduced to Sipadan Island by a friend of mine in a Biology set from school who wanted to dive there but had no one to go with. Everything just seemed to fall into place and so less than two days after my flight landed in Kuala Lumpur I found myself on this Island. Sipadan Island lies in the Celebes Sea about 50 km off the East Coast of East Malaysia and it is argued that it lies amongst the top five diving sites in the world. The thing is a lot more than five dive sites claim that they fall in that category, you name it: French Polynesia, The Azores, other islands in Malaysia, Australia and Vanuatu to name just a few. All the brochures promise superb diving and everyone who comes back from there raves about it, I think though Sipadan rises above these and does indeed fall in at least the top ten.
When I say top ten I'm not saying there are a definite ten dive sites that rank above everywhere else there are just things Sipadan has that I reckon the majority of other dive sites available to tourists don't have. The only other tropical site I have dived on is Redang Island off the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia and in my opinion compared to Sipadan it wasn't much. I've heard people rave about Redang though, what makes Sipadan so much better is the sheer untouchedness of it. In Redang you can see where the coral has died, the variety of fish is pitiful when compared, I saw a load of tiny sharks once and did I mention Turtles.
Turtles indeed where Sipadan ranks very highly. On my first dive I saw one and was fascinated, on my remaining dives I saw too many to count, I have spoken to no-one else apart form those who have visited Sipadan who have seen too many Turtles to count. The story is pretty much the same with Sharks, another thing people regard themselves as lucky to see. I saw sharks on pretty much every dive, there was one time where the reef below me was just littered with them, big ones too.
Do expect to pay though, When I was there in the summer of 1997 it was about 500 US dollars for 3 nights on the Island which allows you to do 8 dives. On top of that the Tour Company I went with made us pay for kit as well although all meals, travel between airport and Island and accommodation was included. The kit was however, well maintained and prepared for us before each dive and cleaned after. For a more up to date quote try contacting Pulau Sipadan Resort and Tours Sdn Bhd whose details can be found at Dive Guide International (http://www.diveguideint.com/p0566.htm 

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