Sipandan, Mabul & Kapali Islands

Sipadan, Mabul and Kapalai islands are small islands located off the south-eastern coast of Sabah in Malaysia. They all popular destinations for scuba divers.

Sipadan island is the only oceanic island in Malaysia. It boasts a wide diversity of fish and coral species and has been rated as one of the top dive destinations in the world. It is closed to overnight stays, however visitors can stay at nearby Mabul, Kapalai and Mataking islands.

Mabul Island is a small oval shaped island surrounded by sandy beaches and perched on the northwest corner of a larger two square kilometer reef. It is considered one of the best ‘muck diving' sites in the world. It is also renowned for its amazing array of macrolife, making it an underwater photographer's dream location to capture some of the rarest ecological species on film. Flamboyant cuttlefish, blue-ringed octopus, spike-fin gobies, frogfish and moray eels are just some of the spectacular critters you will encounter beneath the waters of Mabul.

Kapalai island is located only minutes from Sipadan and Mabul islands. It is not really an island, rather it is 40 chalets built on high wooden stilts along a boardwalk.

Things to See & Do

* Diving
* Marine life
* Photography

General information

Cruise Season - Jan - Dec
Currency - Ringgit (RM) (MYR)
Language - Bahasa Malaysia, English
Electricity - 2 vertical square pins and one perpendicular below British style
Time - GMT plus eight hours
International Country Telephone Code - +6o

Port Location - The port of departure for the islands is located at Semporna.

Travel Links - Direct flights are available to Tawau and Kota Kinabalu on Sabah from Kuala Lumpur Malaysia and Singapore. The closest airport is Tawau, it is approximately one hour from Semporna jetty by mini van. Semporna is the speed boat departure point to Kapalai or nearby islands, Sipadan Island and Mabul Island.