Over the years, the Sipadan experience has attracted many experienced and novice divers, as well as tourists and wildlife enthusiasts from around the world. As a result, a large number of companies have sprung up offering Sipadan packages for divers and non-divers of all ages, striving to offer their clients some of the most unforgettable experiences of their lives.
Despite the increasing number of tourists who have appeared in recent years, interested only in the luxury resorts located on the islands near Sipadan, the main visitors to the islands are still divers.
Every year more and more people flock to the dive shops in Semporma and Mabul to find the necessary equipment and permits to dive Sipadan. Permits are very important, as the number of divers allowed on the island had to be reduced in the last decade to keep the island’s ecosystem intact. Because of this, it has become more and more difficult to find cheap Sipadan packs.
Those interested in diving the island’s waters often book a place to stay at one of the resorts in Mabul or Kapalai. These islands are very close and offer some of the best accommodation and diving facilities you could ever need.
There are dive centers on each of the two islands that provide scuba equipment, as well as everything you need for snorkeling and kayaking, all available for rent. Kapalai resort offers 3 speedboat trips per day to Sipadan and Mabul, depending on the weather, with a maximum of 10 divers per boat.
Sipadan packages typically include up to 4 dive trips to the island, depending on what permits allow, as well as an additional 2-3 dives near Kapalai Island on the day of arrival. Dive guides and snacks are also included in the package price and due to the short time it takes for the boat to move between the islands, divers have the opportunity to return to the resort between two dives.
The Mabul Dive Centers have a very similar offer, with 3 daily boat trips to Sipadan, but they also offer some extra facilities included in Sipadan packages for those who choose to stay at the Mabul resorts instead of Kapalai.
The most important of these features are the diving courses that can be taught on the island. This makes it a great option for beginning divers. In addition, the package includes an unlimited number of dives in the reefs near Mabul; therefore, although the number of trips to Sipadan is limited, diving enthusiasts can still have the opportunity to enjoy the water practically throughout the day.
The equipment and equipment that can be found on both islands is very professional, offering all the necessary items for diving, such as oxygen bottles, goggles, wetsuits and much more. In addition, divers who purchase a Sipadan package can have the opportunity to rent and manage the best underwater cameras designed to capture on video many of the most beautiful moments of their diving experiences.