Sipadan Dive Sites: Complete Guide — All 12 Sites Ranked

## Why Sipadan is special Sipadan is Malaysia's only oceanic seamount island — the tip of an extinct underwater volcano, with walls dropping straight 600m. This topography concentrates plankton from deep currents, which sustains the entire food chain from cleaner shrimp to hammerheads. **Permit cap**: 176 divers/day, applied via certified dive operators 1+ months ahead. ## The 12 sites, ranked ### Tier S: must dive 1. **Barracuda Point** — the classic of classics. Sloping descent to 25m and the iconic "tornado" of barracuda (200+). Drift dive in strong current, not for beginners. 2. **South Point** — large shark + sea turtle nursery. 70% chance to see white-tip reef shark. ### Tier A: worth doing 3. **Drop Off (House Reef)** — perfect check-out dive. Dense wall coral, plenty of turtles. 4. **Coral Garden** — shallow (15-18m). Macro photography paradise. 5. **Turtle Cavern** — entering requires cavern cert. Striking even from outside. 6. **West Ridge** — shark fly-by spot in strong current. Highly recommended when conditions allow. ### Tier B: filler 7. **Lobster Lair** — name says it all. Top night-dive pick. 8. **Mid Reef** — small platform between Coral Garden and Barracuda Point. 9. **Hanging Gardens** — soft coral wall. 10. **Staghorn Crest** — staghorn coral zone. Popular with young divers. ### Tier C: backup 11. **The Mosque** — sandy bottom + large sponges. 12. **South Reef** — next to South Point but current is unstable. ## Battle-tested tips - **Best season**: April-June (30m+ viz, less wind) - **Cert requirement**: Barracuda Point in strong current = Advanced + 50 dives - **Gear**: 5mm full wetsuit + reef hook - **Lodging**: You can't stay on Sipadan itself. Mabul or Kapalai resorts, 6am boats. ## Rules Sipadan **bans** fishing, night dives, and dives below 30m. One violation = permanent ban. Respect the rules — that's how we keep diving here.