Sipadan Island

Lying just off the Northeast coast of Borneo is Sipadan, Malaysia's only oceanic island. Shaped by volcanic activity aeons ago, this 35-acre island rises about 700 metres from the sea floor, attracting diverse marine life from the blackness of the open sea.

The spectacular diving, unrivalled anywhere else in the country, has made Malaysia a world class diving destination. Encounters with turtles, resident schools of jacks and barracudas are almost assured around the tiny coral island.

Since January 2005, Sipidan was declared a Marine Park and there is no longer accommodation available on the Island. Nearby Mabul hosts a range of options, including a unique offshore converted oil platform that is used as a dive base. There are several other possibilities that will allow you to still experience the special ambience of diving in the region of the atoll. Recent reports have indicated that the move to sanctuary status - while unpopular at the time - may well help to preserve the uniqueness of visits here.

Sipadan Island, also a declared bird sanctuary, is home to monitor lizards, fruit bats, the unique coconut crabs, and a luxuriant rainforest. About 47 known species of birds frolic and feed about on the natural vegetation, providing yet another attraction for the visitor.