Pulau Sipadan
Pulau Sipadan, Mabul and Kapalai are Malaysia’s top-rated dive destinations. First you fly into Kota Kinabalu, capital city to the state of Sabah. From Kota Kinabalu there are regular connecting flights to the town of Tawau, the next stage in your journey. Next transfer is by bus or car- to the coast town of Semporna- 2.5 hrs away. From Semporna you travel by sea (about 40 minutes southeast) to the island of your choice.
Accommodation is no longer permitted at Pulau Sipadan and day-visit boat trips are the only access. Formerly a bird sanctuary, the lush rainforests of Sipadan offers nature lovers visual wonders such as monitor lizards, coconut crabs, and fruit bats. Explore the same Turtle Cavern mystery made famous by the documents of Jacques Cousteau: a chamber maze of underwater tunnels with turtle skeletons lay throughout the tunnels.
Pulau Mabul is slightly larger than Sipadan. It offers a uniquely different seascape, flourishing with life. Mabul dive sites are a macro-haven for underwater photographers. Crocodile fish, hairy frog-fish, ghost pipe-fish and leaf-fish are just the few species to aim your camera at.
Pulau Kapalai is an out of this world visual feast. Pulau Kapalai is unique in that it is actually a sandbank with a beautiful resort built kelong-style (huts on stilts). It is a breath-taking place to rest and relax after your day’s activity. Discovery Channel goes “live” before your eyes underneath the resort dock, or if you prefer, you can just look out beneath the balcony of your personal water chalet. Blue-ringed octopuses, ribbon eels, cuttlefishes, dragonets, blue-spotted stingrays are seen frequently.
General 6D/5N Itinerary
| Day 1 | |
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Meet at Changi T1 for flight by Air Asia to Tawau (10am) Arrival at Tawau (2.30pm) Transfer to Semporna and overnight at Seafest Hotel (Twin-sharing room) Dinner (expense not included) |
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| Day 2 | |
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Breakfast Speedboat transfer to Kapalai Dive Resort (9.30am) Check in - (Twin/triple sharing accomadation with attached bathroom) 1 guided orientation check-out dive & 1 boat dive (Kapalai/Mabul) Unlimited House reef dives at Kapalai (with own buddy) |
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| Day 3 | |
| 3 boat dives (Kapalai/Mabul/Siamil) Unlimited house reef dives |
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| Day 4 | |
| 4 boat dives (Sipadan) Unlimited house reef dives |
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| Day 5 | |
| 2 boat dives (Kapalai/Mabul/Siamil) Lunch Check out Speedboat transfer to Semporna Land transfer to Tawau Dinner (expense not included) Overnight accomodation at King Park Hotel (twin share with breakfast) |
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| Day 6 | |
| Check out Flight back to Singapore by Air Asia |
Note: The above is a suggested itinerary only and is subject to changes depending on tide, current, weather and sea conditions beyond the control of the organizer. In the event of any changes, no refund shall be given.
Cost : from SGD $1380
Package includes:
- Land transfers to and from airport, hotel, and jetty (TWU/SEMPORNA/TWU)
- Boat transfers (SEMPORNA/KAPALAI/SEMPORNA)
- 2 nights twis share accommodation at Tawau Seafest Hotel/King Park Hotel
- 3 nights, full-board twin/triple-sharing accommodation in Kapalai Dive Resort
- Permit fees for all days at Sipadan Island
- 10 boat
- Unlimited house reef dives off Kapalai
- Divemaster guides on all boat dives
- Tanks & weights
- Guaranteed dives in Kapalai, Mabul and Siamil (see note below for Sipadan)
Package excludes:
- All Air Asia transfers (can be arranged but fares are seasonal), available Tue, Thur and Sat.
- All basic and scuba equipment not stated above
- All alcoholic and soft drinks
- Insurance and visa fees, if required
- All meals not stated above
- All others not mentioned
Note: As of Oct 08, the Security Army Unit in Sipadan only allows 120 divers per day from all Resorts and Dive Centres in Semporna to dive there. All Resorts and Dive Centre must apply for permit for each individual diver. The chances of getting a dive permit is very high if you stay at least 3 nights & above in Kapalai. As a result of this change, each diver with a permit will be allowed 4 boat dives in Sipadan. Please be assured that Mako is working very closely with Kapalai Dive Resort to ensure that our divers get at least one permit during the 3 nights stay. Although there is no guarantee, all our divers have managed to dive in Sipadan so far.
