logo
logo
logo

Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort Sabah

SEMPORNA, SABAH MALAYSIA


There are few places on Earth where a diver can see huge shoals of whirling barracuda, a dozen sea turtles of varying species, a handful of sharks, and a teeming reef of Needlefish, Parrotfish and swarms of Rabbit-fish all on one dive. At Sipadan such sights are common, with lucky divers bringing home stories of whale sharks, manta rays, and schools of hammerheads. 

A few kilometres north of Sipadan is the exhilarating Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort, sitting on its   sturdy stilts on the shallow sandbanks of the Ligitan Reefs. Built in “national” style, the chalets overlook a reef filled with turtles, stingrays and tropical fish offering great sunsets and a stunning location in the middle of the sea. The resorts romantic chalets come with their own balcony or private terrace to enjoy the marine life, without getting your feet wet.

Sipadan Island’s unique geography makes it home to a number of excellent dive sites. Its lush forests and white sand beaches rest on top of a prehistoric volcano rising 600 meters from the seafloor and the pristine waters surrounding the island allow for a visibility of at least 20 meters year-round and up to 50 meters during the dry season. Sipadan-Kapalai Resort runs daily dive expeditions with expert guides. All resorts are allocated a limited quota, so serious divers need to book in advance.
 

Amenities

  • iconBar/Pub
  • iconFamily Room
  • iconRestaurant
  • iconWater Sports
  • iconWi-Fi Available

Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort 

SEMPORNA, SABAH MALAYSIA


Stay 

Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort has 50 romantic chalets, each offering twin and triple sharing rooms. All rooms have air-conditioning and en suite bathrooms with shower, bathtub and basic toiletries. Room features include coffee and tea making facilities and 220 volts electrical points. Every chalet has their own backyard balcony, that offers the total privacy for lovers out sunbathing and getting a tan. For those who like to keep in touch with the world, broadband internet is provided.


ChildCare 

Children are welcome to stay at the Sipadan-Kapalai Resort, but there are no specific facilities available.  


Dine 

Meals at the Sipadan-Kapalai Resort are served on a big western sundeck with sitting area  that doubles as bar for evening drinks or an after-dive chat with a view of Kapalai’s fabulous tropical sunset. It is also the perfect place to share your  underwater images and videos after dive. 


Relax 

When not diving or exploring the surrounds, free time at the Sipadan-Kapalai Resort is mostly spent watching the marine life from your balcony during the day and gazing up the stars at night. 


Experience 

Dive in Sipadan, where big fish and turtles abound or in Mabul , where silky and muddy bottoms offer different and equally pleasant experiences and opportunities to the lovers of   "muck diving". Unlimited self-guided shore and night dives are conducted in front of Sipadan-Kapalai Resort’s scuba centre. Boat rides are conducted by experienced English-speaking dive master (maximum 10 divers per DM), tanks, weights and weight belts, Sipadan permit fee, cold and hot drinks, snacks. 
 


 
icon
Best time to go

Mar-Oct

icon
Average High

30°C

icon
Nearest Airport

TWU

icon
Timezone

GMT+ 8

icon
Currency

Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)

Location Sipadan-Kapalai Resort is located in the Celebes Sea, near Tawau, north-east Borneo. Sipadan and Kapalai Islands area is regularly ranked as one of the top ten diving destinations in the world. Set on Kapalai Island, the Kapalai Dive Resort is an ideal  destination for divers & non-divers seeking a great holiday experience!


Getting There International flights arrive at Kota Kinabalu International Airport. Take a morning flight from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau (50 min). You can also fly to Tawau direct from Kaula Lumpur or Singapore. On arrival at Tawau, our representative will receive you at the airport and drive you to the Semporna jetty (1 hr). From there you will take the resort speed boat to Kapalai Island (50 mins). 


When to go A good time to travel to Borneo is between March and September/October. Scuba diving occurs all year round at Sipadan Island with decent visibility to be had throughout the year. However, for the most breathtaking experiences, with dive visibility reaching up to 50 meters, you should visit during the dry season which occurs between March and October. Temperatures throughout the year range between 21° C to 32° C (70°F to 90°F).
 

Similar Hotels

newsletter image

What Others Say

Real reviews from travellers who explored Asia with us.

what other says

A FAMILY FROM WEST YORKSHIRE

“They are experts in multi-destination trips and no one we know does it better.”

Japan, South Korea
what other says

A COUPLE FROM STAFFORDSHIRE

“There was a fine mix of guided adventures and leisure activities (or non-activity), and luxurious accommodation wherever we went.”

Singapore, Thailand
what other says

A COUPLE FROM LANCASHIRE

“We especially enjoyed our visit to Komodo National Park, named for the giant lizards called Komodo Dragons that are native to the area.”

Indonesia, Singapore
what other says

A FAMILY FROM SLOUGH

“Every aspect was perfectly curated and delivered, … so that we never had to worry about anything.”

Malaysia, Singapore
what other says

A HONEYMOON COUPLE FROM ST ALBANS

“you’ll have a journey to really write home about.”

Singapore
icon
icon

Why Travel with Asian Geographical

Small Groups

Your entire holiday is designed around your personal preferences

Travel at your own pace with full itinerary flexibility

Choose from handpicked, luxury hotels & resorts across Asia

Enjoy seamless logistics, private transfers, and 24/7 assistance

Expert Knowledge

Our package holiday team has decades of experience in luxury Asia travel

Receive first-hand advice from specialists who know each destination intimately

Gain access to hidden gems and authentic local experiences

Sustainable Travel

Our aim is to stay committed to responsible travel in Asia

We partner with eco-conscious providers

Itineraries include experiences that preserve Asia’s cultural and natural heritage

PROTECTED SERVICES

Travel with complete confidence under full ATOL protection

Fully bonded and financially protected for your peace of mind

Established in 2014

Atol Logo PTS Logo British Airways Logo