Sipadan is a small island of volcanic origin in Malaysia, representing the top of a seamount and emerging from a depth of 500-600 m - this is due to a wide variety of fauna. The island is widely regarded as one of the best diving spots in the world.
Sipadan is located east of the famous island of Borneo, 35 south of the port of Semporn, in the equatorial climate zone. Throughout the year there is hot and sunny weather, the temperature is kept at the level of 30-34 ° C. Only occasional rains and a refreshing sea breeze bring temporary coolness.
The richest underwater world attracts divers from all over the world to Sipadan. The best time for snorkeling in these areas is from April to December, when there is good visibility under water.
The main attraction of the island is its diverse fauna and flora. To get acquainted with the inhabitants of the tropical jungle, corals and the variegated tropical fish inhabiting them, excursions are organized daily on the island. To save the island from the destruction of its unique ecosystem, in 2004 the local authorities closed it for habitation and restricted diving. Today, Sipadan is included in the Sabah State National Park and in order to dive here, you will need to pay a visit fee.
The island is covered with lush tropical vegetation, but the entrance to the rain forest occupying the central part of Sipadan is prohibited - this is how the authorities take care of preserving the pristine nature. Among the inhabitants of the forest are kingfishers, wild pigeons, sunbirds, etc. And on the shore you can find exotic crustaceans walking along the snow-white beaches, including large palm crabs. On a walk around the island, you can see magnificent sandy beaches where large green turtles nest and lay their eggs.
An underwater cave called "Turtle Cemetery" is very popular among travelers. Its intertwined chambers and tunnels are filled with large numbers of turtle skeletons that perished here without finding a way out of this underwater maze.
As noted by experienced travelers 2yachts, one of the most interesting places on the island is Barracuda Point - a flock of barracudas that here they gather in thousands, form a kind of tornado. Also here you can find caraxes, plataxes and white-tailed reef sharks. Reef sharks living in coastal waters are not intimidated by divers and this makes it possible to photograph them at close range. Among the best diving spots near the island are Coral Garden, Sipidan Midreef, Turtle Cavern, South Point and others. The neighboring islands of Mabul and Kapalai are also popular among divers.
While diving, you can see not only thickets of colorful corals and a huge number of reef fish, but also anemones, sponges, many lobsters and shrimps. Underwater photographers are eager to get to the island to capture a unique sight - the spiraling schools of barracudas.
Among the possible types of active pastime on Sipadan, snorkeling, diving, boating, windsurfing, catamaran riding, water skiing, etc. are popular. The island can be walked around in just half an hour, but the surrounding waters around Sipadan are so rich in underwater life that in this regard it can be compared even with large archipelagos, and the population of sea turtles living here is one of the largest on the planet.
Travelers can observe here hundreds of turtles swimming by at the same time, which feel free and at ease in the local waters. Diving is one of the main activities on the island, with 12 excellent dive sites just off the coast. Diving is done from small boats or from the shore.
Among the representatives of the animal world inhabiting the sea waters near the island are parrot fish, tuna, huge groupers, catfish, swallow fish, octopus, lobsters, crabs, dwarf seahorses, giant cuttlefish, leopard and gray sharks, sharks -hammers, etc. The islands are good snorkeling conditions - snorkelers will find very rich and colorful coral gardens here. For these purposes, you can hire a dive boat, which will take you to the island.
Since Sipadan is a nature reserve, there are no hotels, cafes and shops - you can find places to stay and buy travel souvenirs on the neighboring islands. Developed tourist infrastructure is the island of Mabul, which is the closest to Sipadan. You can get to it from Semporna by boat, the journey will take about half an hour.
Lost in the ocean, Sipadan Island is a holiday paradise with some of the world's richest underwater life with an incredibly diverse array of marine life. This holiday destination is well suited for those who love the sea and water sports. At the same time, you can relax on the beaches of Sipadan and neighboring islands all year round, there are no sharp fluctuations in temperature.
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