Very small and inconspicuous, but an incredibly beautiful island sipadan is located 30 km from the famous islands Borneo. From the East side and is part of the state of Sabah. Long ago, it was a volcano, but now it only left the top, whipped with dense tropical forests. Sushi shreds only 500 meters not immediately and on the map you will find.
Sipadan Island on the map
- Geographic coordinates 4.114713, 118.628595
- Distance from the capital of Malaysia Kuala Lumpur 1900 km
- Distance to the nearest airport Tawau is about 60 km
- JUWATA International Airport Tarakan International Airport 150 km
More recently, almost until the end of the last century, few people knew about this tiny island. But in 1989, one of the most famous Frenchmen of all the times of Jacques-Yves Kusto was visited here. And not just visited, but removed the scientific film "Borneo: Ghost of the sea turtle." After the release of the film island acquired worldwide popularity. From all over our beautiful (still), the planets reached out divers.
The main attraction of Sipadan island is its rich and insanely diverse underwater world, actually coming here divers of all the masters. With the climate there is also a full order.
Sipadan is also called the island of the skulls, because he has become famous thanks to the turtle, about whom Costo and removed one of his masterpieces. During shooting under water, two, three, and even more turtles fall into the frame. These ancient creatures live here in an innumerable set, of any age and several species. Not far from the island is the "Cherebury Turtle", where there is a huge number of turtles and their skeletons. This phenomenon is explained by the fact that the turtles swim into the cave to rest from the rays of the sun. Alas, in the night, poor creatures are lost and, lost, can not find a way out. Soon they ends with air, and the bottom of the cave is replenished for another future inverted skeleton. The cave is also unique in that there are many moves in it, but the output is one.
Not all the turtles manage to get out of the Western For a long time, the island was considered abandoned, he is now unlyone (except for a small bunch of people living here on the verses of the past and present). Impregnation they are mined with fishing. Truly fascinates the spectacle when, very tiny boats, in comparison with the Great Ocean, go to the sun at sunset, in search of a better place to catch fish. Hotels had to be located on the nearby islands, because almost all the divers of the world come here. In addition to Sipadan Island, there are still Mabul and Kapalai. Sipadan Island is not built up. Tourist objects are located on other islands. Despite the houses built on piles above the water, it was necessary to build a hotel on an abandoned oil platform. Night dives are held near this platform.
This is just the same platform. In the surrounding area you can find a variety of fish. On the surrounding corals there are skates-pygmy, shrimp, crabs, moray.
There is also disadvantages of the island. One of them is strong currents. Some are so strong that the divers have to have the power to hold the bottom relief, in order not to take the flow. Many inexperienced divers, thus worked, were chosen far in the ocean. But it's worth it!
In the morning, after sunrise, it is possible to observe how parrot fish are floating along the coast, having spots on the forehead in the form of a bump and just huge sizes, and excellent plates are gracefully taped between currents. They did not go around the full livelihood of water and sharks. Small reef sharks chosen the underwater beach, and now it is their favorite place. Thanks to the constant flow, they do not need to swim all the time, which gives some rest to the sharks. However, the cases of attacking a person a meager number, and even then only because of the negligence of divers. Each diver-descending diver must remember the rules of behavior and relationship with sharks. Like any other predator, shark does not like sharp movements, so you should not swim in a panic and wave your hands and legs. All movement must be smooth. Do not be afraid. After all, sharks will feel good and attack. Single immersion is also not recommended.
It is impossible to leave without attention and a huge flock of Barracuda, which appears here. It is impossible to forget how a huge number of different types of fish is broken off and twisted into the most real tornado.
Sipadan Island Fish Vortex Sipadan Island is rightfully occupied in the top ten of the best for diving.
- for a long time, three nearby states (Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines) challenged his belonging. The Philippines almost immediately did not go away. But the dispute between the remaining two countries was conducted until 2002, when the International Court recognized the island part of Malaysia
- since 1964, Sipadan is part of Natural Reserve Sabah state turtles
- there are not only hotels and hotel complexes on the island, but there is not a single cafe and shop. So all the provisions and water tourists are forced to bring with them
- then, in the distant now, 1989, Jacques-Yves Kusto said such words "We found untouched work of art." This characterized the natural and pristine state of the island. But now, when crowds of tourists are immersed in its coastal waters, the environmental situation has deteriorated significantly. Since 1997, the Government is trying to limit the number of tourists visiting the neighborhood of the island. So, for example, from January 1, 2005, a system of restrictions was introduced. Now, to visit the sipadan island, you need permission that gives the control of the Park Sabah. The total number of visitors should not exceed 120 people. Staying on the island is allowed from 6-00 to 15-00, so all diving centers try to meet in the allotted time
The map shows the main places for dives - until 2004, there was some tourist infrastructure on the island, but the government decided to completely clean the sipadan from the traces of the presence of a person. Now on the island there is only a small marina
- on the island you can find huge, more meters long, Varanov
Island sipadan photo
When you first get acquainted with a small island of Sipadan, which is located in the Pacific, not far from the port of sempong of the state of the Sabah East Malaysia, comes to mind uninhabited island Robinson Cruise. Sipadan rose from the depths of the ocean during the eruption of the underwater volcano. He grew up thanks to the corals formed over the course of hundreds of years, a delightful island on his crater. Nearby is a large Malaysian Island Borneo.
This small island (12 hectares), with snow-white sandy beaches, with an emerald greenery of the rain forest. With rich forest flora and fauna. He is rich, not only with a large number of different types of birds, at its shores in transparent greenish water, there are approximately 100 types of corals, 3000 species of fish, many bissing turtles, as well as green turtles.
Visited in 1989 on the island of the famous traveler Jacques Yves Kusto, was fascinated by his beauty and a rich underwater world. He noted that sipadan, the best place in the world for diving.
There was a time when this unique Island Slightly not destroyed: Hotels for tourists were built, barbaric fishing was carried out with dynamite, during which not only fish was destroyed, but also unique corals. However, in 1992, the authorities closed it for tourists, demolished hotels. The place was allowed to visit only divers and then no more than 120 dives per day. Announcement of Sipadan National Reserve, I slept him unique nature from disappearance.
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Accommodation here is forbidden, arriving tourists place on the nearby islands: Kapalate and Mabule. For them, excellent hotels are built, shops with souvenirs and cafes, where they are very well fed.
Accommodation, meals can be chosen on a different wallet. Good sandy beaches are made on the islands, grows a lot of closed coconut palm trees. The closest to Sipadan is Mabul.
Favorite place of divers
A divers from many corners of the Earth dream to get to the sipadan for classes of snorkeling. The place here is truly unique. His equatorial climate: during the day up to +34 degrees and high to 95% humidity, easily transferred due to the permanent ocean breeze.
Diving is carried out with high-speed boats or boats, which are installed canopies from scoring sunlight. From Mabula to the place of dive they reach minutes for 20 minutes. It all depends on the weather.
During diving, the underwater world is stunning his abundance. Who only does not have: Fish swallows, lobsters, drums, sweets, crabs, whale sharks, thousands of multicolored coral fish, fantastic size of barracuda and many others. One coral polyps here are more than 70 species. But the most important here are the turtles. They are here everywhere and in water and on land. There are a huge amount here. These are green soup turtles and Biss Turtles. They breed on this island.
In connection with the restriction of dives - no more than 120 per day, to get to the island is not easy. Permits are dealt with large divers, they are ordered for several months ahead. You can not buy a dive on sipadane, it is included in the tourist tours with accommodation in a certain hotel and visiting additional places. It is necessary to pay attention to less large divers, there are packages for Spean for a lower price.
Attention! On the sipadan of dive are at a significant depth, there are strong underwater flows. So, class divers below AOWD, immersion is better made with an instructor.
Keep in mind that now tourists traveling to Malaysia will pay tourist fees at the hotel per night in the amount of 10 ringtones - about 140 rubles (2Dollar).
How to get
From Moscow to Kuala Lumpur (the capital of Malaysia), many flights from Sheremetyevo airports, Domodedovo flying. The time on the way on average with one transplant 18 hours, with two - 1 day 10 hours.
Then the flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kota-Kinabalu (Capital of Sabah, time on the road is 2.5 hours). Then in Tavau (1 hour). From Tavau ( international Airport Malaysia) half an hour by car to the seppen port pier, and on ferry to sipadan 40 minutes, on the island of Mabul (30 minutes).
There is no infrastructure on the sipadan, as it was above, it is forbidden to accommodate. It is necessary to stop on the island of Mabul or Kapala.
Get here very difficult, but coming, you will never regret the time spent. Diving on the islands will give you bright impressions.
Island Sipadan According to ratings numerous publications is among the top five of the world's best divers. It occupies a leading position in the categories "Dive Site where you return again", "the best place for advanced divers", "Best Coast Diving", "Best Diving along the sheer walls." In 1989, the legendary researcher Jacques Yves Kusto responded about this place as "intact works of art."
The island is the top of a huge underwater mountain formed from a volcanic cone and living corals. Sheer cliffs that support sipadan, as if columns, dramatically go deep into 600 meters. A rare place on Earth can offer such a biological diversity: more than 200 species of fish are found here and over 70 types of coral polyps. By the variety of species, sea flora and fauna at Pulau Sipadan comparable to Australian big Barrier Reef.. Some divers sometimes are a joke called the sipadan "fishing capital of the world."
Briefly about sipadan:
What is good: One of the best places in the world to observe large fish and large flocks, drift-diving, immersion along the walls (WALL DIVING), excellent conditions for experienced divers.
Meeting species: The number of species is huge, it is not possible to list everything possible, but mainly Sipadan is famous for the fact that you can see huge flocks from thousands of Barracud and many sea turtles.
Depths:5 - 40 m.; Visibility: 10 - 30 m.; Current: Can be quite strong. Water temperature: 26 - 30 ° C; Class diver: Intermediate - Advanced. The number of dive sites: 12 ;
Best time to visit:from April to December, especially July and August. From January to March, it is possible some deterioration in the weather and visibility, however, a visit to Sipadan can be recommended all year round, as practically all the time the conditions here are acceptable.
How to get:since 2004, the living on sipadan is prohibited. Divers are placed on the neighboring Islands - Mabul and Kapalai (about 30 minutes by boat). The islands of Mabul and Kapalai are achieved as follows: flight to the airport of Tavau (O. Coreno, Sabah) by a direct flight Kuala Lumpur - Tavau, or with a transfer through the capital of Cat Kinabalu. Further, a transfer of 1.5 hours to the town of sempong, and then transfer to the boat from sempong on the island of Mabul or Kapalai about 40 minutes.
IMPORTANT!!!
Immersion on sipadans are limited to 120 people per day. Resolution is issued per day before the alleged dive.
Several films about sipadan:
Map of the main dive sites
BARRACUDA POINT - Cape Barracud
Coral Garden - Coral Garden
Whitetip Avenue - Avenue of White Feds
MID RIF - Middle Reef
Turtle Patch - Turtle Piglet
South Point - South Cape
Staghorn Crest - Oleni Rog
Lobster Lair - Loord Larkens
Hanging Gardens - Hanging Gardens
West Ridge - Western mountain Ridge
North Point - Northern Cape
The Drop Off - Open
Turtle Cavern - Cave Turtle
Cape Barracud
Depth: 10-50 M.
Visibility: 20-30 M.
Current: may be stronger
Level: Intermediate - Advanced
Season: Round year
Distance:15-20 minutes from nearby islands
There may be quite strong currents here, so it's better not to dive too deeply, otherwise you can find yourself far from the island. But thanks to these trends here, so many fish are found. Gray reef sharks patrol the perimeter in search of food. Go down along the wall, and you will see a huge amount of fish-parrots and turtles that look out of secluded cracks in the rife. At some point you can pick up a real tornado from Barracud. This is a rather impressive spectacle. Many divers, coming to sipadad, make the largest amount of dives on this site. Among other things, you can see the eels, spinors, sea dogs, mantiss shrimps, and even fish-fish.
Coral garden
Depth: 14-22 M.
Visibility: 20-30 M.
Current: calm
Level:for all levels
Season: Round year
Distance:
Despite the fact that this site is very small, this is a real paradise for underwater photographers. Here is a huge variety of corals and you can find almost any living creatures that are found on other sites. Turtles here everywhere, they swim and feed on corals, rest or even poses to photographers. There are dogs dogs, gubans and even barracuda.
Avenue White Plavnikov
Depth: 16-40 M.
Visibility: 20-30 M.
Current: may be stronger
Level: Beginner - Advanced
Season: Round year
Distance: 13 km (27 minutes) south of about. Mabul and 11 km (20 minutes) south-west of about. Kapalai
It is not difficult to guess from the name, which is waiting for you on this site and who these mysterious owners of white fins are waiting. On this site you can meet whole shoals of white-tailed reef sharks, which you immediately recognize on the white triangle on the tail and fin. But this is not the most amazing thing that awaits you. Reef begins at a small depth and descends 600 m downwards. Diving here inevitably leads to unexpected clashes. You may be surrounded by a whole flock of Trevelly Broadlace or Giant Schishkolog Parrots. On the wall there are a huge number of terraces, slots, protrusions where you will find lips of all forms and colors, colonies of black corals and Gorgonium. Among these rich coral thickets there are a huge number of reef fish. Do not miss marine angels, parrot fish, sea perch, scorpion fish and butterflies.
Medium reef
Depth: 5-40 M.
Visibility: 10-25 M.
Current: calm
Level: Beginner - Advanced
Season: Round year
Distance: 25 minutes south of about. Mabul and 17 south-west of about. Kapalai
On this site there is a descent along the wall. Here are real thickets of soft corals on the protrusion, where you can meet by bulls. Whole flocks of red-made dogs and unicornfish arrange races along the wall. As on some other dive sipadan, there are strong currents that can push you upstairs. This happens when cold water rises from depth. Small jambs of imperial guban can swim by you. Six-meter coral thickets at the very top of the reef - the perfect stop for the Schishkolog Parrots. Turning the way through dense underwater shrubs, these amazing fish float somewhere in their affairs, and you can only admire them.
Inverted patch
Depth: 10-40 M.
Visibility: 15-35 M.
Current:may be stronger
Level: Beginner - Advanced
Season: Round year
Distance: 15 minutes from Mabul Island
This is a typical dive site for sipadan, first of all known to its huge number of turtles. Here you can see 20 turtles at the same time. Some fish are found here, which, however, can be found almost anywhere in Sipadan, but the owners here, of course, the turtles.
Southern Cape
Depth: 20-40 M.
Visibility: 20-30 M.
Current: may be stronger
Level: Beginner - Advanced
Season: Round year
Distance: 30-35 minutes from Mabul Island
This is the most remote site from the island. Here is a plateau 3-5 meters, and then goes soft descent. How divers noted, on this site, unfortunately, a lot of dead corals, but this is a favorite place of hammer sharks, leopard sharks who love to stop here at a depth of about 40 meters. Often you can find a major cant Barracuda, which are moving against the current, and if you manage to get to them, they will allow you to swim next to them. If you often dive on this site, you can see the ritual of mating sharks.
Antler
Depth: 20-40 M.
Visibility:20-30 M.
Current: may be stronger
Level: Intermediate - Advanced
Season: Round year
Distance:approximately 20 minutes from nearby islands
On this site, diving begins with a gradual descent, during which you will see thickets of corals of deer horns. Lovers of underwater shooting noted that there is very good lighting for photographing. On the wall there are a huge number of protrusions, the gaps that marine inhabitants turned into their home. Red and black corals grow on the slope, where reef fish, sea angels, shrimps, dog fish are found. Due to strong threads that can be on this site, it is better to stay newcomers to dive masters. However, those who are confident in themselves can sail from the wall of meters to 30 and see if they are lucky, skate, shark-hammer, shark-fox and leopard shark.
Lorov Omarov
Depth: 10-25 M.
Visibility:10-15 M.
Current: may be stronger
Level: Beginner - Advanced
Season: Round year
Distance: Approximately 15 minutes from nearby islands
Despite the name of the site, there are very few lobsters. Here is shallow water. You can explore cracks in the wall where you can hide liveliness. You can also find a parrot fish, a fish-lion, scorpion fish.
Hanging gardens
Depth: 5-40 M.
Visibility: 20-30 M.
Current: calm enough
Level: Beginner - Advanced
Season: Round year
Distance: about 25 minutes from nearby islands
Divers love this site for the beauty of corals, which grow on the slopes or hang from the walls, like grape clusters. Reef begins at a depth of about 6 meters, and then cool goes down. Naturally, there is a huge number of reef fish: marine angels, butterflies and many other fish. Shrimps are hiding on the protrusions, and sometimes lobsters look like. There are rare fox sharks here, which distinguishes the extraordinarily long top blade of the tailflower. If you are lucky, you can see how the tail of the tail is stunning his sacrifice.
Western ridge
Depth: 10-40 M.
Visibility: 05-25 M.
Current: calm enough
Level: Beginner - Advanced
Season: Round year
Distance:
This is another small plot. It is better to dive in the afternoon when the light, penetrating through the waves, lights the rich thickets of corals. Here the turtles, anemones, rivors and other petty animals are found.
Northern Cape
Depth: 10-40 M.
Visibility: 05-25 M.
Current: calm enough
Level: Beginner - Advanced
Season: Round year
Distance: 10 minutes from nearby islands
The wall here has several protrusions where the fish can hide. Especially here are interesting dive during the day when sunlight lights pink, red and yellow soft corals. You can see sponges, anemones and, naturally, turtles.
Break
Depth: 0-600 M.
Visibility: 15-35 M.
Current:calm enough
Level: Intermediate - Advanced
Season:round year
Distance: 20 minutes from nearby islands
This site is considered one of the best places in the world for diving from the shore. Just 10 meters from the coast and right in front of you a depth of 600 m. During dive, you can meet green turtles, reef sharks. A huge number of corals and sponges are growing on the wall itself, and shrimps hide in numerous cracks. The place is very well suited for night diving.
Unfortunately, as divers who dived on this site in December 2006 are told, a significant part of the coral reef was demolished by Barges with construction materials for the arrangement of diving life. Do not notice these destruction is very difficult, although the site "breaking" is large enough, and here you can still see a lot of interesting things.
Turtle cave
Depth: 14-22 M.
Visibility: 0-15 M.
Current: calm enough
Level: Advanced Borneo Divers ONLY
Season: Round year
Distance: 25 minutes south of about. Mabul
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Island Sipadan It is one of the most exotic and romantic places on the planet. It belongs to the state Malaysia And it is a fragment of an extinct volcano, formed by the formation of corals in its upper part, for many hundreds of years. The distance from the oceanic bottom to the surface of the island is about 700 meters, while the sushi piece itself can go around and across half an hour. Its central part is saturated with rainforest and tourists there the entrance is strictly prohibited, due to the fact that the authorities of the country care about the preservation of high ecology on sipadan, to the limit of minimizing the possibility of its violation.
For divers from all over the world, this unique island is the embodiment of their underwater dreams. A huge number of species of marine inhabitants, including two-meter sharks and giant turtles, are moved daily along the coast of an exotic resort, being a permanent target for the camera of hunters for the beauty of the underwater world. The legendary Jacques Yves Kusto, having visited these places, gave tribute to Sipadan, calling it one of the best places for diving on the planet. At one time, for the possession of this tiny piece of sushi, a real political struggle immediately several world powers of this region, including the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia, which in the end he got.
The path to sipadan is rather long and difficult. The first destination for any traveler departing to the island is the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. There, from the local airport, you should go towards the main city of Sabah - Tavau.. The flight takes about three hours. Further, from Tavau, the route lies with the port of sempong, located approximately 35 kilometers from the fabulously wondrous island. In the harbor, tourists always wait for a high-speed boat, in which only per hour can be reached to the island MabulWhere numerous comfortable bungalows with all amenities are located. Already from there for 15-20 minutes, the same boat delivers those who want to Sipadan. The fact is that this unique diver paradise is considered a national reserve and does not imply accommodation on the island territory. Therefore, all seats for recreation, including bungalows and campgrounds are located on the nearby islands, Mabule and Kapalate. In addition, due to the already mentioned concern for ecology on the part of the authorities, access to sipadan is limited by the number of tourist applications up to 120 people per day. At the same time, the receipt of each person is charged for visiting the paradise. As for food and drink, the entire appropriate attributes should be taken with you, since there are no restaurants, no cafes, no stores, only the sea, fish and corals.
Despite the fact that the progress of the island of tourists is strictly prohibited, they can see many land representatives of flora and fauna directly on the sandy beaches of the resort. Particularly often pay attention to the guests of local varana, striking their sizes, boldly crawling on the sandy coast, even if the shore has a boat or boat. Apparently affects the feeling of his own diplomatic immunity. In addition, thousands of exotic birds nest on sipadans, the considerable share of which is listed in the Red Book. Still, on the shore sometimes crawl sea turtle, as well as Varana, distinguished by impressive dimensions.
The coral reef surrounding the island has high walls that have many divers compete in the depths of dive. Today, the record is considered to be a number of 113 meters, under the conditions of immersion with conventional compressed air. In the same place there is a multi-level underwater cave with mysterious moves. It is recommended to visit it only by experienced divers and only accompanied by a guide, since it has not yet been studied to the end and can be dangerous for people never here not immersed.
Most of the tourists who come to Sipadan prefer to stop on the island of Mabul, which is part of the Malay Archipelago and a part of the Ligid Islands. Its maximum length is 750 meters with a width of 430 m. Local residents, the total number of which does not exceed 2000 people, they chose the plots on the northern and southern part of the island. More than 70% of them are occupied in the tourist sphere, the rest are industrially fisheries and the cultivation of coconuts. Regularly from the mainland, sea vessels with tourists on board come to the local port. Bungalows are equipped across the entire coastline, which are ideally combined with the Turquoise Waves of the Slavsi Sea. For holidaymakers, there are several restaurants and souvenir benches for every taste.
In five kilometers south-east of Mabula, there is another tourist island of this region, KapalaiAlso included in the Ligidan Islands group. He is even less than his neighbor and is very similar to it in its structure. The main object for tourists here is hotel Sipadan Kapalai Dive ResortAll the buildings of which are installed on special piles, supported by the coral reef itself. There is practically no normal sandy beachesBut the transport links with Mabul and Sipadan are perfectly organized, where all missing dripping, attributes are available. sea rest. The coastal water of the sea of \u200b\u200bSulawesi is traditionally rich in fish and invariably attract fisher lovers.
Over all the islands of this region, the wet equatorial climate reigns. The average air temperature during the year exceeds +30 degrees here, while often reaching +40. The preciputes fall in moderate quantity for all twelve months. For summer, the monsoons are characterized from the Indian Ocean. Tourists visit the sipadan year-round, and by the number of re-visits, the island takes one of the leading places in Southeast Asia.
The tiny Island of Sipadan (Sipadan) from the shores of East Borneo firmly took a place in most ratings of the world's best places for diving. People from all over the world come to this island to see the shark-hammer and sneak surrounded by green turtles and flock barracud. When planning a trip, I subscribed to Facebook on one of the dive centers, which organizes diving on Sipadan Island, and they often published reports that their customers saw shark-hammer. I so caught fire the idea to see her, which was completely absorbed by this idea, but in real life the chances of doing this turned out to be small, even on sipadan, but about everything in order.
Sipadan Island
Sipadan (Malaysk. Sipadan) is a tiny island (400 meters diameter) in Malaysia, the eastern part of the state of Sabah, Borneo. Represents the top of the extinct volcano. Steel Walls of Coral Reef, located around the island, go to a depth of 600 meters.
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Sipadan Island looks like a tropical paradise, once there was a resort, but then he was removed and forbidden accommodation on the island. Only a few border guards and employees of the incubator station for the breeding turtles remained. The island can be accessed around for 20-30 minutes, but it is impossible to do it, because on the beach the turtles lay eggs and tourists do not let go there.
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About the beach on sipadan is useless to speak in words, it's easier to see it once ...
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Around the island is surrounded by a coral reef, which is filled with life. Even diving with a mask, you will see many green turtles, whitewash sharks and flocks of Barracuda dancing in a huge dance. Water is so transparent that the bottom can be seen at a depth of more than 10 meters. Where the coral reef ends, the bottom goes to a depth of up to 500 meters.
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Diving on sipadane
As I mentioned earlier, Sipadan is consistently included in the top 5 in all possible dive sites ratings. Apparently for this reason I had very high expectations from diving on sipadans, which were not justified. No, I'm not saying that Diving is bad, but he did not meet expectations. Of course, I did not dive so much around the world so that you could objectively compare, but Sipadan did not make the Wow-effect on me, which I expected. But these are my personal impressions, I can't deny that Sipadan enters the leagues of top-class diving.
There are no more than 120 divers on the sipadan on the day, the permissions of the nominal and are discharged in advance. The fee for visiting the island is 40 dollars. If you want to get to sipadan, then permission must be booked in advance, it is desirable for at least a month, and in the season (summer) is best for 2-3 months. There is a slight chance that someone refuses and then you can go instead of him under his name, but I would not count it.
Prices for diving on sipadan differ depending on the level of the dive center with which you are going to dive. I was looking for options for cheaper and eventually conducted a correspondence and chose between two divers: Billabong Scuba and Scrib Junkie. The second seemed to me more reliable and experienced, and about the first were ambiguous reviews on the Internet. As a result, despite the negative feedback, I stopped at Billabong, since on my 4 days only they were able to offer 2 diving days on sipadan and 2 days on Mabul (Scuba Junkie offered only 1 day on sipadan and 3 days on Mabule). The final price turned out to be 1790 rings (about 18,000 rubles), including 11 dives (6 on sipadan and 5 on Mabul), rental of equipment, food accommodation, PermT to sipadan and transfer sempor-Mabul and back.
Only 12 divers centers have the right to make permits to visit Sipadan, the rest buy them from these 12. BILLABING SCUBA with whom I was immersed (on a 10th place in the table) have the right to write 6 permits per day. Here is a complete dive center table who can write permissions and the number of permits per day. The permissions are discharged to the passport details, but the passport, fortunately, do not take with sipadad.
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On the sipadan you can select 13 divers: Turtle Caver, Cape Barracuda (Barracuda Point), Coral Gardens (Coral Gardens), Avenue of White Fin (Whitetip Avenue), Middle Reef (MID Reef), Turtle Patch (Turtle Patch ), South Cape (South Point), Deer Comb (Staghorn Crest), Logster Lair, Hanging gardens (Hanging Gardens), West Ridge (West Ridge), Northern Cape (North Point), Rebuild (Drop Off). I dived only on 5 of them. The most remarkable, obviously, are Cape Barracakud and Cave of Turtles. In the cave of turtles, I, unfortunately, did not hit, because there are immersed only in small groups, as it is very easy to get lost in it and never go back (in the cave a lot of skeletons of the turtles that could not find a way out of the cave), but on Cape Barracud I dived twice. Cape Barraccud is the most popular dive site on the island, since there you can almost certainly see the flocks of Barracud. Most of the other dive sites are dive along the sheer wall.
On the first day of dives, I began to brow divemaster when we see the hammer shark, but the reality was far from expectations, shark hammer, though a frequent guest in these places, but the probability of seeing it is quite low. I asked my divemaster Abu, how many times he dived and how many times saw a shark-hammer, he said that out of 70 trips (3 diving every trip) He saw a shark hammer 3 times, which gives chances of about 1 to 70, it's time Street, but the chances still remained. When we sailed to our third on this day, the West Ridge's dive site, I asked Abu, where he last saw a shark, what he replied that he saw her just in this very place, I was lit by a ray of hope. I told him that we would definitely see her - this is my goal.
The West Ridge dive site is a dive along the reef-wall wall, but "Big Things" rarely swim close to the wall, so you need to make a difficult choice to sailing along the wall and view the underwater life or swim in the blue darkness away from the wall, not see anything and only Hope to meet something big. For Abu, this choice was not stood, he sailed about 30 meters from the wall and searched .... and I tried to sit on two chairs at the same time: I sailed along the wall and looked at Abu with hope. We plunged on 20 meters, after half an hour I have already lost any hope, stopped looking at Abu and considered the wall, trying to see at least anything during this dive. Dive, the computer began counting the last 2 minutes of the inadequate time at this depth and it was time to start slowly to pop up, at that moment I looked at Abu and noticed his movement with his hand, similar to the "Shark" sign. I started sailing to him, pushing out the lashes, the depth of 30 meters, the computer began to publish a squeak, warning that the rampressive time came out, but it was no longer worried, breathing more frequently, spending more oxygen. Abu signs showed that he saw a shark-hammer, but when I swelled, it was no longer it. We hopefully peeled into the water depths, but there was nothing there. When all possible limits were already out of time and it was necessary to pop up, it seemed from the blue abyss .... Slightly angry from the fact that she was disturbed by her sailed right on us ... a huge about 2 meters long ... with eyes, Looking in different directions .... Giant shark-hammer. She fell very close, but sharply unfolded 90 degrees and disappeared in depth. These days no one else, besides me and Abu, did not see the shark hammer.
14) (photo not mine) 
In the whole evening, we discussed this unexpected meeting, Abu said: "Alex, you just asked me to show you a shark-hammer - I did it." Other Divimaster told the story about the German, which regularly arrives at Sipadan, is immersed by one by 65 meters and says that almost every time he meets sharks.
On the second day of diving on Sipadan, I no longer thought to see something at the wall, and sailed 30 meters from her, peering into deep into, but everything is no avail. Shark no longer appeared. Despite this, diving on sipadan for me ended quite successfully.
Diving on Mabul Islands (Mabul) and Kapalai (Kapalai)
When you come to dive on the sipadan, you must order diving on the Islands of Mabul and Capalai, usually, the dive centers agree to make permission for 1 day diving on Sipadan if you order 2 days diving on Mabul / Kapalai to it.
Diving on the islands of Mabul and Capalai is not as impressive as on sipadan, but very much to those who love macro. Mabul and dripping perfect place for "Muck Diving". A pair of photographers lived with us, who seem to me, did not even go to Sipadan, and every day dived on Mabul and Kapalai, they found such things that the usual look was very difficult to consider.
Capalai is generally the island is difficult to call. Once it was 200 years ago - it was a full-fledged island, but erosion did its job and now the island is a thin ribbon of sand. Only one resort of Kapalai Resort is located on the island, all the houses and buildings of which are standing on the piles on the water.
Since I do not have a camera for underwater shooting, then all photos are made by other divers, I will post a couple here with their permission.
15) Sea Konk and I 
16) Turtles there are a lot, there are instances from the shell width more than a meter. I love turtles, but I think I saw them for a year ahead. 
Diving on Mabule is almost two times cheaper than on sipadan. In the area of \u200b\u200bMabula and Capal, more than 10 dive sites. I liked Paradise 1 Mabul anymore. There are frog fish, many different nudibranchs,
Crocodile Fish, big turtles, and most interestingly, I saw for the first time, it's like my favorite Anemone Fish defend your plantation with caviar. It was one of the best dives.
About the divemaster I would like to separately mention. I dived with Malaysian and him to put it mildly under the water was "don't care" on customers. Almost every dive ended with the fact that customers swam themselves in themselves not in the field of vision of the divemaster, I rarely faced with such a pofigigism. It was especially noticeable, as because of this, newcomers are worried under water. Therefore, if you have little experience, I would recommend discussing this moment with your divemaster and try not to disappear from him.
How to get to the island of Sipadan?
Sipadan Island is located in the eastern part of the Malaysian Island Borneo, the easiest way to get there through Kuala Lumpur. (). From Kuala Lumpur, you can fly to Tawau Airport (Tawau), the cheapest option is likely to be Airasia.com, who flew and I (a ticket cost about 1,500 rubles). From the airport Tavau you can pre-order a transfer from your divetsentr, it is usually 90-100 Ringitis (900-1000 rubles). I wanted to take the bus to the city of Tavau, and from there by bus to the city of Semoporna (Semporna), in total, it would be less than 20 ringitis, but when I left the airport, I was immediately offered to get to the minibus to sempores for 30 Ringitis. If you have not ordered a transfer in advance, I think that it is quite realistic to agree with the drivers who came to meet divers from some dive center to leave with them, it should not cost more than 30 rings. But I recommend to fly no later than 3-4 o'clock in the evening, after that time to get to the sempoon on the same day, it will be problematic, the road takes about 1.5-2 hours. Another option to get to the semporn is to fly to Kota-Kinabalu (the main city of Malaysian Borneo) and from there by bus (about 10 hours) to semi-priest.
You can go on the sipadan dive straight from sempor, but I would recommend based on the island of Mabul. Still, live on the island is much more interesting and sailing closer, especially if you plan to dive in the area of \u200b\u200bMabul / Kapalai Islands. Since the boats on Mabul are departed in the morning, then one night in semporpene will still have to have, there are not very many hotels in close proximity to the pier, but one of the best prices for money - this is definitely http: //www.hotelscombined .ru / hotel / sipadan_inn.htm? a_aid \u003d 43568 & label \u003d report_sipadan] Sipadan Inn. The price of accommodation is about 90-100 Ringitis, you can find and cheaper, but not with such comfort. From sempores to Mabula sail about 30-40 minutes.
Sipadan Island is also 30-40 minutes by boat from Mabul Island. During diving, the boat goes to sipadan in the morning and returns after 4 pm. Rest between diving and lunch pass right on the beach on Sipadan.
Island Mabul.
Mabul Island (Mabul) is the main base for those who came to dive on Sipadan. When you drive the name Mabul in Google and watch photos on which houses standing on piles are shown above crystal clear water, then the impression of the paradise island is created. Reality, as often happens, is very far from imagination. Half of the island takes a poor village, and there is no normal beach on Mabul. Therefore, be careful when choosing, if your goal is not diving.
Most of the hotel on Mabul are located on stilts above the water, but do not rush to represent the picture tropical Islands And expensive hotels in Maldives, in fact, everything is not so fabulous.
I lived at the hotel from Billabong Scuba, it is very simple and inexpensive, accommodation cost 90 Ringitis per day, including three meals. Room without air conditioning. It was possible to take an extreme house with air conditioning and more comfortable, but for 150 rings per day. Power is very simple, almost every day the same thing, but quite edible, you will not die with the city. If you ask well, you can even find the smuggled Philippine rum Tanduay, on the last day on the island we are in the international company (Russian - I, Irishman, Italian, German, Philipinets and Australian) drank a few bottles of this Roma.
17) Our hotel 
Every day, children swim in the hotel and ask the dollar, or their parents who offer to buy lobsters and other Sea Food.
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By the way, if you have an idea to buy right near the hotel (there is a very comfortable descent into the water), then I recommend that you first think, where all that you wash off in the toilet. I watched on chinese touristswho are satisfied splashing near these houses and it caused me mixed feelings :) The transparency and purity of water can be deceptive.
Not far from our resort is a school, and behind it the local cemetery, interesting grades, have never seen such.
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One of the largest hotels on the island of Sipadan Mabul Resort.
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At the pool at this hotel there was an unexpected meeting
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26) Warm water? 
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Another major resortion on the island is Mabul Water Bungalows, all the bungalows stand above the water on the piles.
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30) Apparently the resort is popular among Russian divers 
One of the original ways to stay on Mabule is to stay on the drill platform Seaventures
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Local live like that, this is not the worst option.
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Political situation in Sabah (Sabah)
I decided to allocate this topic in a separate point, as I myself had quite closely encountered it. The fact is that the rebels from the Sultanate Suul subordinate to the Philippine Sultan Jamaluel Kirama III, consider the territory of the Malaysian state of Sabah, and periodically try to capture it. In 2000, a couple of dozens of foreign tourists and local workers were abducted directly from the island of Sipadan and seized, then this situation managed to resolve this situation, but it strongly hit the appeal of the island for tourists. Shortly before I arrived at Borneo, about 200 Sultanat Sulta soldiers invaded the territory of the state of Sabah and announced that they would not leave and are ready to sacrifice their lives. And just during my dives on sipadan, the conflict moved to the rigid phase. About 60 people from both sides were victims of the confrontation. On the day of my departure, Sipadan island closed to visit and it was not clear when it can open again. On the same day, I returned to the town of Semoplane, where in the evening a few kilometers from my hotel there was a shootout, in which one policeman was killed and was somewhat injured. In half an hour, as soon as this news began to spread through the city, it was empty. The doors of my hotel were closed with metal lattices, it was impossible to go out. The night was tense. The next day, when I flew from Tavau Airport, met a lot of military equipment, airplanes, helicopters and many soldiers. It is most likely that you will not come across this, but going to the sipadan, keep this in mind and just in case read the news from Malaysia.
I confess, I expected much more impressions from Sipadan, but the hammer shark saved the whole situation if it were not for her, I would have left not satisfied. But despite this, Sipadan is a place that is worth visiting any dive, it is worth it. Well, I will consider other options, among the closest - the month of diving on Bali, where I was already promised that I would see Giant Manta Ray, and in remote plans - diving on Galapaghos, where it is not easy to see a shark hammer within 2 seconds, And freely swim among them.
If any questions remained, welcome to the comments.
