We just came back from our recent Sipadan trip and thought we’d share our experience with you. We were there from 27th to 30th October 2011.

On the trip, we had a group of 6 divers, Mostly Malaysians and a Japanese couple living here in Kota Kinabalu. The trip was led by Eugene, our NAUI Divemaster.

We wanted to do as much diving as we can, so we took the first flight out of Kota Kinabalu to Tawau via AirAsia departing Kota Kinabalu at 7:20 am and arriving at about 8:00am. The resort staff was already there at the airport when we arrived. The journey from Tawau airport to Semporna was another 80 minutes by van. Stopping at the Semporna jetty, we had a short break before heading off to Mabul Island. We arrived a little early at 10:00am due to the great weather.

After unloading our baggage and checking in, we got ready to go diving. We did 2 boat dives and 2 jetty dives on the day we arrived. Our first dive was an orientation dive at the Fish Sanctuary, then to Lobster Lair Wall dive. Later in the afternoon, we continued on with a shore dive at Mabul Water Bungalows Fish Sanctuary then did a night dive at the same location. The sheer number of sea life to be seen here is just amazing.

Next day, we explored the Kapalai House Reef, Seaventures Rig and Paradise 2.

Our trip this time round was only for 4 days / 3 nights. Although it was considered a low season, there were quite a number of divers there that week. Because of our short stay, we weren’t really expecting to get a chance to dive at Sipadan Island. But lucky us we found out by evening that we were going!

Getting ready early next morning and showing up at the jetty at 5:30am, we headed out to Sipadan Island. It was still dark when we left, but the sun has started to rise when we arrived at Sipadan Island. All of us had to get off the boat to go through the usual registration procedure at the Island. Once the registration was done we headed to our first dive at Barracuda Point, one of the best dive sites in Sipadan. It was wow! We saw schools of Jacks, class of bumphead parrotfish, schools of barracudas, reef sharks and so many other sea creatures. The other dive sites were just as equally impressive. On our second dive, we visited Drop Off Point, the must visit Turtle Cavern and finally to Hanging Garden. We left Sipadan Island at about 3:00pm, after having done 4 dives there.

What a day! All of us couldn’t stop smiling.

Soon it was already time for us to leave Mabul Island to head back to Kota Kinabalu. We left Mabul Island at 8:00 am and arrived Kota Kinabalu at 1:20 pm.

I’ve caught some of our dives on video on my little GoPro and compiled some of the highlights below. I had a hard time trying to choose highlights of our dive, there were so many. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Want to join us on our next planned trip to new dive destinations? Why not join our Bluewaters Dive Club? Joining is free. Get to meet new friends who share your passion. Go here: http://divingkotakinabalu.com/dive-club