WHERE / TO / DIVE
FIELD NOTES · 2026
#20 of 20 · Sabah, Malaysia

Sipadan

Sharks, turtles and dense schools of fish.

Where to Dive editorial
Reef sharks beneath the jacks at Barracuda Point; representative of diving Sipadan
Reef sharks beneath the jacks at Barracuda PointSource ↗
Overall rank
#20 of 20
Editor’s score
7.9 / 10
Best months
March — May
Go for
Reef sharks · Barracuda and jacks
The short answer

Why dive here?

Sipadan has grey and whitetip reef sharks, barracuda, jacks, turtles and bumphead parrotfish. Permits limit how many days you can dive there. Confirm your Sipadan days with the operator before booking; nearby Mabul and Kapalai offer different diving.

Timing

When to go

The best time to dive here is March — May. Check the linked season guide and ask your operator about conditions for your dates.

Best diving in MarchBest diving in AprilBest diving in May
The diving

What to look for

These are the main draws. Sightings vary by site, season and luck.

  • Reef sharks
  • Barracuda and jacks
  • Bumphead parrotfish
  • Turtles
Practicalities

Conditions and trip planning

Intermediate; advanced certification is commonly required. Warm water, steep walls and moderate current. March through May brings the most reliable visibility and calmer crossings.

Trip format: Land-based resort with permit-controlled day boats.

Why it sits here

About the score

Sipadan scores 7.9/10 for diving at its best. The ranking favours sharks and other large animals, followed by reef health and variety across the trip. Price and travel time do not affect the score.

Photos

Open a photo for its source and credits.

Reef sharks beneath the jacks at Barracuda Point; diving Sipadan
Reef sharks beneath the jacks at Barracuda PointMarcello Di Francesco
Bumpheads coming through at Turtle Patch; diving Sipadan
Bumpheads coming through at Turtle PatchSimon Mallender · Diveplanit
Green turtle on Sipadan's reef; diving Sipadan
Green turtle on Sipadan's reefRemote Lands
Whitetip reef shark and divers at Sipadan; diving Sipadan
Whitetip reef shark and divers at SipadanMatthew Oldfield · ZuBlu
Reef shark beneath a school of jacks; diving Sipadan
Reef shark beneath a school of jacksAvoini
Turtle and jack school over Sipadan coral; diving Sipadan
Turtle and jack school over Sipadan coralScuba Junkie
Recent trip footage

Dives on video

Watch for the conditions, marine life and pace of the dives. Each video shows one trip.