Scuba Diving Vacation in Sabah, Malaysia Borneo

Sabah is fast gaining popularity as the latest premier Scuba Diving Vacation destination in the world. The exotic Malaysian state has some of the best dive spots in the region as well as worldwide. Besides the world-famous Sipadan, and its neighbouring islands like Mabul and Kapalai near Semporna in the East Coast of Sabah, the other top spots include Lankayan near Sandakan, and Layang Layang, situated some 300km off the West Coast of Sabah.

Scuba diving enthusiasts will surely love Sabah as there are a variety of activities to explore such as the following:

Diving in the centre of the richest Marine Habitat in the world

Diving at Jacques Cousteau' favourite tropical island dive spot

Cave Diving at the world's only mushroom-shaped top class dive hotspot

Muck Diving to catch the sight of the larger inhabitants of the reef

Wreck Diving for WW2 battle wreckages and hundred years old merchant ships?

Diving at a unique man-made Dive Atoll situated in South China Sea

Scuba Diving Vacation at Sipadan/Mabul/Kapalai

These three world-class dive destinations located within sight of each other are situated in the northeast of Borneo (or East Coast of Sabah). Sipadan, the most well known, is the legendary island of the turtles. Mabul is an enchanting island where every coconut tree has its own number. Kapalai is an island resort built on stilts in the middle of the sea. There are accommodations at both Mabul and Kapalai but since January 2005, the government of Sabah has banned overnight stay at Sipadan. However, dive packages offered by operators based on Mabul and Kapalai will normally include additional dives at Sipadan given the island's popularity and recognition as an award winning dive destination. There are several dive operators at both Mabul and Kapalai. The standard dive package will include 3 boat dive combinations a day with professional a Divemaster as well as unlimited beach dives (minimum 1 hour surface interval). Diving boat and basic diving equipments such as tanks with air, weight and weight belt will be inclusive.

DiveSite Map: Sipadan ; Mabul ; Kapalai

Getting There: If you are in Kota Kinabalu, best to travel by air to Tawau (save precious time that can be spent at your scuba diving vacation). From there, transfer by land to Semporna (~1.5 hr drive). On arrival at Semporna, transfer by speed boat to the islands (~1 hr).

Scuba Diving Vacation at Lankayan

Lankayan is regarded as the new diving frontier in the Sulu Sea off the North-Eastern coast of Sabah. A jewel-like tiny island in the Sulu Sea and hour and a half boat ride's north of Sandakan, Lankayan has been declared part of an immense Marine Protected Area. Its dive sites are all within minutes away from one another and boast unbelievably colorful macro fauna, fascinating wrecks such as the "Lankayan Wreck", which was an ocean going fish poaching vessel appropriately demised in the area of its illegal activities. Lankayan is a virtually uninhabited island but there is one small resort that offers an accommodation (chalets and deluxe apartment rooms for 40-50 guests) service.

DiveSite Map: Lankayan

Getting There: From Kota Kinabalu, take a flight to Sandakan (~45 minutes). On arrival, proceed to the Sandakan jetty downtown, and from there transfer by speed boat to the island (~1.5 hr). Note that there is only one boat transfer to and from Lankayan each day, departing Sandakan jetty at 10.00 hrs.

Scuba Diving Vacation at Layang Layang

Known as the "Jewel of the Borneo Banks", Layang Layang is a small oceanic atoll 14 sq km in diameter jutting some 2000m from the Ocean depths, making it a wall diving mecca. The exact location of Layang Layang is 7.5 degrees north of the equator and 114 degree east of the meridian, right in the middle of ancient South China Sea, 300km North West off the coast of Sabah. Besides its amazing dive features, Layang Layang is also renowned as a bird sanctuary, situated on the other end of the island. As for accommodation, there is only one resort on the island. The Layang Layang Island Resort is a modest three-star resort with 76 rooms and 10 suites. Its tropical hardwood structures and the likeness of a traditional Longhouse exudes an unparalleled sense of hospitality and warmth.

DiveSite Map: Layang Layang

Getting There: Regular flights are operated by a private airline from Kota Kinabalu Terminal 2 Airport to Layang Layang. Currently, flight are scheduled (but subject to confirmation) on every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday (two flights per day). Flights will land at a 1000m runway on the Island.

Scuba Diving Vacation Packages

Scuba diving vacation packages are usually conducted by diving companies (or operators), who will also normally run their own resort/lodge at the island(s). Each company offers their own dive/island packages based on accommodation at their resort/lodge. These packages can be quite similar but differ in cost based on the facilities and quality of accommodations and services provided, as well as in some cases, how established the operator is. Non-diver rates will be slightly lower.

Scuba Diving Vacation Standard Conditions

All divers must show proof of diver certification for each level and specialty before diving is allowed.

All divers and snokellers will be required to sign a waiver form.

Flying after diving (last day at resort) -- The latest recommendation from DAN, Training Agencies, etc. indicates that you should wait a minimum of 12 hours and sometimes up to 24 hours after diving before you fly. However, SMART recognises that people, agencies and even computers and tables differ on this. If you choose to dive on the day you leave and fly, you will be required to sign a seperate Liability/Release Form (Waiver) to do this. You will only be able to do one morning dive; however, this is at the discretion of the Resort Management.

Other Scuba Diving Vacation Destinations

TAR Marine Park Tropical Islands

Pulau Tiga Survivor Island