world reviewer
Another discovery we have Cousteau to thank for, Palau Sipadan is a treasure trove of potential sites and sights and one of the best places in the world to swim with turtles (green and hawksbills are the most common.). They graze on sponges here, cruising calmly though the waters and pecking away at the corals and rocks the sponges sprout from and lay their eggs on the island annually. You can arrange to be part of the experience, though it is sensibly heavily regulated. Barracudas seem equally relaxed and gather in hoards at Barracuda Point, like a sand storm of fish. Trevelly, snapper and reef shark are well represented and the bumphead parrotfish are pretty funny (their name gives away their appeal.).
Sipadan from the air is a circle of green forest surrounded by an apron of reef that is about five or six times the size of the island itself. Anemones grow thick on the sunny sides of the reef so there is colour and small fish a plenty.
Written by 
Nick Shaw.
“Barracuda Point, Sipadan Island”
From the name, you’d be expecting Barracudas and you wouldn’t be wrong. Jacks join them in schools amongst the corals which grow out for flat stretches in large fields. Turtles, white tips, groupers, wrasse, reef sharks, parrot fish, tuna and frog fish … Read more...
Written by Nick Shaw.
Comments, reviews and questions
Sipadan Island
A tiny island but it has to be one of the best places in the world to dive for turtles. On the top of lots of best diving sites lists, there are a couple of great sites here, larger fish being the other big draw. Reef sharks, big parrotfish barracudas and schools of trevally. There are smaller fish as well, hugging the reef walls and drop offs mostly staying out of eating distance from the big guys. The consensus is that you need to have about 30 dives under your belt to dive here and it’s mostly drift diving.
You can’t stay on the island anymore because people were doing too much damage, the best access is from resorts on its island neighbours.
Review posted 6th March 2008 by Jazmine Altha . .
Add a comment, review or question
Sponsored ads
Low cost holidays to Lanzarote
Great rates and packages on holidays to selected hotels and resorts by air from the UK
www.dealchecker.co.uk
Malaysia Coast to Coast
10 day tour discovering a mixture of culture, scenery & exotic wildlife across this stunning country. From £1100 Land only.
www.allpointseast.com
The Galapagos Islands
8 day Galapagos Islands cruise - one of the very best wildlife experiences on the planet! Huge choice of yachts each with qualified naturalist guide.
www.down-to-earth-holidays.com
Inca Trail & Galapagos 19 days
Combine two once-in-a-lifetime experiences: Walk the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu then sail the Galapagos Islands. 19 days from £3695 land only
www.pura-aventura.com
Free nights in Thailand
Enjoy free nights at the Rayavadee, one of the most exclusive hotels in the world, located between three beautiful beaches in Krabi..
www.greenbee.co.uk
Advertise here
Who's been here
Similar experiences
Diving the Great Blue Hole
This is one of the world’s most famous dives, I saw a dvd showing it and I really wanted to go, so much so that I went and had …
Dive with Reef Sharks in the Grand Bahamas
When I am not working my favourite dive is in Grand Bahamas with the Caribbean reef sharks. The dive operators here do hand fee…
North Save-a-Tack Passage Dive
Namena is in the migratory path of both whale and dolphin species, is lined with islands where turtles come to lay their eggs a…
What's nearby
Birdwatching in Sepilok
Sandakan is the main entry point in Sabah, Island of Borneo, East Malaysia for Sepilok and the Bornean jungle. Around a 30 minu…
The Wild Men of Borneo
Personable orang utans live in families and have complicated social interactions which make them inspiring creatures to watch. …
Turtle Islands Park, Sabah
Slow and graceful Hawksbill and Green Turtles return to these idyllic, shallow watered, tropical islands each year to nest and …