Diving around Semporna
Most dive trips from Semporna use one of four areas: Sipadan, Mabul with Si Amil, Kapalai, or the reefs of the Tun Sakaran Marine Park such as Mantabuan and Sibuan. Sipadan needs a day permit through a licensed operator. The other areas are booked through a dive base or a resort in the usual way.
Prices and rules below are for 2026 and change. The UK FCDO (as of 19 March 2026) advises against all but essential travel to the islands and dive areas off eastern Sabah between Sandakan and Tawau. Read the safety page and check that your insurance covers diving there.
The dive areas compared
What each area is known for, from operator and park descriptions.
| Area | What you can expect | Check before you book |
|---|---|---|
| Sipadan | Wall and reef dives at Barracuda Point and Drop Off | Day permit, RM 450 in park fees, Advanced Open Water level, closed in November |
| Mabul | Sandy and artificial habitats, reef slopes and walls with macro life | No animal is guaranteed |
| Si Amil | First Beach for macro life, Second Beach as a reef slope | About 45 minutes by boat from Mabul |
| Mantabuan and Sibuan | Reefs in the Tun Sakaran Marine Park | Park fee RM 20 per day plus a scuba fee of RM 150 for international visitors |
| Kapalai | House reef from a resort on a sandbank | Opening and bookings as stated by the resort; Sipadan permit extra |
Our picks: diving
A three-dive day for certified divers, an intro dive for beginners and a trip with optional intro dives.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Three-dive day for certified divers
Equipment, three tanks, a guide, boat, local registration permit, photos, water, lunchbox and port fees are included. You need a dive certificate.
Check availability →
Discover scuba day trip for beginners
All dive equipment, an instructor, the marine jetty fee and lunch are included. It is an introductory dive only and does not lead to a certification.
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Three-island day trip with snorkeling or intro dives
Three snorkel stops or two 20-minute intro dives plus snorkeling, with instructor, gear, life jacket, water, lunchbox and jetty fees. The small island fees for Pandanan and Mataking are paid in cash on the day.
Check availability →Dive and snorkel trips from Semporna
Introductory dives, dive days and island trips from Semporna, with live prices and availability.
The dive areas in detail
What the operators and the park say about each one.
Sipadan
Barracuda Point has a wall and current, Drop Off a steep reef wall, and Turtle Cavern lies under an overhang and needs special training. International divers pay RM 100 conservation plus RM 350 for diving. The island is listed as closed in November.
Sipadan guide →Mabul and muck diving
Muck diving means looking for small animals on sand and artificial structures. It rewards patience and a good guide. It does not guarantee a specific animal.
Mabul Island →Si Amil
First Beach is a sandy, sheltered site for macro life. Second Beach is a reef slope where rays are possible. The trip from Mabul takes about 45 minutes by boat, according to the dive base.
Mantabuan and Sibuan
Sabah Parks lists both among the dive areas of the Tun Sakaran Marine Park. You can also snorkel there without a dive certificate, but the park management must be told.
Island hopping →Kapalai
The resort stands on stilts over a shallow sandbank. A 3-day, 2-night dive package was advertised from RM 2,460 until 31 December 2026, with a house reef for snorkeling. A brochure lists night dives on the house reef, but foreign authorities report limits on night water activities, so ask what applies before you plan one.
Kapalai →November
With Sipadan listed as closed in November, a dive operator offers Si Amil, Mabul, Kapalai and the Sipadan Barrier Reef in that month. The operator says this is not the same as Sipadan National Park.
Courses and first dives
Choose the product that fits your level.
Open Water course
One dive operator lists RM 1,630 for 3 days, with theory online before you arrive. A single participant pays a surcharge of RM 100 per day. The minimum age is 10 years, and the swim test is 200 m plus 10 minutes of floating. These are the terms of that offer.
Discover scuba
A discover scuba day trip with an instructor was listed at $100 in October 2026, with full equipment and lunch. It is a trial dive and gives no certificate.
For certified divers
A day with three dives was listed at $113, with equipment and a local registration. A certificate is required, and no Sipadan permit is shown.
Practical points
Small things that affect the day.
Water and exposure
The operator describes water that rarely drops below 27 °C and rents 3 mm suits. This is local experience and not a measured series, and it does not apply to all depths.
Reef care
Do not stand on corals and do not touch animals. One operator allows only sunscreen marked reef safe in its Sipadan program.
Weather
Wave conditions and the choice of sites change with the weather. See weather and best time for the monsoon seasons.
Fees on the pier
One operator lists a Semporna jetty fee from 1 January 2026: RM 10 for an international adult and RM 5 for a child under 11.
Diving in Semporna: frequently asked questions
Do I need to be certified to dive Sipadan?
Yes. One dive operator asks for at least Advanced Open Water or equivalent and attributes the rule to Sabah Parks. A day permit is also needed. See the Sipadan page.
How many dives does a Sipadan permit cover?
The sources differ. A booking agent lists 3 dives a day for 2026, and a resort brochure valid for 2026 lists 2. Ask your operator.
Can I learn to dive in Semporna?
Yes. One operator lists an Open Water course for RM 1,630 over 3 days, and a discover scuba day trip was listed at $100. An Open Water certificate alone does not give access to Sipadan.
What can I dive in November?
With Sipadan listed as closed for the month, an operator offers Si Amil, Mabul, Kapalai and the Sipadan Barrier Reef. Confirm the program with your operator.
Are night dives allowed?
It is not clear. Foreign authorities report limits on resort-organized night water activities, while a resort brochure lists house reef night dives. Ask your operator before you plan one.
Is diving in Semporna safe?
The UK FCDO (19 March 2026) advises against all but essential travel to the islands and dive areas off eastern Sabah. The German foreign office (21 October 2026) advises avoiding non-essential travel to the east coast including Semporna, and the US State Department (22 February 2026) lists these islands at Level 2. See the safety page.