Kapalai at a glance
Kapalai is a dive resort. A booking site describes it as buildings on stilts above a shallow sandbank. It is not a normal island with a village center that visitors can walk around. You come here to sleep close to the reefs, snorkel at the house reef and dive.
Sipadan has no accommodation, so Kapalai, like Mabul, is a place to stay for divers who go to the park by boat on the day of their permit. The resort sells packages for 2026. Whether it operates on every single day is something to confirm with the resort.
2026 price examples
Two different offers. Do not mix them into one price.
| Offer | For whom | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 days and 2 nights, diving package | Listed by a travel seller on a tourism portal | From RM 2,460 | Chalet, full board, land and boat transfer, snorkeling at the house reef |
| 2 nights, diver | Malaysians and expatriates with a work permit | RM 2,484 incl. 8 percent SST | Transfer and full board; Sipadan permit extra |
| 2 nights, non-diver | Malaysians and expatriates with a work permit | RM 2,019.60 incl. 8 percent SST | Transfer and full board |
The first offer is valid until 31 December 2026, and the price is not a guaranteed final price for every nationality. The brochure rates are valid from 1 January to 31 December 2026 and are for Malaysians and expatriates with a work permit. Do not apply them to international guests. Ask the resort for the rate that fits your nationality and your dates.
Our picks: Kapalai
A day trip from Semporna that includes Kapalai, with snorkeling or intro dives.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. 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.
Dive and snorkeling trips from Semporna
Boat days, snorkeling and dive trips near Semporna, with live prices and availability.
Sipadan from Kapalai
Sipadan needs a day permit, issued through licensed providers, and visitors may not stay overnight on the island. The 2026 brochure rates above exclude the permit.
Fees
The international fee is RM 100 as a conservation fee and RM 350 for diving, RM 450 in total. This excludes boat and equipment. The 2026 brochure also lists RM 50 per camera at the park counter from 1 January 2026. That figure comes only from the brochure.
Dives per permit
Sources disagree. A travel agent lists 3 dives per day, while the 2026 brochure still lists 2. Ask the resort how many dives your permit covers.
Certificate
One operator asks for at least Advanced Open Water or an equivalent. It attributes this to Sabah Parks.
November
The operator says Sipadan is closed for the whole of November. It then offers other sites such as Si Amil, Mabul, Kapalai and the Sipadan Barrier Reef, which is not the same as the national park.
All details are in the Sipadan guide.
What to ask the resort
Points that the public offers leave open.
Day visits
An unannounced day visit is not described anywhere, and there is no public beach access or general entrance ticket. Some resorts have their own jetties and do not accept visitors without a booking. Plan a stay, or ask in advance.
Night dives
The brochure lists unguided house-reef night dives for experienced buddies. At the same time the Australian government's travel advice mentions a ban on resort-organized night water activities, including diving. It is not clear how these fit. Do not plan around a night dive until the resort confirms it in writing.
Operating dates
The offers show that the resort sells 2026 packages. They do not show that every day in October was fully operating. Confirm your dates and the transfer before you pay.
Reef rules
Do not stand on corals and do not touch animals. One operator allows only sunscreen marked as reef safe on its Sipadan program.
Diving in Semporna →Safety on the islands
Official advice differs by country.
The UK FCDO (changed 19 March 2026) advises against all but essential travel to the islands and dive areas off eastern Sabah between Sandakan and Tawau. The German Foreign Office (21 October 2026) advises urgently against non-essential travel to the islands and dive areas. The US State Department (22 February 2026) lists Level 2 for the islands. German and Australian sources mention restricted boat traffic from 18:00 to 06:00 within 3 nautical miles of the coast. The safety page has the full notes. Check your travel insurance.
Plan the rest of your trip
Nearby places and practical pages.
Kapalai: frequently asked questions
Is Kapalai an island?
A booking site describes the resort as buildings on stilts over a shallow sandbank. Do not expect a normal island with a village or a public beach.
How much does a stay at Kapalai cost?
One 2026 offer lists 3 days and 2 nights from RM 2,460 with chalet, full board, transfers and house-reef snorkeling. A brochure lists RM 2,484 for a diver and RM 2,019.60 for a non-diver for 2 nights, but only for Malaysians and expatriates with a work permit. The Sipadan permit is extra.
Can I visit Kapalai for a day?
Nothing in the public offers describes an unannounced day visit or a general entrance ticket. Contact the resort in advance.
Can I dive Sipadan from Kapalai in November?
No, if the operator's information is right. It says Sipadan is closed for the whole of November and offers other sites instead. These are not Sipadan National Park.
Is Kapalai safe to visit?
Official advice is dated on the safety page and differs between the UK, Germany and the United States. Read your own government's advice and check your insurance before you book.