Major city · Malaysia
SipadanPulau Sipadan
Do a 1‑day dive trip from Semporna; add a second day for another day of diving or snorkeling.
Sipadan is a protected dive island with no overnight accommodation. Most visitors take a day‑trip from Semporna (diving or snorkeling). Because permits limit daily divers, book early. One day covers the standard two‑dive package; a second day adds extra dives or a relaxed snorkel schedule.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MYR
- Best months
- check
- avoid Nov–Feb (monsoon, rough seas)
- Airport
- TWU
- Nights
- 0 (no overnight stays on Sipadan)
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Malaysia ↗Most foreign visitors must submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online shortly before arrival; use only the official immigration site.
- Malaysia ↗Remove shoes before entering mosques, temples and homes; cover shoulders and knees, and use the robes on loan at major mosques.
- Malaysia ↗Cards and e-wallets are common in cities; keep some ringgit in small notes for hawker stalls, taxis and tolls.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Sipadan999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Sipadan, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Malaysian ringgit (MYR, RM); cards and e-wallets are widely used in Kuala Lumpur.Malaysia-wide
- SIM or eSIMCelcomDigi, Maxis, U Mobile and Unifi sell tourist SIMs at KLIA with passport registration.Malaysia-wide
- Tap waterTreated in cities, but most people filter or boil; bottled water is cheap.Malaysia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Nothing if 10% service charge is added; otherwise round up.Malaysia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 240 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Malaysia-wide
- SafetySipadan is safe for tourists; past kidnapping incident (2000) is historic, area now patrolled by Royal Malaysian Navy.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern and squat toilets side by side; water hose instead of paper; some public toilets cost RM0.20–1.Malaysia-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police · 994 fire · 999 ambulance
- Sundays & holidayscheckKelantan, Terengganu and Kedah have Friday–Saturday weekends; Johor Saturday–Sunday since 2025 — check…Malaysia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTWU Tawau Airport (Fly from KL (≈3 h) or Kota Kinabalu (≈50 min); then minivan/taxi to Semporna (1–2 h).).
- Getting aroundWalk on the beach; dive boats launch from the jetty.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TWU Tawau Airport (Fly from KL (≈3 h) or Kota Kinabalu (≈50 min); then minivan/taxi to Semporna (1–2 h).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jun (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Sipadan: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
7 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
6 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
5 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
5 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
6 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
7 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
9 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk on the beach; dive boats launch from the jetty. No internal transport on Sipadan.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Sipadan (diving)
goDoor to door: ≈2 h each way
Semporna minivan/taxi to jetty (≈1 h), then fast boat (≈1 h)
Two‑dive package ~MYR 560 incl. lunch and boat; daily diver limit 120 and two dives per person.
Sipadan (snorkeling)
goDoor to door: ≈2 h each way
Same boat from Semporna; snorkel gear provided by operator
All‑inclusive rate ~MYR 490.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Semporna
Base for dive operators; range of guesthouses. Must be booked in advance; transfers to Sipadan depart early morning.
Mabul Island
Boutique resorts and hostels; 25 min boat to Sipadan. Accommodation requires pre‑booking; boat transfers arranged through dive operators.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- MYR 300–500 (≈ US$75–120) excl. transport
- Mid
- MYR 500–800 (≈ US$120–190) excl. transport
- High
- MYR 800 (≈ US$190)+ excl. transport
Trip budget
Prices of common things
| Three‑dive package (incl. lunch, boat) | MYR 560 (≈ US$140) |
| Snorkel day (incl. gear, boat) | MYR 490 (≈ US$120) |
| Water (bottled) on boat | MYR 5–8 (≈ US$2) |
| Taxi from Tawau airport to Semporna | MYR 80–120 (≈ US$19–30) |
| Minivan to Semporna | MYR 70–100 (≈ US$17–25) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Daily diver limit 120; permits issued by operators – book early (check).
- Two dives per person per day cap (as of Oct 2022).
- Strong currents at the jetty; watch for stonefish in shallow water.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 999
- Fire
- 994
- Ambulance
- 999
Pocket card
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SipadanPulau Sipadan
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
—
Ke alamat ini, tolongTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police999
- Fire994
- Ambulance999
Embassy
US consulate in Kota Kinabalu; other embassies in Kuala Lumpur.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Tawau → Semporna (taxi/minivan): ≈ MYR 80, 1–2 h (check)
- Semporna → Sipadan (fast boat, 3 dives): ≈ MYR 560 incl. permit (check)
- Semporna → Mabul (boat): ≈ MYR 120 round‑trip (check)
Say or show
- Maaf — Excuse me / Sorry (ma-fah)
- Terima kasih — Thank you (tuh-ree-mah kah-see)
- Berapa harganya? — How much is it? (buh-rah-pah har-gah-nyah)
- Ada permit menyelam? — Do you have a dive permit? (ah-dah per-mit men-yeh-lam)
- Di mana tandas? — Where is the bathroom? (dee mah-nah tan-das)
- Boleh bayar dengan kad? — Can I pay by card? (boh-leh bah-yar deh-gan kahd)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Sipadan. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: check · avoid Nov–Feb (monsoon, rough seas) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Fly to Tawau → minivan to Semporna → dive operator boat to Sipadan.
- Stay in Semporna or Mabul for easy early‑morning boat departures.
- Consider live‑aboard MV Celebes Explorer for guaranteed permit.
Sources
Ask about Sipadan
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