Explore the vibrant marine life of Church Reef, a hidden underwater paradise.
Details
Church Reef and the reef at Sibuan Island form a linked unit towards the northwest of Tun Sakaran Marine Park.
Like Kapikan Reef, it is a patch reef (small, isolated coral platforms) that has no permanent island.
The area has long been identified as having considerable potential for scuba diving, muck diving and snorkeling due to its great biodiversity.
Accommodation & day tours
There are no major hotels or resorts on Church Reef, or any of the other islands in Tun Sakaran Marine Park.
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Things to do
Snorkeling & scuba diving
Church Reef’s coral platforms are known for some amazing snorkeling and diving opportunites.
Marine life commonly found in the area include the beautiful mandarinfish and pygmy seahorses as well as feather stars, seafans, tube sponges and agariciids.
The surrounding waters are usually crystal clear, with water currents being generally slight. There is an extensive shallow reef top and back-reef, with coral-fringed and sandy-bottomed lagoons in many areas.
Visiting the Bajau Laut (Sea Gypsies) settlements
The reef’s waters hosts a population of Sea Gypsies, who are renowned for their unique way of life around the marine park.
Getting here
Church Reef is located ±35 minutes by boat from Semporna, ±25 minutes from Pom Pom, ±35 minutes from Mataking and ±1.5 hours from Mabul.
More info
The reef rim’s circumference measures approximately 7.5km. It is generally regarded as being steep on all sides.
The steepest section lies in the northwest, where there is an almost vertical wall with depths of up to 40m, as well as caves and recesses going back about a meter.
The southwest-facing outer reef has an interesting profile with a deep shelf. It drops off steeply, mostly at an estimated 80°, with some parts being almost vertical.
A complex system of deeper lagoons is located towards the southwestern end of the reef. The depth in these lagoons may be 10m or more, and are almost cut-off at low tide by the outer reef.
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