The following is a list of 12 hotels, resorts, dive operators and liveaboards that have been allocated Sipadan permits by the state.
There are no hotels/resorts on Sipadan Island itself. All the entities listed below are based in Mabul, Kapalai, Mataking and Semporna town, as well as one liveaboard with 8 cabins.
| No. | Company Name | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Dive Semporna Sdn Bhd | Mabul |
| 2. | Seaventures Tours and Travel Sdn Bhd | |
| 3. | Sipadan-Mabul Resort (Sabah) Sdn Bhd | |
| 4. | Sipadan Water Village Resort Sdn Bhd | |
| 5. | Borneo Divers and Seasport (Sabah) Sdn Bhd | |
| 6. | Borneo Jungle River Island Tours Sdn Bhd | |
| 7. | B.S.D.S. Sea & Sport Sdn Bhd | |
| 8. | MV Celebes Explorer | Liveaboard |
| 9. | Pulau Sipadan Resort Sdn Bhd | Kapalai |
| 10. | The Reef Dive Resort and Tours Sdn Bhd | Mataking |
| 11. | North Borneo Dive and Seasports Sdn Bhd | Semporna |
| 12. | Roach Reefs Resort Sdn Bhd | Tawau |
Data sourced from Sabah Parks authority.
Minimum stay requirements for diving in Sipadan (if any) are indicated below.
1. Scuba Junkie/Mabul Beach Resort (7 permits)
This Mabul resort consists of 24 ensuite rooms situated on the beach front. Scuba Junkie also operates Scuba Junkie Backpackers based in Semporna.
Stay 3 nights for 1 day diving in Sipadan
► 4D3N packages for Mabul Beach Resort (with snorkeling in Sipadan)
2. Seaventures Dive Rig Resort (11 permits)
Stay on and dive below an oil rig.
Stay 3 nights for 1 day diving in Sipadan
Unlimited jetty/house reef diving
► 4D3N packages for Seaventures Dive Rig Resort
3. Sipadan-Mabul Resort (SMART) (14 permits)
40 wooden chalets nestled in a coconut grove towards the southeastern side of Mabul. Sister resort of the luxurious Mabul Water Bungalows.
Stay 5 nights for 1 day diving in Sipadan
Unlimited jetty/house reef diving
4. Sipadan Water Village Resort (14 permits)
45 water chalets built based on Bajau architectural design, each with private decks overlooking the sea.
Stay 4 nights for 1 day diving in Sipadan
Unlimited jetty/house reef diving
► 3D2N packages for Sipadan Water Village (with snorkeling in Sipadan)
5. Borneo Divers Mabul Dive Resort (14 permits)
30 tropical-themed chalets. Popular rooms include the ethnic-inspired Runggus Twin and luxurious Runggus Double featuring traditional platform beds.
Stay 4 nights for 1 day diving in Sipadan
Unlimited jetty/house reef diving
6. Uncle Chang Sipadan (7 permits)
Wooden lodge built on stilts over the sea. Dorm, double, family rooms and seaview chalets available.
1 day diving in Sipadan from RM600 (non-divers), RM720 (2 dives) and RM750 (3 dives)
7. Billabong Scuba (6 permits)
Homestay chalets built on stilts over the ocean with air-conditioning and attached bathrooms.
1 day diving in Sipadan from RM848 (3 dives)
8. MV Celebes Explorer (13 permits)
The only liveaboard serving Mabul, Kapalai and Sipadan. There are 8 standard cabins, with 2 queen-sized double bed cabins featuring windows located on the main deck, and 6 double/twin bed cabins featuring portholes located on the lower deck.
Excellent choice if diving in Sipadan is your priority. Compared to land-based resorts, this liveaboard lets you dive in Sipadan every day of your stay.
Stay 3 nights for 10 dives in Sipadan
9. Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort (14 permits)
15-20 minutes from Sipadan and Mabul, this top-notch resort is built in the middle of the Celebes Sea with no land in sight. Popular among couples and honeymooners.
Stay 3 nights for 1 day diving in Sipadan
Unlimited jetty/house reef diving
10. Reef Dive Resort (7 permits)
Lavish resort with daily diving trips to Sipadan (±80 minutes away) and other islands.
Return dive trip to Sipadan – RM1,400 per boat (up to 7 pax per boat)
Unlimited jetty/house reef diving
► Check pricing for Mataking Reef Dive Resort on Expedia
11. Sipadan Scuba (7 permits)
Dive operator in Semporna with an attached hotel (Holiday Dive Inn) and daily trips to Sipadan.
Stay 2 nights for 1 day diving in Sipadan. Divers: RM1000, Non-divers: RM950
12. Roach Reef Resort – 6 permitsThis resort is currently closed, as it ceased operations in October 2013. We will update this section in the event it re-opens.
