Sipadan resorts with permits

Note: The total amount of daily permits have now been increased to 176.

The following is a list of 12 hotels, resorts, dive operators and liveaboards that have been allocated Sipadan permits directly by the state.

There are no hotels/resorts on Sipadan Island itself. All the entities listed below are based in Mabul, KapalaiMataking and Semporna town, as well as one liveaboard with 8 cabins.

No.Company NameLocation
1.Seaventures Tours and Travel Sdn BhdMabul
2.Sipadan-Mabul Resort (Sabah) Sdn Bhd
3.Sipadan Water Village Resort Sdn Bhd
4.Borneo Divers and Seasport (Sabah) Sdn Bhd
5.B.S.D.S. Sea & Sport Sdn Bhd
6.Dive Semporna Sdn Bhd
7.Borneo Jungle River Island Tours Sdn Bhd
8.Pulau Sipadan Resort Sdn BhdKapalai
9.The Reef Dive Resort and Tours Sdn BhdMataking
10.North Borneo Dive and Seasports Sdn BhdSemporna
11.Roach Reefs Resort Sdn BhdTawau
12.MV Celebes ExplorerLiveaboard
Data sourced from Sabah Parks authority.

Minimum stay requirements for diving in Sipadan (if any) are indicated below.


1. 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

► Learn more: Seaventures Dive Rig 4D3N Packages

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2. 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

► Learn more: Sipadan-Mabul Resort (SMART) Packages

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3. 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

► Learn more: Sipadan Water Village 3D2N Packages

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4. 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

► Learn more: Borneo Divers Mabul Packages

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5. 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)

► Learn more: Billabong Scuba Mabul Packages

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6. 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

► Learn more: Mabul Beach Resort by Scuba Junkie

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7. 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)

► Learn more: Seaventures Dive Rig 4D3N Packages

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8. 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

► Learn more: Sipadan-Kapalai Resort Packages

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9. Mataking Reef 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

► Learn more: Mataking Resort Packages

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10. 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

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11. Roach Reef Resort – 6 permits

This resort is currently closed, as it ceased operations in October 2013. We will update this section in the event it re-opens.


12. 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

► Learn more: MV Celebes Explorer Packages

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