Ask anyone who has dived in Malaysian Borneo what they most remember and they are likely to say Sipadan and Lankayan. These two islands are world-renowned for their thriving reefs and abundance of species. Sipadan has world renowned wall dives and is one of the best places in the world to see turtles underwater. Lankayan island has some beautiful unspoilt reefs, fascinating wreck and 'muck' dives and a staggering array of species, all surrounding a stunning tropical island. Combined, this trip incorporates everything that diving in the tropics should: colourful reefs, beautiful fish, exciting dives and unrivalled surroundings.

In 2004, Sipadan's marine ecosystem received an increased level of protection which precluded the opportunity of staying on the island. We approach the island by speedboat from the neighbouring islands of Mabul or Kapalai, where you can stay in one of our specially-selected waterside lodges, ideal for divers and non-divers alike. Here you have the option of diving at Sipadan as well your base island of Kapalai or Mabul. In addition to diving at Sipadan, this trip takes you then to our recommended dive lodge on Lankayan Island, which is nestled in the Sulu Sea, off the north eastern tip of Borneo.

Borneo's sapphire waters are sure to reveal their natural treasures, satisfying even the most avid of divers, but the Borneo Dive Lodges & Wildlife Safari experience takes you both above and below the waters. Whilst this experience has its emphasis on the sub-aqua, it also combines close encounters with two of the island's most well known animals: sea turtles and orangutans. On your journey with us, you will visit and experience one of the world's most famous wildlife rehabilitation and conservation programmes at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, where young ex-captive or abandoned orangutans, often the orphans of deforestation, are being helped by highly trained and motivated staff to readjust to a life back in the wild.

Sea turtles abound in this part of the world and the reefs are often full of these languid ocean travellers. As well as encountering them below the water whilst diving, we will take you to a protected Turtle Island sanctuary where they can come to lay their eggs throughout the year. You will also have the opportunity here to see work being carried out by the Sabah Parks authorities and watch the transplanting of eggs to protected hatcheries. Opportunities may also exist to witness baby turtles entering the sea for the very first time as hatchlings.

You have the option of extending your safari with an exploration of the rainforest and wetlands along one of Borneo's most majestic rivers: the Kinabatangan. The river and its surrounding habitats make up one of the richest ecosystems on the planet and is one of only a few places on Earth where ten primate species can be found together. These include the largest population of orangutans in Malaysia and several other species that are endemic to Borneo, such as the proboscis monkey, the maroon langur and Bornean white bearded gibbon.   

Pulau Lankayan

You will take a speedboat from the northeast Borneo town of Sandakan to the verdant oasis of Lankayan, where a myriad of diving opportunities surrounds this small island. In addition to the rich diversity of life residing on its reefs, Lankayan provides an excellent combination of macro life and pelagic species, including the large shoals of bumphead parrot fish and reef sharks, along with occasional visiting dugong and even whale sharks. Set against the gently sloping sandy seabed, the array of sponges, gorgonians and corals are home to rare rhinopia scorpion fish, beautifully-flamboyant nudibranchs such as Chromodoris kunei, and inquisitive little jawfish coming out to investigate you as you pass by. The wrecks of scuppered illegal fishing boats around the reef make ideal habitats for many species and offer the chance for some great wreck dives.

Pulau Sipadan 

Pulau Sipadan is Malaysia's only volcanic island and was made famous by the French oceanographer Jacques Cousteau in his documentary 'Ghosts of the Sea Turtle'. Both green and hawksbill turtles are prolific here and are so accustomed to divers that they are happy to go about their daily lives in your presence. Although nothing is guaranteed in the natural world, seeing over twenty turtles on a dive is not uncommon whilst at Sipadan. Enigmatic species are regular around these reefs, with enormous schools of barracuda and trevally, along with manta rays, eagle rays and the occasional hammerhead shark.

With healthy, vibrant reefs, Sipadan is home for many unexpected treasures, such as the amazing flamboyant cuttlefish. These tiny bright coloured cephalopods walk across the sand hunting for their food, confident that their bright colours and waving arms will alert predators to their deadly poison. This behaviour is unique amongst cuttlefish and only recently discovered.

Pulau Mabul

Mabul is located just 25 minutes to the North of Sipadan and in contrast to the steep drop offs, coral reefs and pelagic species found around Sipadan, Mabul is known and loved for a very different reason.  A 'muck diving' paradise, Mabul is great for macro life with every hole in the sand and coral rubble inhabited by ghost pipefish, frogfish, devil scorpionfish, stonefish, crocodile fish, cuttlefish, cowfish and nudibranchs.  Macro photographers will find great opportunities to capture some rare and flamboyant species that inhabit the sandy bottom of Mabul's marine environment. 

Pulau Kapalai

Just a few miles from Sipadan, Kapalai is another macro diving destination with all the species found at Mabul including blue-ringed octopuses, dragonets, mandarin gobies, jawfish and cuttlefish.  Other sites around Kapalai are likely to reveal humphead wrasse, blue spotted ribbontail rays and bumphead parrotfish.

Malaysian Borneo's islands are jewels in South-East Asia's rich tapestry of marine habitat - and long may they remain that way.  The diversity of life within them is of global importance, but like many reefs around the world, they are beautiful but fragile environments that are under pressure.  We therefore urge all divers to dive responsibly and safely, avoiding any contact with the reef.

 

Photographs kindly provided by David Slater, Ralph Pannell, Charlotte Caffrey, Alan Oh, SMART, Albert Teo, Andrew Oates, Nick Bramley, Lawrence Lee & PSR

 

Mataking - Malaysia dive resort - layang - holiday - holidays tours travel - ecotourism - responsible travel & vacations

Prices (based on per person twin sharing) 12 days £1690 (non-diver), £1890 (diver) 14 days £1975 (non-diver), £2175 (diver) For 14 days version only, add £89 for July & Aug bookings Prices valid for travel up to 31st March 2012 Our prices include Transfers. All domestic flights. All marine park & national park conservation fees (except Sipadan Island*) Meals as indicated in our itineraries (B,L,D). All resort accommodation based on twin share.  3 boat dives daily except on arrival / departure day with unlimited shore dives. Use of tanks, weights and weight belt. Unguided night dives for qualified divers with buddy only. Guided trips as per itinerary with English-speaking, naturalist guides. Tea, coffee and water available throughout the day (self service) and afternoon tea and snacks. Our prices exclude Visas. International flights. Travel / holiday insurance. Sipadan entry fee currently $13 per day (may be subject to change) Equipment rental. Alcoholic beverages. Services not listed. Camera fees for use at national parks. Tips.

Access to Sipadan is restricted to 120 people per day and we will never know until on the day itself whether we can get you to the island, or if your snorkelling or diving will be on Kapalai / Mabul island. To increase your chances of visiting Sipadan itself, we can offer the option to be on a liveaboard motor yacht. This option adds £49 (diver) or £89 (non-diver) to the trip price, but we are currently able to take every one to Sipadan at least once who takes this option. The liveaboard also visits other islands in the area so you may also have the chance to visit Kapalai, Mabul and Si-Amal islands.

Day 1
Arrive in Kota Kinabalu. Transfer from airport to the Jesselton Hotel - a tastefully preserved boutique hotel.

Day 2
(B,L)
A day to see something of Kota Kinabalu, or if you wish we can take you on a guided exploration of Gaya and Manukan Islands in the Tunku Abdul Marine Park, or a day's white water rafting on the Padas River (for these trips add £58). Overnight at the Jesselton Hotel.

Day 3
(B,L,D)
Early morning flight to Tawau. Upon arrival, overland transfer to the coastal town of Semporna for the 45 minute speedboat ride to Kapalai or Mabul. Orientation & check-out dive after arrival.

Days 3 - 5
(B,L,D)
Daily diving on and around the sites of Sipadan, Mabul & Kapalai islands.

Day 6
(B,L,D)
Transfer back to Semporna by speedboat where you will be met and transferred privately overland to a jungle lodge in the Kabili Sepilok Forest Reserve.

Day 7
(B,L,D)
After an early breakfast, you will be transferred to Sandakan jetty for a 90 minute speedboat ride to Lankayan Island. Orientation & check-out dive after arrival.

Days 8 - 9
(B,L,D)
Daily boat diving around the sites of Lankayan Island.

Day 10
(B,L,D)
After breakfast, return to Sandakan jetty to meet your guide who will take you by speedboat to Selingan Island within the Turtle Island Marine Park. Relax and snorkel until the rangers call you in the evening to watch turtles laying eggs and baby turtles being released to the sea.

Day 11 *
(B,L)
Return to Sandakan and venture into the Sepilok Forest Reserve (home of the orangutans) to visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. A brief exploration of the local area is followed by your late afternoon flight back to Kota Kinabalu. Upon arrival, privately transferred to the Jesselton Hotel.

Day 12
(B)
Private transfer to airport for flight home and depart Kota Kinabalu.

*Alternative 14 itinerary for days 11 - 14 including rainforest exploration of the Kinbatangan River:

Day 11
(B,L,D)
Return to Sandakan by boat and venture into the Sepilok Forest Reserve (home of the orangutans) to visit the Sepilok rehabilitation centre. Continue by boat journey along the Kinabatangan River for exploration of the mangrove, wetland and rainforest habitats. Overnight is spent in a rainforest lodge.

Day 12
(B,L,D)
Continue your exploration and safari through the wilderness of the Kinabatangan Delta, viewing primates, birds and other wildlife. Overnight rainforest lodge.

Day 13
(B,L)
After breakfast return to Sandakan for brief exploration of the local area is followed by your late afternoon flight back to Kota Kinabalu. Upon arrival, privately transferred to the Jesselton Hotel. 

Day 14
(B)
Private transfer to airport for flight home and depart Kota Kinabalu.

Photographs kindly provided by David Slater, Ralph Pannell, Charlotte Caffrey, Alan Oh, SMART, Albert Teo, Andrew Oates, Nick Bramley, Lawrence Lee & PSR