Sipadan Island Park (Pulau Sipadan)

Sipadan Island Park protects one of Sabah's most distinctive marine environments. Rising from deep water off Semporna, the island is surrounded by reef walls and dive sites known for coral life, schooling fish, reef sharks and sea turtles. Conditions and sightings vary, so an encounter with any particular species is never guaranteed. The island is best understood as a regulated marine-conservation destination, not a public beach where visitors can arrive independently.

Day visits must be arranged through an authorised operator with a Sabah Parks permit. Divers should confirm the required certification, the permitted number of dives, their assigned departure point, boat transfers and any weather-related changes before paying. Sabah Tourism and operators identify Advanced Open Water certification as the expected minimum for scuba diving, but the current individual requirements must be verified at booking. Access for non-divers and snorkellers also needs specific operator confirmation.

There is no overnight accommodation on Sipadan itself. Visitors generally stay in Semporna or on nearby islands, such as Mabul, and take an arranged boat trip. Sabah Parks publishes separate conservation and scuba-diving charges; a tour operator's package price may also include boats, equipment and services. Ask for a written breakdown rather than assuming every park charge is covered.

Important seasonal notice (checked 10 November 2026): Several current dive operators state that Sipadan is closed to tourism from 1 to 30 November 2026 for conservation, with activities expected to resume on 1 December 2026. An older Sabah Tourism page still refers to a December closure, so visitors must confirm the applicable closure dates and permit availability with Sabah Parks or a registered operator before making travel plans. Do not treat either year's future closure schedule as permanent.

Practical visitor notes: Advance booking is essential; permits and departures are subject to availability and sea conditions. Follow the operator's briefing, stay within your qualifications, avoid touching corals or wildlife, and bring necessary identification and certification documents. This is distinct from the separately listed Mabul Island and Tun Sakaran Marine Park attractions.

Sources / 资料来源: Sabah Parks: Sipadan Island Park · Sabah Parks: Diving and fees · Sabah Parks: Contact · Sabah Tourism · Sekawan Travel: 2026 closure · Borneo Divers: Closure guidance · Mabul Island

西巴丹岛海洋公园位于仙本那外海，四周海底地形急速下降，形成富有特色的珊瑚礁壁。这里因海龟、成群鱼类、珊瑚和其他海洋生物而受到潜水爱好者关注。不过，海流、水下能见度和野生动物活动每天都会变化，不能保证看到特定海洋生物。西巴丹是受到严格管理的海洋保育区，并非可以自行搭船登岛的普通海滩。

计划前往西巴丹的访客应先通过获认可的潜水或旅游业者安排沙巴公园局入岛许可。潜水者需提前确认潜水证照资格、当天允许的潜水次数、集合及出船地点、交通安排，以及天气变化可能带来的影响。现有旅游资料一般要求水肺潜水者至少持有进阶开放水域（Advanced Open Water）或同等资格，实际规定仍应以预订时的沙巴公园局及业者通知为准。若只想浮潜或不参与潜水，也必须事先确认是否能够获准入岛。

西巴丹岛本身不提供过夜住宿。 旅客通常住在仙本那镇或马布岛等邻近岛屿，再参加事先安排的出海行程。沙巴公园局分别公布保育费及水肺潜水费，但船费、装备及其他服务可能另外计算；建议预订时向业者索取明确收费明细。

重要季节提醒（核查日期：2026年11月10日）： 多家目前营运的潜水业者公布，西巴丹岛将于2026年11月1日至30日暂停旅游活动进行海洋保育，预计2026年12月1日恢复。沙巴旅游局较旧的网页仍写着12月休岛，资料存在冲突。订机票、住宿或潜水配套前，务必向沙巴公园局或获认可业者再次核实休岛日期及许可名额，不要把任何一年的休岛安排当成永远不变的规则。

访客须知： 必须提前预订；许可、出船及活动均可能受到海况影响。请遵守潜导指示，不触摸珊瑚或野生动物，并携带身份证明及适用的潜水资格文件。本景点与已收录的马布岛及敦沙卡兰海洋公园属于不同的地点与游览安排。