Coral Garden (Sipadan)
Also known as: Coral Gardens
Best time to dive
March to June; September to November; January to February; December to February
What you might see
- Grey reef sharkLikely
- Manta rayLikely
- Sea turtleLikely
Sightings are seasonal probabilities, not promises - even in peak season nature does its own thing.
Certification & difficulty
Open Water - advanced conditions (currents/depth); dive within your training.
Snorkelling
Snorkel-friendly - Popular snorkel site; intermediate difficulty due to current/rough boat transfers, turtles commonly seen within minutes, schools of sergeant majors and Moorish idols
Safety notes
Currents, drop-off/wall proximity, rough boat transfers, no independent diving allowed
Permits & fees
Sipadan permit required (Sabah Parks): only 176 dive permits issued per day across licensed operators, 2 dives per diver per day (2023 rule); book 6-12 months ahead in peak season; longer stays (4+ nights) improve permit odds; permits allocated to licensed operators such as Scuba Junkie, North Borneo Dive, Bharman Sipadan, Noble Inworld and others (16 operators, 6 permits each)
Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.
Location
Nearest hub: Semporna
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand dive report. Coordinates are approximate.