Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Why YOU should dive Sipadan, Sabah


“I have seen other places like Sipadan, 45 years ago, but now, no more. Now, we have found again an untouched piece of art…” - Jacques-Yves Cousteau

Jacques Cousteau, often referred to as the “father” of scuba diving, was enraptured with Sipadan. It must have be a burning question for many divers who have not dived in Sipadan yet, “Why the buzz about Sipadan?”

Sipadan is located within the Coral Triangle, which is known as the global centre of marine biodiversity with more than 3000 species of fish and hundreds of coral species. In addition to that, it is the only oceanic island in Mlalaysia, rising 600m from the seabed.

It was formed by living coral growing on top of an extinct volcano that took thousands of years to develop. As such, Sipadan hosts a variety of dive sites for all levels of divers.

Diving in Sipadan – Dive Sites & Marine Life

Barracuda Point

Have you seen these magnificent photos circulating on your Facebook before? We aren’t surprised if you find them familiar. Living by her name, Barracuda Point is known for its large schools of barracuda. Hundreds of barracuda congregate here and if you’re lucky, you get to see them forming a whirling tornado of fish.

Barracuda take the centre-stage while the hard and soft corals, black tip reef sharks, bump-head parrotfish, eagle rays, and triggerfish take the role of backup dancers.

Turtle Cavern

“Diving the Turtle Tomb” Have you heard that before from your friends who just went diving in Sipadan? Turtle Cavern, also know as the Turtle Tomb is probably the most talked-about site. Stories have been told that these caves can get deep, dark and narrow, where many of the curious turtles might have wandered into, losing their way and, unable to find their way to the surface, drowned.

Turtle skeletons were also said to be found commonly within. Eerie or not? Take a plunge into the Turtle Cavern (not into the deep caves unless you are certified!) and find out for yourself! Just outside the caverns, green and hawksbill turtles gracefully swimming around are a common sight.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Why YOU should dive Sipadan, Sabah
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