AffffiTh-PThfiffiflffifi BThffi J/Aff 187turtle conservation and protection efforts. Leatherback turtles are sighted
frequently on beaches as they lay their eggs. Night turtle watch activities
can be pre-arranged and as well as interesting diving sites for underwater
exploration. APS superyacht agency reports it is best to anchorage
overnight at the west side of the island during a stopover.
Cruising to the internationally famous island of Sipadan, lying five
degrees north of the equator in the Sulawesi Sea (Celebes Sea), is an
island thickly forested and surrounded by sandy beaches. Living corals
growing on top of an extinct undersea volcano form the oceanic island.
Situated in the Indo-Pacific basin, Sipadan is a small 12-hectare land
mass 35km south of Semporna in the southeast coast of Sabah.
The geographic position of Sipadan puts it in the centre of the richest
marine habitat in the world, the heart of the Indo-Pacific basin. The
island is a spot of green rising from a seabed in an ocean of pure blue off
the east coast of Sabah, Borneo.More than 3,000 species of fish and hundreds of coral species
have been classified in this richest of ecosystems. The diversity and
abundance of marine life gives the island its reputation of being
known as one of the world’s top five most exclusive and renowned dive
destinations. Hugely diverse and beautiful, there are 12 popular dive
sites to explore on the mushroom-shaped island.
Thousands of species of fish and hundreds of species of living corals
exist there due to the richness and uniqueness of the island’s habitat.
Declared a natural sanctuary as early as 1933, Sipadan is a turtle and
shark haven – home to green turtles, hawksbill, white-tip sharks, reef
sharks and black-tip sharks.
The Borneo destination can handle yachts up to 100m and most
superyachts launch trips to the islands from Kota Kinabalu. Once
checked into Malaysia, the cruising permits are processed. Fuelling is
also best done in Kota Kinabalu, which has the most competitive fuel
price in this region.
It’s not necessary to stop at any ports along the way; however, for
duty-free alcohol a stopover in Labuan, south of Kota Kinabalu, is
recommended. Labuan is a duty-free port so a stop is worthwhile for
stocking up on alcohol/beer and good quality wine.
Borneo and Sabah’s cruising grounds offer incredible adventures and
memorable experiences.
http://www.asia-pacific-superyachts.com
http://www.visitborneo.com
http://www.sarawaktourism.com
http://www.sabahtourism.com
http://www.suteraharbour.com
http://www.wildlife.sabah.gov.my
http://www.sipadan.com
http://www.actionasia.comPHOTO: GILBERT WOOLLEY / SCUBAZOO.COM
Pit ViperProbiscus MonkeyOrang-UtanPit ViperPHOTO: JASON ISLEY / SCUBAZOO.COMPHOTO: GILBERT WOOLLEY / SCUBAZOO.COM