Asian Geographic - 08.2018

PHOTOS © SHUTTERSTOCK

Lying off the coast of Borneo is Sipadan,

Malaysia’s only oceanic island. A contender

for the world’s best dive site, the mushroom-

shaped barrier reef here is Southeast Asia’s

largest and houses over 3,000 fish species. Sea

turtles here can grow up to three metres long.

No resorts operate on the island, and there’s a

daily limit of 120 divers to preserve the reef, so

permits should be applied for well in advance.

Those with Cavern Diver certification can

explore Turtle Cavern – made famous by

Jacques-Yves Cousteau in his documentary

Borneo: The Ghost of the Sea Turtle –

MALAYSIA

Dive Asia’s Greatest

Barrier Reef

WHEN

April to October

WHERE

Sipadan Island

HOW

From Tawau Airport, take a

car to Semporna, then hop

on a boat to stay at nearby

Mabul Island

EXPERIENCE

DIVING

Sipadan

Island

and marvel at the same mysteries that the

renowned French oceanographer did 30

years ago. Inside lies a macabre chamber of

skeletons belonging to turtles and dolphins

that became disoriented, got lost in the

tunnels, and drowned.

After an exhilarating dive, tuck into

charcoal-grilled meat skewers, or satay,

brushed with oil and honey. They taste

divine dipped in peanut sauce and the usual

accoutrements: cucumber wedges, onions and

rice cakes. Due to the skewers’ small size, big

eaters can wallop up to 20 sticks in one sitting.

above (left to right) A

sea turtle, nudibranch

and porcelain crab

top A school of

jackfish swim by the

reef, which houses

over 3,000 fish species

MALAYSIA