Like in the case of any trip, before you go to the Sipadan Island there are some things you should know. You will see for yourself that this is the perfect location for amazing diving experiences, but how do you get there, first of all? What do you need to know about the Sipadan Island so that the trip turns into the best one ever?
- First of all, you should know that the island is located in the Celebes Sea, near the coast of Borneo. Getting there is not that difficult. You will need to fly to Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia and then get to the island, or choose a flight to the island of Borneo and afterwards to Sipadan. In fact, you should know that the only way to get to the island is by boat. The good thing is that there are many ferries that take tourists on the island each day.
- Next, consider the accommodation arrangements. For well justified reasons, the Malaysian government doesn't allow tourists to stay on the island. In fact, since 2005, building hotels or hostels on the island has been completely forbidden. This way, the authorities hope to preserve the natural beauty of the place and the many unique flora and fauna species. This is not at all an impediment, since the islands nearby offer visitors excellent accommodation for all tastes and budgets. The trip to the Sipadan Island from the nearby resorts takes only a few minutes by ferry, so this should not be a problem.
- You need a permit for diving. To avoid overcrowding and possible damages to the environment, the government limited the number of dive permits to 120 per day. To make sure you get to enjoy your trip, you should talk to the travel agent or the resort personnel to find out all the details about this permit and how you can purchase it. You should know that these permits are given on a first come, first served basis.
- Payment options. Start by exchanging your money into the Malaysian currency. With around three USD you can buy one Malaysian Ringgit. Using the national currency is the only way you can make payments. You can also use your credit card in most places, except, obviously, for the Sipadan Island where there is nothing to buy because all the resorts have been closed. For the same reason, all tourists have to bring with them their own food and water when going on a trip to Sipadan. However, if you choose full packages, the resort personnel can provide you with everything you need. This is why most tourists choose packages to benefit the most from this unique experience.
More and more people nowadays choose this location for their diving trips. Their decision is fully justified, since the place can offer everything that a diver wants: a beautiful scenery, many things to see, professional people who can help discover the natural beauties of the place and many other things that turn the Sipadan Island into a small paradise on earth.
