Sipadan Island

Sipadan Island is located in the Celebes Sea, being the only oceanic island in Malaysia. It was formed thousands of years ago on top of an extinct volcanic cone; corals started growing there and so the island was born and got to rise 600 m from the seabed. The marine life here is one of the richest and most diverse in the world and the island is also known as a top dive site.

But what made Sipadan Island famous was a documentary made by Jacques Cousteau- a French naval officer, explorer, ecologist and also filmmaker and photographer- in 1989. The documentary was called “Borneo: The Ghost of the Sea Turtle”. Cousteau’s words about Sipadan were: “I have seen other places like Sipadan, 45 years ago, but now no more. Now we have found an untouched piece of art.”

In 1933 the island was recognized as a bird sanctuary and in 2004 all facilities on it were closed to preserve its wealth.  Sipadan’s rich and diverse marine life is not that awkward, since the centre of the Indo-Pacific basin, where Sipadan is found, is known to be the richest underwater habitat in the world.
Sipadan Island is also known for the very big amount of turtles that live here. Hence, it is pretty common for divers to see such specimens in their underwater journey. The island also protects over 3,000 species of fish and hundreds species of corals. Above water, Sipadan’s gross jungle is home for exotic birds, like the Grey Imperial-pigeon.
Tourists who come here are amazed by the island’s potential. For such a tiny island (12 ha), Sipadan is mesmerizing the world with its beauties. The island is considered by many people among the top five diving locations in the world; some even place it on the first position. Between January and August the water is so clear that visibility is over 30 meters. However, diving here is not for everyone. The strong currents can cause some real troubles to beginners; this is why guides take the easiest routes to accommodate those who lack diving skills.
To preserve this wonderful ecosystem, tourists must do whatever they can. Fishing is not allowed on Sipadan Island and nor is collecting corals or sand and dead shells. In addition, everyone who wants to visit Sipadan- diver or not- needs a special permit.
The climate here is equatorial and the temperatures do not vary too much during the year. Humidity is high, especially during the rainy season: November to February. The best time to visit Sipadan is between April and June, but if you want to surprise the miracle of turtles laying eggs on the beach, then you should visit between May and August. The water temperature varies between 26°C to 30°C during the year, so it is perfect for diving.

sumber: http://sipadanislanddiving.wordpress.com/