Sipadan (Malay: Pulau Sipadan) is the only oceanic island in Malaysia, located in the Celebes Sea off the east coast of Sabah. Sipadan was formed by living corals growing on top of an extinct volcanic cone that took thousands of years to develop.
Rising 600 metres from the seabed, Sipadan is located at the heart of the Indo-Pacific basin, the centre of one of the richest marine habitats in the world.
More than 400 species of fish and hundreds of coral species have been classified in the coral reefs around Sipadan.
Sipadan is surrounded by underwater cliffs, since the cliffs are perpendicular with the seabed, they are not interfered by fisheries or diving activities, so the corals on the cliffs are well preserved.
The corals on the cliffs are mainly soft corals. Unlike stony corals, most soft corals thrive in nutrient-rich waters with less intense light, they may be brightly coloured, often purple, red, or yellow.
Sipadan is a nature reserve, the number of tourists is strictly restricted, you need to apply for a diving permit if you want to dive here.
