What does a Sipadan permit mean for you?

Pulau Sipadan is reached by speedboat in about 45 minutes from Semporna town in calm seas ^[1]. There has been no accommodation on the island since it became a marine park in 2004 ^[1].

That shapes everything: you stay elsewhere, and the operator books a permit for each diver. This page explains what that means for your plan.

Our guide to Sipadan permits and what they mean for choosing goes deeper, and the cost calculator helps with the sums.

Who is Sipadan a better fit for?

Sipadan is a better fit if you dive and are willing to plan well ahead around a permit you cannot arrange yourself. It suits certified divers who care about the dive site more than the beach. It suits you less if you want to snorkel from a sandy shore, read on a deckchair or keep dates flexible.

Another island is a better fit if you want to stay on the island you visit. The nearby Pulau Mabul is one of the two islands closest to Sipadan, with stays of its own ^[5]. Our guide on choosing a Semporna island covers the choice of base.

How are permits booked?

Permits are booked by dive or tour operators at Sabah Parks headquarters in Kota Kinabalu or at the Semporna office, up to six months ahead. A 50 percent deposit is due, and the full payment two weeks before ^[3]. Cancelling more than two weeks ahead keeps 10 percent, and cancelling within two weeks forfeits it all ^[3].

Sabah Parks lists 42 registered operators ^[3]. Ask yours whether the permit is confirmed before you pay, and read our guide on what a Sipadan permit means in a package.

What do the fees cost?

Sabah Parks lists a conservation fee of RM50 for Malaysians and RM100 for international visitors ^[2]. The scuba fee is RM250 for Malaysians and RM350 for international visitors ^[2]. The page asks you to confirm before travel.

A 2018 operator notice gave a daily quota of 120 divers and a permit fee of RM148.40 ^[4]. That is dated and not on the current Sabah Parks pages, so do not treat it as a present limit or price.

How do you get there?

Most visitors go through Semporna jetty, and from Tawau airport the road takes about 75 minutes ^[6]. Sipadan is about 45 minutes by speedboat from Semporna town in calm seas ^[1]. Our guide on the Semporna jetty and the nearby islands explains the route.

When is the season?

Research did not find season dates for the dive sites, and our guide on Sabah islands, seasons and permits explains how to ask. Always ask your operator what happens if the permit date is lost to weather.

What should you ask before you book?

• Is the permit confirmed, for which dates, and in whose name?
• Which fees are in the price, and which are separate?
• Where do I stay, and how long is the boat each day?
• Which dives are included, and what level of certificate is needed?
• What are the deposit, payment and cancellation terms?