Diving Sipadan

Sipadan island (North-Western Celebes sea) was disputed between Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Since 2002 Sipadan island belongs officially to Malaysia. Therefore, the 2000 hostage crisis in which divers and local staff were kidnapped and brought to Jolo in the Philippines happened on no man's island. Today, the island is heavily patrolled by Malaysia's navy and navy check points are established on the island. The island is also protected from too much human interference to preserve the unique underwater habitat. No more resorts are allowed on the island, and scuba diving is regulated by permits.

Photo above: Leopard shark

Photo above: whitetip reef sharks

Photo above: Qualli and turtle

Photo above: tight school of Jacks

All photos from Sipadan island, October 2007. Surely, Sipadan is one of the best scuba diving destinations in the world.