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A few minutes by boat from the islands of Sipadan and Mabul but a full world away from them lies the exhilarating Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort, sitting on its sturdy stilts on the shallow sandbanks of the Ligitan Reefs. Planned and built in full style as an airy, comfortable, sunny water village with no land in sight, it boasts a mile-long sandbank of powdery white sand where one can suntan at complete leisure while gazing out to the miles of brilliant turquoise stretching into the horizon offering the purest image of natural serenity. Dive spots are extremely close and can be reached in just a few minutes by speedboat and some of them, actually, just by swimming from the dive center pier. For those who are ready to explore more than the tiny marvels of Kapalai’s macro life, can, in just a few minutes, dive in Sipadan (where big fish and turtles abound) or in Mabul (where silky and muddy bottoms offer different and equally pleasant experiences and opportunities to the lovers of “muck diving”). With a combination of sun and water in a unique and serene setting with friendly staff, Sipadan-Kapalai is an ideal destination for diver and non diver alike seeking a great holiday experience! Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort is accessible through Semporna, Sabah Malaysia where our Pulau Sipadan Resort and Tours jetty office is. Advance Booking is necessary to avoid any inconveniences. Booking can be made through the inquiry form in these sites.
Diving around Kapalai is exceedingly easy and shallow but quite spectacular: the sandy bottom and the spare coral heads host an amazing array of small, often yet-to-be classified, shamelessly colorful subjects, making the diving here an unforgettable experience. Home to the weird and techno-colored flamboyant cuttlefish rumbling on the bottom like a miniature tank rippling with fluorescent waves of vermilion, purple, chocolate brown, bright yellow and blinding white, all the time waving and flourishing its paddle-shaped front tentacles like some samurai of yore, looking more like a sensuous orchid than a predatory cephalopod ; it is the domain of the invisible frogfish found in Kapalai in all sorts of shapes, sizes and colors- which despite sometimes being as large as a melon will often escape even from the most trained of wildlife spotters. Swimming, creeping, crawling or just simply lying still on the surrounding sand bottoms, hiding among the branching colonies of the shallow surrounding coral reef, ambushing their unwary prey from the hideouts offered by the resort stilts and a few artificial reefs dotting the bottom, an amazing number of rare and unbelievably colorful species play their game of life and death, offering discrim nating visitor unsurpassed opportunities for interesting observation and macro photography for any discerning photographerThough diving is the highly commended activity in Kapalai, there are other water activities one can indulge in such as swimming, snorkeling as well as ocean kayaking while looking at the many colorful fishes swimming freely just a few inches beneath
Innovative in concept with a touch of traditional Kampung (means ‘village’ in Malay Language) design; Kapalai’s chain of chalets are all linked by miles of wooden walkways for those who like to take their morning jog while looking at thousands of fish swimming just a few feet beneath. “Broadband Internet Access, satellite phone, fresh water from mainland, free from mosquitoes & flies” are some of the words uttered by our customers.All 59 wooden chalets offering twin and triple sharing accommodation are attached with a cleverly thought-out balcony which offers the total sought out privacy by the lovers of sunbathing and sun tanning. Chalets are also equipped with bathrooms with shower and bathtub, basic toiletries, coffee and tea making facilities and 220 volts electrical points. From the windows of the elegant and spacious rooms, one can spend endless hours looking at the sea as if it has a life on its own just dancing to its never ending tune just a couple of feet below. As for dining, enjoy a sumptuous meal served in buffet style under the terraced, open central structure. A big western sundeck with sitting area allows divers to have an evening drink or an after-dive chat with a view of Kapalai’s fabulous tropical sunset. It is also the perfect place to share your underwater images and videos after dive. Others enjoy reading while immerse in the cooling sea breeze of Kapalai. Other resort facilities includes dive centre which provides diving, snorkeling and kayaking gears and equipment for rental, souvenir shop, game room and internet access. For those who are yet to venture into diving sports but would love to; our PADI Dive Instructors offer a variety of PADI courses here at Kapalai, including:
PADI International Resort Association Our PADI Dive Instructors offer a variety of PADI courses here at Kapalai, which are as follows.
1. Discover Scuba Diving
2. Open Water
3. Advanced Open Water
4. Introduction to Night Diving
