Sipadan Island, a world renowned diving spot, attracts lots of divers around the world. Hence, I came.
The small town Semporna has become the hub of all scuba operators for activities around the adjacent islands. The nearest Tawau Airport was 1.5 hr drive away. No shuttle bus prevailed. The tourist traffic is relatively low and majority is foreigners, probably this explains why the private transportation companies charged fairly high price.
The town was small but all basic facilities were available. Most places were within walking distance. All luxurious exclusive hotels set their base on the islands (except Sipadan) while the economic options were found on the mainland.
Walking around, I was upset by the dirtiness which could hardly be linked to tourist spot. Rubbish floated on the shore - even at the resort, the pungent stinky rotten sea products smell enveloped the jetty and market. The empty broken seashells were disposed right back to the sea. I asked around, what was the reason? There were many floating villages along the shore, accommodated mostly the early stage immigrants from Philippines and fishermen. The sanitary system and dumping area were not well planned and enforced. Environment conscience evidently was not fostered. The rubbish and discharge were poured straight into the sea habitually, sadly.
I liked the small town feel, kinda fun and nostalgic to move around seeing the old-fashioned buildings. Don’t miss the visit to the floating villages. No permission was needed, people might throw curious eyes to the foreigners but a smile said it all, was a beautiful place for photographing. Beware not to step on the missing or broken plank woods on the platform. You wouldn’t be able to recover your slippers or any.
Foods were so-so, alcoholic beverage was fairly cheap. KaraOK and bars were available, but in general the entertainment was quite dull.
02-Mar, heavy rain pour started in the midnight, luckily it turned drizzling around 8am but the thick dark clouds still hung low in the sky. Boat departed at 9am, 7 divers with 2 dive masters, 1 hr chilly journey to Sipadan island on the fairly rough sea. 3 dives to be arranged on this day.
Frankly I had forgotten a few procedures as my last dive was done exactly 2 years ago, no big deal. The first 2 dives at “White Tip Avenue” and “Barracuda Point” were not special. Water was a bit milky due to overnight rain. Not much big fishes, many turtles and white-tip sharks. Disappointed for not seeing school of barracudas (was said easy to find at this spot). The last dive, we were led to the famous “Turtle Cave”, but was only allowed to stay at the entrance. Was fun, first kind of my experience. Best of all, school of jacks around us! The most amazing dive I ever had!
There are several other islands in this area (e.g. Mataking, Mabul, Pom Pom) worth exploring too.
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| Kids in front of the market. |
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| Busy jetty but stinky. |
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| Huge clamps, must be delicious, empty shells scattered around. The old women asked me for some money. |
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| Sea gypsy, nomads on the sea. |
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| Hammering the shell extracting the fresh. |
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| Dragon Inn, the chalets are on the sea. |
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| Broken and empty shells were disposed around the jetty, foul smell. |
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| Poor kids' toys - plastic bags. |
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| An eatery inside the market. |
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| Jetty's platform. |
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| Waiting for the boat at jetty. Lots of Filipino illegal immigrants in this town. 2hr speedboat ride would bring you back to Phlippines. |
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| Skillful kid maneuvering the boat. |
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| Porters with wheelbarrow are seen everywhere to help transporting goods. |
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| A view inside the dry market. |
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| Kid porter with his wheelbarrow. |
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| Unisex beauty saloon. |
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| Effigies with scarf. |
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| Standard shot - mirror reflection in a barber shop, note the lady fully covered in black. |
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| Old time studio with air-conditioned. |
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| Barber shop RM5 for haircut. |
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| A few rows of shops form the downtown of Semporna. |
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| Grafitti - Semporna Unity. |
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| Chalets on stilts, belong to Dragon Inn. |
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| Restaurant - seafood is kept alive, but rubbish floating around. |
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| Kids posing for my camera. Every kid is a good swimmer. |
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Dry market on the left, wet market on the right.
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Yellow rice, served with fried fish.
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Mabul Cafe, catered to the foreigners mostly, not expensive, internet cafe is available.
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I booked my trip with this scuba operator - Sipadan Scuba.
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A view of floating village.
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Kids playing game on the platform.
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Drying stingrays and sea cucumbers.
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Dried seafood market.
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Sharks jaws, for decoration i guess.
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Floating village, see the rubbish.
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Local transport.
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Arrrrhhhh.... look at the spare teeth.
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Drying sea cucumbers & sharks fins - gosh... were baby sharks.
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Hawker stall in the fishing village.
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Taking a rest.
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She was not camera shy.
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HK's Mongkok has a sport shoes street, here too.
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Grilling seafoods, hygienic aspect shuold be improved.
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Grilled seafoods, quite cheap, but not for me, I don't eat fish. I know these fishes are expensive in Kuala Lumpur.
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Plenty of money lenders in Semporna.
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Mosque, a small one.
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Snookering is a popular entertainment & game in Semporna.
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Walking into a floating village, this one has a broad paved bridge.
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A view of floating village.
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Living on the sea.
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A view of floating village.
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She (right) has big eyes, her mom explained because she watched cartoon during pragnancy.
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Kids.
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Bridge to the floating village.
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Kids on board, they asked me to photogrpah them.
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Just arrived at Sipadan Island, our speedboat and equipment.
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White sand beach on Sipadan Island.
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Jetty on Sipadan Island.
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| Resting hall & public toilet for public convenience. |
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| I think this was the masterpiece of sand flies, both my arms full of bumps. |
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| These last 4 underwater photos are extracted from internet, not mine. Just want to show you the beauty of "Turtle Cave". School of jacks was seen. |
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| The entrance to Turtle Cave. |
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| The floating sign to warn the divers. |
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| Mysterious world. |
