Diving in Kapalai

Life on a Sandbank

Kapalai is a shallow reef upon which sits a stilted resort located around 20 minutes from Malaysian dive mecca, Sipadan. Kapalai diving is more than just going to Sipadan every day and also offers a lot of its own sites, some of which can be accessed by striding off the resort's own diving platform.

The beautiful wooden resort looks more like people's idea of honeymooner's favourite the Maldives, than like Borneo and there is something undeniably romantic about falling asleep with the sea breeze wafting in through your cabin as the shallow water gently laps below. To think that there is so much life and activity going on right below you is something unique to diving at Kapalai.

There are several great sites within easy reach of the resort whether they be small walls, shallow reefs or sandy flats with little rocky outcrops where life seems to be concentrated. Like Mabul, some people come to dive only Sipadan and find themselves choosing to dive frequently at Kapalai to enjoy the fascination that muck diving here creates.

Highlights

Mandarin Valley - Living right on top of a reef is Kapalai's chief feature and that you can dive some excellent critter sites by simply striding off the resort is worth a special mention. Crocodilefish, frogfish, mantis shrimps and cuttlefish all live near your room and can be easily seen at this site. However if you drop in at sunset you can witness the sexual union of several pairs of beautiful mandarinfish!

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How to Dive Kapalai

The resorts of Mabul Island also run trips here as their third dive of the day so you don't have to stay on Kapalai to dive here. However if you do stay in Kapalai Resort you can dive here every day (and night) if you wish.

Diving Season

The year round settled conditions and constant water temperature mean that the diving sites here can be dived all year round. The best time is probably between March and October outside which time the visibility may vary, although you don't need much visibility to wonder at the small creatures that live around here.

Reef Summary

Great for: Small animals and beginner divers
Not so great for: Non-diving activities
Depth: 5 - 20m
Visibility: 5 - 15m
Currents: Gentle
Surface Conditions: Can be a little choppy
Water Temperature: 26 - 30°C
Experience Level: Beginner - advanced
Number of dive sites: 18
Access: Dive resorts
Recommended length of stay: 5 - 14 days, including the Sipadan, Kapalai and Mabul sites

Dive Site Descriptions

For more information on the detailed Kapalai dive sites:

• Kapalai tourist information

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• Sabah - Borneo  -  Malaysia Peninsula

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