Celebes Sea near Semporna, Malaysia

Diving Kapalai Island

A Sand Bank that Disappears at High Tides Offers Lots of Macro and Reef Life

The abundance of small strange looking creatures at Kapalai Island, make it one of the premier macro dive sites in the world. Originally popular for its proximity to Sipadan, Kapalai Island is now appreciated in its own right. Kapalai offers plenty of unique creatures including blue ring octopus, stone fish, and ghost pipefish. However, if you must see sharks and turtles on your trip Sipadan is just 15 kilometres on an easy 20 minute boat ride. Easily accessible, Kapalai is 30 kilomters south of Semporna town, a trip that can be easily completed in 45 minutes.

Contrasting pair of Warty Frogfish having a stroll.

Contrasting pair of Warty Frogfish having a stroll.

The dive sites surrounding Kapalai Island are all extremely close – reachable within a few minutes by boat or, for some, by jumping off the island’s pier. Divers have plenty to choose from with over 20 dive sites surrounding the island, however some sites are certainly more popular than others. Beautiful coral reefs, swirling schools of fish, strange hidden creatures, and wrecked boats all await you under the sea.

Kapalai Island, a sand bank that is hidden underwater at high tides.

Kapalai Island, a sand bank that is hidden underwater at high tides.

Two hundred years ago Kapalai was a beautiful island covered in lush green vegetation. Years of erosion have turned the island into a small sandbank that is now only visible at low tides. This only emphasizes the marine experience for most visitors who quite enjoy staying at a resort that rests on stilts above the water.

Brightly coloured Pink Leaf Fish.

Brightly coloured Pink Leaf Fish.

The Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort is the only accommodation on this island and the beautiful wooden architecture of this resort complements the aquatic beauty surrounding it.

Notable Dive Sites

Kapalai Island dive sites.

Kapalai Island dive sites.

House Reef/ The Jetty

You don’t have to travel far from the island for excitement. Right off the island’s jetty are five small wrecks bursting with marine life. These small fishing boats lie at the bottom of the reef’s slope at about 18 meters depth. Closely clustered together the boats are only 10 meters or so apart from each other. Schools of grouper and snapper swim overhead as camouflaged stonefish hide among the boat corners. Be sure to look among the wrecks’ nooks for orangutan crabs, nudibranchs, and shrimps.

Trevallies are often seen at the House Reef.

Trevallies are often seen at the House Reef.

Mandarin Valley

Perhaps the most famous of Kapalai’s dive sites, Mandarin Valley is a macro paradise. Take it slow and look along the reef for harlequin ghost pipefish, frog fish, and leaf fish. Lucky divers may catch a glimpse of the incredibly rare and beautifully colored mandarin fish. These small creatures tend to hide under the spines of sea urchins during the day but at night you can see the mandarin fish perform their mating dance. This dive site has a maximum depth of 20 meters.

A pair of mating Mandarinfishes.

A pair of mating Mandarinfishes.

Sweetlips Table

A few minutes to the northwest of the island, this dive site is known for its schools of sweetlips fish. The Oriental Sweetlips is recognized by its distinctive yellow face, black and white striped body, and polka-dotted tail. Although it tends to feed at night, this unique looking fish can certainly be seen during the day. Also be sure to look among the coral for nudibranchs, morays, and shrimps.

Frontier Reef

Also north of the island this beautifully colored reef is home to plenty of unique creatures. You will certainly feel like you are conquering new frontiers as you find frog fish, leaf fish, nudibranchs, and shrimps that are seldom seen elsewhere in the world.

Denise Pygmy Seahorse acting inconspicuous.

Denise Pygmy Seahorse acting inconspicuous.

Mantis Ground

Another haven for macro diving, this site is filled with nudibranchs, anemone crabs, shrimps, and leaf fish. Yet the creature this site is known for is the rare and somewhat ferocious looking mantis shrimp. Named for its similar appearance to the terrestrial praying mantis this colourful creature can grow up to 30 centimetres in length. Also known as ‘thumb-splitters’ this creature’s strong claws are capable of crushing prey or an unwary diver’s fingers. The mantis shrimp has also been known to break the glass of aquariums. The Mantis Ground dive site reaches 19 meters in depth.

Mantis Shrimps can see 12 channels of colours. (We can only see 3.)

Mantis Shrimps can see 12 channels of colours. (We can only see 3.)

Mid Reef

The current at this dive site can be quite strong so hang on to the ball line as you descend. This dive site reaches a depth of 25 meters and is best for experienced divers given the strong current. A visit is definitely worthwhile though as this dive site is known for its pygmy seahorses hidden among the branches of the coral reef.

Flambo Reef

Be sure to look for the brilliant coloured flamboyant cuttlefish as you dive around Kapalai Island. This incredible creature comes in hues of purple, pink, and yellow and is able to rapidly change its color to confuse predators or prey. Also be sure to look for blue ringed octopus, lionfish, and crocodile fish as you swim around this dive site.

Flamboyant Cuttlfish have poor buyancy and will always sink to the bottom.

Flamboyant Cuttlfish have poor buyancy and will always sink to the bottom.)

Best Time to Visit

Best times Water temperature
March to October26°C - 30°C (79°F - 86°F)

Kapalai diving is open all year round however visibility is best during the dry season which starts in March and ends in October.

Dive Resorts

Mabul Water Bungalows

Mabul Water Bungalows

$$$$

From $1,889 to $2,827 / diver twin share for 7 days 6 nights.

From $1,280 to $1,940 / non-diver twin share for 7 days 6 nights.

This dive resort will bring divers to Sipadan Island, Mabul Island, and Kapalai Island .

Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort

Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort

$$$$

From $1,778 / diver twin share for 7 days 6 nights.

From $1,329 / non-diver twin share for 7 days 6 nights.

This dive resort will bring divers to Sipadan Island, Mabul Island, and Kapalai Island .

Sipadan-Mabul Resort

Sipadan-Mabul Resort

$$$$$$$$

From $1,428 to $1,594 / diver twin share for 7 days 6 nights.

From $1,121 to $1,368 / non-diver twin share for 7 days 6 nights.

This dive resort will bring divers to Sipadan Island, Mabul Island, and Kapalai Island .

Seaventures Dive Rig

Seaventures Dive Rig

$$$$$$$$

From $1,352 to $1,639 / diver twin share for 7 days 6 nights.

From $1,023 to $1,303 / non-diver twin share for 7 days 6 nights.

This dive resort will bring divers to Sipadan Island, Mabul Island, and Kapalai Island .

Sipadan Water Village Resort

Sipadan Water Village Resort

$$$$$$$$

From $1,540 / diver twin share for 7 days 6 nights.

From $856 / non-diver twin share for 7 days 6 nights.

This dive resort will bring divers to Sipadan Island, Mabul Island, and Kapalai Island .

Borneo Divers Mabul Resort

Borneo Divers Mabul Resort

$$$$

From $1,317 / diver twin share for 6 days 5 nights.

From $965 / non-diver twin share for 6 days 5 nights.

This dive resort will bring divers to Sipadan Island, Mabul Island, and Kapalai Island .