Scuba Diving in Kapalai is very easy and shallow. The dive sites are just a few minutes away from the resort. Average depth is around 15 meters and there is no or very light current. Water temperature is about 28 ° Celsius year round. There are 3 dives a day planned around Kapalai and in other islands depending on the demand. There is also unlimited shore diving.
Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cumidanciki/5511312123/
This place is like paradise for underwater photography with very good conditions and a great variety of macro subjects. You can do a night dive directly from the jetty at Mandarin Valley where you can find the famous Mandarin fish!
In this page you will find more detailed information about scuba diving in Kapalai, Sabah.
Table of contents
Dive Summary
At the jetty dive site, you will find 5 small wrecks to explore with good chances to spot barracudas, school of jack and potato groupers hiding inside the wrecks.
The mid reef dive site is famous for its pygmy seahorses around 25 m deep but this site is more suitable for advanced divers as current can be strong on this site.
It is also possible to take Padi diving courses here. As scuba diving is very easy, it is a great spot to get the Open water licence.
During your stay you will probably also go diving at the mythical island of Sipadan one of the diving around Mabul Island, just 5 min away by speed boat.
The most famous dive sites around Kapalai are:
Best time to Dive in Kapalai, Sabah
Kapalai is a year round diving destination. The best conditions run from April to October. From January to March, weather can be unsettled but nothing too bad.
Hot tip
- As there is just one resort on the Island, book your stay well in advance
Snorkelling in Kapalai, Sabah
Snorkelling around Kapalai is superb and very easy. You can snorkel from the wooden jetty. The best is to take a boat who will take you the best snorkelling spot around the sand bank.
Fishes and Coral
Fishes
Water around Kapalai is full of small creatures. It is a real paradise for macro lovers. You can spot many kinds of frog fishes, the superb flamboyant cuttlefish, the rare blue-ringed octopus and the strange mimic octopus. You can also see a mantis shrimp, as well as rare nudibranchs and the rare Harlequin ghost pipefish. Crabs are great too with the superb orangutan crab and spider crab.
Coral
Coral is good and colourful but is not really the focus point of diving in Kapalai. The shallow coral garden is perfect for snorkelling!
Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/barrypeters/3386316578/
Travel Guide
Now that you know all about the underwater world, you might want to start planning your scuba holiday! Check out our Kapalai, Sabah Travel Review for information about how to get there, activities and excursions, where to stay, and more.
Dive spots in Kapalai, Sabah
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Mid Reef dive site is situated a bit South of Mandarin Valley. Like all the diving around Kapalai Island, you can find...
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The Jetty dive site is also known as the House Reef or the Check Point. This an artificial reef constucted of metal structures...
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Mandarin Valley dive site is a must dive for macro and critter lovers! This gentle coral slope is located near The Jetty...
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Spotted Ray Channel is a sandy slope located Southwest of the reef slowly going down to 14 m deep. You can find here many...
User reviews
If you have been diving in this area, you can share your experience with other divers by posting your Dive Review in the comments below:
If you have any other feedback or updated information about this destination, please leave a comment. We regularly improve our Diving reviews after reviewing your feedback!
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