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Why Kapalai?

view from the deck at kapalai resort

Kapalai is only some 18min speedboat ride away from sipadan and sits on a wide sandbar in the middle of the ocean. It seems a little odd at first that there is such a thing but having taken a 40min boatride from semporna to mabul, and having passed many water villages in the middle of the ocean. This is exactly the concept. The local fishermen's water villages are similar.located on sandbanks.

pygmy seahorse. pic courtesy of moti uttam nov 2006

Most stay here due to its proximity to Sipadan , but Kapalai has some good muck diving under it. This place is great for novices. It has gentle currents and shallow, warm waters. Depths are generally from 5m to 20m. Being far away from land, you can be quite sure there won't be mosquitoes at night to keep you awake. The water village is connected by wooden stilts and diving off it is hardly work.

Kapalai divesites

Rainy season is between mid December and mid February so bear in mind if you're thinking of getting away during Christmas. The nice thing about going during these months is that the crowds are manageable. Sometimes it may just be you and the divemaster on a dive - no rush, no hassles. We went in early March and although the vis wasn't too good and currents were pretty unpredictable plus the rains would catch up on us from nowhere, it was great for muck diving if micro is what you want. Good diving months are from months April till November. Best diving months is in July and August.

Mandarin Valley

mandarin fish at kapalai. pic courtesy of moti uttam. nov 2006

This is just off the jetty. As divers descend down a coral slope, bear in mind to keep to your left. This place is little gem despite the fact that many of the coral reef areas around Kapalai had been previously damaged by dynamite fishing, mandarin valley has been spared the brunt of the assault. The tiny creatures seem to be well camouflaged at first and novice divers would find it difficult to spot anything. After a few dives to orientate divers, it becomes a little easier to spot the stonefish, frogfish, nudibranchs, ghost pipefish, crayfish n its lair, a great variety of gobyfish, dartfish, lots of juveniles and as the evening sets, the mandarin fish comes out to play. Probably the most sought after fish for photography purposes, the mandarin fish is beautiful. Its striations and vibrant colours make a good portfolio for enthusiasts.

more on Mabul story...

Accommodation & Packages to North East Sabah ~ Tawau, Semporna, Mabul and Kapalai, Mataking, Sipadan , Lahad Datu & Tabin Wildlife Reserve

Malaysia Islands