Kapalai Island
a great reef & resort near Mabul and Sipadan

Kapalai and Mabul Islands are areas with interesting "macro dives" and are also near to Sipadan Island. A limited number of "access slots" are available to the several resort operators on Mabul and Kapalai/Mabul are close enough to Sipadan that day trips are not arduous.

Kapalai has some interesting "macro" dives and is also near to Mabul & Sipadan Island which are reknown for their world's top dive spots.

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The diverse population of corals support hundreds of species of colourful coral dwelling fish and invertebrates and are intermingled with several species of molluscs including giant clams. Octopus can also be found here. Sponges and crinoids are found intermingled with corals or near coral patches and so are several species of marine algae (seaweeds). In or near the habitats created by these one finds a wide variety of interesting creatures including photographers’ favourites such as nudibranchs, lionfish, shrimp, lobsters, anemones, anemone fish, sea horses and a host of others.

Diving activity is year round in Kapalai and sea surface temperatures are generally in the range of 25-30°C. Average visibility is in the range of 10-15 metres. Sea temperatures are at their lowest between November and February.