Pulau Sipadan Hotel Tips by Restless-in-kl Top 5 Page for this destination

Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort: Water bungalows Sipadan-Kapalai Island Resort Review

Fell in love with this place especially my water bungalow. It's huge with comfy beds, big bathroom with hot water and a bathtub than opens out to the sea. The sun deck is fabulous with spectacular views especially to watch sunsets. Very romantic.

As the bungalow is built on stilts over the sea, you'll never know what visitors might swim up right to your doorstep. During my stay, I said hello to stingray, pipefish, razorfish even barracuda!

Made friends with the staff at the resort who are ever helpful. Did not have to lift a finger with my bags or dive equipment. Everything is set up with fresh tanks after every dive and washed. Never had to carry my own tank. Now that's what I call 5-star dive service. Really spoilt and pampered.

Usually I'm not a fan of hotel food. But this place is an exception. Variety of food is wonderful and surprising since it is far and remote from the mainland. Absolutely delicious. It's all fusion, Asian and Western fare. There is even free flow of hot drinks especially my favourite Milo (chocolate drink) and biscuits/bread. Very important for hungry divers!

Strongly recommended.

Unique Qualities: - Water bungalows built on stilts over the sea.
- Excellent and fully equipped dive center with an in-house videographer (it's great to have a DVD of you own dive!)
- Fantastic house reef for day and night dives (the elusive Mandarin Fish is our resident in the house reef!)

Address: Kapalai Island, off Sipadan Island

Comparison: more expensive than average

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.sipadan-kapalai.com

Sipadan Water Village: Water way of life

During my first trip to Sipadan, accommodations were confined to Sipadan island (now you can't stay there anymore) and Mabul island. There were 2 resorts in Mabul, one beach resort and Sipadan Water Village which consists of water bungalows. At that time Kapalai was not even developed (neither were digital cameras)!

It's a resort beautifully constructed with Bajau architectural design. Part of the Mabul Island is also home to groups of Bajau fishermen who have built their traditional palm thatched houses. The Bajau Laut, the world's only tribe of nomadic sea gypsies spends their lives on the water.

(Excerpt and photos taken from websites)

For divers, expect to pay US$295 per person for full board, diving and transfers (3D/2N). All arrangements should be made during booking.

Unique Qualities: - Water bungalows with huge sundecks that open out to the sea
- Best food in Sipadan, Mabul and Kapalai
- Wonderful snorkelling just below all the water bungalows. You can just jump right in.

Address: Mabul Island, Sabah, Malaysia

Comparison: more expensive than average

Price: US$180 and up

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.swresort.com