Paradise 1 and Paradise 2

Skill level: Open Water | Ave depth: Not specified | Max depth: 21 m | Current: Gentle | Visibility: Up to 10 m at Paradise 1 and 15 m at Paradise 2

Paradise 1 represents a classic diving in Mabul transition zone. The physical character features a relatively flat sandy bottom punctuated by scattered sunken wooden boats and expansive lush staghorn coral gardens. The depth profile stays shallow and typically hovers between 5 m and 15 m. The shallow profile gives you time to explore. The current is generally gentle and visibility can stretch up to 10 m on favourable tides. Paradise 1 is the main site for the famous dusk ritual.

Paradise 2 sits adjacent to Paradise 1 and feels distinct due to a specific artificial structure. The dominant feature is a 12-metre wooden boat intentionally sunk to create a reef base. The wreck is heavily encrusted with crinoids and surrounded by dense staghorn coral formations. The depth ranges slightly deeper than its neighbour and slopes down to 21 m. Currents remain mild and visibility averages up to 15 m.

Almost every operator services these sites by a short boat trip. You roll in and follow the guide along the sandy slopes.

If you book the dusk dive at Paradise 1, you arrive by boat for the evening display. The site gets busy with photographers from across the island arriving at the same time. You find a patch of staghorn coral and wait for the action to start. It pays to settle early to secure a good viewing position before the fish emerge. Most evenings around 17:00 they emerge from the protective branches of the staghorn corals to perform a twisting upward mating dance.

When diving the wooden boat at Paradise 2, you must stay outside the wreck. Wreck penetration is prohibited due to the small size of the boat and its degrading structural integrity.

Paradise 1 is universally recognised as a twilight destination. The signature species is the mandarinfish. Beyond the main attraction the sandy stretches serve as frequent grounds for blue-spotted mask rays and whiptail rays.

At Paradise 2 a resident giant grouper is frequently found lurking within the scaffolding and wreck remnants. Look among the crinoids on the wreck for squat lobsters and ornate ghost pipefish (Solenostomus paradoxus), both frequent finds here. Look above the sunken boat for schools of batfish and fusiliers.

Across both sites you can spot nudibranchs and frogfish by day to add to your list of critters of Semporna.

Capturing the mandarinfish at Paradise 1 requires extreme patience and precise buoyancy over the fragile staghorn corals. You need to use a red-light focus lamp because standard white focus lights cause the fish to retreat instantly into the branches. You also need spatial awareness to avoid colliding with other photographers in the dim light of night diving in Semporna.

Paradise 2 calls for a mix of setups. Wide-macro works well for the wreck structure and the batfish schools. Super-macro lenses are essential for isolating tiny crustaceans hidden in the feather stars.

Both sites suit Open Water divers. The shallow depths act as a great equaliser for newer divers and permit exceptionally long dive times.

Excellent buoyancy is the primary skill you need. The staghorn corals are fragile. Photographers must establish neutral buoyancy without using the reef as a stabilisation point. Fin discipline is also critical. A standard flutter kick will instantly kick up the fine volcanic sand on the seabed and bury the micro-habitats of bottom-dwelling subjects. Use a slow frog kick instead. Pointing sticks are strictly prohibited on living substrate across the island.

The mandarinfish dive happens at dusk around 17:00. Daytime dives are better for exploring the wreck at Paradise 2.

Diving runs all year. The best visibility generally falls between March and October. Mid-February to mid-November offers good diving with softer visibility at the ends of the season. Mid-November to mid-February brings a mix of cloud, rain and sun. Be sure to read up on general travel information before you pack.

You can reach these slopes easily when staying at Sipadan Water Village or Sipadan-Mabul Resort. Every other Mabul resort runs boats here too.

Many divers combine their macro and muck packages with a trip to the oceanic drop-offs of diving in Sipadan. A guaranteed Sipadan permit comes with the right combination of resort, dive package and minimum number of nights. Which dates can be guaranteed depends on the resort you choose so the team steers you to the right option. Sabah Parks issues 254 Sipadan permits a day. Remember that Sipadan itself is closed all November.

• Froggy Lair
• Lobster Wall
• Mabul house reefs
• Seaventures platform
• Mabul

Send your dates, the names of everyone coming and your certification levels. The team comes back with what can be arranged for your trip.