South Point

South Point anchors the southernmost tip of the island. The topography features a notable ledge at roughly 20 metres that abruptly ends in a vertical wall dropping into the open ocean. While the shallow reef is healthy and full of life the primary pelagic action happens deep. Currents here are often strong and highly variable. These currents create a high-energy drift environment that attracts major apex predators to the reef edge. The current acts as a biological engine sweeping nutrients past the wall to feed the dense corals.

The boat driver positions the vessel upstream of the site so you can drift down onto the point. You roll back from the boat directly over the deep water and descend immediately to the ledge. The guide leads the group along the wall so you can look out into the blue for passing pelagic fish. You spend the first part of your bottom time deep to maximise your chances of seeing sharks before slowly moving up the wall as your no-decompression limits approach. The deep profile means you must monitor your gas closely. As your dive time progresses you slowly swim up the wall to finish on the shallow plateau. The boat follows your bubbles and picks you up when you surface.

Down on the deep ledge you look out into the blue for scalloped hammerhead sharks. These distinctive sharks are a bonus for early-morning divers in season as they rise from the deep water before the sun warms the shallows. Manta rays are an occasional visitor to this corner of the island and thresher sharks sometimes pass in the distance. Along the wall itself you can spot large aggregations of grey reef sharks and resident whitetip reef sharks (Triaenodon obesus) resting on the terraced rocks. Resident bigeye trevally (Caranx sexfasciatus) schools form moving walls of silver in the current. Large herds of bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) often pass the wall in the early morning. At the end of the dive the shallow reef top offers a completely different experience. It is a highly productive zone for macro life and is known as a reliable place to spot a blue-ringed octopus (Hapalochlaena spp.) moving through the rubble.

Deep blue-water photography at South Point is a physical challenge. You need substantial strobe power or excellent high-ISO camera performance to capture sharks clearly against the dark water at 40 metres. The loss of light and colour at depth makes wide-angle shots difficult unless the animals come very close. If you carry a macro setup the shallow reef top at the end of the dive offers excellent relief. The shallow reef top provides plenty of sunlight to capture small subjects hiding in the hard coral.

This site asks for strong buoyancy control and confidence in open water. Sabah Parks mandates a minimum of Advanced Open Water to dive anywhere at Sipadan. You often need to manage a blue-water ascent away from the wall at the end of the dive. Keeping a close eye on your gas consumption and no-decompression limits is essential because the primary action happens deep. You will feel noticeably colder thermoclines at depth. The strong drift means you must be comfortable moving at the speed of the ocean while checking your dive computer.

The first dive of the morning at dawn is universally the best time to dive South Point. This early light provides the main window to catch the hammerheads before the thermoclines shift and the sharks retreat to deeper water. It competes directly with Barracuda Point for the first dive of the day depending on what your group prioritises. You can check when to dive Sabah for seasonal conditions. You can dive Sipadan all year round except for November when the island is closed. The best visibility arrives between March and October. Mid-February to mid-November is good diving with softer visibility at the ends.

Every diver visiting the island needs a permit issued in their name. Sabah Parks issues 254 Sipadan permits a day. You secure a Guaranteed Sipadan permit with the right combination of resort, dive package and minimum number of nights through options like the Sipadan classic. Read the guide on Sipadan permits to see how the system works. Which dates can be guaranteed depends on the resort you choose. The team steers you to the right combination of accommodation and dive package so your chance of diving Sipadan is very high.

It takes about 15 to 25 minutes to reach the island by boat from the resorts on Mabul and Kapalai. If you stay further away on Mataking the boat ride takes about 80 minutes across the sea; Pom Pom is also a longer run. The only liveaboard option is the MV Celebes Explorer which dives Sipadan heavily. A Sipadan permit day gives you 3 dives if you stay on Mabul or Kapalai or aboard the Celebes Explorer and 2 dives if you stay on Mataking or Pom Pom.

• Barracuda Point: High-energy corner known for a resident barracuda vortex.
• Hanging Gardens: A steep wall decorated with soft corals and gorgonians.
• Diving in Sipadan: The main guide to the island.
• Layang Layang: Another destination known for hammerhead sharks in season.

Send your dates along with the names of everyone coming and their certification levels. The team will look at the best permit allocations across the resorts and come back with the right package for your group.