Kapalai Island Resort Pulau Sipadan
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Kapalai Island Pulau Sipadan, Sabah, Malaysia, (60-89)-765200
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SANDAKAN, Malaysia
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SANDAKAN, Malaysia
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SANDAKAN, Malaysia
Travel Blogs by Travelers Who Stayed at the Kapalai Island Resort Pulau Sipadan
The View From Kapalai Hurts Our Eyes
Hiiiii!!!! We finally made it to our destination of Kapalai Dive Resort after 9 legs over land, air and sea, Wednesday morning (Tuesday USA time). We worked it out in our heads and aside from eating every 3 hours, we traveled for a total of 48 prior to our arrival on a resort 40 minutes out to sea by speedboat (we did actually rest for about 10 hours at hotel in Tawau last night, but that doesn't count!!!). The resort is built on stilts and the abundance of life in the waters below each bunga...
Tawau, Malaysia abbadabba
divers' paradise
A bus trip and short hop by plane put us back in Manila where we catch an Air Asia flight to Kota Kinabalu, Borneo for another stamp in the passport! Another quick flight to Tawau sets us up for four days of world-class diving at Sipadan Island. A small speedboat with two enormous engines whisks us off to Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort, a luxurious divers' oasis of private wooden chalets and boardwalks built on stilts above a sandy atoll surrounded on all sides by sparkling, clear azure waters. ...
Sipadan, Malaysia csimpson
Days 34 to 39: Diving at Sipadan
The following day we were picked up from the hotel trnasferrred to the dive resort. The resort is on a submerged sandbank called Kapalai close to Sipidan island which is a well known dive site, currently in the top ten nominations for the natural wonders of the world. The resort was lovely - the whole resort is stilted rising out of the sea and has been nicely done. Just wandering around the resort you can see all kinds of fish in the clear shallow water including lots of trumpet fish, baracu...
Kampong Menampilek, Sabah, Malaysia jason_m_smith
Diving Sipadan Island off of Malaysian Borneo
This entry marks the official start of the "Water Sports" portion of my travels, where I will spend a week diving (or so I thought) at Sipadan and Mabul Islands off of the southeast coast of Malaysian Borneo, and once in Maui, Hawaii, taking kite surfing lessons, snorkeling, and maybe even squeezing in some surfing and hiking. So just to set expectations properly here, although there may be some elements of "cultural" interest in these last couple posts, it's mostly going to consist of sporty...
Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort, Malaysia rfbriber
SIPADAN
SIPADAN-KAPALAI DIVE RESORT ON KAPALAI ISLAND A few minutes by boat from Sipadan but a full world away fromit lies the exhilarating Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort, sitting on its sturdy stilts on shallow sanbanks of the Ligitan Reefs. Planned and built in full style as an airy, comfortable, sunny water village with no land in sight - but boasting a mile-long sanbank of powdery blindingly white sand where one can suntan at complete leisure - the Resort offers great food, surprisingly roomy and e...
SANDAKAN, Malaysia shirechinHistorical Traveler Reviews of Kapalai Island Resort Pulau Sipadan
Good though not perfect
from Julesee
First of all the diving is excellent - there is little doubt about that. And the chalets are great - very roomy and fairly tastefully decorated. All of this is noted in reviews elsewhere....
What was slightly disappointing were 1) the food.... Kapalai must know the quality of their food is questionable, and that it goes cold every meal time... It was particularly disappointing to find such poor food at Kapalai when elsewhere in Borneo we had nothing but very high quality meals 2) when we first turned up at the diving centre there was a total lack of direction from the dive-masters, some of whom were not particularly interested in the clients. We found there was a lack of feeling of community as you nearly always find on dive boat trips for example. Some of the attention to safety standards was questionable too in our view.
Still....Kapalai may very well bethe best choice when diving SIpadan and dont get me wrong - we enjoyed it. It was just not as perfect as presented in other reviews in our view....
What was slightly disappointing were 1) the food.... Kapalai must know the quality of their food is questionable, and that it goes cold every meal time... It was particularly disappointing to find such poor food at Kapalai when elsewhere in Borneo we had nothing but very high quality meals 2) when we first turned up at the diving centre there was a total lack of direction from the dive-masters, some of whom were not particularly interested in the clients. We found there was a lack of feeling of community as you nearly always find on dive boat trips for example. Some of the attention to safety standards was questionable too in our view.
Still....Kapalai may very well bethe best choice when diving SIpadan and dont get me wrong - we enjoyed it. It was just not as perfect as presented in other reviews in our view....
Diving Paradise
from philip2711
Stayed at KSDR (Kapalai Sipadan Dive Resort) Mar 25 - Mar 31. Everything was just as I hoped having read others' reviews. The accommodation, food, diving, friendliness and helpfulness of the staff could not be bettered from the moment of 'check-in' in Semporna to the departure and transfer back to Tawau.
Be warned though that this is not a tropical island that you can stroll around, with rooms on stilts a la Maldives. This is built on a sandbank out in the ocean with only a small portion of it exposed during low tide. The resort is connected by raised (on stilts) boardwalks and the only real reason why you'd be there is for the diving (or snorkelling) which as a first timer to the area I'd have to say was excellent - quite varied from the drop-offs and coral shelves in Sipadan (2 dives a day there) to the muck diving at nearby Mabul (that IS an island). Seasoned KSDR visitors have said that the sea life was less abundant than in previous years but for me it was ideal. Lots of sea life, from tiny to quite large.
No doubt about it - I'll want to return asap!
Be warned though that this is not a tropical island that you can stroll around, with rooms on stilts a la Maldives. This is built on a sandbank out in the ocean with only a small portion of it exposed during low tide. The resort is connected by raised (on stilts) boardwalks and the only real reason why you'd be there is for the diving (or snorkelling) which as a first timer to the area I'd have to say was excellent - quite varied from the drop-offs and coral shelves in Sipadan (2 dives a day there) to the muck diving at nearby Mabul (that IS an island). Seasoned KSDR visitors have said that the sea life was less abundant than in previous years but for me it was ideal. Lots of sea life, from tiny to quite large.
No doubt about it - I'll want to return asap!
Awesome....................Must Go
from Angediko
This place is a must stay, from the team that greet you upon arrival to the service team and the dive team, nothing is too much for them to do, they are great. A little bit of construction at the moment but does not affect you directly as they stop pretty early
Only comment is that if you want hot food get there early i.e 1pm sharp for lunch as food looses its heat fast as there is no heat elements for the buffet.
Diving is great, 5.30am dive is great to do as the rest of the day is yours to relax. The LKWID video is a must for you to buy...the views and shots he gets even in low viz is amazing. Great to be seen underwater..
Accomomodation is fantastic, huts on stilts over the sea, very private with a small terrace for sunsets. Beds are big and rooms are cool if you keep the doors open, loads of fresh air.
DIVE CENTER - What can i say...very organised and proffesional, they have it very well run, from orientation dive to the 5.30am (dont be late as the boat will go with your equipment on and .....NO DIVING FOR YOU), the guides are knowledgable and see loads so stay close.... Equipment is cheap to rent and in general good condition. Computers are a must as the dives get so good you dont know how deep you are, following a shark or turtle (prepare to loads and loads).
Overall a great relaxing holiday, definately will be back. Dont stay too long in either Tawau or Semporna.. Not a lot to do, BUT if in Tawau a MUST EAT place is KAM LING SEAFOOD, THE BEST (and cheapest) SEAFOOD EVER IN MALAYSIA.
Only comment is that if you want hot food get there early i.e 1pm sharp for lunch as food looses its heat fast as there is no heat elements for the buffet.
Diving is great, 5.30am dive is great to do as the rest of the day is yours to relax. The LKWID video is a must for you to buy...the views and shots he gets even in low viz is amazing. Great to be seen underwater..
Accomomodation is fantastic, huts on stilts over the sea, very private with a small terrace for sunsets. Beds are big and rooms are cool if you keep the doors open, loads of fresh air.
DIVE CENTER - What can i say...very organised and proffesional, they have it very well run, from orientation dive to the 5.30am (dont be late as the boat will go with your equipment on and .....NO DIVING FOR YOU), the guides are knowledgable and see loads so stay close.... Equipment is cheap to rent and in general good condition. Computers are a must as the dives get so good you dont know how deep you are, following a shark or turtle (prepare to loads and loads).
Overall a great relaxing holiday, definately will be back. Dont stay too long in either Tawau or Semporna.. Not a lot to do, BUT if in Tawau a MUST EAT place is KAM LING SEAFOOD, THE BEST (and cheapest) SEAFOOD EVER IN MALAYSIA.
First class macro diving in Kapalai
from Spookybaby
You don't need to stay in a 5-star resort on a remote island in order to experience what Kapalai has to offer. The resort is built on stilts in the middle of the sea, and you feel like you are isolated from the rest of the urban rat race. A sand bar surfaces during low tide near the boat jetty but other than that, you virtually see no sand, which can be a bummer if you like walking on long stretches of beach. But it was fine for us because this translated into easy access to all our favourite muck diving spots.
We spent 6 days there and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. We only saw rain once in between dives at Sipadan. The rest of the week was hot. So hot that our dive gear could dry in between dives! On average we did 4-5 dives a day - it was that addictive. The best place was just off the dive jetty. You can see frog fish, lion fish and giant groupers in the day, and mandarin fish and the very strange-looking flamboyent cuttlefish in the night. Our best dive time was the sunset dive, where you went in before the sun set and surfaced when it became dark. Diving is fuss-free and you can just pick up a tank and go in anytime. The dive crew will even assemble your gear during your surface interval. We loved Kapalai so much that we did not really pay much attention to Sipadan, which was just a half-hour boat ride away. We did the usual 5.30am dives to Sipadan to see barracudas and grey reef sharks, but in the end, our hearts were won over by the lovely marine life at Kapalai.
All the rooms are water bungalows - unbelievably large with high ceilings. You don't even need to turn on the fan as the sea breeze is so cool at night (sometimes cold). Imagine sleeping to the sound of waves. The balconies are large and you can watch the baby stingrays come out at night. No TV, no stereo - but you have instead huge bathrooms and even a bathtub! There is no direct access to the sea from your bungalow but just step out to the wooden corridor to dip into the sea for a snorkelling experience.
The food is average. What's nice is they serve tea in the afternoons, so you can have coffee, milo and unlimited biscuits/ cakes.
We spent 6 days there and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. We only saw rain once in between dives at Sipadan. The rest of the week was hot. So hot that our dive gear could dry in between dives! On average we did 4-5 dives a day - it was that addictive. The best place was just off the dive jetty. You can see frog fish, lion fish and giant groupers in the day, and mandarin fish and the very strange-looking flamboyent cuttlefish in the night. Our best dive time was the sunset dive, where you went in before the sun set and surfaced when it became dark. Diving is fuss-free and you can just pick up a tank and go in anytime. The dive crew will even assemble your gear during your surface interval. We loved Kapalai so much that we did not really pay much attention to Sipadan, which was just a half-hour boat ride away. We did the usual 5.30am dives to Sipadan to see barracudas and grey reef sharks, but in the end, our hearts were won over by the lovely marine life at Kapalai.
All the rooms are water bungalows - unbelievably large with high ceilings. You don't even need to turn on the fan as the sea breeze is so cool at night (sometimes cold). Imagine sleeping to the sound of waves. The balconies are large and you can watch the baby stingrays come out at night. No TV, no stereo - but you have instead huge bathrooms and even a bathtub! There is no direct access to the sea from your bungalow but just step out to the wooden corridor to dip into the sea for a snorkelling experience.
The food is average. What's nice is they serve tea in the afternoons, so you can have coffee, milo and unlimited biscuits/ cakes.
My favourite dive resort
from diverdoc
Kapalai has it all - idyllic rooms on stilts above the ever changing water, good food, great staff and spectacular and varied diving.This was my second trip to Kapalai (had been to Sipadan twice before that) and I've booked to go back again in May 2007.The whole place is really well run, and you can guarantee that you won't have a care in the world while here.
I really think this is my favourite place in the world to have a dive holiday, and I've dived in lots of places over the past 30 years.
I really think this is my favourite place in the world to have a dive holiday, and I've dived in lots of places over the past 30 years.
Enjoyed the diving!
from chirpybird
A lovely resort! Beautiful views, comfortable bungalows and all the staff are really helpful. The diving is excellent, especially at Sipadan. The fast boat transfers can be very bumpy when the seas are rough! The boat crew set up all the dive gear so it makes diving really easy.
Muck diving around Kapalai and Mabul are also good but ensure you are in a much smaller group or it could be fustrating to spot all the wonderful critters like mandarain fish and the pygmy sea horses with all the crowds close by.
Muck diving around Kapalai and Mabul are also good but ensure you are in a much smaller group or it could be fustrating to spot all the wonderful critters like mandarain fish and the pygmy sea horses with all the crowds close by.
It Gave What Was Promised
from SPIKE69
What a great three days. We don't dive but we snorkled ad-naus., except that we couldn't get bored with it - just a little tired. The fast trips out to Pulau Sipadan were well worth the slight discomfort. If you like swimming with turtles and viewing the awsome array of fish and coral, this is the place. Wish we'd stayed longer and given the subsequent resort hotel in Kota Kinabalu a miss.
Définitivement génial
from ldenys
Au mois de mai 06, mon amie et moi nous sommes rendus à Kapalai pour dix jours.
Le voyage par bateau rapide depuis Tawau vous nous a laissé le temps de nous demandé si une île perdue au milieu de la mer des Célébes était une bonne idée car le village et de plus sur un récif complétement immergé. Mais dès notre arrivée sur Kapalai, le rêve a connencé. Les bungalows sont splendides et offrent intimité et calme. Baignoire avec vue sur le lagon, équipement très sobre mais là-bas tout devient superflu de toute façon. Le restaurant est magnifique, simple et l'on y mange bien. Le personnel est attachant, dévoué et souriant. Même quand des imbéciles d'europééens ne trouvent pas les limites, le personnel reste gentil alors si comme nous vous rencontrer des imbéciles qui confondent plongée et toursisme sexuel, rappelez les à l'ordre mais heureusement c'est rare. Merci d'avance. Le centre de plongée vous emène trois fois par jour sur des sites géniaux. Sipadan est vraiment ce que j'ai fait de mieux en plongée au niveau de la faune. 20 Tortues par plongée, des bancs de miliers de baracudas, des requins gris et même un requin léopard. Et bien d'autres. Mon site favoris: Barakuda Point qui est ormis un plateau de corail un peu moins riche un super compromis entre une profonde sur le début et une plongée très récréative dans un jardin de corail sur la fin.
Bon, tout était vraiment génial et ça serait trop long à racconter alors n'hésitez pas, Kapalai c'est magique (NB:et plus que Mabul d'ailleur)
Le voyage par bateau rapide depuis Tawau vous nous a laissé le temps de nous demandé si une île perdue au milieu de la mer des Célébes était une bonne idée car le village et de plus sur un récif complétement immergé. Mais dès notre arrivée sur Kapalai, le rêve a connencé. Les bungalows sont splendides et offrent intimité et calme. Baignoire avec vue sur le lagon, équipement très sobre mais là-bas tout devient superflu de toute façon. Le restaurant est magnifique, simple et l'on y mange bien. Le personnel est attachant, dévoué et souriant. Même quand des imbéciles d'europééens ne trouvent pas les limites, le personnel reste gentil alors si comme nous vous rencontrer des imbéciles qui confondent plongée et toursisme sexuel, rappelez les à l'ordre mais heureusement c'est rare. Merci d'avance. Le centre de plongée vous emène trois fois par jour sur des sites géniaux. Sipadan est vraiment ce que j'ai fait de mieux en plongée au niveau de la faune. 20 Tortues par plongée, des bancs de miliers de baracudas, des requins gris et même un requin léopard. Et bien d'autres. Mon site favoris: Barakuda Point qui est ormis un plateau de corail un peu moins riche un super compromis entre une profonde sur le début et une plongée très récréative dans un jardin de corail sur la fin.
Bon, tout était vraiment génial et ça serait trop long à racconter alors n'hésitez pas, Kapalai c'est magique (NB:et plus que Mabul d'ailleur)
Diver's Paradise
from Downunder_123
If you are a diver and want to dive something better than: Maldives, Red Sea, Mexico, Barrier then Sipadan, off Borneo certainly has that to offer...Diving here is spectacular, and by staying at Kapalai you are located in fantastic surroundings (on stilts in water bungalows) with fantastic diving off your jeti as well (Muck Diving)!
We really did have a fantastic few days here, it is meant for divers only as it is so diver oriented. 15 minutes after we arrived on Kapalai, we were already in the water doing an orientation dive. Fantastic stuff. Accommodation is really nice, make sure you get a bungalow with views toward the oceans and not onto other bungalows. The insides of the bungalows are plain but have all mod cons. Fridge, Fan, very clean bathroom, etc. Don't expect a big night life here, divers go to bed early. But then you will probably be up for the 5:30am sunrise dive on Sipadan anyway...There area a few soldiers walking around here or there but that is so not a big deal, its for the safety, you never ever feel insecure here besides what might have transpired a few year's ago.Make sure that you are there at the predestined feeding times as the food goes cold really quickly.
Can't recommend this place highly enough. Nice thing with Kapalai over Mabul is that you have your own island/attol, no locals with their rubbish around.
We really did have a fantastic few days here, it is meant for divers only as it is so diver oriented. 15 minutes after we arrived on Kapalai, we were already in the water doing an orientation dive. Fantastic stuff. Accommodation is really nice, make sure you get a bungalow with views toward the oceans and not onto other bungalows. The insides of the bungalows are plain but have all mod cons. Fridge, Fan, very clean bathroom, etc. Don't expect a big night life here, divers go to bed early. But then you will probably be up for the 5:30am sunrise dive on Sipadan anyway...There area a few soldiers walking around here or there but that is so not a big deal, its for the safety, you never ever feel insecure here besides what might have transpired a few year's ago.Make sure that you are there at the predestined feeding times as the food goes cold really quickly.
Can't recommend this place highly enough. Nice thing with Kapalai over Mabul is that you have your own island/attol, no locals with their rubbish around.
The Best Diving Ever
from Heli-Ski
We stayed at the Kapalai Resort off the east coast of Malaysia on the island of Borneo. The resort is fabulous - on stilts over the water - 1 hour by boat from Tawau. We dove every day at Sipidan - It is like being dropped into an aquarium. More fish - warm waters - little current. I have been to the Red Sea - The Great Barrier Reef, Fiji, Mexico, the Galapagos etc - this was the best.
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