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Diving the World's No.1 Dive Site - Sipadan!

9/10/2016

65 Comments

 
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Scuba divers are always discussing which is the world’s number one dive site and it is true that there are many, many top contenders. Sipadan rates highly on many people’s list and on 16 September 2016, Scuba Travel voted Barracuda Point on the island of Sipadan as the number one dive site in the world. It was also voted number one by the legendary Jacques-Yves Cousteau, the naval officer, explorer, conservationist, photographer, author and researcher who studied the sea and all forms of marine line.

In his film Borneo: The Ghost of the Sea Turtle (1989, Jacques Cousteau said: "I have seen other places like Sipadan, 45 years ago, but now no more. Now we have found an untouched piece of art”

But why?

Pulau Sipadan rises 600 metres (2,000 ft) straight up from the seabed and was formed by living corals growing on top of an extinct volcanic cone which took thousands of years to develop. It’s at the centre of one of the richest marine habitats in the world and situated in the Celebes Sea off the east coast of Borneo, Malaysia.
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In 2009 it was declared a National Park and only a certain number of dive permits are granted each day – no permit – no dive! So if you wish to dive Sipadan, you need to find a dive company who have permits to dive here and book yourself a place. We chose Scuba Junkie on the island of Mabul, who are not only an exceptional dive school with an amazing resort but also have permits to dive Sipadan.
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When sorting through the plethora of stunning photos we have taken in order to choose some for this pictorial blog, I seriously had enough for a few posts… I could easily have created a blog for schools of fish, another for stunning scenery, a third for small fish on so on… there is just so much beauty around the island’s coral reefs and walls. If you have ever looked at an aquarium and wondered what it would be like to stick your head in but thought it would be socially unacceptable, just go diving in Sipadan and you will get the same effect – only on a much, MUCH larger scale! 

What you can see on an average day are a profusion of turtles, schools of jacks, bigeye trevally, bumphead parrot fish, sharks and of course barracuda, plus stunning coral formations teeming with literally thousands of fish – it is truly stunning. 
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So, without further ado, I have pleasure in showing you a small sample of some of the amazing dives we have had in Pulau Sipadan.
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The dive sites around Pulau Sipadan - map credited to www.sipadan.com
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Tomato Clownfish
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Clown Trigger Fish
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Lobster
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Broadclub cuttlefish
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White Tip Reef Shark
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Rainbow Parrot fish
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The drop off around Sipadan is 600 meters straight down!
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The entrance to Turtle cave
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View leaving Turtle cave
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Longfin Bannerfish
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Batfish out in the blue
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Surface interval in between dives on Sipadan island
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Red Toothed Trigger Fish
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This Giant Clam was about 1 metre long!
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Humphead Wrasse
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​This next section is dedicated to the many schools of fish you find in Sipadan. Notice I have said "schools" and not "shoals", let me explain the difference between the two! They are both large quantities of fish that swim grouped together, but a school of fish means they all move in unison and swim in the same direction in a co-ordinated manner. Do you remember the scene in "Finding Nemo" where Nemo's Dad asks a School of Jackfish for directions and they all form a big arrow? Well the next few photos are those very fish!​
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Bumphead Parrotfish
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You'll notice the very odd mouths these guys have - strange fish indeed
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​It's Turtle Time!


In our pictorial blog Diving in Borneo - Always Awesome, many of you said that you could never get fed up of seeing Turtles, so this next section is dedicated to some of the turtles we saw! Hope you enjoy looking at them as much as we enjoyed diving with them!
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​Have you heard of Sipadan? Have you been? Have you been inspired to visit after seeing these photos? Share your thoughts with us below, we would love to hear them!

​If you like this post, Pin it!
Sipadan in Malaysian Borneo is considered by many to be the world's top dive site, have a look at this stunning pictorial blog and find out why it's considered the best!

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65 Comments
Van @ Snow in Tromso link
19/10/2016 06:36:03 pm

Your pictures are so gorgeous!!! I have to admit, being on the ground of the ocean would kinda freak me out but I'd love to at least go snorkeling one day :)

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FeetDoTravel
24/10/2016 12:03:57 pm

Thank you Van! Diving isn't for everyone, there are various fears to overcome (Sy and I both had to face a few of ours!) and you can still see some amazing things snorkelling!

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Lauren link
20/10/2016 03:15:41 pm

WOW! I've never been diving before, but this looks incredible! I enjoy a good snorkel spot, so I can't imagine what this would be like. So many colorful sea creatures. I don't have anything to compare it to, but this definitely looks like one hell of a dive spot! :D

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FeetDoTravel
24/10/2016 12:05:01 pm

The sea is full of so many colourful creatures aren't they and I'm sure you have seen amazing marine life snorkelling! And yes, it is one hell of a dive spot ... we will be returning in December 2016.

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Oana link
21/10/2016 06:49:51 am

The pictures are amazing, I definitely want to start my scuba classes after reading this post and seeing all your pictures. The school of fish looks scary but beautiful in the same time. What a great time you had 😍😍😍. Happy travels!!!

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FeetDoTravel
24/10/2016 12:06:03 pm

The school of fish are my favourite, I love seeing thousands of fish in front of me :-) I hope you start scuba classes, and let me know how you get on! Happy travels to you Oana :-)

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Kelly Turpin link
21/10/2016 07:59:52 am

Gorgeous photos! Hey Angie, can you go snorkelling there along the drop off? If so, do you need a permit to snorkel? If so, do know how much? We are thinking of stopping there in our boat if we can.... do you know if we are able to go snorkelling without a guide? Obviously Dwayne would go on a dive but I want to see too! (spoken in my whingey voice!) Great blog!

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FeetDoTravel
24/10/2016 12:32:42 pm

I don't believe there is snorkelling at the drop off but you can snorkel at Sipadan and yes you still need I permit, the price is the same as diving which is 100 Malaysian Ringgit (US$30, Euro 25, £20). You cannot go there without a guide, they have very strict rules but in case I have given you mis-information, check out this website http://www.sipadan.com/index.php. Let me know if you get there!

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Lauren
21/10/2016 08:51:21 am

The pictures are beautiful, all your blogs inspire me to try new things and in this one I'm
Inspired to try scuba diving again! 8 tried it once and had the ultimate panic attack haha but it looks like it's worth persevering through the fear!!

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FeetDoTravel
24/10/2016 02:37:29 pm

Both Sy and I had to overcome some sort of fear for diving and even now I am a nervous diver - but its all up in my head so yes, if you can persevere, hopefully you will feel it's worth it for what you see! It's the reason why I dive - I like to see what's down there but I don't actually like the diving part lol.

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David - Travelsewhere link
21/10/2016 09:22:01 am

I always adore your underwater photos and today is no exception. I particularly love the turtle shots, they're so graceful and chill. Everytime I see your photos it really makes me want to overcome my claustrophobia and go diving. Maybe next year if I can get to Asia. Really want to see more of Malaysia!

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FeetDoTravel
24/10/2016 02:38:57 pm

I'm so glad you love the turtle photos, we just love seeing them! Maybe one day you will overcome your fear but if not, you can continue to look at our photos and dive vicariously :-) I hope you get to Malaysia, it is lovely .. we could meet you there!

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Kreete link
21/10/2016 12:39:11 pm

I'm loving every single photo in this post! This place looks like paradise! How would one get there? And how would I get there from Australia? And how much do the dives cost? You guys seem to be doing a lot of diving, how is it to travel with dive gear? Or do you rent on the spot? So many questions haha! I got all excited now! Would love to go there!

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FeetDoTravel
24/10/2016 02:45:00 pm

Thanks Kreete! You cannot stay on Sipadan so only day trips are allowed which you can do from any neighbouring island, we always stay on Mabul. From Australia you would fly to KL and then an internal flight to Tawau, get a taxi to Semporna and a boat over to Mabul - yes it sounds long winded but it's worth it! We will be doing it again for the third time in December. We don't travel with dive gear, just our mask and snorkel (Sy used to travel with his fins until he lost one at the Drop Off!) so we hire. Here is a link to Scuba Junkie's website for dive costs as they do dive packages http://scuba-junkie.com/diving/ Hope you get to go there, may see you there one day!

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travel4lifeblog link
21/10/2016 12:39:58 pm

Hi Angie and Simon,

Thank you for sharing another wonderful article with us and for mentioning Jacques Cousteau :)
Your photographs are simply amazing and they made us want to go and dive with countless tropical fish in Sipadan! The bumphead parrotfish looks a little bit weird though :) Which camera did you use to take those pictures please?

Thank you
Patrick and Cécile from www.travel4lifeblog.com

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FeetDoTravel
24/10/2016 02:56:53 pm

Thanks guys, we are so pleased you love our photos! Yes the bumphead parrotfish are quite bizarre looking aren't they! The camera we use is a regular Fuji F660 EXR with a Fuji WP500 underwater housing :-) Thanks for taking the time to comment, we really appreciate your support!

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Kreete link
21/10/2016 12:40:12 pm

Oh and I love the photos too! The 600m drop off is a bit scary though!!

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Stephanie (1AdventureTraveler) link
21/10/2016 01:29:45 pm

Wow, such an amazing article with stunning photos. Love the history you provided on Sipidan. You brought back my memories of my dive experience there and I felt like I was right back there again. Such an amazing place to dive and glad you shared this so others will find this hidden gem. Thanks for sharing!

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FeetDoTravel
24/10/2016 02:57:52 pm

Sipadan is an amazing place to dive isn't it and I'm glad you have been there so you can take a trip down memory lane! Thanks for sharing your experience with us as well :-)

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Anna Schlaht link
21/10/2016 02:07:55 pm

Angie, I'm BLOWN AWAY by your experiences diving. Seriously, the photos are so incredible and your descriptions so exciting that I feel like Mr. Nerd and I are missing out by not getting to see a different part of the world like this. Please keep posting about your dive experiences! I'll never get sick reading them. :) But really, Sipadan sounds amazing. I can't believe how many dive sites there are! And how many different colors a turtle shell can have!

Absolutely beautiful photos. If you're not careful, you might inspire us to learn how to dive! XD Though ... I don't think Mr. Nerd would appreciate that drop off, so we'd have to avoid those.

Thanks for sharing!

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FeetDoTravel
24/10/2016 02:59:48 pm

Awww thanks Anna, I'm so glad you enjoy our dive posts, especially as you aren't a diver, but we want to show people like you what there is in the sea so you aren't missing out :-) if you learn to dive one day, we can meet you at some exotic location and Sy can be your dive master when he is qualified :-)

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Wayne Liew link
21/10/2016 03:47:41 pm

Hey Angie and Simon, the photos you took are so mesmerizing.

I have heard about Sipadan over and over again. Not surprising though, I'm living in Malaysia! I need to get my diving license to start seeing these amazing sceneries down there.

Sharing this on Twitter so more people can see these beautiful pictures. :)

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Tracy Collins link
21/10/2016 07:54:42 pm

The photographs are breathtaking! Loved the turtles! Due to my fish phobia (yes it's me!!) it's the closest I will get!

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FeetDoTravel
24/10/2016 03:04:35 pm

Thank you Tracy for your comments and we are more than happy to write posts such as this one so people like you don't miss out! Diving isn't for everyone, whether they have a phobia or not, so you can view the underwater world vicariously through us :-)

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Elaine J Masters link
21/10/2016 11:41:01 pm

So impressed. I've wanted to dive there for so long. Great viz and gorgeous schools. Thanks for the inspiration.

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FeetDoTravel
22/11/2016 03:54:14 pm

I hope you get a chance to dive here, you won't be disappointed I'm sure! The viz is good (most of the time, apart from when there have been storms but that's the same the world over). So glad you have been inspired to go :-)

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Helena link
22/10/2016 01:43:39 am

Angie this is amazing!! I would love to go here one day. Great shots as well!

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FeetDoTravel
26/10/2016 09:38:35 am

Thanks Helena, I'm glad you liked the photos and I hope you do get to travel here one day!

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Anisa link
22/10/2016 02:53:00 am

Wow those underwater pictures are amazing and definitely build a case for this to be the number #1 dive site! I love all the colors and it is so neat that you saw a giant clam! Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard

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FeetDoTravel
26/10/2016 09:45:49 am

The colours underwater are amazing aren't they and yes, we saw a giant clam, I'm glad you liked it :-) Thank you for taking the time to read our story and comment.

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Lyn - A Hole in my Shoe link
22/10/2016 06:00:05 am

Gorgeous pics but this is not for me so thank you or showing me, the closest to this I have seen is in a glass bottom boat.

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FeetDoTravel
26/10/2016 09:44:25 am

Thanks Lyn, diving isn't for everyone in truth, but I am glad you appreciated the photos and thank you for taking the time to comment :-)

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LISA STANTON link
22/10/2016 12:59:45 pm

Those of us who don't dive seem to be missing out on so much beauty, Your pictures are fabulous and really put me right there! The colors are gorgeous and I especially love the turtles. Looks like a cool place to visit.

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FeetDoTravel
26/10/2016 09:39:49 am

Well, Lisa, as long as you have people like me posting pictures and stories of the underworld, you will not be missing out :-) You can live vicariously through our pics!

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Garth link
22/10/2016 04:30:48 pm

Wow! incredible photos! the colours, the variety! The winning shot has to be that wall of jack fish, great post

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FeetDoTravel
26/10/2016 09:37:42 am

The wall of Jacks is amazing isn't it, Sy won a ViewBug award for that picture - can't wait to hopefully see it again when we return!

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Emily @ Out and About link
22/10/2016 05:57:03 pm

Your pictures are STUNNING. They are even better than the best aquariums in the world! My favorite is the reference to Finding Nemo. =) I've never heard of Sipadan and am not scuba-certified, but now I am ready to go GET certified!!! Thank you for sharing!

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FeetDoTravel
24/10/2016 03:01:55 pm

Thank you so much Emily, we loved your comment and compliment :-) Finding Nemo whenever I dive is always a highlight, I love seeing him and it makes me happy lol. I hope you do consider becoming a diver, would love to hear of your adventures :-)

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Barry link
22/10/2016 09:54:12 pm

Borneo has some excellent diving locations and the great under water photos show that so much. Must admit I did enjoy my last trip to East Malaysia. It’s so chilled out and relaxed, plus there’s plenty to see that’s off the beaten tourist trail. OK it’s a bit hot and sweaty but that’s all part of the fun. Sipadan is a must if you love diving.

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FeetDoTravel
24/10/2016 03:12:57 pm

Thank you Barry for your comment and yes Borneo is an amazing place to dive isn't it, and it's why we keep returning :-) It has something for everyone (keep an eye out for our "8 Amazing things to do in Borneo" which will be released 20 November) but you are right, plenty of off the beaten track things to see and do with all the miles of jungle they have ... jungle does also mean hot and sweaty though lol.

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Ahila link
23/10/2016 01:31:46 am

Beautiful underwater photos! Thanks for sharing them at #TheWeeklyPostcard

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FeetDoTravel
24/10/2016 03:23:07 pm

Thanks Ahila, glad you enjoyed them, there will always be more to come :-)

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Ruth link
23/10/2016 05:07:45 am

What an impressive place! There are so many colorful creatures down there. I think I am mostly impressed by the school of fish. Those pictures look so amazing (so many fish!). #WeekendWanderlust

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FeetDoTravel
24/10/2016 03:15:16 pm

I absolutely love seeing schools of fish, the more the better for me, I could sit there and watch them swim by all day! So glad you appreciate them the way I do and thanks for taking the time to read and comment, it's much appreciated.

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Lyn aka The Travelling Lindfields link
23/10/2016 09:50:17 am

I have never heard of Sipadan. You make it look like a very tempting destination - it's a pity I don't dive. I don't suppose you can snorkel there.

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FeetDoTravel
24/10/2016 03:18:24 pm

Hi Lyn, yes you can snorkel there but you still have to be part of a group and have a permit. I'm so glad you feel tempted by this post ... keep on following for more diving inspiration and one day you may just be tempted :-) Thanks for taking the time to read and comment :-)

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Jim ~ ReflectionsEnroute link
23/10/2016 10:14:22 am

You're photography is stunning! I don't dive, but now I'm beginning to wonder if it's something I should take up.

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FeetDoTravel
24/10/2016 03:00:31 pm

Thanks Jim, we appreciate your comments :-) If our photos and experiences can inspire someone like you to consider diving, well, that is the ultimate compliment so thank you!

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Travel Lexx link
23/10/2016 06:10:54 pm

Absolutely stunning - I have heard many awesome things about Sipadan and it might just make me want to get back in the water and do some more diving! An amazing array of marine life and those gorgeous colours! Just beautiful!

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FeetDoTravel
24/10/2016 02:54:38 pm

Diving is a great adventure and I can imagine you doing it! It also takes you to different destinations, mainly paradise islands which suits me fine lol. Hope you get to pick it up again, Sy can be your Dive Master :-)

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Jenn
24/10/2016 02:12:47 am

Wow guys! What a great scuba adventure. Although I'm not scuba certified, I really felt like I was in the water with you! The fish are beautiful - my favorite is the Longfin Bannerfish, they are so cool! And, the turtles, WOW! How far below the surface were you guys?

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FeetDoTravel
24/10/2016 02:53:12 pm

Thanks Jenn :-) I absolutely love seeing all the beautiful fish, so glad you like them as well. We were about 10 metres below the surface for some of these, in Sipadan, you don't actually have to dive deep to see the aquarium like fish, they are very shallow, about 3-6 metres.

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Cathy link
24/10/2016 03:15:48 am

I'd love to face my fears and learn to scuba. I can snorkel though:) Your photos are incredible!

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FeetDoTravel
24/10/2016 02:17:19 pm

If you snorkel, you can still see some amazing marine life, I have heard plenty of stories of snorkellers sometime seeing more than divers so you carry on :-)

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Ria link
24/10/2016 12:56:54 pm

Seems this post came to me on the right time - like we are thinking to go there on Christmas :) I hope to make the same beautiful pics there :)

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FeetDoTravel
24/10/2016 02:35:53 pm

That's excellent Ria, I hope you do go there for Christmas! We dived Xmas day last year wearing santa hats so keep an eye out for our "5 Christmases in 5 Contents" blog in December, pics will be included :-)

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Michele {Malaysian Meanders} link
27/10/2016 05:28:26 am

Fantastic underwater photos! I'm glad that you told me how big that giant clam is because I would have never guessed its size. I'm amazed how densely packed that school of fish is. I guess they don't get claustrophobic. I wanted to visit Sipadan but somehow never made it over there.

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FeetDoTravel
28/10/2016 10:01:20 am

Thanks Michele and yes, the size of marine life can be deceptive can't it! I love your comment about the fish not being claustrophobic, I guess we will never know, they are stuck in the middle of thousands :-) Maybe one day on your future travels you will make it to Sipadan.

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John
27/10/2016 09:47:41 pm

Fantastic write-up! We are hoping to go to Sipadan next week - do you have any tips on where to stay? We can't seem to work out how much it will cost to do a 3 or 4 day beginner diving course. Any tips would be gratefully received! Thanks

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FeetDoTravel
28/10/2016 10:04:08 am

That's fabulous you are going to Sipadan! I thoroughly recommend Scuba Junkie, we always stay with them on Mabul and their instructors there are first class, Sy has carried out most of his training there and will return in December to start his Dive Master training so I would recommend them for your beginners course. The information should be on their website at http://www.scuba-junkie.com/diving/mabul/.

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Marcelle Simone Heller link
28/10/2016 06:50:24 am

Your photographs are stunning! Even with underwater photography course I wasn't able to get really good pictures! Indonesia is awesome for divers. I went to Flores which offers also an enormous diversity under water.

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FeetDoTravel
28/10/2016 10:05:34 am

Underwater photography is deceptive isn't it! I am always at the back of the group taking pics and I always take far too many, I must annoy everyone, Sy is much quicker than me though! Thanks for the tip on Flores, we will look into that when we visit Indonesia.

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stephanie link
1/12/2016 04:21:17 pm

Amazing photos!
I just got my OW certificate.
I hope I can dive at Sipadan someday.
x

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FeetDoTravel
1/12/2016 07:01:53 pm

Thanks Stephanie and congratulations on passing your OW :-) The world is now your oyster and can add a whole new dimension to your future travels if you want it to! I hope you get a chance to dive Sipadan as well so you can see all of these amazing things yourself :-)

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Aria
9/10/2017 08:17:54 am

Interesting article. I usually search new dive sites on https://dive.site. Not only that I can explore and add new dive sites, I can also use it as an online logbook in order to keep track of my dives.

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