Semporna, a town on the island of Borneo in the state of Sabah, Malaysia, is often regarded as the gateway to some of the world's most spectacular scuba diving sites. Famous for its thriving marine life and crystal clear waters, Semporna provides access to diving locations like Sipadan, Mabul, and Kapalai.

Barracuda Point (Sipadan Island): Regularly listed as one of the top dive sites in the world, Barracuda Point boasts massive schools of barracuda, vibrant coral walls, and a range of large marine species like turtles, white-tip sharks, and bumphead parrotfish.

South Point (Sipadan Island): This dive site drops off into a deep abyss and is the place to spot the elusive hammerhead sharks, especially during early morning dives. Also seen here are reef sharks, barracudas, and turtles.

Paradise II (Mabul Island): This shallow site with a maximum depth of 14 meters (46 feet) is perfect for beginners. It offers an introduction to the area's fantastic muck diving, with creatures like frogfish, ghost pipefish, and the flamboyant cuttlefish.

House Reef (Kapalai): The house reef of Kapalai dive resort offers easy conditions and shallow diving with a depth of around 15 meters (49 feet). Expect to encounter various macro life forms like leaf fish, seahorses, and octopuses.

Semporna and its surrounding islands are renowned for their biodiversity. Divers can expect to encounter various types of sharks, barracudas, turtles, bumphead parrotfish, and a wealth of macro life. For lovers of small creatures, muck diving around Mabul and Kapalai offers sightings of rare and unusual species like nudibranchs, mimic octopus, and mandarinfish.

The dive conditions in Semporna are excellent throughout the year, with water temperatures typically around 27-30°C (81-86°F) and visibility often reaching up to 30 meters (98 feet). The monsoon season from November to March can bring rain and lower visibility, but diving is still possible and enjoyable during this period.

The cost of diving in Semporna can vary, largely depending on the sites you choose to visit. A typical dive package for Sipadan (including permit, gear, guide, and boat transfer) can range from $150-$200 per day. Mabul and Kapalai diving would be less expensive. Keep in mind that there's a daily limit on the number of divers allowed at Sipadan to protect the environment, so booking in advance is advisable.

From beginners to experienced divers, Semporna and its nearby islands offer an unforgettable underwater experience, teeming with vibrant marine life and breathtaking seascapes.