What to Bring to Sipadan?

Well... as little as possible, you are on holiday!

Obviously we would advise that you arrange comprehensive travel, medical and diving insurance. If you take prescription medicines you will need to bring these with.

• Bring a hat, sun block, a towel and mosquito repellent.
• Make sure you have a digital camera.
• You can buy Malaysia SIM cards just about anywhere for your cellphone.
• Definitely bring a wide smile and a good sense of humour :-)

What to Bring for Diving?

• You can save by bringing some diving/snorkeling gears.
• There is also diving equipment for hire.
• Dive computers and dive torches are also available for rent.
• It is preferable to bring your own Underwater digital camera.
• If you are bringing your own dive gears then you probably want to bring a 3mm - 5mm shorties or full suits (some are happy with only a rash vest).
• If your dive gear is DIN configured then please bring your own adaptor.
• The Sabah electrical supply runs on 220V / 60 hertz.
• If you are planning to start a Scuba Dive Course you will need to fill out a medical declaration prior to the start of the course.
• Finally, please don't forget your diving certification cards and logbook.

More about What to Bring to Sipadan?

As little as possible — you're on holiday, and the islands run on flip-flop logic. But ten years of watching guests unpack has produced a short list of things worth their luggage space, and a shorter list of genuine must-haves.

Non-negotiables: comprehensive travel, medical and diving insurance (arrange it before you fly — dive accidents are precisely what insurance exists for); your certification cards and logbook; any prescription medicines in original packaging, in quantities for the whole trip plus spare days — pharmacies exist in Semporna, but your specific medication may not.

The sensible kit: a hat, high-SPF reef-safe sunblock (the boat rides burn people faster than the beaches do), sunglasses, insect repellent for the evenings, a light rain layer for squalls, and a dry bag for boat transfers — your phone will thank you. Divers: bring your own mask and computer even if renting everything else; fit and familiarity matter more for those two than anything in the bag.

Leave-at-home list: hairdryers and formalwear (nowhere to use either), drone ambitions near protected areas without checking rules first, and anything you'd be sad to see humidity ruin.

Money notes are on our Money & Prices page. And if you're unsure whether something's provided at your resort — towels, toiletries, rental gear quality — ask us; we know each property's cupboard.

Ask us what to pack for Sipadan