Due to Sabah Parks regulations, divers visiting Sipadan Island are required to hold at least a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification or equivalent. This requirement is in place because of Sipadan’s deep wall profiles, potential currents, and open-ocean conditions.
Strong buoyancy control and prior diving experience are essential to ensure diver safety and to protect the fragile coral ecosystem. Divers who are newly certified or lack recent experience are strongly advised to complete a refresher or additional dives at nearby sites such as Mabul before attempting Sipadan.
