Diving Semporna
Mataking, Bum Bum,
Tun Sakaran
Tun Sakaran Marine Park
At Bigfin divers we offer snorkeling trips and scuba diving Semporna to the islands and surrounding coral reefs that comprise the Tun Sakaran marine park. Day trips to Tun Sakaran marine park include visiting two different islands in one day. Dive Sibuan, Mantabuan, Selakan and hike Bohey Dulang to a stunning view point of the archipelago.
The marine park is visible from Bigfin water bungalow, which faces the famous Bohey Dulang Island, know locally as the sleeping old man (look at the island and you will see why). This 340 sq km marine park is a short 15 KM, a 20 minute speed boat ride from Bigfin water bungalow & PADI dive center. The marine park is renowned for its stunning clear turquoise waters fringed by powder white beaches. The landscape is comparable to the Maldives.
The 8 islands in the park are Sibuan, Mantabuan, Selakan, Bohey Dulang, Tetagan, Bodgaya, Maiga and Sebangkat, the first four islands being the most famed for excellent scuba diving. All these islands are managed and patrolled by Sabah parks to help preserve this pristine natural environment both above and below the water.
Mantabuan
This small flat circular island has a stunning surrounding reef. Here you can see some of the most beautiful, pristine hard coral that Malaysia has to offer. Mantabuan is perfect for snorkeling trips as the reef is very shallow. This area showcases the Coral Triangle’s diversity. Many coral species vary across a single dive site. Down at deeper depths you can even see a dense garden of black coral bushes. These corals are green, yellow, and white in colour. They resemble plate-like, ghostly trees swaying with the current in the depths. Additionally, look carefully inside the branches to discover minute saw-blade shrimp taking refuge in the foliage.
Sibuan
The interior of this tiny idyllic island is filled with a dense grove of coconut trees. On the islands perimeter, Sibuan has a picture perfect elongated white sandbar stretching into the ocean. Dive Sibuan and swim off the western beach. A gradual sandy slope awaits, an excellent site to hunt critters. Seamoths and blue ringed octopus can be seen in the sand, whilst eagle rays glide past skim the bottom for tiny crustaceans to eat.
To the north of Sibuan Island there is a sheer wall dive where divers can encounter green and hawksbill turtles munching on coral, and giant sea snakes foraging.
Bohey Dulang
Bohey Dulang island is know locally as the old sleeping man, as you can clearly see from Bigfin jetty, it literally looks like an old sleeping man! Local legend tells that the island was the hiding place of Princess Salamia, who was saved from an arranged marriage to a Sultan from the Southern Philippines. Princess Salamia’s family hid her in Bohey Dulang to avoid the marriage where spirits turned her into a fairy.
The island is at the heart of the protected Tun Sakaran marine park. As a result, the site is a geological wonder from an old volcano, evolving into a blue lagoon with coral. There is a pathway to climb 350 meters uphill to the highest point of the island for a stunning view. This is a popular hike, a must do when visiting Semporna. From this vantage point you can admire the brilliant blue of the island archipelago.
Mataking & Pandanan Island
Mataking island is located to the far North, the closest island to the neighboring Philippines. The two islands of Mataking are connected by a long brilliant white sandbar, and the island is home to a turtle hatchery. Dive sites include the gorgeous ‘Garden of Eden’ with its lush and vibrant corals, Timba timba with its sandy slopes home to resident rays, Pandanan for elusive frogfish and nudibranchs, and the sunken Ship wreck with giant groupers and menacing great barracuda lurking inside. At shipwreck you can even send a postcard home via the underwater postbox! Meanwhile, Pandanan island is home to a stunning long coral reef drift, arguably the most beautiful coral you can see when diving Semporna!
Bum Bum & Omadal Island
Bigfin divers is based on Bum bum Island, Semporna. We are situated just opposite the Tun Sakaran marine park. The deep water that divides Bum bum from the marine park is home to many interesting species! We have a House reef on the drop off directly in front of the resort with a beautiful sheltered reef which is great for snorkelling trips and beginner divers. There are large green turtles that eat the seagrass in the shallow water and plenty for experienced divers to search for when muck diving on the sandy bottom.
This island is very popular for muck diving Semporna, with a array of critters to discover. Searching for macro in the ‘Muck’ is what made Semporna diving famous! Here divers can spot the Ghost nudibranchs (Melibe colomani), a translucent nudibranch that is incredibly difficult to spot and a holy grail for macro dive photographers. For the very keen eye, you can also find tiny pygmy pipe horse, the elusive Lembeh sea dragon and the delicate weedy scorpionfish. A photographers dream subject!
Night Dives
Those who dare to delve in the dark will be rewarded. Bum Bum Island is fantastic for night diving Semporna! After dusk the weird and wonderful specimens awaken. Expect to see something new, no matter how many thousand of dives you have under your belt. There are many critters to be found, and some incredibly creative species that have made trash their home and even repurposed it to dress themselves!
Non divers please check out our page on SNORKELING in Sabah