Sipadan Island lies off the east coast of Malaysian Borneo. The island is known above all for some of the best scuba diving anywhere in the world.
Because of its strategic location, the islands were previously disputed between Malaysia and Indonesia, leading to instability and a highly publicized case of 20 tourists being kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf rebels in 2000. However, an International Court of Justice decision sided with Malaysia. Because of this, and some pirate activity in the area some years ago, the area remains regularly patrolled by the Malaysian navy.
Because of this, there's no Divecenters nor resorts or any other sort of accomodation on the island. All the accomodation and dive trips are arranged from the neighbour islands: Mabul and Kapalai (1h boat trip), and from mainland, Semporna (1,5- 2h boat trip)
