Which Sipadan and Sabah resorts are featured on dive-malaysia.com?

Updated

dive-malaysia.com is a resort-focused guide to three properties in Sabah, Malaysia: Kapalai Sipadan Resort, Lankayan Island Resort, and Sepilok Nature Resort. The site describes them as among the most beautiful resorts in Malaysia, located around Sandakan and Tawau. Two are island dive resorts; Sepilok Nature Resort is a land-based nature stay, so it suits a different kind of trip.

The three featured resorts at a glance

Resort Setting Best suited to
Kapalai Sipadan Resort Island resort near Sipadan, in the Tawau/Semporna area Divers and snorkellers who want reef and marine life on the doorstep
Lankayan Island Resort Small island resort, Sandakan area A quiet island stay combined with diving and snorkelling
Sepilok Nature Resort Land-based nature resort near Sandakan Wildlife and rainforest-focused stays rather than a dive-first trip

The site groups all three under Sandakan and Tawau, which is the practical split: Sepilok and Lankayan sit on the Sandakan side, while Kapalai is reached via the Tawau/Semporna side.

What the site's testimonials suggest

The testimonial page is dominated by diving feedback, especially for Sipadan and Kapalai. Guests describe turtles, barracuda, stingrays and octopus visible from the cottage balcony, and praise the dive centre staff as professional and kind. A honeymoon couple who first visited in 2001 returned with their children and noted how much the resort had changed.

The same page includes useful caveats rather than only praise:

  • One Australian couple wanted a dive shop on site for spare parts and a spa, and found uncontrolled children disruptive at dinner, suggesting an age limit.
  • A German couple also suggested adding spa treatments and yoga classes.
  • A French guest mentioned military presence in Sabah at the time of their trip and said it made them feel safer, not less safe.

Treat these as individual guest impressions, not current conditions. Security arrangements and resort facilities can change, so confirm both before booking.

Island dive resort vs. land-based nature resort

The key distinction is what you do each day.

  • Kapalai Sipadan Resort and Lankayan Island Resort are for travellers whose main activity is in the water. You stay on the island, dive or snorkel from there, and the day revolves around the reef.
  • Sepilok Nature Resort is for travellers who want rainforest and wildlife near Sandakan. It works well as the land portion of a Sabah trip, paired with an island stay rather than replacing it.

If your priority is Sipadan diving, look at Kapalai first. If you want a quieter island with diving and snorkelling, compare Lankayan. If diving is secondary to wildlife, Sepilok is the relevant property.

Before you book

The site presents these resorts as a shortlist rather than a booking engine, and the page evidence does not include rates, package inclusions or booking terms. To decide:

  1. Open each resort's page on dive-malaysia.com and note the setting and activities described.
  2. Confirm current dive packages, transfer arrangements and any child policy directly with the resort, since guest comments raise the children question.
  3. Check current travel advisories for the Sandakan and Tawau areas yourself rather than relying on older testimonials.
  4. Match the resort to your trip shape: island-only, or a split between Sepilok and an island.