The Area

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Sabah - "The land below the wind"

Scuba Junkie Sipadan is based in both Semporna & Mabul island on the Southeastern coast of Sabah, Borneo which is the gateway to diving. Thanks to its optimal terrain, the area is never affected by typhoons or earthquakes & the crystal blue ocean is exquisite. Sipadan, widely regarded as a scuba diver's paradise, attracts diving enthusiasts from all over the world.

about sipadan
jackfish south point sipadan
kota Kinabalu marine park islands

more than just diving!

Sabah is not only known for its spectacular diving but it also has a wide range of other exciting activities to offer such as mountain climbing, white water rafting & exploring the tropical rainforests! Kota Kinabalu (KK) the capital of Sabah located on the west coast is the hub to a variety of amazing attractions from the bustling night markets to the local tropical paradise islands just a 20-minute boat ride away. Be sure to make your way to the famous waterfront to capture the astounding sunset over the South China Sea whilst enjoying a variety of cuisines for dinner. Traveling across Sabah is very convenient with land transfers or short domestic flights, so if you have a couple of weeks here then you can easily fit all these activities in.

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Quick facts about Sabah

Total Size

73,631 km².

Tallest point

Mt Kinabalu - at 4,095m tall.

Population

Approximately 3.9 million.

religion

At about 65%, the majority of the population are Muslims. Approximately 25% are Christian and 6% Buddhists.

language

Bahasa Malaysia is the official language in Sabah, however there are over 40 ethnic groups, all with their own language.

National Parks

Sabah is known for its beaches, rainforest, coral reefs and abundant wildlife, much of it within parks and reserves. There are a total of 9 protected National Parks in Sabah.

explore sabah

Over half of Sabah is covered in forest making it a mecca for wildlife lovers, you can choose a day trip from Kota Kinabalu such as viewing the famous Proboscis Monkeys on a river cruise or if you are feeling adventurous white water rafting! If you are happy to go further afield and like a challenge you can climb the renowned Mount Kinabalu which towers 4,095 metres above sea level and is the highest peak between the Himalayas and New Guinea, also the most prominent in Southeast Asia.

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mount Kinabalu
orangutan kinabatangan river Sabah

sabah's jungle

The rainforests are very popular to visit & have a huge variety of animals to see! The Kinabatangan river is one of the best and most easily accessible places to see wildlife. The population density of animals on this stretch of the Kinabatangan river is second to none. Another option is the 472sq km conservation area of Danum Valley which is one of the oldest rainforests in the world (130 million years). This primarily lowland dipterocarp forest conservation area is home to hundreds of species of birds, mammals & insects! The Borneo pygmy elephant, sun bear, orangutan and clouded leopard are just a few of Danum Valley’s inhabitants.
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getting around Sabah

Sabah has a lot to offer, and it can be daunting to decide not only where to go, but also how to get there. Most people either start in Kota Kinabalu (KK) and end with Mabul/Sipadan - or the other way around. Kota Kinabalu is the capital of Sabah and has many international connections by plane. 

Travelling down the east of Sabah can be done either by plane, bus or as part of a tour company such as River Junkie. Planes and local buses run from KK city to Sandakan, Lahad Datu, and all the way down to Semporna - the gateway to your diving adventures with Scuba Junkie! For more info about how to reach us at Scuba Junkie, check out our “Getting Here” page.

map of Sabah

Oftentimes transportation will be included in tour packages, and our sister company River Junkie can help with transportation and accommodation along the way. For inspiration on how to combine all the best sights of Sabah - you can browse their different packages here.

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