Vol 2

A s a traveler with a thirst for adventure, I recently embarked on a journey to Sabah, Borneo, toexplore its famed underwater wonders. Renowned for its crystalline seas and kaleidoscopic marine life, Sabah promised an unparalleled diving experience unlike any other. Join me as I dive into the depths of Sabah’s top 10 diving spots, each offering a unique tableau of underwatermarvels. Sipadan Island Sipadan Island, a crown jewel in Sabah’s diving scene, dazzled me with its dramatic coral walls plunging into the abyss. Descending into its azure waters, I found myself surrounded by a bustling metropolis of marine life – from swirling barracudas to graceful reef sharks. The highlight? An encounter with a majestic hammerhead shark, a moment etched into my memory forever. Mabul Island Mabul Island, a paradise for macro photography enthusiasts, offered a mesmerizing glimpse into the intricateworld of underwater critters. With my camera in hand, I delved into its sandy depths, uncovering a treasure trove of flamboyant cuttlefish, elusive seahorses, and vibrant nudibranchs. Each click of my shutter captured a moment of pure magic beneath the waves. Layang-Layang Island Venturing to Layang-Layang Island, I was greeted by an exhilarating playground for adrenaline junkies and seasoned divers alike. Despite the challenging currents, the rewardswerebountiful – sightings of hammerhead shark schools and majesticmantarays leftmebreathless withwonder. It is a destination that truly tests the limits of dive enthusiasts while rewarding them with unparalleled marine encounters. Mataking Island Mataking Island, with its haunting shipwrecks and vibrant marine life, offered a window into Sabah’s rich maritime history. MARCH 2024 08 Travel By Tallula Skylar PHOTOGRAPHY BY CYNTA MOK the Waves Beneath Exploring the sunken relics of World War II, I was surrounded by a flurryof activity – schools of snappers, barracudas,andcolorfulnudibranchs danced amid thewreckage. It was a dive experience that seamlessly blended history with natural beauty. Kapalai Island Kapalai Island, a mecca for muck diving enthusiasts, beckoned with its promise of surreal encounters and hidden treasures. Withmyeyespeeledfortheunusual, I embarked on a journey through its sandy seabed, encountering ghost pipefish, flamboyant frogfish, and elusive blue-ringed octopuses. It is a dive destination that rewards curiosity and rewards with unforgettable underwater encounters. TunAbdul RahmanMarinePark ExploringTunAbdulRahmanMarine Park, I found myself immersed in a world of vibrant coral reefs and A Journey Through Sabah’s Top Dive Spots playful marine creatures. Perfect for novicedivers, its shallow watersteemedwithlife–fromcolorful clownfish to graceful turtles. It is a sanctuary for underwater enthusiasts seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and reconnect with nature’s beauty. PomPomIsland Pom Pom Island, with its pristine coral reefs and tranquil waters, provided a serene escape from the chaos of modern life. Swimming alongside gentle turtles and schools of barracudas, I felt a sense of peacewash overme. It is a destination that invites introspection and reflection, allowing travelers todisconnect fromtheworld aboveand immerse themselves inthe serenity of the sea. Sibuan Island Sibuan Island, a hidden gem off Sabah’s east coast, offered a glimpse into the region’s untouched natural beauty. With its crystal-clear waters and vibrant coral formations, it is a paradise for snorkelers and divers alike. Exploring its shallow reefs, I was greeted by a riot of colors and a kaleidoscope of marine life – a testament to the island’s pristine ecosystem. UsukanBayWreck The Usukan Bay Wreck site, with its eerie shipwrecks and thrivingmarine ecosystem, transportedmetoanother world entirely. Descending into the depths, I was surrounded by towering relics transformed into artificial reefs teemingwith life. Schools of batfish, giant turtles, and the occasional whale sharkmade eachdiveanunforgettableadventure. TunSakaranMarinePark Tun Sakaran Marine Park, with its brilliant coral reefs and diverse marine life, provided a fitting finale to my underwater odyssey in Sabah. From vibrant angelfish to majestic sharks, every dive offered a new discovery and a renewed sense of wonder. It is a sanctuary for marine enthusiasts seeking to reconnect with nature and explore the depths of Sabah’s underwater realm. Verdict Sabah’s underwater world is a symphony of color, diversity, and wonder, waiting to be explored by adventurous souls. Whether you are a seasoned diver or a curious novice, each dive spot promisesanunforgettableexperience that will leave you in awe of nature’s beauty.