Tucked off the northern coast of Borneo near Tawau in the Sabah region, Sipadan is often hailed as the “Champion of Conservation Success Stories of Marine Biodiversity.” Once overwhelmed by over-tourism, with resorts and infrastructure stressing its tiny island ecosystem, it has now been fully restored. All establishments have been removed, only a Navy post remains, and scuba dives are strictly regulated through a daily permit system to protect its fragile environment.

I visited in 2019, after a long journey involving multiple flights, terminal changes and a mix of bus and car travels before reaching Semporna, the launchpad for Sipadan dives, shaped by strong Chinese business presence. Beneath the surface, the ocean came alive with marine creatues like big-eye trevally, snapper, reef sharks, and turtles weaving through coral-strewn bommies. The highlight was diving into the mysterious Turtle Tomb—my first cave dive, accomplished without any technical gear, thanks to my expert guide Jaffri Abdullah. Sipadan isn’t just a destination—it’s living proof of what marine conservation can achieve.