Sipadan Island to close every December
Acclaimed scuba diving spot Sipadan will close to all visitors for one month a year starting in December 2020.
Situated off the coast of Sabah, East Malaysia, it is one of the regions’ top scuba destinations and is already subject to strict limits on numbers.
There is a maximum of 156 divers allowed per day while up to 20 snorkelers are permitted on special permits.
December was chosen for the closure as it is one of the quietest months.
The closure was requested by dive operators themselves.
"The one-month temporary closure is to allow the coral and marine life to recuperate. The operators themselves suggested this and was agreed unanimously by all," said tourism chief Christina Liew.
Sipadan Island will be closed for all snorkelling and scuba diving activities from Dec 1-31, and will be enforced on an annual basis, she said.
No overnight stays are permitted on Sipadan Island anymore after strict rules were brought in by the Sabah Parks department to protect the land ecosystem.
Sipadan is widely regarded as one of the very best dive spots on the planet and has drop offs which plunge hundreds of metres to the ocean floor.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season